A drive for errands
This is a residential subdivision; groceries and shopping are outside it.1
The Michael O’Neal Group · River Forest community guide
River ForestNo MUD
Want a west Houston home around 1970 inside the city with no MUD? River Forest fits. Just know Buffalo Bayou is nearby, so check the flood zone on every lot.
Michael O’Neal, Broker · REALTOR® leads The Michael O’Neal Group from the Keller Williams Realty Northeast office on West Lake Houston Parkway in Humble. Meet Michael
River Forest from above. Aerial: USGS The National Map imagery (public domain).
Interactive neighborhood map
River Forest and its neighbors, on one map.
Tap the gold dot for River Forest’s HAR figures and tax units; colored dots are groceries, parks and hospitals with verified coordinates. Gray dots are nearby neighborhoods to compare.
- River Forest
- Nearby neighborhood
- Golf course
- Grocery, park or hospital
Neighborhood dots are approximate centers; we don’t draw subdivision, city or district boundaries. Filter rules: Golf nearby: Nearest golf course 1 mile or less (straight line from the neighborhood center). Near parks: A mapped park 1.5 miles or less from the neighborhood center. Larger homes: HAR 2025 median home size of 2,800 sq ft or more. Established: HAR 2025 median year built before 1995. Newer homes: HAR 2025 median year built 2010 or later. Larger lots: HAR 2025 median lot of 9,000 sq ft or more.
Daily life
What everyday life in River Forest looks like.
From the area’s own records and each place’s official page. Places without verified coordinates are described here but not mapped.
Open to the public
Groceries
Nearest H-E-B stores in our list (straight line from River Forest’s center): Westheimer and Kirkwood H-E-B, 1.9 mi; Bunker Hill H-E-B, 3.9 mi.
Open to the public
Healthcare
Nearest hospitals with an emergency room (straight line): HCA Houston Healthcare West, 2.2 mi; Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, 3.0 mi.
Neighborhood comparison
River Forest and nearby neighborhoods, side by side.
Tap Compare on River Forest and one or two neighbors to line up HAR figures, dues and tax units.
River Forest
River Forest
River Forest is a west Houston subdivision in ZIP 77079, inside the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD, near Buffalo Bayou.
- $1.03MHAR 2025 median value
- 3,439Median sq ft
- 1970Median year built
- Terry Hershey Park, 2.1 mi
Nearby community
Ashford Forest
Ashford Forest is a west Houston subdivision in ZIP 77077, inside the City of Houston and Houston ISD, near Buffalo Bayou.
- 1970Median year built
- Terry Hershey Park, 1.7 mi
Nearby community
Memorial Hollow
Memorial Hollow is a small Memorial-area subdivision in ZIP 77024, inside the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD, on the 12200 to 12400 blocks of Kimberley, Perthshire, Pinerock and Barryknoll.
- $970KHAR 2025 median value
- 2,537Median sq ft
- 1962Median year built
Nearby community
Shadow Oaks
Shadow Oaks is a 1950s and 1960s Spring Branch subdivision just inside Beltway 8 and north of I-10, inside the City of Houston.
- $372KHAR 2025 median value
- 1,854Median sq ft
- 1958Median year built
Nearby community
Spring Branch Woods
Spring Branch Woods is an established Spring Branch subdivision in ZIP 77055, inside the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD.
- $393KHAR 2025 median value
- 1,818Median sq ft
- 1958Median year built
Nearby community
Long Point Woods
Long Point Woods is an established Spring Branch subdivision in ZIP 77055, inside the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD.
- $427KHAR 2025 median value
- 1,663Median sq ft
- 1955Median year built
Nearby community
Spring Shadows
Spring Shadows is a Spring Branch subdivision of almost 2,000 homes just inside Beltway 8 and north of I-10, with a mandatory homeowners association.
- $443KHAR 2025 median value
- 2,245Median sq ft
- 1970Median year built
- Spring Shadows Civic Association: $375 per year (2025)
Nearby community
Campbell Woods
Campbell Woods is an established Spring Branch subdivision in ZIP 77080, inside the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD.
