$170,404Average Value$186Average Price per Sq Ft7Homes For Sale
River East: steps from Oshkosh’s best
River East may as well be an extension of downtown Oshkosh, what with its central location, walkability to Main Street and well-known attractions. For River East Steering Committee member Carmen Leal, walks to the center of town are often accompanied by one of her closest companions. "I got my dog after a car wreck in Hawaii where I could no longer work,” she says. “Being able to live in a neighborhood that has sidewalks, patio dining restaurants, and stores where I can bring my pet in is huge to me and we are seeing more of it.” Leal was uncertain what she would find after making the move thousands of miles away, but immediate connection to community events and a 0% interest home loan from the city smoothed the path forward. “I started quite literally with my neighborhood association,” she says. “We moved here in March, and in April went to my first neighborhood association meeting. A gentleman there was talking about rain gardens and the environment. I got a $500 grant to start my rain garden and found my rotary group first thing.”
River East is a vibrant neighborhood intertwined with the activity of downtown Rockford.
River East makes the most of its proximity to waterfront activity and Oshkosh attractions.
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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.”
Many families are moving to River East and finding their forever homes.
River East is vibrant and is a great place explore what Oshkosh has to offer.
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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."
River East features a strip of retails and restaurants along Main Street.
Head to The Ruby Owl Tap Room for a relaxed dinner out in River East.
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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.”
River East has plenty of Bungalows to meet your housing needs.
National-style homes in River East are either single-family or converted into stacked duplexes.
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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.
Take a walk at Riverside Park and enjoy an evening in River East.
Enjoy an afternoon walking along the river at Riverside Park in River East.
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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.
Vel Phillips Middle School in River East is a new addition to the neighborhood.
River East residents can start their education at Menominee Elementary School.
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River East has the Go Bus which offers transportation to and from the neighborhood.
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.
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
Tou Yang,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Riverside Park
Roe Park
Bauman Park
Transit
Airport
Appleton International
30 min drive
Bus
Otter Ave. & Mill St.
Bus
Otter Ave. & Main St.
Bus
220 Washington Ave.
Bus
Otter Ave. & Court St.
Bus
Monroe St. & Washington Ave.
Bus
Ceape Ave. & State St.
Bus
Washington Ave. & State St.
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
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River East, Oshkosh sell after 84 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in River East, Oshkosh over the last 12 months is $188,204, up 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
The Washington Place Condominiums in the heart of Downtown Oshkosh! Enjoy all the amenities of living Downtown at this beautifully renovated 20-unit residential building that blends architectural elements from the past with the modern conveniences and finishes of today. Units range from garden level to 4th floor all accessible by elevator, with unique layouts and sizes featuring 1, 2 + 3 bedroom
The Washington Place Condominiums in the heart of Downtown Oshkosh! Enjoy all the amenities of living Downtown at this beautifully renovated 20-unit residential building that blends architectural elements from the past with the modern conveniences and finishes of today. Units range from garden level to 4th floor all accessible by elevator, with unique layouts and sizes featuring 1, 2 + 3 bedroom
The Washington Place Condominiums in the heart of Downtown Oshkosh! Enjoy all the amenities of living Downtown at this beautifully renovated 20-unit residential building that blends architectural elements from the past with the modern conveniences and finishes of today. Units range from garden level to 4th floor all accessible by elevator, with unique layouts and sizes featuring 1, 2 + 3 bedroom
Downtown Living at its Best! Schedule a showing to view your next leased residential apartment. We are "the" premium leased residential property on the new downtown Oshkosh!50% off on the November and December Rental Rate. Stop, Look, Lease Today!
FOR RENT: 532 Otter Ave Lower unit, Oshkosh$1300/monthType: Lower unit of an upper/lowerBeds: 3Baths: 1Parking: off streetBasement storagePet friendly with dog breed restrictions $250 additional security deposit and $25/month per petLaundry: hookups in basementTerm: 1 Year lease$30 application fee - Income, rental history, credit and criminal to be
Renovated 2 bed 1 bath single family home in Oshkosh. Brand new bathroom, kitchen, appliances, paint, and flooring. Unit has off road parking and in unit laundry hook ups. Tenants take care of utilities, shoveling, and lawn care. No Pets. If interested please message me asking for application. I will only schedule showings to completed applicants. There is a $30 application fee. Unit is available
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tou Yang,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,683
Median Age
32
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$53,333
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$63,732
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92%
College Graduates
28.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.1%
% Population in Labor Force
71.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
31''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
52''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
67/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
40/ 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.
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.
