River Oaks Area Real Estate Guide

River Oaks Area homes for sale & insider real estate guide

Located within the Inner Loop, River Oaks is one of the premier neighborhoods in the United States. River Oaks is known for its stately mansions and luxury homes. The community also features easy access, top-ranked schools, and a wide range of housing options.

The River Oaks homes remained popular thanks to their:

• ELITE RANKINGS: The community has been featured in some of the most famous American business magazines. Forbes, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal have featured River Oaks in their rankings. The community was ranked as “Best Places To Live,” “Top Places to Live Well,” and “The (Multi) Millionaire’s Haven.”

• UPSCALE COMMUNITY: River Oaks spans 1,100 acres south of the Buffalo Bayou. The community features a mix of grand mansions, traditional homes from the 1920s and 1930s, luxury condos, and townhomes in gated communities. River Oaks is one of Houston’s Most Expensive Neighborhoods.

• HIGHLY-RATED SCHOOLS: River Oaks is zoned to Houston Independent School District (ISD). The River Oaks Elementary School which has won numerous awards is located in the neighborhood. River Oaks Elementary is one of the Top Schools in Houston. The area also has easy access to prestigious private schools.

• CENTRAL LOCATION: River Oaks is located near major thoroughfares such as Kirby Drive, San Felipe Street, and Westheimer Road. Katy Freeway (I-10), Loop 610, and the Southwest Freeway (US 59) are also close by. Residents have easy access to all major job centers, including Downtown, The Medical Center, and The Galleria. River Oaks is one of the Best Neighborhoods in the Inner Loop.

• EXCELLENT RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT: River Oaks homes are just minutes away from several retail and entertainment venues. The River Oaks Shopping Center, Highland Village, and the Galleria are just nearby. Westheimer and San Felipe are also lined with numerous restaurants, bars, boutiques, and lounges. For more options, residents can take a short drive to Montrose, the downtown, or Upper Kirby.

River Oaks has property legacies, historic homes, and deed restrictions. The community also offers a separate police department. There are also a variety of builders. Furthermore, certain areas sell at a premium. Other streets offer lower prices. River Oaks real estate can be difficult to navigate due to its popularity and its premier communities.

To get personal advice on buying or selling a River Oaks home, contact Paige Martin. One of Houston’s best realtors and one of the top-ranked Realtors in the United States.

“Can’t recommend Houston Properties and Violet Brooks highly enough! From the outset, the HP team greatly outperformed other realtors with their responsiveness and professionalism. Their commitment and attention to detail made the selling process a breeze. Additionally, they handled finding and securing a rental property, making this one less thing for me to worry about.” - Jennifer Marusek (Google Review)

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River Oaks Area Homes For Sale

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Table of Contents

1. River Oaks Area Home Sale Trends
2. River Oaks Area Best Realtor Insights
3. River Oaks Area Maps, Location & Zip Code
4. River Oaks Area Schools
5. River Oaks Area Real Estate Market

River Oaks Area Home Sale Trends

One of Houston’s most exclusive neighborhoods, River Oaks is centrally located within the Inner Loop. Deed-restricted and historic, the area features some of the most expensive homes in Bayou City.

River Oaks is well-known for its:

• UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD: The neighborhood is a mix of 1920s and 1930s traditional homes, grand estates, luxury condos, and townhomes in gated communities. River Oaks is one of the most expensive Houston neighborhoods.

• TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: River Oaks homes are zoned to the Houston ISD. The area benefits from excellent schools, including River Oaks Elem and Lanier Middle. The community also has several premier private schools, such as St. John’s and River Oaks Baptist.

• STRONG REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION: River Oaks is among the best Inner Loop neighborhoods in real estate appreciation. The neighborhood has posted impressive appreciation rates over the last 10 years.

• PRIME LOCATION: River Oaks boasts an excellent location in Houston. The area provides easy access to Downtown, the Medical Center, and the Galleria. Major highways like Southwest Freeway, Loop 610, Katy Freeway, and I-45 surround the neighborhood.

River Oaks is home to the River Oaks Country Club Estates, one of Houston’s most affluent golf communities. The country club features a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a fitness center.

River Oaks Area Best Realtor Insights

Known for its stately mansions and luxury homes, River Oaks is one of Houston’s most expensive neighborhoods.

