Redfin’s Hottest Neighborhoods of 2019 Are All in Coastal Hubs

Million-Dollar Mania: Redfin’s 10 Hottest Neighborhoods of 2019 Are All in Costly Coastal Hubs

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Updated on October 6th, 2020

Many people are moving away from pricey coastal cities, but the ones that remain are searching for homes in high-priced pockets of already-expensive areas.

The majority of Redfin’s 10 hottest neighborhoods of 2019 have a median sale price of more than $1,000,000—and the others aren’t far from the seven-figure mark.

Redfin’s annual hottest neighborhoods report makes predictions for the coming year using a combination of agent insights and data that shows which areas are seeing rising interest from homebuyers. Somewhat surprisingly, considering competition for homes has recently been slowing in Seattle and the Bay Area, this year’s most desired neighborhoods in the country are all in expensive coastal parts of California and the Seattle and Washington D.C. metro areas. Another trend tying together this year’s neighborhoods is that they’re located away from urban cores, but still close enough for easy commutes into job centers.

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Although the hottest neighborhoods are all either on the West Coast or the East Coast, the list is more geographically diverse than it was last year. We released last year’s report in January 2018, and at that time nine of the 10 hottest neighborhoods were in the San Jose metro area—and the other one was in San Francisco. This year, just three of the neighborhoods are in the Bay Area, with two in Oakland, which has a median sale price of $718,613. That’s well above the national median, but significantly lower than the $1,085,000 median in San Jose.

“Oakland isn’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but compared to San Jose, you’re going to get more house and an easier commute into San Francisco,” said Kalena Masching, a Redfin agent who works in the Bay Area. “The theme right now seems to be that traffic is terrible in the South Bay; it can take people an hour and a half to get from San Jose to San Francisco. People are starting to place more emphasis on a work-life balance and Oakland has highly rated schools and homes that are close to BART stations, which is exactly what our clients tell us they are looking for.”

The absence of San Jose on this year’s list is consistent with the results of Redfin’s most recent migration report, which shows that people are looking to move away from costly coastal areas in favor of less expensive inland areas. But high-priced pockets of coastal cities are still popular for those who can afford to live in them.

“Neighborhoods in and around cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. are still very desirable places to live if you can afford their high housing costs. They have access to high-paying jobs and amenities like the arts, gourmet restaurants and nightlife,” said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. “But as the cost of living increases in these metro areas, low earners are increasingly looking to move out, and the wealthy residents are left competing for homes in the most desirable neighborhoods.”


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Below is the complete list of Redfin’s hottest neighborhoods of the year. We’ve also compiled a ranking of this year’s hottest affordable neighborhoods, which uses a modified methodology to identify neighborhoods that are rising in popularity and are also more affordable for the typical homebuyer. Scroll to the bottom of this report for the three hottest neighborhoods in each of 41 major metro areas. All statistics on median sale price, average sale-to-list price ratio and percent of homes that sold above list price is from November 2018.

1. Bridle Trails, Bellevue, WA (Seattle metro)

Median sale price: $1,300,000
Median sale price for metro area: $545,950
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 98.4%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 15.4%

“Located in a suburb of Seattle, Bridle Trails is an extremely desirable neighborhood, largely due to its highly rated schools and quick and easy access to Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland, which are home to major employers including Microsoft,” said Redfin agent Debbie Barbara. “The neighborhood is known for its large lot sizes and equestrian properties, and a lot of homebuyers also like the fact that a lot of parks in the area welcome horses.”

2. Merriewood/Montclair, Oakland, CA

Median sale price: $1,180,000
Median sale price for metro area: $718,613
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 115.8%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 79%

“This area is popular for many people because it has its own charming downtown. It’s also known for highly rated schools,” said Kate Norton, a Redfin agent who works in the Oakland area. “The homes themselves are located up small winding roads, and because they’re in the hills, many homes offer views of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco. The lots are often sloped, so many homes are built into the hillside with upper-level decks.”