- $265KHAR 2025 median value
- 1,508Median sq ft
- 1957Median year built
Nearby community
Spring Branch Oaks
Spring Branch Oaks is an established Spring Branch subdivision in ZIP 77080, inside the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD.
- $453KHAR 2025 median value
- 1,946Median sq ft
- 1955Median year built
Nearby community
Spring Branch Estates
Spring Branch Estates is an established Spring Branch subdivision in ZIP 77080, inside the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD.
- $346KHAR 2025 median value
- 1,680Median sq ft
- 1977Median year built
Home figures: HAR.com 2025 Facts, as HAR shows them. Dues and tax rates: official sources with the year. Aerials: USGS The National Map (public domain).
Five things you might not know
River Forest details worth knowing.
- 01
West Houston, inside the city
HAR's tax table for River Forest lists the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD, in ZIP 77079.1
- 02
Built around 1970
HAR's 2025 facts count 71 single-family homes with a median year built of 1970, a median of 3,439 sq ft and a median lot of 13,170 sq ft.1
- 03
Values
HAR's 2025 median market value is $1,025,575, with a typical range of $782K - $1.62M.1
- 04
No MUD
HAR's tax table shows no municipal utility district for River Forest.1
- 05
Buffalo Bayou detention work nearby
HCFCD has been adding linear stormwater detention along Buffalo Bayou between State Highway 6 and the Sam Houston Tollway; Phase 1 on the south bank inside Terry Hershey Park, between Eldridge Parkway and Dairy Ashford, was scheduled to start construction in April 2019.3
Getting around
From River Forest to the rest of Houston.
Main routes: I-10 (Katy Freeway), Beltway 8 and Memorial Drive.1
Straight-line distance, not road miles. Traffic changes by the hour, so we don’t publish drive times; the route link opens Google Maps with current traffic, which is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Neighborhood matchmaker
Which nearby neighborhood fits you best?
Compare River Forest with nearby neighborhoods in five questions. Matches use only HAR 2025 neighborhood figures, official tax rates and straight-line distances, never anything about who lives there.
River Forest market dashboard
What the market around River Forest is doing.
HAR doesn’t publish monthly market-area figures for River Forest alone. HAR’s Memorial West and Energy Corridor market areas cover the communities around River Forest; we don’t claim River Forest sits inside either one. These are HAR’s own monthly single-family figures, read Nov. 6, 2026; HAR’s market areas have their own boundaries, so read them as the bigger picture.
Memorial West
HAR market area · single-family
- $900,000Median sold price, Sep 2026
- 22Homes sold, Sep 2026
- 97Active listings, Oct 2026
- 2.2Months of inventory, Oct 2026
- 7Median days on market, Sep 2026
- -14.2%Active listings vs. a year ago
Energy Corridor
HAR market area · single-family
- $436,250Median sold price, Sep 2026
- 34Homes sold, Sep 2026
- 245Active listings, Oct 2026
- 4.7Months of inventory, Oct 2026
- 32.5Median days on market, Sep 2026
- -1.2%Active listings vs. a year ago
HAR 2025 Facts for River Forest (Houston): median market value $1,025,575, typical range $782K - $1.62M, median home 3,439 sq ft on a 13,170 sq ft lot, median year built 19701.
Monthly trends
Source: HAR.com market area price trends (single-family sold and active tables). Reporting month shown on each point.
Neighborhood comparisons
HAR.com neighborhood pages, “2025 Facts” (checked Oct. 14, 2026). Neighborhood medians, not sale prices or appraisals. HAR market areas and neighborhoods have different boundaries, so compare like with like.
Greater Houston for context (September 2026): $325,000 median sale price, 40,192 active listings, 5.5 months of inventory. HAR, released Oct. 14, 20267.
What it means: months of inventory near 5 to 6 is usually called balanced. Subdivision-level pending sales and price reductions aren’t on HAR’s public pages; Michael can pull them from the MLS.