• Centrally located, the neighborhood has key Houston hotspots like the Galleria, Downtown Houston, and the Texas Medical Center nearby.

• Spanning a 1,100-acre area south of the Buffalo Bayou, River Oaks offers a mix of grand mansions, traditional homes from the 1920s and 30s, luxury condos, and townhomes in gated communities.

• Main roads like Westheimer Road, Kirby Drive, and San Felipe Street line the neighborhood. Loop 610, Southwest Freeway (US 59), and Katy Freeway (I-10) are also nearby.

• Retail and entertainment venues, including River Oaks Shopping Center, Highland Village, and the Galleria, are minutes away from River Oaks homes. Residents can also enjoy Memorial Park’s facilities and its miles of trails.

• The River Oaks Country Club is located within the neighborhood. It features a golf course, tennis courts, and a swimming area.

• River Oaks real estate continue to post strong appreciation rates. River Oaks homes have a median sales price of over $2,500,000.

• The neighborhood is zoned to the Houston ISD and is home to multi-award-winning River Oaks Elementary School.

• Most River Oaks homes for sale feature 2,500 to 5,000 square feet. Newer homes in the area can offer 8,000 to more than 16,000 square feet. Lot sizes can range from 2,500 to more than 160,000 square feet.

• Prices for homes in the neighborhood can start at around $650,000. The most expensive River Oaks real estate can fetch upwards of $16,000,000.

• Older River Oaks homes date back to the 1920s and 1930s, some of which have been replaced with new construction two-story homes. The neighborhood exudes an old-world charm, with its beautiful esplanades, tree-lined streets, and stately manors.
  

River Oaks Area Maps, Location & Zip Code

River Oaks Area Schools

River Oaks homes are zoned to the Houston Independent School District (HISD).

Established in the 1920s, Houston ISD is the largest school district in the state (with 274 schools). The Texas Education Agency (TEA) gave the district a “Met Standard” rating in 2016. HISD features several International Baccalaureate (IB) World schools, including Lamar High School, Lanier Middle School, and River Oaks Elementary School.

Students in the area may attend the following public schools:

Elementary Schools

• River Oaks Elementary School at 2008 Kirby Dr. River Oaks Elementary School is one of the first elementary schools in Texas to offer an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). It is also a Vanguard Magnet and neighborhood school. Apart from its academic programs, the school also offers excellent electives and enrichment courses.

• Wharton Dual Language Academy at 900 W Gray St. Wharton is an alternative primary school that serves gifted and talented neighborhood Vanguard programs (Language Magnet program for Pre-K to 8). Their language program promotes both Spanish and English as languages of equal value.

Middle Schools

• Lanier Middle School at 2600 Woodhead St. Located in Neartown/Montrose, Lanier Middle School is an IB World School serving the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The school also offers a neighborhood (non-magnet) and a Vanguard (gifted and talented) program. Lanier opened in 1926 and is one of HISD’s first middle schools.

• Gregory-Lincoln Education Center at 1101 Taft St. GLEC is a Fine Arts magnet school with classes in instrumental music, vocal music, theatre arts, dance, culinary arts, visual arts, and multimedia.

High Schools

• Lamar High School at 3325 Westheimer Rd. Lamar High School has a great Athletics program. They have one of the oldest lacrosse programs in the state and have either won or placed several times in state championships in the past. Their football team is one of the highest-ranking teams within the Greater Houston area. Lamar also boasts of exemplary academic programs: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and a business magnet program. Its IB Diploma programs include classes in 5 languages, Russian, Chinese, French, Italian, and Spanish.

River Oaks Houston Private Schools

The following are some of the more notable private schools near River Oaks.

• River Oaks Academy at 10600 Richmond Ave. ROA specializes in individualized education for children with special needs. The school features a specialized program for students with learning disabilities, unique learning styles, ADHD, social skill needs, autism, behavioral and emotional issues, and learning deficiencies. It is the only program approved by both the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).

• The Kinkaid School at 201 Kinkaid School Dr. The Kinkaid School is a non-sectarian school attended by students from PK -12. It is also the oldest independent coeducational school in Greater Houston.

• River Oaks Baptist School at 2300 Willowick Rd. River Oaks Baptist School is one of Houston’s premier independent co-educational schools. Most faculty members hold advanced degrees and the school boast of a low teacher-to-student ratio.

