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.
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.”
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, 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 area | Neighborhood | Median sale price | Median sale price of metro | Average sale-to-list price ratio | % of homes that sold above list price | Median days on market |
| Atlanta, GA | Brookhaven Fields | $392,000 | $230,000 | 97.8% | 6.9% | 15 |
| Edgewood | $395,450 | $230,000 | 98.8% | 18% | 18 | |
| Old Fourth Ward | $310,000 | $230,000 | 98.7% | 27.7% | 24 | |
| Austin, TX | Rosedale | $675,000 | $304,004.50 | 96.7% | 8.3% | 35 |
| Riverside | $406,500 | $304,004.50 | 96.4% | 7.1% | 43 | |
| Northwest Austin | $325,550 | $304,004.50 | 98.3% | 21.9% | 29 | |
| Baltimore, MD | River Hill | $669,100 | $270,000 | 98.6% | 6.5% | 29 |
| Parkville | $204,900 | $270,000 | 98.2% | 24% | 41 | |
| Owen Brown | $310,950 | $270,000 | 98.6% | 21.2% | 17 | |
| Birmingham, AL | Five Points South | $181,000 | $195,500 | 93.7% | 14.3% | 100 |
| Huffman | $109,250 | $195,500 | 98.9% | 33.3% | 46 | |
| Forest Park | $329,000 | $195,500 | 98.9% | 33.3% | 58 | |
| Boston, MA | West Lynn | $370,000 | $470,000 | 96.4% | 26.3% | 47 |
| Hyde Park | $455,000 | $470,000 | 96.9% | 33.3% | 46 | |
| North Woburn | $429,000 | $470,000 | 98.9% | 33.3% | 58 | |
| Charlotte, NC | Sunset Road | $201,500 | $240,000 | 97.4% | 41.7% | 37 |
| Madison Park | $303,000 | $240,000 | 97.7% | 13.5% | 60 | |
| Mallard Creek-Withrow Downs | $255,000 | $240,000 | 99.1% | 24.1% | 45 | |
| Chicago, IL | McKinley Park | $270,000 | $230,000 | 97.9% | 35.1% | 49 |
| East Garfield Park | $170,000 | $230,000 | 99.4% | 22.9% | 44 | |
| Norwood Park | $300,000 | $230,000 | 96.9% | 15.2% | 55 | |
| Cincinnati, OH | Bond Hill | $81,450 | $175,000 | 95.9% | 23.1% | 89 |
| Roselawn | $104,700 | $175,000 | 96.9% | 16.7% | 75 | |
| Wyoming | $320,000 | $175,000 | 95.1% | 3.6% | 81 | |
| Cleveland, OH | Edgewater | $140,000 | $145,000 | 89.8% | 9.5% | 53 |
| Old Brooklyn | $91,000 | $145,000 | 96.1% | 19.7% | 44 | |
| Jefferson | $80,650 | $145,000 | 98% | 24.1% | 41 | |
| Colorado Springs, CO | Old Colorado City | $258,750 | $289,026.50 | 98% | 42.1% | 38 |
| Wolf Ranch | $392,000 | $289,026.50 | 99.6% | 29.1% | 127 | |
| Garden Ranch | $285,000 | $289,026.50 | 99.5% | 36.59% | 41 | |
| Columbus, OH | The Preserve | $330,000 | $195,000 | 99.5% | 41.2% | 52 |
| Polaris | $238,000 | $195,000 | 98.7% | 20% | 43 | |
| Little Turtle | $195,000 | $195,000 | 98.3% | 13.3% | 55 | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | Grand Peninsula | $304,900 | $289,900 | n/a | n/a | 42 |
| Southgate Estates | $184,500 | $289,900 | n/a | n/a | 39 | |
| Westchester | $257,400 | $289,900 | n/a | n/a | 26 | |
| Denver, CO | Appleridge Estates | $515,000 | $393,500 | 98.9% | 13.3% | 21 |
| Platt Park | $606,250 | $393,500 | 99.1% | 19.4% | 13 | |