3. Mission Terrace, San Francisco, CA

Median sale price: $1,260,000
Median sale price for metro area: $1,340,000
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 116.5%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 81.8%

“Mission Terrace is composed of picturesque homes, flat lots and quiet streets. It has plenty of commuter options and it’s close to several big grocery stores,” said Redfin agent Carlos Barrientos. “It’s become more desirable in the last year for a very simple reason: improvements to Balboa Park, an adjacent city park.”

4. AU Park/Tenleytown, Washington, D.C.

Median sale price: $975,000
Median sale price for metro area: $393,000
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 100%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 37.2%

“Traveling through the quiet, shaded residential streets in the upper northwest corner of D.C., you might not know you’re just a short metro ride to downtown and everything the nation’s capital has to offer,” said Redfin agent Michael Alderfer. “The neighborhood has mostly older single family homes on slightly larger lots than you’ll find in other parts of the city, as well as condo buildings near the metro and commercial corridor on Wisconsin Ave. New retail development in the Tenleytown area have added to the appeal.”

5. San Rafael Hills, Pasadena, CA (Los Angeles metro)

Median sale price: $1,210,000
Median sale price for metro area: $620,000
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 105.6%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 73.3%

“San Rafael Hills is a little pocket south of the 134 freeway. It has a woodsy, secluded feel and it’s a little outside the traditional Pasadena real estate market, but in terms of greater Los Angeles, it’s centrally located,” said Sam Najarian, a Redfin agent who works in the area. “People who buy homes in San Rafael Hills can easily access downtown LA, either by using the freeway or taking surface streets. And if you get a property at elevation, you’ll have a view of Old Town Pasadena.”

6. Woodridge, Bellevue, WA (Seattle metro)

Median sale price: $1,087,500
Median sale price for metro area: $545,950
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 100.3%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 50%

“Woodridge has long been a popular neighborhood for homebuyers. Last year, a lot of homes in Woodridge were going for more than $100,000 over asking price,” said Redfin agent Debbie Barbara. “It’s just minutes from downtown Bellevue and it’s close to major interstates, including I-405 and I-90, which makes for an easy commute. It also has highly rated schools, a neighborhood swimming pool and proximity to great restaurants and shops.”

7. South Pasadena, CA (Los Angeles metro)

Median sale price: $977,500
Median sale price for metro area: $620,000
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 100.9%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 53.6%

“In South Pasadena, you’ll find homes that are smaller in square footage and higher in price. But homebuyers love the neighborhood because it has highly rated schools from elementary all the way through high school,” said Redfin agent Sam Najarian. “Another attractive part of South Pasadena is the community feel. It’s close to Mission Street, which is really popular for shopping, and the neighborhood puts on events during holidays and over the summer.”

8. Chevy Chase, Washington, D.C.

Median sale price: $1,060,000
Median sale price for metro area: $393,000
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 101.3%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 53.7%

“Chevy Chase offers stately historic homes with room to spread out. The neighborhood is primarily residential, but shopping and dining options abound in nearby Friendship Heights and Bethesda,” said Redfin agent Michael Alderfer. “While it’s been a highly desirable neighborhood for decades, its appearance on the hottest neighborhoods list shows that homebuyers with large budgets want to be in the District. A buyer with the budget to afford Chevy Chase could explore a number of high-end neighborhoods further outside the city in Maryland or Virginia, but we’re finding many buyers want to be closer in.”

9. Berkeley Hills, Berkeley, CA (Oakland metro)

Median sale price: $1,380,000
Median sale price for metro area: $718,613
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 118.2%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 81.8%

“Berkeley has a long history of being a desirable city within the Bay Area,” said Redfin agent Kate Norton. “Berkeley Hills has beautifully maintained homes known for their historical touches, and it’s close to great restaurants, shops and parks. And did I mention the views from up there?”

