$314,502Average Value$169Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Lawrence neighborhood teeming with activity and charm
Sunset Hills accommodates those looking for a neighborhood that has both old-fashioned charm and promotes an active lifestyle. One of the community's biggest appeals is Centennial Park, a lush hilly green space with terraced limestone cliffs. Known as one of the largest parks in all of Lawrence, Kansas, this site teems with activity. “It has a really nice skate park and a nice disc golf course. The green space is important,” says Gary Webber, president of the Sunset Hill Neighborhood Association. Quiet streets paired with clapboard houses dating back to the 1950s, sidewalks, and a dense tree canopy, all contribute to Sunset Hills' pleasant ambiance. “It’s one of the more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods in the city,” Webber says. Home to both Sunset Hill Elementary School and West Middle School, the neighborhood also attracts a lot of young families. “It’s very centrally located. It’s pretty much in the geographic center of the city,” adds Webber, noting Sunset Hills' proximity to Lawrence's historic downtown, the University of Kansas and Interstate 70.
The Lawrence Farms Market is a great place to get your weekly produce.
Centennial Park has a great skatepark for all skill levels.
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Ranch style homes with nice curb appeal line the streets of Sunset Hills.
Midcentury style homes and apartments amid pleasant natural setting
Sunset Hills' development started in the mid-20th century and continued over the ensuing decades. The architecture across the neighborhood reflects these periods, showcasing a mix of midcentury influences, ranging from ranch-style houses to split- and bi-level homes. The neighborhood also features a smattering of Colonial Revivals and modern Traditionals. Sunset Hills' also features some condo units and ample rental opportunities, ranging from apartment complexes to ranch-style and midcentury duplexes with double garages. Sale prices here can range from just over $100,000 into the mid $600,000s, depending on property size and condition. For example, a modest ranch-style home with a 1,000 square foot layout, or a one-bedroom condo unit, will run between $100,000 and $140,000. While a larger midcentury-style home with a footprint of over 3,000 square feet will go for $630,000. Many single-family homes in Sunset Hills' sit beside clusters of tall mature trees, “Which keeps the neighborhood cool,” Webber says, describing how the neighborhood’s tree canopy helps the overall community aesthetic.
Deerfield Park has a great skatepark the whole family will enjoy.
Neighborhood night time skateboarding and footgolf
In addition to its distinct landscape, the 35-acre Centennial Park features top amenities for both disc golf and skateboarding. Disc golf enthusiasts get to enjoy an 18-hole course, while the skate’s park fixtures include one of the few public 30-foot ramps in this part of the country. “It’s a big old ramp, it’s one you see in competitions,” Webber says. The skatepark is also lighted, a convenience for those who want to keep skating into the evening hours. The park also features walking paths and attractions like a Polaris missile. Nearby, Ludlam Park spans only 2 acres but has become a go-to spot for parents and children since the city added a kiddy playground to the green space. The Orchards Executive Golf Course on the south end of Sunset Hills is another popular venue. Long attracting players, the green features a nine-hole course, plus a space for 'footgolf,' a version of the sport where players kick soccer balls into large cups built into the ground.
Biemer's BBQ is a local favorite among residents in the Hillcrest area.
Barbecue at Biemer’s and pastries and local produce at Hillcrest center
Across the street from Centennial Park is a small shopping center anchored by the Merc Co+op, a community-owned grocery store specializing in organic and locally-sourced foods and produce. The Hillcrest Shopping Center is also home to Munchers Bakery, a rustic-themed establishment serving pastries ranging from freshly baked cinnamon rolls and cream cheese danishes to an assortment of doughnuts. “It’s the best doughnuts in town,” says Victoria Perdue, leader for Keller Williams Integrity’s Complete Home Advisors team, who’s made a few sales in Sunset Hill. “A lot of the time, you can grab food at either of those places and walk over to the park and enjoy them in the picnic areas.” Also near the park on the other side of West 9th Street is Biemer’s BBQ. Regulars to the counter-serve restaurant can enjoy brisket or pulled pork sandwiches served on foam plates with potato salad, fries or baked beans. This area also has a few establishments that blend dining and entertainment. Avid dart and pool players frequent the Empire Bar & Billiards, where they can also grab some cold beers and fried snacks. Bowlers like to compete at the Royal Crest Lanes and walk down to neighboring Wayne & Larry’s Sports Bar & Grill for baskets of chicken tenders and fries or burgers and onion rings.
Creative activities at West Middle and top rated Lawrence Free State High
Sunset Hill is home to both Sunset Hill Elementary School and West Middle School, which receive B and B-plus grades respectively from ratings site Niche. Around the mid-2010s, Sunset Hill Elementary went through a renovation and the largest elementary school expansion in the city. The project expanded the school’s footprint to 77,000 square feet. West Middle’s extracurricular activities include a Pokemon Go Club. Some of the middle school’s classes also put on creative activities like baking smores in solar ovens made out of pizza boxes. Afterward, teens go on to Lawrence Free State High School, which receives an A-minus from Niche. The ratings site ranks the high school among the top 15 best college prep public high schools in the state.
West Middle School serves the Hillcrest community.
Free State High School has good sports programs.
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Annual neighborhood picnic and Jayhawks games
The neighborhood puts on an annual picnic in Centennial Park during the third week in September. The event occurs inside one of the neighborhood churches if there is inclement weather. The Unity of Lawrence, Chris Community Church and First Baptist Church of Lawrence are some of the churches in the neighborhood. But with both downtown Lawrence and the University of Kansas not too far away, the neighborhood stays within convenient reach of some of the city’s biggest festivities. The neighborhood sits less than 2 miles from KU’s Allen Fieldhouse, home of Jayhawks basketball games.
Sunset Hills is a quiet neighborhood in the heart of Lawrence KS.
A few miles from I-70 commuter route and Amtrak station
Sunset Hill lies approximately 2 miles south of Interstate 70, which provides a route for those who need to commute to either Topeka or Kansas City. The Lawrence Transit has a few bus stops in the neighborhood and provides an alternative transportation option. The neighborhood is about 2 miles from downtown Lawrence. The city’s Amtrak station is close to downtown and serves as a stop for the passenger rail service’s Southwest Chief Train, which makes a stop in Kansas City and goes as far west as Los Angeles. For major medical needs, the Lawrence Memorial Hospital is located just northeast of the neighborhood. And for out-of-state flights, many here go to the Kansas International Airport about 50 miles east of Lawrence.
Additional Sunset Hill info
Lawrence has a CAP Index overall crime score of 4 out of 10, which is on par with the national average.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Sunset Hills
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Sunset Hills Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sunset Hills, Lawrence sell after 40 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Sunset Hills, Lawrence over the last 12 months is $260,000, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
