An aerial view of a modern but rural neighborhood in River Lakes.
A rural remove west of Melbourne
Amid the Florida heat, isolated on the shore of Lake Washington by Interstate 95, lies the community of River Lakes. This lakeside hamlet rests at a peaceful remove from the central city of Melbourne. “It’s off the beaten path but still close to shopping and restaurants,” says Broker Scott Loveridge of Relentless Real Estate, a Melbourne native who has been developing and selling real estate for 25 years. Sprawling ranch-style houses sit on large lots that promise comforting quiet after a day spent on the town or the shore. “We have the beaches, the rivers, the lake – everything you want from a rural setting, but close to the city,” he adds. Residents of River Lakes enjoy dipping their toes in the bustle of the city and the rush of the coast before leaving it behind and returning home to their tranquil country community.
A pristine white stucco ranch home inside the new community of the Enclave at Lake Washington.
The canals of Lake Washington
Houses in River Lakes are sorted into distinct northern and southern clusters. The southern side, cut through by St. Johns Heritage Parkway, is peppered with new construction stucco ranch-style homes that often list between $350,000 and $500,000. Many have two-car garages and three bedrooms, while some two-story Craftsman homes boast five bedrooms. The northern side of the neighborhood features modern bungalows and sprawling ranch-style homes with three-car garages that back up on canals. These canals are navigable and grant boat access to nearby Lake Washington. Homes at this end of River Lakes start at $600,000 for older constructions and soar to $950,000 for newer four-bedroom ranch-style houses on the canals.
Schooling in the Sunshine State
Young learners begin at Roy Allen Elementary School in Melbourne, rated B-plus on Niche and recognized by the City of Melbourne for its environmental education efforts. They then move up the road to Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School, which earns a B-minus and offers students breakfast and lunch free of charge daily. Heritage High School, located at the southmost end of the neighborhood, scores a B-plus and allows students to shadow certified athletic trainers in their athletic training club.
School signage of Roy Allen Elementary School.
School sign for Johnson Middle School.
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Between Orlando and Miam
Public transportation does not reach the north end of River Lakes, so residents should expect driving to be essential. To the south, the closest bus stop is located at the crossroads of St. Johns Heritage Parkway and Space Coast Parkway. The neighborhood is bordered by I-95, connecting residents to Orlando 60 miles north and to Miami 120 miles south. For out-of-town travel, Melbourne Orlando International Airport is roughly 7 miles from River Lakes.
A family pizza gallery & grill near Viera, Fl offering local dining and delivery.
Necessities and nightlife in Melbourne
For residents of the north end of River Lakes, groceries and pre-beach “Pub Subs” can be had at the Publix at Lake Washington Crossing, just 3 miles from the neighborhood. Those residing in the south end of River Lakes don’t have to go without, as the Publix at Windover Square is a mere 4 miles away. The Home Depot sits next door to Windover Square, and Target is across the street. “Downtown Melbourne has about 30 different places to get a drink,” Loveridge says. Imbibe by the shore at Hurricane Creek Saloon, or head north 10 miles to the Town Center to enjoy fresh pizza and local art at Pizza Gallery & Grill.
The expanse of River Lakes
Whether in the north or south end, backyards in River Lakes open on the marshy expanse of the Florida wetlands. The River Lakes Conservation Area hosts numerous sites for primitive camping accessible by boat, as well as 7 miles of trails winding along the shore of Lake Washington, which is popular for fishing and boating. The Thomas A. Lawton playground also bumps up against the lakeshore, with picnic shelters and playgrounds for weekend cookouts.
A husband and wife couple take in the views dockside on Lake Washington
An aerial of Tom Lawton Recreational Area on Lake Washington.
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Dare to embark on Camp Holly's Airboat rides where thrills meets chills.
Kayaking at the zoo, golfing on the coast, gators on the lake
Just 11 miles up I-95, the Brevard Zoo awaits. Brevard is the only zoo in the country that offers guided kayaking tours of animal exhibits, so adventurous residents can paddle down the river and observe giraffes, zebras and rhinos grazing along the banks. Fifteen miles across the Melbourne Causeway the Atlantic coast calls, where citizens can relax on Coconut Point Beach or spend a sunny day at Spessard Holland Golf Course. Airboat tours through the wetlands are a popular close-to-home option, and residents are likely to see alligators as they jet through the marshes with Camp Holly’s Airboat Rides.
A dockside view of Tom Lawton Recreational Area in River Lakes.
Flocking to Florida
The promise of River Lakes is the rural quietude residents desire without sacrificing the convenience of the city. The neighborhood is in high demand due to its favorable location. “We have SpaceX, Patrick Space Force Base, and the port at Cape Canaveral is the largest in Florida,” Loveridge says. “A thousand people a day are moving to Florida, and we’re neck-and-neck with Tampa in that expansion.” Despite the development, River Lakes maintains the secluded slice of life homebuyers expect. Whether fishing on the weekends or simply watching the sunset over the marsh, locals are glad for the country hush that settles down with them when they get home.
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
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
River Lakes
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
River Lakes Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in River Lakes, Viera East sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in River Lakes, Viera East over the last 12 months is $357,510, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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