Western Hills neighborhood has spacious yards and scenic views.
Lawrence neighborhood with ample room
Western Hills provides more breathing room than many other neighborhoods in Lawrence, Kansas. “The larger lots are by far the number one reason people move here,” says Peggy Johnson, president of the Western Hills Neighborhood Association. “You just don’t see those very often. I don’t know of any other place within city limits that has lot sizes like that.” For decades the neighborhood required houses to be sold on lots of over an acre or more. In later years, while that rule softened, the minimum required footprint was still about a half-acre. Because of the extra yard space, many residents here indulge in added decorative lawn fixtures like cascading ponds or butterfly watch stations. Western Hills is also desirable for its location on the west side -- or the more suburban part -- of the city, which means: “There’s a lot to do. It’s a safe area. People take care of their homes and have a lot of pride in their homes,” says Angela Zysk, a Realtor with ReeceNichols Preferred Realty, who’s made several sales in this part of town. “They keep things up. They don’t really rely on HOA’s telling them what to do.” And with the University of Kansas being less than 2 miles away, residents are also always just minutes from the next Jayhawks sporting event.
Mid- to late 20th century houses and a few upscale selections
Many houses here date back to the mid- to late 20th century and are surrounded by groups of mature trees. Set back from the roads by lush and spacious front lawns, some of the lots feature landscaped decor like raised flower beds set within small stone retaining walls. Other properties have rustic features like winding gravel driveways contoured by slate rocks and artfully placed tree limbs. Some keep basketball hoops in their driveways, while others enjoy backyards with pools and wood fences for privacy. Traditional ranch-style homes make up much of the architecture, but Western Hills also has several bi-levels, split-levels and midcentury homes. Price points can go from $335,000 for a four-bedroom bi-level to nearly $600,000 for a larger five-bedroom ranch-style home. For those looking for more upscale houses, the southwest corner of the neighborhood features larger homes that blend ranch-style and Traditional designs situated on a man-made pond. Some of these houses even include small docks on the water. These houses can go from about $560,000 to $740,000.
Large ranch style home line the quiet streets of Western Hills.
There are several new contemporary homes in the Western Hills neighborhood.
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Dining along Bob Billings, West Sixth and Wakarusa
Several local staples exist around Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa Drive, like Lawrence Beer Company West, where patrons enjoy craft brews and burgers. The brewery also features an outdoor patio with lawn chairs and a stone fireplace. Jefferson’s serves American fare, and its menu includes both raw and fried oysters and baskets of chicken wings. For those who want a good old-fashioned hamburger or a grilled sandwich, Burgers By Biggs is the place to be. Western Hills residents also enjoy the dining and drinking options along West Sixth Street and Clinton Parkway. More craft brewery options exist at the 23rd Street Brewery. The Six Mile Chop House and Tavern is another favorite of many for rare and juicy steaks, while Johnny’s Tavern West provides a casual hangout complete with multiple TVs to catch up on sports. Hy-Vee, Dillons and the Sprouts Farmers Market provide multiple grocery shopping options.
Stop in for a great dinner or lunch at J Wilsons.
It all starts there world famous wings at Jeffersons.
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Staying active through nature walks, golf and gym time
“Dad” Perry Park gets its unique name from L.R. “Dad” Perry, a former Lawrence teacher and coach who’s considered the father of gymnastics in the state. Visitors to the 45-acre green space can explore its natural trails and mix of dense woodlands and open grasslands. The park has a playground and additional spaces for basketball, tennis and sand volleyball. Its open fields have been used for both youth soccer and football practice, while neighborhood children and teens enjoy sledding down its hills on snowy winter days. The Conrad & Viola McGrew Nature Preserve is another local destination that features woodlands and rocky streams. Strollers can enjoy the 15-acre site’s paved trails and pedestrian bridges. Golf enthusiasts can play the 18-hole course at the private Jayhawk Club. The course neighbors an affiliated Wellness Center, which has a pool and gyms complete with exercise machines and other items like free weights, punching bags and medicine balls. On warm and sunny days, yoga sessions occur outside.
The Jayhawk Club offers resident access to a swimming Pool and a 18 hole golf course.
Rotary Arboretum has great walking trails the whole family will enjoy.
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Highly rated public and private schools and STEM focuses
Students here have access to a string of highly rated schools. Quail Run Elementary School receives an A-minus from Niche. The ratings site also ranks Quail Run among the top 100 best public elementary schools in Kansas. Some of the school’s faculty have been recent recipients of accolades like the Kansas Horizon Award, which goes to top teachers across the state. Western Hills students then go on to Southwest Middle School and Lawrence Free State High School, which both receive an A-minus from Niche. Southwest Middle students stay active through events like its Bubble Bash in May. Niche ranks Lawrence Free State among Kansas’ top 20 best high schools for STEM. The high school’s extracurriculars include a Women in STEM club and a robotics team. Western Hills is also close to a private option in the Bishop Seabury Academy. The private school serves sixth to 12th graders and receives an A-plus from Niche. The ratings site ranks Bishop Seabury as both the best private high school and college prep private high school in the state. All students are expected to eventually take one of two levels of calculus, and club activities include a youth coding league.
Quail Run Elementary School has an A- from Niche.
Free State High School has good sports programs.
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Western Hills driveway and yard socials
Although the Western Hills Neighborhood Association isn’t as formal as some of its peers across the city, the group does gather a few times a year, normally hosting get-togethers in one of the resident’s driveways or yards to socialize over food. “Everybody brings a dish to share,” Johnson says. “Initially we did it so we could learn each other’s names and information. So if we saw something odd going on at someone’s house, we knew to say ‘Should someone be moving furniture out of your house?’” The neighborhood is also about a mile east of the Allen Fieldhouse, home of Jayhawks basketball.
Centrally located between I-70 and K-10 commuter routes
Bob Billings Parkway connects Western Hills directly to the University of Kansas about 1 mile east of the neighborhood. The Lawrence Transit offers alternative transportation and keeps a few stops along Bob Billings. Western Hills is almost centrally located between the K-10 and Interstate 70, both of which are used as commuter routes to the Kansas City area. I-70 also runs to Topeka. Western Hills is about 4 miles west of downtown Lawrence. Those going on out-of-state flights go to the Kansas City International Airport about 50 miles east of Lawrence. The Lawrence Memorial Hospital about 4 miles east addresses major medical needs.
Important to know
Western Hills has an overall CAP Index crime score of 4 out of 10, putting it 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
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Hilary Baldwin,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Centennial Park
Clinton Lake Sports Complex
South Park
Dad Perry Park
Mutt Run
Rotary Arboretum
Buford M. Watson Jr. Park
Holcom Park Sport Complex
Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Western Hills
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Western Hills, Lawrence sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Western Hills, Lawrence over the last 12 months is $620,000, up 44% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$620,000
Median Single Family Price
$620,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$179
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Median List Price
$669,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
56%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
131
Median Year Built
1988
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,425
Above the national average
1,937
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
23,958
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Hilary Baldwin,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
296
Median Age
39
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$94,078
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$109,149
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.6%
College Graduates
57.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
71.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
43/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
15/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