• Annunciation Orthodox School at 3600 Yoakum Blvd. AOS is a co-educational school for ages 3 to 8th grade. It has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5 stars.

• St. John’s School at 2401 Claremont Ln. St. John’s is one of “America’s Elite Prep Schools” according to Forbes.com and “the best private school in Houston” according to the New York Times.

• St. Anne Catholic School at 2120 Westheimer Rd. St. Anne Catholic School is an accredited Pre-K through 8th grade with a National Blue Ribbon Status from the Department of Education. It has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5 stars.

• St. Thomas High School at 4500 Memorial Dr. Founded in 1900, St. Thomas is the second oldest continuously operating private high school in Houston. It has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5 stars.

To find an updated listing of all River Oaks real estate zoned to any specific public school, please send an email to Paige Martin at [email protected] with the property preference and budget that you’re working with.

*Note: School zoning tends to change from year to year, the information provided above is accurate but not guaranteed. Please double-check by visiting the school’s website.

River Oaks Area Real Estate Market

River Oaks Single-Family Home Sale Trends

Despite the number of recent townhome and condo developments in the area, River Oaks is still mostly made up of single-family homes.

As Houston’s most exclusive neighborhood, River Oaks showcases gorgeous homes from world-renowned architects. Although new development has replaced many of the neighborhood’s original homes, a number of its ranch-style homes from the 1920s and 1930s have been updated and maintained.

The neighborhood features homes in a variety of architectural designs, including Contemporary, French, Mediterranean, Spanish, Traditional, and other designs. American Colonial and English Tudor aesthetics are also popular in the neighborhood.

Most River Oaks homes feature 4- to 5-bedroom floor plans. Home sizes range from 3,000 to more than 10,000 square feet. Homes in the neighborhood also feature expansive lots, ranging from 10,000 to more than 40,000 square feet.

The most expensive River Oaks real estate can feature 6 to 9 bedrooms, with home sizes between 12,000 to 16,000 square feet.

Sprawling wooded lots, luxury finishes, multi-car garages, swimming pools, media rooms, and premium appliances come standard in the neighborhood’s poshest homes.

Prices for River Oaks homes for sale start at around $1,000,000. The most expensive homes in the neighborhood can fetch more than $4,000,000.

River Oaks Houston Townhomes Sale Trends

About a third of River Oaks' real estate inventory is a mix of condominiums and townhomes.

Floor plans vary, though most units offer around 2 to 4 bedrooms, with 2 to 3 full baths. Living spaces range from 1,000 to more than 2,500 square feet. Compared to their single-family home counterparts, lot areas are smaller – between 2,000 to around 3,000 square feet.

Townhomes differ from single-family homes in that they share a wall with one or more neighbors, but you still own the dirt from the center of the earth to infinity.

Townhome prices in this prestigious neighborhood start at just under $500,000. At this price point, River Oaks townhomes for sale are relatively more affordable than single-family homes.

Most River Oaks townhomes for sale are within gated communities and offer extensive amenities within safe and luxurious enclaves.

Popular River Oaks Townhomes For Sale:

• Winfield Gates

• Saint Honore

River Oaks Condo Sale Trends

Thanks to the neighborhood’s location, River Oaks condos for sale are highly popular. Most residential buildings in the area offer world-class amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, concierge services, and controlled access, among others.

There are several options in the area, ranging from $200,000 to $5,000,000. The price difference is usually influenced by the age of the property, the size, and the amenities included.

Condos in and near River Oaks include:

• River Oak Gardens – Located at 1601 S Shepherd near West Gray, this 3-square block gated property features extensively landscaped grounds, a swimming pool, covered parking, and a 24-hour courtesy patrol.

• Piedmont at River Oaks – Piedmont lies between River Oaks and Montrose at 1010 Rosine. It is fully fenced and offers a great view of the River Oaks Shopping Center.

• Huntingdon – This 34-story high-rise condominium is considered a River Oaks landmark. It also offers different amenities like residents-only swimming pools, exercise rooms, saunas, and tennis courts.

• The Royalton at River Oaks – This magnificent 33-story high rise is located at 3333 Allen Parkway with breathtaking views of the Houston skyline, gorgeous kitchens, grand master bedroom suites, private balconies, and posh designer finishes.

• Bayou Bend Towers – Located at 101 Westcott, this prestigious full-service residential high rise is surrounded by lush gardens with condo units overlooking the Buffalo Bayou.

