On a hilltop overlooking the beautiful rolling hills of Newport Coast canyon is the quaint neighborhood of Harbor View, Newport Beach. Also known as “the Port Streets” it is one of the older communities in Newport, being only the second Irvine Company village erected in the area back in 1971.
It contains the areas within the triangle created by Mac Arthur Blvd, Ford, and San Miguel Roads (and a little bit of San Joaquin Hills Rd.). It also includes the posh Spyglass Hill neighborhood and was designed with extra spacious lots allowing for extensive remodeling or ad-on development. The area architecture has an “East Coast” sensibility that has been lauded for its unique and prestigious appearance.
Harbor View Real Estate
While some of the Harbor View real estate high atop have a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, this is not a traditional beach-view community. While it is only a mile or so from Corona Del Mar State Beach, this is more of an inland suburb, shielded from the traffic and congestion that most beach adjacent communities along the coast endure. This makes access to and from Harbor View a cinch with a variety of avenues in and out of the community including the 73 toll road, only minutes down Bonita Canyon Dr. to the North.
Because Newport Beach communities such as Harbor View are on the expensive side, there are a good deal of factors to consider before buying. Many of our clients have a variety of concerns about an area like this as they intend for it to be not just a step on their way to bigger-and-better things, but a permanent family headquarters for generations to come.
How is Living in a Harbor View Home?
Residents will have full access to two neighborhood clubhouses, community pools, baseball & soccer fields, and several children’s playgrounds via their membership in the Harbor View Association ($100 month dues).
For fitness buffs, there is the Harbor View Nature Park where you can walk, jog, or bike to your heart’s content on long paseos within the confines of your own neighborhood.
These features, among others make Harbor View an ideal family community for those looking to make a permanent homestead for their brood. Spacious lots with tons of available yard will make a great playground for your children. There’s also plenty of room for a swimming pool, basketball court, or even a clubhouse for your kids and their buddies to play in.
Children in this part of Newport attend Roy O. Andersen Elementary school – part of the award winning Newport Mesa School District. Andersen ranks an outstanding
10 out of 10 on GreatSchools.Org, making it one of the finest elementary schools in the county and in the state. Teens, grades 7 through 12, will be eligible to attend Corona Del Mar High School, which is one of the absolute best high schools in the state ranking in the top 10% of all high schools with a California API of 901.
What is There to do Around Harbor View?
Harbor View is also central to a good deal of shopping, dining, and luxury amenities.
To the west is Fashion Island, one of Orange County’s favorite and most popular entertainment and eating destinations. With 2 cinemas, 11 fine dining restaurants, and a huge collection of eateries, boutiques, and department stores, most residents will have to look no further to accommodate their spending habits.
To the south is the charming seaside village of Corona Del Mar on a strip of PCH that houses some of the best restaurants, mom-and-pop shops, and nightlife of any town in all of Orange County.
To the north is The Bluffs Shopping Center situated on Bison Ave. and Mac Arthur Blvd. where you can find inexpensive, local staples such as Islands, Panera, Pei Wei, Chipotle, and the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
Within the neighborhood itself is the Harbor View Center with 10 shops to satisfy a Harbor View resident’s everyday needs including gas, groceries, hair and beauty, banking, pharmacy, and dry cleaning.
No matter how you slice it, Harbor View is a great central location with more than enough creature comforts to satisfy even the most discerning consumer.
Are There Any Complaints About Living in Harbor View?
Honestly, there are few.
Some residents have complained that property taxes are a bit high, but for an area like this with expected home prices starting in the $1.5M to $2.5M range, this is to be expected.
Homebuyers looking for more of a shore view and a taste of the beach life might want to take a look at similarly priced, family-friendly, oceanfront communities like Corona Del Mar, Laguna Beach, or even Dana Point.
Residents have also lost small pets to coyotes that wander in from the nearby San Joaquin hills looking for a meal. If your own small dogs or cats and consider them a part of the family, take into consideration the possible danger of living in a neighborhood located in close proximity to undeveloped natural habitats.
By and large though, Harborview is considered by residents and non-residents alike to be one of the nicest, most accommodating suburbs in all of Newport Beach. Akin to other neighborhoods such as Eastbluff and Dover Shores in terms of size, safety, and makeup, Harbor View stands out a little in that it features a less modern, older architecture. As mentioned earlier, homeowners also enjoy the benefit of having significantly more land than in other communities in the immediate area.
Should I Purchase a Home in Harbor View?
It’s hard to formulate an argument against purchasing in Harbor View. You’re not going to be living the beachcomber lifestyle immediately available to those in the seaside towns or on the peninsula, but again, you’re only a mile or so from the beach.
Those looking for a more traditional neighborhood, with family friendly amenities, easy access, and workable yards will have very few other options in this neck of the woods. The homes are lovely, the schools are great, and the shopping is more than sufficient for almost anybody.
Much like other communities along the Newport Coast, if you have the ability and financing in place to acquire homes in this price range, then Harbor View should definitely be on your list of “must-see” areas while looking for your next home.
