River Forest
Waves of development make for varied price points in River Forest
Several waves of development have created a pleasant hodgepodge of architectural styles in River Forest. Here, two-bedroom bungalows from the 1940s and 50s neighbor 60s ranch-style homes and split-levels. Every so often a Craftsman, Colonial Revival or Tudor-inspired home is waiting around the corner of this hilly neighborhood. New Traditional homes from the 90s through the 2020s often have four or five bedrooms and large, freshly paved driveways and sometimes a pool. Older, smaller homes start at $180,000, while new construction can rise above $400,000. Most homes sit between $200,00 and $350,000. The range in architecture offers several points of entry into the neighborhood. “It’s a good price point for a lot of potential buyers,” says John Simone, a ReeceNichols real estate agent with more than 20 years of experience. “The price range offers a lot of options.”Surrounded by nature, with Cooley Park nearby
Trees are a talking point in River Forest. Large portions of the neighborhood are populated with dense arrays of native oak trees, elms and maples, and many neighborhood homes are shaded beneath their canopy. “A lot of buyers love those trees. There are a lot of trees!” Simone says. Radtka notes that the community’s love for its flora is emblematic of a city-wide shared value: “Kansas City is kind of big on saving the trees and not bulldozing them down.” For many residents, the closest recreational space is Cooley Park, which was recently upgraded with soccer fields to join the existing playground and walking trail. Kansas City North Community Center is also a bustling site with diverse athletic facilities, community meeting rooms and a pottery studio.Breakfasts at Donut King, dinners at Cascone's
The nearest cluster of bars and eateries sits near the North Kansas City Hospital along Missouri Route 210. Mornings start bright and early at Donut King, serving nearly 50 types of inventively flavored doughnuts beginning at 5 a.m. daily. The same stretch of businesses is home to Vignettes Pop-Up Bar, which re-opens each month with a new top-to-bottom theme. "Bob’s Burgers," "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Parks and Recreation" are just a few of the past inspirations for the immersive experience.More dining is concentrated within North Kansas City a mile away, though many residents make a habit of dinners at Cascone’s on North Oak Trafficway. The family-owned Italian restaurant opened in 1954, and its signature sauce can be found in local grocery stores, including the local Sun Fresh Market, the go-to for many River Forest residents.
North Kansas City Schools come highly rated
Children attend schools in the highly rated North Kansas City School District, often starting at Crestview Elementary, which has a B from Niche. Northgate Middle also has a B, and North Kansas City High earns a B-plus. The high school is part of the A+ Scholarship Program, which provides college funds to students who meet attendance, grade point average and other requirements.Celebrating Irish culture and local nonprofits at Snake Saturday
Since 1984, Northland communities have gathered for Snake Saturday, a parade and festival celebrating Irish culture. Local nonprofits design elaborate parade floats and compete for cash prizes benefitting their organizations. In the past 40 years, Snake Saturday has awarded about $2 million to local charities and nonprofits.Downtown and North Kansas City Hospital within reach
North Kansas City Hospital sits at the base of the neighborhood, a convenience and peace of mind for many locals. “The proximity to the hospital and to downtown is a big selling point for a lot of people,” Simone says. “The commute time is very short.” Interstate 29 borders the neighborhood, quickly connecting commuters to the city center 6 miles south. Ride KC bus line 238 runs along Prather Road heading north or south.I-29 a potential noise risk
With such close proximity to Interstate 29, homes along the highway route may be more susceptible to traffic noise, though the trees still give the neighborhood an insulated feel.

Agents Specializing in this Area
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Amanda Scogin
RE/MAX Advantage
(816) 670-4481
12 Total Sales
1 in River Forest
$460,000 Price
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Tim Seibold
Coldwell Banker Regan Realtors
(816) 608-7920
252 Total Sales
1 in River Forest
$210,000 Price
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Kaleena Schumacher
Keller Williams Realty Partners Inc.
(913) 359-5173
358 Total Sales
1 in River Forest
$400,400 Price
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Faye Whitney
Platinum Realty LLC
(913) 601-5931
217 Total Sales
1 in River Forest
$205,000 Price
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Randy Swope
Platinum Realty LLC
(913) 444-6605
161 Total Sales
1 in River Forest
$165,000 Price
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Charlie Gomez
Keller Williams Integrity First
(816) 300-8395
85 Total Sales
1 in River Forest
$175,000 Price
Schools
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | River Forest | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 4 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
Robbery | 3 | 4 |
Burglary | 4 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
River Forest Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River Forest, Kansas City sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in River Forest, Kansas City over the last 12 months is $398,675, down 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
Minimal Transit
Transit 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods

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Quiet midcentury neighborhood, 7 miles from downtown Kansas City

Scenic views of the Buckeye Greenway are a short drive from downtown K.C.