Thinking about selling in River Forest?
Get a River Forest market report
Recent sales, pending sales, price reductions and days on market from the MLS for your subdivision.
River Forest sellers
Find your River Forest home’s value.
Enter your address and spin the same Home Value Wheel that’s on our homepage. It uses one system across the site: a value Michael prepared for your home, or Homebot’s automated estimate labeled as Homebot’s. It never makes up a number. For a full comparative market analysis, ask Michael.
An automated estimate is not an appraisal or a comparative market analysis. For a professional pricing review, ask Michael or request a home valuation.
- Pricing from the marketA comparative market analysis of recent sales guides your price.
- Professional photographyBecause the first showing happens online.
- MLS and HAR.com exposureWhere Houston buyers and their agents search.
- Tracked inquiries and follow-upInterested buyers do not go cold.
- Buyer feedback and reportingWhat buyers and agents say after showings.
- Digital coordination and e-signingDocuments, deadlines and signatures tracked through closing.
- Launch videoShort pieces made for social media, where buyers see a home first.
- Aerial imageryDrone photos of the lot, the setting and the neighborhood.
- Matterport 3D toursAn immersive 3D tour buyers can walk through online, when it suits the home.
- Floor plansA floor plan with the listing photos, so buyers understand the layout.
- StagingStaging help when it will change how the home shows.
- Digital advertising and social contentPaid and organic campaigns that reach more local buyers.
No one can guarantee a buyer, a price or a timeline. What we control is how well your home is priced, presented and followed up.
Nothing is pre-filled for insurance. Get quotes for the specific address, including flood, even outside a mapped zone.
No rate is filled in for you. For reference, Freddie Mac’s average 30-year rate was 7.32% the week of Oct. 22, 2026. Lenders quote by credit and loan type.
True Cost of Homeownership calculator (adds exemptions, mortgage and PMI) · Mortgage calculator
Rates: each unit’s adopted rate from official sources, with its year8. Harris County units: Harris County (2026), Harris County Flood Control District (2026), Harris County Hospital District (2026), Port of Houston Authority (2026), Harris County Department of Education (2025).
Before you move here
The Good, The Bad & The Reality.
Want a west Houston home around 1970 inside the city with no MUD? River Forest fits. Just know Buffalo Bayou is nearby, so check the flood zone on every lot.
The Good
The Bad
The Reality
- Michael’s bottom lineRiver Forest gives you a west Houston lot inside the city without a MUD line. Buffalo Bayou is the thing I'd look at first: pull the FEMA zone and the seller's flood disclosure before you fall for a house.
- You may love it ifBuyers who want a west Houston lot inside the city
- You may love it ifBuyers who prefer no MUD
- You may love it ifBuyers working along the Energy Corridor
- Consider elsewhere ifIf you want a Memorial Village, compare Hunters Creek Village.
- Consider elsewhere ifIf you want newer construction, look at Cinco Ranch.
Michael’s Take · broker opinion, based on the sourced facts above
My take: River Forest gives you a west Houston lot inside the city without a MUD line. Buffalo Bayou is the thing I'd look at first: pull the FEMA zone and the seller's flood disclosure before you fall for a house.
- Spring Branch Independent School DistrictDistrict listed for River Forest in our recordsFind My Zoned School (by address)
School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Confirm the assigned schools directly with the district before making a housing decision. We don’t publish ratings or rankings.
Flood research
Flood research for a River Forest address.
Rebuilds in a mapped floodplain need a city permit.9
Research flood information for an address
- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterOfficial effective flood map for the address
- Harris County Flood Education Mapping ToolFEMA floodplains relative to structures
- MAAPnext interactive mapDraft next-generation maps and “Know Your Risk”
- Harris County Flood Warning SystemLive rainfall and stream gauges
- Our flood map guideHow to read the official maps
- Background
Detention work upstream
HCFCD has been adding linear detention along Buffalo Bayou in Terry Hershey Park.3
No map can say a property won’t flood. Check the official map, the seller’s disclosure, flood insurance and the elevation of the specific home. Michael is a broker, not a flood engineer or insurance agent.