10. Mount Washington, Los Angeles, CA

Median sale price: $981,500
Median sale price for metro area: $620,000
Average sale-to-list price ratio: 105.7%
Percent of homes that sold above list price: 79%

“Mount Washington, in the northeastern part of Los Angeles, has become a hotbed for a few reasons. La Canada has historically been popular due to highly rated schools, and when prices got too high, many people moved south to Eagle Rock. And when people got priced out of Eagle Rock, they started looking further south in Mount Washington,” said Redfin agent Sam Najarian. “Most of the homes for sale are fixer-uppers on the hillside, so it’s been really popular for developers, who are buying properties and building new homes. The whole community has tremendous views because it’s built on a hill, so homebuyers purchasing a south-facing home will get views of downtown and Century City, and buyers facing north will see Pasadena and Glendale.”

The Hottest Neighborhoods of 2019 by Metro Area

Take a look at the list below to see the hottest neighborhoods in your region. The rankings feature three neighborhoods each in many of the largest metro areas in the US, compiled with Redfin user data and agent insights. The neighborhoods below are poised to become some of the most desirable places in the country in the coming year. All data is from November 2018.

Metro areaNeighborhoodMedian sale priceMedian sale price of metroAverage sale-to-list price ratio% of homes that sold above list priceMedian days on market
Atlanta, GABrookhaven Fields3920002300000.9780.06915
Edgewood3954502300000.9880.1818
Old Fourth Ward3100002300000.9870.27724
Austin, TXRosedale675000304004.50.9670.08335
Riverside406500304004.50.9640.07143
Northwest Austin325550304004.50.9830.21929
Baltimore, MDRiver Hill6691002700000.9860.06529
Parkville2049002700000.9820.2441
Owen Brown3109502700000.9860.21217
Birmingham, ALFive Points South1810001955000.9370.143100
Huffman1092501955000.9890.33346
Forest Park3290001955000.9890.33358
Boston, MAWest Lynn 3700004700000.9640.26347
Hyde Park4550004700000.9690.33346
North Woburn4290004700000.9890.33358
Charlotte, NCSunset Road2015002400000.9740.41737
Madison Park3030002400000.9770.13560
Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs2550002400000.9910.24145
Chicago, ILMcKinley Park2700002300000.9790.35149
East Garfield Park1700002300000.9940.22944
Norwood Park3000002300000.9690.15255
Cincinnati, OHBond Hill814501750000.9590.23189
Roselawn1047001750000.9690.16775
Wyoming3200001750000.9510.03681
Cleveland, OHEdgewater1400001450000.8980.09553
Old Brooklyn910001450000.9610.19744
Jefferson806501450000.980.24141
Colorado Springs, COOld Colorado City258750289026.50.980.42138
Wolf Ranch392000289026.50.9960.291127
Garden Ranch285000289026.50.9950.365941
Columbus, OHThe Preserve3300001950000.9950.41252
Polaris2380001950000.9870.243
Little Turtle1950001950000.9830.13355
Dallas-Fort Worth, TXGrand Peninsula304900289900n/an/a42
Southgate Estates184500289900n/an/a39
Westchester257400289900n/an/a26
Denver, COAppleridge Estates5150003935000.9890.13321
Platt Park6062503935000.9910.19413
Washington Park West5937503935000.980.14734
Detroit, MIRosa Parks460001260000.8940.04440
Bagley740001260000.9690.31916
Grandmont Rosedale412501260000.9070.18245
Fort Lauderdale, FLMelrose Park2650002600000.9850.09154
Pine Ridge4931252600000.9820.16750
Coral Heights3925002600000.9650.11163
Hampton Roads, VABayview1889502250000.9790.19648
Ghent3099002250000.9820.182111
Estabrook1600002250000.9960.21159
Houston, TXMacGregor3100002350000.940.10364
South Acres-Crestmont Park1500002350000.9740.22422
Second Ward2999002350000.970.1659
Jacksonville, FLTiger Hole-Secret Woods2130002250000.9710.18260
Settlers Landing1670002250000.9860.23839
Arlington Hills1700002250000.9690.11820
Kansas City, MOOlathe260000210000n/an/a31
Richfield199750210000n/an/a28
New Mark239500210000n/an/a58