| Washington Park West | $593,750 | $393,500 | 98% | 14.7% | 34 | |
| Detroit, MI | Rosa Parks | $46,000 | $126,000 | 89.4% | 4.4% | 40 |
| Bagley | $74,000 | $126,000 | 96.9% | 31.9% | 16 | |
| Grandmont Rosedale | $41,250 | $126,000 | 90.7% | 18.2% | 45 | |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | Melrose Park | $265,000 | $260,000 | 98.5% | 9.1% | 54 |
| Pine Ridge | $493,125 | $260,000 | 98.2% | 16.7% | 50 | |
| Coral Heights | $392,500 | $260,000 | 96.5% | 11.1% | 63 | |
| Hampton Roads, VA | Bayview | $188,950 | $225,000 | 97.9% | 19.6% | 48 |
| Ghent | $309,900 | $225,000 | 98.2% | 18.2% | 111 | |
| Estabrook | $160,000 | $225,000 | 99.6% | 21.1% | 59 | |
| Houston, TX | MacGregor | $310,000 | $235,000 | 94% | 10.3% | 64 |
| South Acres-Crestmont Park | $150,000 | $235,000 | 97.4% | 22.4% | 22 | |
| Second Ward | $299,900 | $235,000 | 97% | 16% | 59 | |
| Jacksonville, FL | Tiger Hole-Secret Woods | $213,000 | $225,000 | 97.1% | 18.2% | 60 |
| Settlers Landing | $167,000 | $225,000 | 98.6% | 23.8% | 39 | |
| Arlington Hills | $170,000 | $225,000 | 96.9% | 11.8% | 20 | |
| Kansas City, MO | Olathe | $260,000 | $210,000 | n/a | n/a | 31 |
| Richfield | $199,750 | $210,000 | n/a | n/a | 28 | |
| New Mark | $239,500 | $210,000 | n/a | n/a | 58 | |
| Las Vegas, NV | Downtown Las Vegas | $226,812.50 | $277,870 | 98.9% | 19.2% | 39 |
| Painted Desert | $280,000 | $277,870 | 99.4% | 21.2% | 28 | |
| Spanish Trail | $429,000 | $277,870 | 96.4% | 0% | 68 | |
| Long Island, NY | Bay Shore | $330,000 | $445,000 | 98.4% | 32.2% | 46 |
| East Patchogue | $343,000 | $445,000 | 97.3% | 16.9% | 47 | |
| Holbrook | $405,000 | $445,000 | 99.1% | 36.1% | 33 | |
| Los Angeles, CA | San Rafael Hills | $1,210,000 | $620,000 | 105.6% | 73.3% | 26 |
| South Pasadena | $977,500 | $620,000 | 100.1% | 53.6% | 40 | |
| Mount Washington | $981,5000 | $620,000 | $105.7% | 79% | 24 | |
| Miami, FL | Norwood | $255,000 | $290,000 | 99.8% | 37% | 38 |
| Coral Gables Section | $775,000 | $290,000 | 96.6% | 6.1% | 96 | |
| South Miami | $420,000 | $290,000 | 95.5% | 3.6% | 53 | |
| Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN | South Uptown | $299,900 | $265,000 | 97.4% | 12.5% | 60 |
| Victory | $211,000 | $265,000 | 101% | 45.2% | 31 | |
| Southern Hayden Heights | $176,015 | $265,000 | 100.2% | 44% | 25 | |
| Oakland, CA | Merriewood/Montclair | $1,180,000 | $718,613.50 | 115.8% | 79% | 14 |
| Berkeley Hills | $1,380,000 | $718,613.50 | 118.2% | 81.8% | 15 | |
| Glenview | $1,045,000 | $718,613.50 | 121.7% | 79% | 17 | |
| Orange County, CA | Tustin Legacy | $763,800 | $700,000 | 97.7% | 20% | 40 |
| South Huntington Beach | $462,500 | $700,000 | 99% | 27.8% | 44 | |
| Rossmoor | $1,116,000 | $700,000 | 98.8% | 25% | 48 | |
| Orlando, FL | Cypress Springs | $257,750 | $245,000 | 98.6% | 33.3% | 16 |
| Lake Como | $308,450 | $245,000 | 98.7% | 17.9% | 19 | |