Compare
River Forest vs. nearby choices.
HAR 2025 values where HAR publishes them, straight-line distances and links to each full guide. Nothing here is a rating.
| Measure | River Forest | Other |
|---|
Energy Corridor · Memorial West · Ashford Forest · Memorial Hollow · Shadow Oaks · Central Houston luxury comparison · Houston area map · Relocation guide
The O’Neal Insider
What’s happening near River Forest?
Texas Renaissance Festival
Texas Renaissance Festival grounds · 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Organizer: Texas Renaissance Festival
77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Downtown Houston · 9 a.m.
Organizer: City of Houston Special Events Office
From The O’Neal Insider events calendar (checked Oct. 21, 2026). Past events hide automatically. All events · Restaurants and things to do
Free weekly newsletter
Get The O’Neal Insider
Local events, new businesses and the housing market around River Forest, every Tuesday. One subscription; no spam.
Questions buyers actually ask
River Forest questions, answered.
What do HAR’s 2025 Facts show for homes in River Forest?
HAR’s 2025 Facts for “River Forest (Houston)” show a median market value of $1,025,575, a typical range of $782K - $1.62M, a median home of 3,439 sq ft on a 13,170 sq ft lot, and a median year built of 1970. They are HAR’s neighborhood medians, not sale prices or appraisals.
Source: HAR.com 2025 Facts (checked Oct. 14, 2026).
Which local taxing units apply in River Forest besides Harris County?
Our records show City of Houston at $0.5192 per $100 (2025); Spring Branch ISD at $1.0231 per $100 (2025). Rates and years are as each office lists them; the HCAD account for a specific address shows which units apply.
Sources: houstontx.gov, springbranchisd.com.
What did HAR’s Memorial West market area show this fall for buyers looking at River Forest?
On Nov. 6, 2026, HAR showed a Sep 2026 median sold price of $900,000 for single-family homes in its Memorial West market area, with 22 sales that month, 97 active listings in Oct 2026 and about 2.2 months of inventory. HAR’s area has its own boundaries; ask for a subdivision-level report before pricing or offering.
Source: HAR.com market area price trends (read Nov. 6, 2026).
More questions and answers are in the resource center below.
Tools
Plan your move to River Forest.
Neighborhood matchmakerRiver Forest vs. nearby neighborhoods.Ownership cost calculatorTaxes by unit, dues, insurance, mortgage.Affordability calculatorWhat price fits your budget.Flood researchOfficial maps for any address.True cost of ownershipTaxes by unit, exemptions, insurance.Houston flood map guideHow to read the official maps.Inner Loop HoustonThe wider area, compared.
Relocating?
Get the Greater Houston Relocation Guide
Central Houston and seven other regions, compared with the same sourced facts.
Have questions about River Forest?
Talk directly with Michael O’Neal.
- Broker and owner of The Michael O’Neal Group, Keller Williams Realty Northeast, 20665 W. Lake Houston Pkwy, Humble (TREC broker #624124)
- The Michael O’Neal Group has helped 2,035 families over 13 years
- RealTrends Verified: No. 1 team in Kingwood by volume and sides, 2025 sales data (profile)
- HAR Client Experience Ratings: 4.90 out of 5 from 90 surveys (imported Oct. 20, 2026; read the reviews)
- Works with buyers and sellers across Greater Houston from the team’s office in Humble
How the team helps
- Pricing from River Forest’s own recent sales
- Checking the tax units, any deed restrictions and the resale certificate before the option period ends
- Listing preparation and professional marketing
- Buyer representation and showings
- Relocation help for out-of-town buyers
- Transaction coordination from contract to close
The website assistant answers from our sourced River Forest guide and hands property-specific or current MLS questions to Michael’s team.
Home search
Explore River Forest homes.
Set your filters and the live MLS search opens through HAR.com’s IDX for The Michael O’Neal Group, with every listing’s official details and brokerage attribution.