• Inwood Manor – Sixteen-story Inwood Manor is located at 3711 San Felipe. It has 110 units and is among the stateliest buildings with condos for sale in Houston.

• Regency House – Regency House stands 13 floors high and features 93 condo units. The condo was built in the year 1963, its amenities include a concierge, guest rooms, tennis court, storage, valet parking, and a pool.

• Renoir Lofts – Renoir Lofts is an 8-story, “19th-century Europe-inspired” residential loft condominium on the edge of River Oaks. It is located at 1005 S Shepherd Dr.

• The Willowick – The Willowick is a 16-story high-rise condo on the edge of River Oaks. It is located at 2200 Willowick.

• The River Oaks – Originally built in the 1960s, this 17-story luxury condominium used to house the River Oaks Luxury Apartments. White-glove concierge service, valet parking, and two resort-style pools are among The River Oaks’ amenities.

To see other condos within the Inner Loop, see Inner Loop Houston Condos. To see condos within the Galleria area, see Galleria Houston Condos.

River Oaks TX History

In 1923, brothers Will and Mike Hogg, along with their associate Hugh Potter, purchased 200 acres of land around the River Oaks Country Club. Some of the first lots sold in the area were within the then-fledgling River Oaks Country Club Estates.

Kansas City-based city planning and landscape architects Hare and Hare provided the new neighborhood’s master plan. Planners set aside spaces for an elementary school, esplanades, pocket parks, and shopping centers.

In 1927, the City of Houston annexed the community.

Careful planning, along with strict deed restrictions and building codes, contributed to making River Oaks Houston’s premiere neighborhood.

Today, River Oaks is still Houston’s most expensive neighborhood. River Oaks real estate includes stately mansions, grand Victorian homes, and a collection of single-family new construction properties with modern designs.

New developments have come to the area, but some of the neighborhood’s early 1920s and 30s homes still line its streets.

Fun Things To Do Near River Oaks Houston

Aside from the elegant houses line that River Oaks Houston streets, much of the community’s beauty comes from the abundance of verdant elements in the area.

River Oaks exudes an old-world charm, with its scenic tree-lined streets coupled with intricate landscaping that leads to pocket gardens. There are plenty of parks and green spaces within and around the neighborhood, including the River Oaks Park and the River Oaks Community Center.

River Oaks Park features the Cinderella-inspired Pumpkin Carriage, a playground, lighted tennis courts, and a lighted sports field. A quarter-mile off-road trail is also available in the area.

Olympia Park, Sleepy Hollow Park, Meyer Park, Elliott Park, and Homewood Park are also within the neighborhood. River Oaks homes are also minutes away from Memorial Park, home to a wide variety of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, Memorial Park Golf Course, and the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.

Retail, dining, and entertainment venues are not in short supply either. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and art galleries in the River Oaks Shopping Center and West Avenue complexes.

The River Oaks District, on the other hand, offers an artful ambiance of posh social venues and private tree-lined streets.

Highland Village, the Greenway Plaza, Rice Village, the Galleria, and Uptown Park are also minutes away from River Oaks homes.

Here are some of River Oaks Houston's must-visit places:

Dining

• Brenner’s on the Bayou

• Express Rolls

• State of Grace

• Piada Italian Street Food

• Backstreet Cafe

• Cafe Ginger

• The Kitchen at The Dunlavy

• Rossini Caffe Italiano

• Local Foods

• Hops Meet Barley

Retail

• River Oaks Shopping Center

• River Oaks District

• Galleria

• Highland Village

• Rice Village

Nightlife

• Blue at Brenner’s

• Marfreless

• R Bar

• Local Pour Houston

• Guava Lamp

• Uropa

• The Cellar Bar

• Pimlico Irish Pub

• Red Lion British Pub

Groceries

• Kroger

• Trader Joe’s

• Central Market Houston

• H-E-B

• Whole Foods Market

• El Tiempo Market

• Sprouts Farmers Market

Golf Courses

• River Oaks Country Club

• Memorial Park Golf Course

• Hermann Park Golf Course

River Oaks Houston Realtor – Paige Martin

As featured on Fox News in the Morning, Houston Business Journal, and Houston Magazine, Paige Martin, a consistent Top Producing Broker-Associate and head of the Houston Properties Team, is ranked as one of the top residential real estate agents in the world.