Why Live in Riverside
Riverside in Cambridge, MA, is a neighborhood with a rich academic and scenic backdrop, bordered by Harvard University and the Charles River. The area is well-connected, with paved sidewalks leading to Massachusetts Avenue and River Street, where numerous restaurants and shops are located. Dining options include Pammy’s, known for its sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, Alive & Kicking Lobsters for fresh seafood, and Andala Coffee House for Arabic coffee. Grocery needs are met by nearby Whole Foods Market, H Mart, and the nonprofit Daily Table Grocery. Riverside offers a variety of housing styles, from single-family homes with bay windows and Second Empire-style mansard roofs to multifamily condos and townhouses, many of which are newly constructed or renovated. The neighborhood is home to several parks, including Riverbend Park, Franklin Street Park, and Corporal Burns Playground, providing ample space for outdoor activities. Memorial Drive is closed to traffic on Sundays from April through November, allowing residents to bike, jog, and rollerblade. The Cambridge Community Center and YMCA offer additional recreational options. Riverside families benefit from highly rated schools such as Martin Luther King Jr. School, Putnam Avenue Upper School, and Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, with private options like Buckingham Browne & Nichols School also available. Commuting to downtown Boston is convenient via the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s red line or various driving routes. Annual events like the Cambridge Arts River Festival and the Head of the Charles Regatta add to the neighborhood’s vibrant community life. However, potential buyers should be aware of the high noise levels and the flood-prone areas within Riverside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside a good place to live?
Riverside is a good place to live. Riverside is considered very walkable and a biker's paradise with great transit options. Riverside is an urban core neighborhood with a crime score of 4, on par with the average neighborhood in the U.S. Riverside has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 57.9 people per acre and a median age of 29. The average household income is $120,247 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 80.3% of residents. A majority of residents in Riverside are renters, with 81.9% of residents renting and 18.1% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Riverside can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Riverside neighborhood guide.
Is Riverside, MA a safe neighborhood?
Riverside, MA is a safe neighborhood and is on par with the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 4 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Riverside?
The median home price in Riverside is $369,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $73,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $1,910 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $82K a year to afford the median home price in Riverside. The average household income in Riverside is $120K.
What are the best public schools in Riverside?
The best public schools that serve Riverside are:
What are the best private schools in Riverside?
The best private schools that serve Riverside are:
- Saint Paul's Choir School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 4:1 and an average review score of 5.0.
- Atrium School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 6:1 and an average review score of 5.0.
- Shady Hill School has an A+ Niche grade, a student teacher ratio of 4:1 and an average review score of 4.9.
What are the most popular zip codes in Riverside, Cambridge, MA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Riverside, Cambridge, MA?
Are home prices dropping in Riverside?
Yes, home prices in Riverside are down 39% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Riverside, MA
On average, homes in Riverside, Cambridge sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverside, Cambridge over the last 12 months is $380,000, down 58% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$380,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$538,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$390,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$180
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Last 12 months Home Sales
102
Median List Price
$369,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
-3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-58%