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River Forest

River Forest

$267,165 Average Value
$212 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

An older Northland neighborhood under vibrant tree cover

River Forest is a place defined by its surroundings. A Northland neighborhood 6 miles from downtown Kansas City, River Forest is immersed in a full spectrum of green. Slopes of grass and wildflowers connect an eclectic mix of architecture. Highly-rated schools are a draw, as is proximity to downtown and North Kansas City Hospital. In this neck of the woods, people find homes at varied price points, and often stay for several decades. “River Forest is an older neighborhood, but very well sought after,” says JR Radtka, a longtime Northland resident and Realtor with ReeceNichols Kansas City North. “There are a lot of people who have probably lived there for 50 years. It’s a nice, mature neighborhood.”

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.
Kayla Solsbak
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Kayla Solsbak
Luke Basinger
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Luke Basinger

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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 Amanda Scogin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Kansas City International

24 min drive

Bus

On Parvin & 39th Eb

Bus

On Parvin & Prather Eb

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

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$399,900
Median Sale Price
$398,675
Median Single Family Sale Price
$490,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$322,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
14
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-19%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$212

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
546
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1959
Months of Supply
0.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,798
Below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Rent

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

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,504
Median Age
40
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$71,761
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$98,463

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.5%
College Graduates
20.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
24''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

17 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

13 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

17 / 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.

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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
River Forest