Is Cameo Highlands, Newport Beach a Good Place to Live?
Additionally, A gated, affluent enclave in central Newport Beach known for quality schools and premium single-family homes.
About Cameo Highlands in Newport Beach
Cameo Highlands is a car-dependent neighborhood in Newport Beach where median home values exceed $2 million and residents skew toward college-educated professionals and established families. Additionally, the community emphasizes privacy, strong schools, and suburban tranquility over walkability or transit access. If you prioritize quality housing, top-rated schools like Harbor View Elementary, and a secure residential setting with minimal commercial intrusion, Cameo Highlands delivers on those fundamentals.
Real Estate Market in Cameo Highlands
| Median home price | $2.0m |
|---|---|
| Year over year change | stable |
| Price per sq ft | $950 |
| Median rent | $2,612 |
| Typical days on market | 45 |
| Buyer competition | Moderate |
| Walk Score | 29 |
| Transit Score | 23 |
| Bike Score | 33 |
Cameo Highlands tracks closely with Newport Beach's broader median home value of $2 million. Rental inventory is limited; median rent near $2,600 indicates most residents own rather than lease.
Cameo Highlands attracts serious, educated buyers who move methodically. Additionally, offer strength matters less than proof of financing and clean inspection. Homes in this price band rarely sit long; expect 30 to 60 days on market for well-presented properties.
Who Thrives in Cameo Highlands
Entry price into Cameo Highlands starts around $2 million, placing it beyond reach for most first-time purchasers.
Additionally, strong schools, safe streets, and proximity to parks like Inspiration Point and Centennial Park make Cameo Highlands ideal for established families seeking a suburban anchor.
Additionally, low turnover and strong owner-occupancy (66% in the immediate area) support stable property values, though rental yields remain modest.
Additionally, 24% work from home in the neighborhood; car-dependent layout is offset by quiet, distraction-free residential blocks suited to home-based professionals.
Additionally, median age of 39 suggests a balanced mix; established retirees find secure, well-maintained properties and proximity to medical services like Newport Beach Fire Station 5 and Rite Aid.
Property Types in Cameo Highlands
Dominant housing type; lot sizes and floor plans vary widely across the neighborhood.
Less common; typically clustered near neighborhood perimeter.
Limited new development; most inventory consists of 1980s to 2000s-era homes.
Living in Cameo Highlands, Newport Beach
Daily life in Cameo Highlands revolves around family, school calendars, and suburban routines. Additionally, residents drive to shopping, dining, and recreation; walkability ranks low (score of 29), and public transit is minimal (23 transit score). However, the neighborhood's car-dependency supports stable, quiet residential blocks. Nearby amenities include Bristol Farms and Gelson's for upscale groceries, Peet's Coffee and Starbucks for daily errands, and fitness options like Rooted Soul Movement Pilates for active lifestyles.
- Five Crowns · 15 min walk
- Chronic Tacos · 18 min walk
- Rose Bakery Cafe · 18 min walk
- Domino's · 18 min walk
- El Cholo · 19 min walk
- Starbucks · 29 min walk
- Peet's Coffee · 37 min walk
- Inspiration Point · 21 min walk
- Centennial Park · 22 min walk
- Jasmine View Park · 25 min walk
- Grant Howald Park · 26 min walk
- Bayside Dr Park · 28 min walk
- Mothers Market · 25 min walk
- Bristol Farms · 36 min walk
- Gelson's · 38 min walk
- Oasis Senior Center · 20 min walk
- CDM LAGREE · 32 min walk
- A7 Personal Training · 33 min walk
- Rooted Soul Movement Pilates · 33 min walk
- New Port Theatre · 27 min walk
Annual events: Newport Beach Summer Concert Series (nearby), local school fundraisers, seasonal holiday markets in adjacent Newport Center
Schools Near Cameo Highlands, Newport Beach
Education is a primary draw in Cameo Highlands. Harbor View Elementary (rating 80, grades K-6) serves the immediate neighborhood and maintains strong academic performance. Abraham Lincoln Elementary (rating 66, grades K-6) is also proximate and offers an alternative public option.
Elementary Schools
School Score 80 with 78% math and 82% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 66 with 63% math and 69% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Private Schools Nearby
- Harbor Day School (KG-8) — 31-minute walk
Feeder pattern: Most families transition to Newport Beach Unified School District middle and high schools, ensuring continuity in a highly rated system.
Source: Proximitii 2026
Commute from Cameo Highlands
Additionally, cameo Highlands is deeply car-oriented; nearly 76% of residents commute by personal vehicle. Public transit exists but remains limited, with Coast transit lines serving the neighborhood at minimal frequency.
Additionally, coast-Cameo Highlands bus line provides local connectivity, but service frequency and coverage favor car ownership.
Neighborhoods Near Cameo Highlands
Not sure Cameo Highlands is the right fit? Compare these nearby neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cameo Highlands
What is the average home price in Cameo Highlands, Newport Beach?
The median home value in Cameo Highlands is approximately $2 million, reflecting the neighborhood's premium positioning within Newport Beach. Single-family homes typically range from $1.8 million to $3.5 million, while townhomes and attached properties fall in the $1.4 million to $2.2 million band. Prices reflect the area's strong schools, security, and suburban character.
Is Cameo Highlands a good place to live?
Cameo Highlands is an excellent fit for affluent, established families prioritizing top-rated schools, secure neighborhoods, and suburban living over walkability. Additionally, the area's car-dependent design and lack of commercial density appeal to buyers seeking residential tranquility. However, those valuing walkable shopping, dining, and transit access may find the neighborhood's low walk score (29) and minimal transit options restrictive. For its target demographic, the answer is yes.
Are schools in Cameo Highlands highly rated?
Yes. Additionally, harbor View Elementary, which serves much of Cameo Highlands, carries a rating of 80 and a strong academic reputation. Abraham Lincoln Elementary (rating 66) is also accessible. Both schools feed into Newport Beach Unified School District, which is consistently ranked among California's top public systems. Private options like Harbor Day School provide additional choice for K-8 education.
Is Cameo Highlands a safe neighborhood?
Newport Beach overall ranks among Orange County's safest communities, and Cameo Highlands benefits from that reputation. The neighborhood's gated character, low density (4,680 residents per square mile), and strong family presence contribute to a secure residential environment. Poverty rates in the immediate area are minimal (3.7%), further supporting stable conditions.
Who is Cameo Highlands best suited for?
Cameo Highlands is ideal for affluent families with school-age children, established professionals, and retirees seeking a quiet, premium residential setting. The neighborhood's median household income in Newport Beach is $149,471, and over 70% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. First-time buyers and those seeking walkable, transit-rich neighborhoods should look elsewhere.
Can I walk to shops and restaurants in Cameo Highlands?
Cameo Highlands itself is not walkable; the neighborhood's walk score of 29 reflects its purely residential character. However, nearby shopping and dining at Bristol Farms, Gelson's, Five Crowns, and other establishments are accessible by short car trips. For walkable urban amenities, residents typically venture to adjacent Newport Center or downtown Newport Beach.
Where this Cameo Highlands data comes from
Numbers throughout this guide come from public, authoritative sources. Additionally, walk and transit scores come from Walk Score, neighborhood boundaries and POI data from OpenStreetMap and Proximitii, and parent-city demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Find Your Home in Cameo Highlands
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