| Bryn Mawr | $237,000 | $245,000 | 97.2% | 16.1% | 15 | |
| Philadelphia, PA | East Mount Airy | $200,000 | $199,000 | 98% | 28.1% | 27 |
| West Mount Airy | $308,760 | $199,000 | 98.3% | 25% | 35 | |
| Bustleton | $248,250 | $199,000 | 98.1% | 29.4% | 11 | |
| Phoenix, AZ | Willow District | $296,000 | $264,900 | 96.6% | 0% | 59 |
| Tradition East | $270,000 | $264,900 | 98.3% | 33.3% | 34 | |
| The Springs | $285,120 | $264,900 | 99.5% | 11.1% | 48 | |
| Portland, OR | Sabin | $576,500 | $385,000 | 102.1% | 36.4% | 14 |
| Alameda | $775,000 | $385,000 | 99% | 47.1% | 20 | |
| West Linn | $494,500 | $385,000 | 99.2% | 41.7% | 19 | |
| Riverside, CA | Corona | $600,000 | $360,000 | 98.8% | 23.8% | 63 |
| Downtown Riverside | $386,750 | $360,000 | 98% | 22.2% | 45 | |
| Dos Lagos | $414,500 | $360,000 | 98.8% | 0% | 51 | |
| Sacramento, CA | West Roseville | $606,000 | $388,000 | 99.3% | 25% | 45 |
| East Roseville | $499,000 | $388,000 | 100.1% | 60% | 7 | |
| Central Davis | $677,500 | $388,000 | 98.9% | 16.7% | 18 | |
| San Antonio, TX | Beacon Hill | $213,264 | $220,000 | 98.5% | 46.2% | 42 |
| Creekside | $170,000 | $220,000 | 98.2% | 36.4% | 26 | |
| Canyon Lake | $286,000 | $220,000 | 94.1% | 11.1% | 80 | |
| San Diego, CA | Fire Mountain | $810,000 | $562,250 | 97.9% | 20% | 26 |
| Oak Park | $421,000 | $562,250 | 99.9% | 28.1% | 13 | |
| Golden Hill | $383,500 | $562,250 | 98.8% | 28.6% | 39 | |
| San Francisco, CA | Mission Terrace | $1,260,000 | $1,340,000 | 116.5% | 81.8% | 14 |
| Potrero Hill | $1,487,500 | $1,340,000 | 106.8% | 61.3% | 22 | |
| Silver Terrace | $889,000 | $1,340,000 | 115.1% | 100% | 15 | |
| San Jose, CA | Los Altos | $2,975,000 | $1,085,000 | 103.7% | 62.5% | 12 |
| Milpitas | 1,023,888 | $1,085,000 | 103% | 65.1% | 20 | |
| Mountain View | $1,864,500 | $1,085,000 | 105.3% | 72% | 13 | |
| Seattle, WA | Bridle Trails | $1,300,000 | $545,950 | 98.4% | 15.4% | 20 |
| Woodridge | $1,087,500 | $545,950 | 100.3% | 50% | 11 | |
| Leschi | $770,000 | $545,950 | 98.7% | 17.7% | 21 | |
| St. Louis, MO | Benton Park | $202,500 | $175,000 | 99.8% | 25% | 45 |
| Carondelet | $67,941 | $175,000 | 94.4% | 13.2% | 42 | |
| The Hill | $192,500 | $175,000 | 95.8% | 12.5% | 43 | |
| Tampa, FL | Riverside Heights | $315,000 | $228,000 | 98% | 10.5% | 26 |
| Lowry Park North | $155,450 | $228,000 | 98.7% | 40% | 30 | |
| Euclid Place-St. Paul | $301,000 | $228,000 | 102.5% | 26.7% | 17 | |
| Washington, DC | AU Park/Tenleytown | $975,000 | $393,000 | 100% | 37.2% | 10 |
| Chevy Chase | $1,060,000 | $393,000 | 101.3% | 53.7% | 8 | |
| Takoma Park | $544,500 | $393,000 | 99.2% | 37% | 22 | |
| West Palm Beach, FL | Northwest Boca Raton | $527,500 | $269,000 | 93.8% | 6% | 114 |
| Mission Bay | $405,000 | $269,000 | 94.4% | 5.6% | 53 | |
| Rainberry Bay | $185,000 | $269,000 | 95.6% | 5.3% | 70 |
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.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.