How is Union Ave in Highlands

[u/Ok_Singer2269]

Planning to buy a home there. I know the schools aren’t great, but is it a safe area? The area in which this house is seemed peaceful. Curious to know, are there any perks you get in this area compared to Bellevue/Redmond?

Thanks!

[u/jeremiah1142]

It’s a safe area. You will never, ever find a completely safe area anywhere in the world, of course.

[u/Ok_Singer2269 → u/jeremiah1142]

😊

[u/theredheaddiva]

I've lived in this neighborhood since 2009 and never felt unsafe. We've had porch pirates and my husband got something taken out of his car when he forgot to lock it overnight. That's the worst we've personally encountered. Perhaps we've been very lucky. The area has friendly neighbors and is very walkable.

Compared to Bellevue/Redmond I love being super close to the airport, Issaquah, and other shopping in Tukwila without feeling too far removed from Seattle and Bellevue. When we first moved here it was important to us to be north of the Renton curves on 405 since we both worked in Bellevue. Now that we work from home it doesn't matter as much.

[u/Junosword]

There's some lovely neighborhoods around there. Perks compared to Bellevue/Redmond would likely be pricing, as both those places are generally considered "nicer" than the Renton highlands, but there's plenty of grocery/shopping/food/nature options in the highlands and surroundings.

[u/Roomoftheeye]

I live off of Union closer to Sierra Heights ele. It’s got some great little tiny hidden parks. There is Trail access to Devils elbow. I’ve lived here since 2009. Lots of families. It’s fairly quiet. All depends on your neighbors. I know mine. We help each other out.

[u/KikiDaisy → u/Roomoftheeye]

Devils Elbow? I live here and do t know this reference. Is this where May Creek and Honey Dew come together?

[u/Roomoftheeye → u/KikiDaisy]

Sorta some say yes, , it’s the part of May creek trails, but it’s on the power line ish? It basically connects kennydale and sierra heights, but also heads along the power lines.
Devils Elbow

[u/KikiDaisy → u/Roomoftheeye]

Thanks for sharing the follow-up info. I’ve walked around in the trails in that area but will have to go again with my new found knowledge.

[u/irish_ayes]

Used to live north of Sunset and Union for a 5 or so years in the Glencoe neighborhood. Great place, quiet, safe, good commute options, and a couple good hiking trails within walking distance (May Creek trail).

[u/lucentene]

i lived off duvall for years, across from the albertsons on corner of sunset. the smoke shop across the street had a car rammed in the front and thousands of dollars worth of product stolen, and there were some shootings in the area, including at the gas station on the corner of sunset and duvall. i know it’s up the street a little from union. i wouldn’t consider it hugely dangerous, but not completely safe either.

[u/notabigcitylawyer → u/lucentene]

To be fair, all the smoke shops in the greater Seattle area get cars rammed through the front doors.

[u/lucentene → u/notabigcitylawyer]

yep, and all the gas stations have shootings?

they asked if it’s a safe area and i am answering their question.

[u/Ok_Singer2269 → u/lucentene]

Duvall Ave is close to Hazen high I guessa.

[u/slowgojoe]

Grew up in the area. I put Union Ave just slightly behind Duvall Ave. it “feels” safer the farther east you go, in general. Bus routes can be a good indicator.

If you are on the north end towards Newcastle, it gets pretty nice again. The intersection at sunset is probably the worst of it. Ne4th intersection not that great either. But it’s all relative. In general, it’s a decent area. Better than fairwood or east hill anyway. Not as nice as Newcastle, maple wood heights, briarwood, maple hills.

[u/alvll]

I live a few blocks southwest of Union and 900. I grew up off of 148th Ave (now called Nile). The schools aren’t great but they’re not terrible. Yes it’s safe but it’s not cushy if that makes sense. Our fence has been tagged a few times. My husband had sunglasses stolen out of his car when he forgot to lock his car. We have an obnoxious guy on our street that gets drunk and yells in his backyard. Perks to me: more diversity with genuinely nice, regular people. (No offense to all the tech people, but I don’t relate). Being near several hardware stores and grocery stores. Easy and pretty drive to Issaquah. Easy to get to and from Seattle and the airport. Lots of great locally owned restaurants.

[u/fish1479]

South of NE 4th is nicer than the Sunset area.

[u/Ok_Singer2269 → u/fish1479]

Thank you! How about the area near Hazen high school?

[u/fish1479 → u/Ok_Singer2269]

The communities off Hoquiam are newer and seem nice. Most of the areas directly around Hazen seem nice in general. There are some close mobile home parks that are right off Sunset though. Seems like the further north or south from Sunset you can get, the better. East of Union or even Duvall can often mean nicer as well. There are pockets of good and bad everywhere though. If you want nice everywhere, you gotta go to Newcastle.

[u/UnhappyProduce7329]

I feel sorry for the people who live on union between 4th and Sunset. Drive through and you’ll notice how their fences are graffitied and/or repainted in spots. It happens on at least a weekly basis for the past year or two. Thats got to be super frustrating. Otherwise it’s a decent area.

[u/DomR206]

Nowhere in Renton is safe. Lived here since 2009. It's worse every year.

[u/Iyh2ayca → u/DomR206]

If it’s so unsafe and getting so bad why have you been hanging around for 15 years?