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Riverside

Riverside

Neighborhood in Burlington, Vermont

Chittenden County 05401, 05404

$291,150 Average Value
$322 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

A small community on the Winooski River

Riverside is a neighborhood that sits along the winding Winooski River just south of downtown Winooski. It's located north of the University of Vermont and is home to its Trinity Campus, so students and long-time residents alike can rent or buy in the area, though housing is limited. “Many young people who come to Burlington to attend colleges and universities fall in love with the state, and then they stay,” says Karen Bresnahan, a Vermont local since 1990 and a Realtor with Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty. Though Riverside has a history of unstable slopes and landslides near the river, new businesses and homes can still be found in this small part of downtown Burlington. Locals can get around by car or by biking along Riverside Avenue, and they are less than 3 miles from Waterfront Park on Lake Champlain, which hosts many festivals, boat shows, and concerts throughout the year.

Locally owned restaurants on Riverside Avenue

Riverside Avenue has a couple of popular hotspots for a night out. Bluebird Barbecue is known for its slow-roasted briskets, mac and cheese and pulled pork. With a bright teal and orange aesthetic, outdoor seating and custom cocktails, Bluebird is a popular place to unwind. North of Barrett Street near the Colchester Avenue Bridge is The Boardroom, a board game cafe where diners can play games, have a milkshake or grilled cheese and stay for as long as they want – after paying a slight cover charge, of course. Pingala Cafe & Eatery is a vegan restaurant with organic breakfasts and weekend brunch, accompanied by gourmet coffee and a selection of craft beers. Pingala has an unobstructed view of the Winooski River rapids and, during fair weather, diners can choose to sit at the limited number of outdoor tables. South Burlington is less than 3 miles away for weekend shopping sprees, hosting several big-box stores, such as Trader Joe’s, Target, Kohl’s and a Hannaford grocery store.

Fishing and biking along the Winooski River

Whether fishing, watching a baseball game, or braving the cold weather, there are still many reasons to get outside in Riverside. “Sure, on a cold winter day when it’s 12 degrees out, you might say, ‘Oh my god,’ but it doesn't last forever, and the snow is beautiful. There is beauty in every season here,” Bresnahan says. Local anglers take to The Salmon Hole on the Winooski River to try their hand at catching local salmon and bass. Schmanska Park, south of Chase Street, has a Little Free Library as well as sports courts, a playground and picnic spots. Along Riverside Avenue is a long, paved walking and biking trail. Though it doesn’t connect to the Burlington Greenway, it is great for those who prefer to bike west to Hyde Street or North Winooski Avenue instead of driving. Just south of Colchester Avenue is the Vermont Lake Monsters’ Centennial Field, where Champ, the team’s mascot, appears for crowds of fans. The grounds of the University of Vermont’s Trinity Campus are just nearby, with wide green spaces for students who choose to live in the school’s Arts and Creativity community.

Condo communities and single-family homes in Riverside

Housing in Riverside consists mostly of condo units at the Riverwatch Condominium Association. Ranging in price from $200,000 to $350,000, units at Riverwatch can have one to two bedrooms and benefit from access to the community pool and grounds. Balconies and patios overlook the small pond or towering trees that surround the community. Single-family homes near Chase Street and Colchester Avenue often have New England aesthetics, including hipped and gabled roofs, tower attic windows and columned front porches. Most homes in the area have between three and five bedrooms and may cost between $400,000 and over $650,000. Most homes are set across the street from the riverfront, as the water treatment plant and a few industrial sites nearby take up a large portion of the landscape. The treatment plant is also known to cause a smell, which may be noticed by those living nearby.

A history of slippery slopes

Riverside Avenue has a long history of unstable slopes and landslides that make it difficult to determine the future of the neighborhood. In 1928, there was major evidence of erosion underneath Riverside Avenue before it was paved, and in 1935, the town attempted to stabilize the soil. However, a 1955 hillside collapse undermined years of efforts to prevent such a disaster. Throughout the 2000s, there had been evidence of unstable land in Riverside, and in 2019, another landslide occurred on Halloween. According to a 2021 article in the Burlington Free Press and the Public Works Commission, urgent repairs are needed to avoid further destructive erosion to the area. Homes and businesses that plan to go up in the area must meet strict building standards to properly handle stormwater runoff, which prevents further erosion.

Waterfront Park events in nearby Downtown Burlington

Though Riverside locals may not be in the heart of the city, they are still less than 3 miles away from all that Burlington has to offer. Waterfront Park puts on several summer concerts, festivals, boat shows, and the city’s famous July 3rd Independence Day fireworks show. In the fall, they can head over to the park for Burlington’s Oktoberfest celebration. Church Street Marketplace, in the heart of Burlington, is a year-round attraction for tourists and locals alike, who flock to the red-brick street to explore its many shops, restaurants and outdoor entertainment.

Burlington public schools and the University of Vermont

Edmunds Elementary School teaches kindergarten through fifth grade and is graded a B, while Edmunds Middle School and Burlington High School are rated a B-plus. In 2020, the high school campus was shut down for exposure to toxic chemicals, so students were transferred to the former Macy’s department store in downtown Burlington. Students ride up and down the escalators to their renovated classrooms and study in a library where the shelves used to house products for sale. In the meantime, a new campus is scheduled to be built for future high school students. All three schools are part of the Burlington School District, which is graded an overall B. Living alongside the University of Vermont also gives many grade-school students opportunities to engage in academic events and activities at the nearby campus.

Driving or biking to and from Riverside

The UVM campus and its state-of-the-art medical center are just a few blocks away from most Riverside homes, which is convenient for nearby patients or for students who want to bike to class. Burlington International Airport is about 3 miles southeast via Grove Street and can be reached in less than 10 minutes during times of low traffic. Downtown Burlington and Waterfront Park are about 2 miles southwest via Riverside Avenue.

Shelby Sullivan
Written By
Shelby Sullivan
Matt Barrett
Photography Contributed By
Matt Barrett
Adam Lapallo
Video By
Adam Lapallo

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Michael Preseau, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Transit

Airport

Patrick Leahy Burlington International

14 min drive

Bus

Riverside Avenue & Koffee Kup Bakery

Bus

Riverside Avenue & Salmon Run

Bus

Riverside Avenue & Intervale Road

Bus

Riverside Avenue & Hillside Terrace

Bus

Riverside Avenue & Opposite #236

Bus

Colchester Avenue & Barrett Street

Bus

Riverside Avenue & Opposite Barrett Street

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Riverside US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$294,000
Median Townhouse Price
$320,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$296,500
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$216,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$322
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Months of Supply
2.40
Median List Price
$299,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
3%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
124
Median Year Built
2010
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,280
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
934
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
870

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Michael Preseau, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
953
Median Age
31
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.5%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$38,796
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$60,011

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.2%
College Graduates
57.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
13°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
64''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

62 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

47 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Riverside