Las Vegas, NVDowntown Las Vegas226812.52778700.9890.19239
Painted Desert2800002778700.9940.21228
Spanish Trail4290002778700.964068
Long Island, NYBay Shore3300004450000.9840.32246
East Patchogue3430004450000.9730.16947
Holbrook4050004450000.9910.36133
Los Angeles, CASan Rafael Hills12100006200001.0560.73326
South Pasadena9775006200001.0010.53640
Mount Washington9815000620000$105.7%0.7924
Miami, FLNorwood2550002900000.9980.3738
Coral Gables Section7750002900000.9660.06196
South Miami4200002900000.9550.03653
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MNSouth Uptown2999002650000.9740.12560
Victory2110002650001.010.45231
Southern Hayden Heights1760152650001.0020.4425
Oakland, CAMerriewood/Montclair1180000718613.51.1580.7914
Berkeley Hills1380000718613.51.1820.81815
Glenview1045000718613.51.2170.7917
Orange County, CATustin Legacy7638007000000.9770.240
South Huntington Beach4625007000000.990.27844
Rossmoor11160007000000.9880.2548
Orlando, FLCypress Springs2577502450000.9860.33316
Lake Como3084502450000.9870.17919
Bryn Mawr2370002450000.9720.16115
Philadelphia, PAEast Mount Airy2000001990000.980.28127
West Mount Airy3087601990000.9830.2535
Bustleton2482501990000.9810.29411
Phoenix, AZWillow District2960002649000.966059
Tradition East2700002649000.9830.33334
The Springs2851202649000.9950.11148
Portland, ORSabin5765003850001.0210.36414
Alameda7750003850000.990.47120
West Linn4945003850000.9920.41719
Riverside, CACorona6000003600000.9880.23863
Downtown Riverside3867503600000.980.22245
Dos Lagos4145003600000.988051
Sacramento, CAWest Roseville6060003880000.9930.2545
East Roseville4990003880001.0010.67
Central Davis6775003880000.9890.16718
San Antonio, TXBeacon Hill2132642200000.9850.46242
Creekside1700002200000.9820.36426
Canyon Lake2860002200000.9410.11180
San Diego, CAFire Mountain8100005622500.9790.226
Oak Park4210005622500.9990.28113
Golden Hill3835005622500.9880.28639
San Francisco, CAMission Terrace126000013400001.1650.81814
Potrero Hill148750013400001.0680.61322
Silver Terrace88900013400001.151115
San Jose, CALos Altos297500010850001.0370.62512
Milpitas102388810850001.030.65120
Mountain View186450010850001.0530.7213
Seattle, WABridle Trails13000005459500.9840.15420
Woodridge10875005459501.0030.511
Leschi7700005459500.9870.17721
St. Louis, MOBenton Park2025001750000.9980.2545
Carondelet679411750000.9440.13242
The Hill1925001750000.9580.12543
Tampa, FLRiverside Heights3150002280000.980.10526
Lowry Park North1554502280000.9870.430
Euclid Place-St. Paul3010002280001.0250.26717
Washington, DCAU Park/Tenleytown 97500039300010.37210
Chevy Chase10600003930001.0130.5378
Takoma Park5445003930000.9920.3722
West Palm Beach, FLNorthwest Boca Raton5275002690000.9380.06114
Mission Bay4050002690000.9440.05653
Rainberry Bay1850002690000.9560.05370

Want even more hot neighborhoods? Here’s a look at Redfin’s ranking of this year’s hottest affordable neighborhoods, which uses a modified methodology to identify areas that are rising in popularity and are also within reach for the typical homebuyer.

Methodology

Redfin’s Hottest Neighborhoods algorithm is a prediction based on year-over-year growth in pageviews of listings and favorites on Redfin.com from June 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017 to June 1, 2018 through November 30, 2018 and on agent insights.

Redfin receives neighborhood data from a third party. Names of some neighborhoods have been changed to reflect local parlance. For instance, we changed the name of Annandale in Los Angeles to San Rafael Hills.

Dana Anderson

Dana Anderson

As a data journalist at Redfin, Dana Anderson writes about the numbers behind real estate trends. Redfin is a full-service real estate brokerage that uses modern technology to make clients smarter and faster. For more information about working with a Redfin real estate agent to buy or sell a home, visit our Why Redfin page.

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