Research
River Forest homeowner resource center.
Everything we’ve researched, with every source and checked date: city rules and services, documents, tax units, parks and amenities, schools, flood resources and FAQs. Search it or pick a topic.
River Forest at a Glance
West Houston, inside the city. HAR's tax table for River Forest lists the City of Houston and Spring Branch ISD, in ZIP 77079. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts
Built around 1970. HAR's 2025 facts count 71 single-family homes with a median year built of 1970, a median of 3,439 sq ft and a median lot of 13,170 sq ft. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts
Values. HAR's 2025 median market value is $1,025,575, with a typical range of $782K, $1.62M. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts
No MUD. HAR's tax table shows no municipal utility district for River Forest. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts
Buffalo Bayou detention work nearby. HCFCD has been adding linear stormwater detention along Buffalo Bayou between State Highway 6 and the Sam Houston Tollway; Phase 1 on the south bank inside Terry Hershey Park, between Eldridge Parkway and Dairy Ashford, was scheduled to start construction in April 2019. HCFCD: Buffalo Bayou linear detention (Terry Hershey Park)
City of Houston rules apply. River Forest is inside the City of Houston, so a rebuild or addition in a mapped floodplain or floodway needs a city floodplain development permit. City of Houston Floodplain Management Office
City help with deed restrictions. The City of Houston Legal Department can sue over deed restriction violations that began after August 1965, and complaints can be filed online at no cost. City of Houston Legal: deed restriction FAQ
Homes and the River Forest Market
| HAR neighborhood | Single-family homes | Median size | Median lot | Median year built | Median market value | Value range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Forest (Houston) | 71 | 3,439 sq ft | 13,170 sq ft | 1970 | $1,025,575 | $782K - $1.62M |
HAR.com 2025 neighborhood facts. Market value is the appraisal district’s figure, not a sale price, and a median is not the value of any one home.
Median closed price, recent closed sales, price per square foot, days on market and active inventory for River Forest are MLS figures that HAR’s public pages do not publish by neighborhood. Ask for a current MLS report for the sections you are considering.
Live HAR.com search for River Forest; if it shows no homes, none are listed under that name right now. Widen the search or ask us.
Property Taxes, HOA and MUD in River Forest
| Taxing unit | Adopted rate | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Branch ISD | $1.0231 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| City of Houston | $0.51919 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Harris County | $0.4175 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Flood Control District | $0.05266 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Hospital District | $0.19528 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Port of Houston Authority | $0.00603 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Department of Education | $0.0048 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
River Forest is inside the City of Houston with no MUD on HAR's tax table. The HCAD account shows every unit on a home. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts Harris Central Appraisal District
HOA and deed restrictions
No assessment amount is published by an official source, so we do not show one. The resale certificate for the address shows what it owes.
We did not find an official association website or published dues for River Forest; ask for the recorded deed restrictions. City of Houston Legal: deed restriction FAQ
Rates are per $100 of taxable value; a tax bill also depends on the appraised value, exemptions and which units cover the address. Look an address up: Harris Central Appraisal District property search, Harris County Tax Office, True Cost of Homeownership calculator.
Schools Serving River Forest
- Spring Branch ISD Find My Zoned School (by address)
River Forest is in Spring Branch ISD. SBISD's school finder returns the zoned schools for an address; confirm with the district. Spring Branch ISD: realtor resources
School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Confirm the assigned schools directly with the district before making a housing decision.
Flood and Drainage Research for River Forest
HCFCD has been adding linear stormwater detention along Buffalo Bayou between State Highway 6 and the Sam Houston Tollway; Phase 1 on the south bank inside Terry Hershey Park, between Eldridge Parkway and Dairy Ashford, was scheduled to start construction in April 2019. HCFCD: Buffalo Bayou linear detention (Terry Hershey Park)
Check the exact River Forest address on FEMA's effective map, HCFCD's Flood Education Mapping Tool and the MAAPnext draft maps before you buy or plan a rebuild. FEMA Flood Map Service Center HCFCD Flood Education Mapping Tool MAAPnext draft flood maps
Inside Houston, any construction in the 100-year or 500-year floodplain or the floodway needs a floodplain development permit from the city. City of Houston Floodplain Management Office
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Harris County Flood Control District - Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool
- How to read Houston flood maps
Flood zones are mapped parcel by parcel, and no guide can tell you whether a particular house has flooded or will flood. Ask the seller for the flood disclosure and any elevation certificate, and price flood insurance before your option period ends.
