River East
Neighborhood in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Winnebago County 54901
Bringing River East’s housing stock back to life
Like the rest of the center city area, River East contains some of Oshkosh’s oldest housing stock. Bungalows with screened-in front porches sit alongside larger, National-style homes, some converted into duplexes. "We are getting more of these multi-unit buildings that are two or three floors, with young people coming who don’t have kids, but their pets are their kids!” Leal says. “And it’s a big selling point when they can say, ‘this is pet-friendly, no additional fees.’” The homes were built between the late 1800s and early 1900s, and both the River East community and the City of Oshkosh work hard to maintain their value. Thanks to Rock the Block—a 4-day landscaping and cleanup event hosted by Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods and Habitat for Humanity—many of the homes have sealed porches, new screen doors, new siding and other curb appeal boosters. Initial prices range from $140,000 to $230,000, and help is available to secure the down payment. The Sold on Oshkosh Program provides up to $5,000 in closing costs, with an additional $2,500 for members of a neighborhood association. “Somebody moving in can buy one of these homes that is extremely well-built, just needs tender love and care, but it doesn’t deserve to die—they can walk in and apply to get $7500 closing costs,” Leal says. “And every year they live there, they forgive it, so in 5 years, you just got free money.”Morning strolls to Riverside Park
The Fox River flows on the neighborhood’s southmost border, emptying into Lake Winnebago about 1.5 miles away. Main Street meets the waterway at Riverside Park, a popular fishing spot and access point for the City of Oshkosh Riverwalk. “I walk over there several times a week with my dog,” Leal says. Having moved from Hawaii, waterfront access was a major plus for her Oshkosh home. “It's seasonal, and [waterfront] is definitely a big part if you own a boat." Longer days outdoors can be spent near Lake Winnebago at the Menominee Park beach and playground, or at the Menominee Park Zoo, a free-to-enter, 8-acre center that carries anywhere from 30 to 50 animals during peak season.State-of-the-art upgrades for Oshkosh schools
Oshkosh is full steam ahead in creating new learning spaces for its students by building overtop the sites of dilapidated school buildings. “Now instead of having neighborhood schools where you can walk, there’s some people who have to take a bus, be driven or ride their bikes,” Leal says. “If you happen to be the site of one of these schools your kids can still walk and have new and state-of-the-art.” Menominee Elementary School and Vel Phillips Middle School are the newest contenders finished in 2023 and 2024, neither currently holding ratings from Niche or GreatSchools. Students graduate to Oshkosh North High School, which was built in 1972 to accommodate overflow from Oshkosh West. The school scores a B from Niche.From backyard concert experiences to Oshkosh volunteer opportunities
Leach Amphitheater, a 7,500-seat outdoor venue, looks out over the Fox River on the southeast end of the neighborhood. “As my Realtor said, the good news is you can hear every concert from your yard, and the bad news is you can hear every concert from your yard,” Leal laughs. She and her neighbors make the most of the proximity—especially during Waterfest, a highly anticipated summertime concert series featuring cover bands and other performers. “At least once a year we have a party, and tonight we’re having an ABBA party,” Leal says. “I have people coming over to get a dish, bring something to drink and we’ll just sit outside in our lovely gardens and listen to ABBA!” The Oshkosh Public Library is also located in River East on the north end, and offers its space for family-friendly events. “We’ve done birdhouse painting for the kids, and in the wintertime, we do a movie night for free," Leal says. “We have a thriving network of service groups here in Oshkosh. I'm in a Rotary that build beds for the homeless, throws a Christmas party for at-risk kids, backpack stuffing. It’s just amazing how many social service groups we have in Oshkosh and how active they are.”
Walking to downtown Oshkosh or heading northbound on I-41
While highly-walkable, drivers can make their way to downtown Oshkosh easily. “I’m never unable to find parking,” Leal says. “Our parking is free, and in certain lots it’s a 2-hour limit but I’ve never gotten a ticket.” GO Transit buses line Otter Avenue as an alternative for getting around, with shuttles arriving on the half hour. River East is also close to major city employers like University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Ascension NE Wisconsin’s Mercy Campus, Amcor and the Oshkosh Corporation, formerly Oshkosh Truck. Those commuting the 17 miles to Menasha or 20 miles to Appleton and Appleton International Airport take Interstate 41 each morning.A neighborhood intertwined with the bustle of downtown
Residents take their sidewalks right to Main Street and the downtown cross-streets in less than a mile. Gourmet coffee and vegetarian fare at New Moon Cafe, dinner and a beer at restaurants like The Ruby Owl Tap Room and family-owned shops are all within reach. Consignment pickings at the Turquoise Door are different every day, from clothing, bags and shoes to small pieces of furniture and artwork. “You’ll come into my house and doesn’t look like any house you’ve ever seen,” Leal says. “They just had to move to a double space in a historic building.” Down by the water is Becket’s, a local mainstay often surrounded by boats from hungry Fox River travelers. The smell of fresh meats and cheeses wafts from Wagner Market, owned by the same restaurateur as Becket’s. “You feel like you’re walking into Europe,” Leal says. “It’s got a meat counter, all these different wines that you’d never find anywhere else, prepared salads. If I go to a concert downtown at the Grand could run there and grab a salad first.” Aside from the Family Dollar on Main Street, day-to-day grocery options are historically slim. The Oshkosh Food Co-op, about a mile from River East, offers a publicly-owned solution. “They really do a good job of promoting Wisconsin in general,” Leal says. “If i can't find something from Wisconsin there it’s because nobody is making it yet. They do take EBT cards, and what I love about them is they ask at the register, ‘Would you like to round up?’ That money goes to help those in our community who need a little help with food."

Agents Specializing in this Area
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Tou Yang
Responds QuicklyCreative Results Corporation
(920) 264-0540
209 Total Sales
1 in River East
$32,000 Price
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Andy Boehm
Score Realty Group, LLC
(920) 521-7627
157 Total Sales
1 in River East
$121,000 Price
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Stacey Hennessey
Century 21 Affiliated
(920) 690-9032
925 Total Sales
1 in River East
$82,500 Price
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Ryan Hawkins
Responds QuicklyCentury 21 Ace Realty
(920) 949-8358
109 Total Sales
2 in River East
$55K - $87K Price Range
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Tyler Beckman
Responds QuicklyBeckman Properties
(920) 280-6472
349 Total Sales
1 in River East
$149,000 Price
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Jason Rieckmann
Responds QuicklyCoaction Real Estate, LLC
(920) 521-3935
196 Total Sales
1 in River East
$121,000 Price
Schools
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Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | River East | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 3 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
Robbery | 5 | 4 |
Burglary | 5 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
Larceny | 4 | 4 |
Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
River East Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River East, Oshkosh sell after 109 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in River East, Oshkosh over the last 12 months is $200,000, up 33% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
Some 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

Heart of Oshkosh featuring historic homes, small businesses and eclectic events

Historical homes bordering sprawling Menominee Park and Downtown Oshkosh

Central Oshkosh neighborhood filled with character homes and community support

Homes and businesses steeped in Oshkosh history along Lake Winnebago, Fox River

Residential enclave in Oshkosh surrounding the Congress Avenue Athletic Park

Waterfront perks with urban amenities just 2 miles from Downtown Oshkosh