$734,031Average Value$350Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Sunset Hills offers quiet living with easy access to downtown Madison
On Madison’s west side, 3 miles from downtown and less than a mile and a half from the university, Sunset Hills offers quiet but convenient suburban living. “It’s an established neighborhood close to UW-Madison and the university hospital,” says Evans Fomunyoh. The Lane Estate realtor, who has been a figure in the Madison real estate scene for going on seven years, says that its location is one of its most appealing features. “Sunset Hills is in a very convenient area,” he says. “Not only are you close to the university and the hospital, but you’re also close to the retail along University Avenue. Plus, there are lots of parks within walking distance and tons of trees, which helps keep noise to a minimum. This is the part of town you want to live in if you want to be close to the hustle and bustle but not in the middle of it.”
Sidewalks and quiet, tree-lined streets make Sunset Hills walkable for residents.
Sunset Hills sits three miles from downtown Madison for easy city access.
Madison Metro buses connect Sunset Hills to downtown and the university.
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Midcentury homes with Frank Lloyd Wright influence
Contemporary, Split Level and ranch-style homes built between the 1950s and ‘60s line these shade-dappled residential streets. Many were designed to mimic the neighborhood’s natural landscape and topography, in the style of organic architecture pioneered by the famous American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright. In fact, a few of the homes throughout Sunset Hills were designed by a colleague of his, Marshall Erdman. One of Erdman’s quad-level custom homes, which was built in 1952 and features long horizontal windows and original stone and woodwork throughout the interior, sold for about $925,000 in June 2023. “It can get very ritzy over here on the west side of town,” says Fomunyoh. He adds that while $900,000 to $1 million is definitely on the higher end of the price range in Sunset Hills, it’s by no means unusual to see homes listed for that much. “Prices go from $400,000 to $1 million. It’s quite a bit pricier than the east side of Madison,” he says. “Part of what you’re paying for is the glam. The neighborhood is known for its really cool midcentury modern houses and big-name architects.” The median here hovers around the $515,000 mark, well over the median for Madison.
Colorful midcentury homes line the streets of Sunset Hills.
Midcentury Modern homes with Frank Lloyd Wright Wright-inspired designs are common in Sunset Hills.
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Top-rated public schools serve Sunset Hills
Sunset Hills students may attend Midvale Elementary, Hamilton Middle and West High School, part of the Madison Metropolitan School District. The district is the second largest in the state and is highly rated. Midvale earned a B-plus grade from Niche in 2023. Hamilton earned an A, and West High earned an A-plus that same year. Teens interested in science, technology, engineering and math can earn college credit for courses taken in the high school’s no-cost Early College STEM Academy, a program partnership between the district and Madison College. Older students pursuing a higher education enjoy a short commute to class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, just a mile northeast across Campus Drive.
Midvale Elementary School serves Sunset Hills families in Madison.
Hamilton Middle School serves Sunset Hills students near downtown Madison.
West High School serves Sunset Hills students in Madison’s top-rated district.
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Parks and green space in Sunset Hills
With Reservoir Park between Larkin and Glenway Streets at the heart of the neighborhood and Hoyt Park curved around Owen Parkway less than a quarter-mile northeast, Sunset Hills offers easy access to the great outdoors. The two parks have everything from playgrounds and hiking trails to picnic shelters and sports fields. There are also towering trees in both parks, spaced perfectly for slacklining and hammocking. And while sidewalks throughout the neighborhood are inconsistent, the two parks are within easy walking distance. Just over 2 miles east, on the northern banks of Lake Wingra, Henry Vilas Park and Zoo offer even more opportunities for outdoor recreation. Established in the early 1900s on land donated by the Vilas family in honor of their son Henry, the park is one of Madison’s oldest. It’s got everything from a sandy (swimmable) beach and fishing piers to an “Old Woman in a Shoe” themed playground. The zoo at the heart has remained free to the public for more than 100 years with community support. It’s one of the few remaining admission-free zoos in the country.
Henry Vilas Park and Zoo provides green space near Sunset Hills.
Reservoir Park brings green space to the center of Sunset Hills.
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Hilldale Mall, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are all nearby
Sunset Hills locals are spoiled for choice when it comes to shopping options. At the Hilldale Shopping Center, which locals call the Hilldale Mall, there’s everything from Target and Free People to Lululemon and Apple. Just a few blocks east down University Avenue, there’s also a Whole Foods. Both the mall and Whole Foods are less than 2 miles from home. Trader Joe’s is also nearby, off Regent Street, less than a mile and a half east of the neighborhood.
Hilldale Shopping Center is less than two miles from Sunset Hills homes.
Whole Foods sits less than two miles east of Sunset Hills on University Avenue.
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.
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Sunset Hills Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sunset Hills, Madison sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Sunset Hills, Madison over the last 12 months is $862,500, up 59% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming Cape Cod located in a highly desirable area of Madison's near west side. Close to Hilldale, Monroe Street, and The Glen Golf Course (and burgers at the Village Bar!). Move-in-ready, but the charm of original built-ins and beautiful hardwood floors has been preserved. The freshly updated kitchen (newer appliances, flooring, sink, backsplash, and countertops) seamlessly opens to a spacious
Remodel credit & UHP Ultimate Home warranty offered! Experience the charm, convenience & character of one of Madison’s most beloved neighborhoods. This Sunset Hills/Highland Park home will amaze w/its original character, as well as its fantastic template to create your own masterpiece! Original HW floors shine throughout the open & spacious main level, while the uninterrupted kitchen & dining
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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.
