River Oaks is one of the more desirable neighborhoods in Memphis. It’s just outside Interstate 240, so the area offers more space than places closer to Downtown Memphis. Shops and restaurants are super convenient on Poplar Avenue, and families like that top-rated public and private schools are nearby. But the upscale homes, including some above the seven-figure mark, are the neighborhood’s biggest draw.
River Oaks is home to some of the largest and most expensive houses in Memphis. “It’s higher in price than a lot of the other areas in town,” says Steve Boysen, a broker with Crye-Leike who has worked in the Memphis region for 40 years. “They’re well-built, spacious. All the bells and whistles and upgrades.” The median sale price is $490,000, much higher than in other nearby neighborhoods like East Memphis. Scattered ranch and colonial-style homes on the edges of the neighborhood sell from $300,000 to $500,000, while larger spots can go between $500,000 and $900,000. Tudor and French Country-style estates sell for as high as $1 million to $5 million. Condos and townhomes sell from $100,000 to $400,000 based on size.
HOAs cover many of the different subdivisions throughout the neighborhood. Some are mandatory, including the condos and gated communities. Those can cost up to a couple of hundred dollars per month. But even the voluntary organizations are popular among residents.
River Oaks is in the Memphis-Shelby County Schools district and is zoned to top-rated schools, such as White Station High School. Students can also apply to attend any school in the district, including several with magnet programs. But private options are also popular. “It's near some of the more sought-after private schools that people want their children to go to,” Boysen says. Nearby top-rated private schools include:
People go to Poplar Avenue on the neighborhood’s edge to shop or grab a bite to eat. Several of the area’s higher-end shopping centers are nearby. The Regalia Center is home to Oak Hall, a longstanding designer clothes store, and the Bog & Barley Irish Pub, which imported everything from its bar to its silverware straight from Ireland. And the Ridgeway Trace shopping center is home to Target and REI. There’s also a Kroger off Poplar for groceries.
Commutes are convenient because Interstate 240 runs along the edge of the neighborhood. Downtown Memphis sits about 17 miles from River Oaks, and the drive during rush hour can take somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes most mornings. But not everyone heads downtown. Baptist Memorial Hospital is in the neighborhood and is a major employer, and other offices are 12 miles away near the airport. Memphis is known as a bike-friendly city, and streets like Shady Grove Road have dedicated bike lanes.
There aren’t a ton of public parks in the neighborhood. But you don’t have to go far, because Shelby Farms Park sits right across the street. It’s one of the biggest urban parks in the country and has tons of things to do. You can head to one of several playgrounds, bike on the trails along the Wolf River, go fishing on its lakes or even check out the park’s herd of buffalo. “They’ve done a fabulous job renovating it, and adding some trails and lakes,” Boysen says. There’s also an exclusive social club in the neighborhood. The Memphis Hunt & Polo Club has tennis and pickleball courts, a pool and plenty of member events.
Elizabeth Duke
The Firm
(901) 350-2307
103 Total Sales
3 in River Oaks
$100K - $619K Price Range
Petra Walker
KAIZEN Realty, LLC
(901) 422-9031
144 Total Sales
1 in River Oaks
$499,000 Price
Michelle Shaver-Simpson
Crye-Leike, Inc., REALTORS
(901) 464-3556
76 Total Sales
1 in River Oaks
$189,000 Price
Julie Upchurch
McWaters & Associates
(901) 509-9177
146 Total Sales
2 in River Oaks
$353K - $917K Price Range
Fontaine Albritton
Crye-Leike, Inc., REALTORS
(901) 437-5465
99 Total Sales
3 in River Oaks
$300K - $2M Price Range
Amanda Lee
McWaters & Associates
(901) 763-8191
126 Total Sales
4 in River Oaks
$110K - $920K Price Range
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | River Oaks | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in River Oaks, Memphis sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in River Oaks, Memphis over the last 12 months is $495,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,099 - $1,499 per month
$1,458 - $3,078 per month
$1,109 per month
$1,289 per month
Bike Score®
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Suburban East Memphis neighborhood with access to Shelby Farms and Poplar Avenue
Between Memphis and Germantown, offering a mix of housing and nearby amenities
Comfortable suburban neighborhood with great schools and proximity to Memphis
Quiet East Memphis suburb near I-240 and commercial corridors
Germantown suburb of classic renovated homes near Shelby Farms Park
Established, leafy East Memphis neighborhood with access to Poplar Ave amenities