Getting Around from River Forest
I-10 (Katy Freeway) and Beltway 8 are the main routes; the Energy Corridor job center is along I-10 to the west. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts
We name routes rather than quote drive times, which change with the hour and the exact address. Straight-line miles to both airports are on the fact sheet below.
River Forest Questions Buyers Ask
What do HAR's 2025 facts show for River Forest values?
A median market value of $1,025,575 and a typical range of $782K, $1.62M, with a median year built of 1970. These are HAR's medians, not sale prices.
Sources: HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts Checked Nov. 11, 2026
Does River Forest have a MUD tax?
HAR's tax table shows no MUD; River Forest is inside the City of Houston.
Sources: HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts Checked Nov. 11, 2026
Which school district serves River Forest?
Spring Branch ISD. Confirm the zoned schools for the exact address with the district.
Sources: Spring Branch ISD: realtor resources Checked Nov. 11, 2026
What should I check before buying in River Forest?
The FEMA zone and seller's flood disclosure (Buffalo Bayou is nearby), the recorded deed restrictions, and the HCAD tax units.
Sources: FEMA Flood Map Service Center City of Houston Legal: deed restriction FAQ Harris Central Appraisal District Checked Nov. 11, 2026
Keeping It Real with Michael O’Neal
Why Live in River Forest? The Good, The Bad & The Reality
Want a west Houston home around 1970 inside the city with no MUD? River Forest fits. Just know Buffalo Bayou is nearby, so check the flood zone on every lot.
Neighborhood Reality Check
Why You’ll Love It
- No MUD
- Bigger lots
- Spring Branch ISD
What Might Surprise You
- Homes from around 1970
- Check the flood zone
- No association website
Everyday Convenience
- Nearest H-E-B: Westheimer and Kirkwood H-E-B, 1.9 mi
- ER: HCA Houston Healthcare West, 2.2 mi
- Shopping: Town & Country Village, 1.9 mi
- Park: Terry Hershey Park, 2.1 mi
Straight-line miles.
Michael’s Take
River Forest gives you a west Houston lot inside the city without a MUD line.
Compare nearby:
Four Reasons People Love Living in River Forest
- 1No MUD
HAR's tax table shows no MUD.
- 2Bigger lots
HAR's 2025 median lot is 13,170 sq ft.
- 3Spring Branch ISD
HAR's tax table lists Spring Branch ISD.
- 4Detention work upstream
HCFCD has been adding linear detention along Buffalo Bayou in Terry Hershey Park.
Four Things You Should Know Before Moving to River Forest
- 1Homes from around 1970
HAR's median year built is 1970.
- 2Check the flood zone
Look up each address on FEMA's map and HCFCD's tool.
FEMA Flood Map Service Center HCFCD Flood Education Mapping Tool
- 3No association website
Get the recorded deed restrictions through the title company.
- 4City floodplain rules
Rebuilds in a mapped floodplain need a city permit.
Who Might Love River Forest?
- Buyers who want a west Houston lot inside the city
- Buyers who prefer no MUD
- Buyers working along the Energy Corridor
Who Might Prefer Somewhere Else?
- If you want a Memorial Village, compare Hunters Creek Village.
- If you want newer construction, look at Cinco Ranch.
Everyday Convenience in River Forest
- A drive for errands This is a residential subdivision; groceries and shopping are outside it. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts
Main routes: I-10 (Katy Freeway), Beltway 8 and Memorial Drive. HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts
| Nearest H-E-B | Westheimer and Kirkwood H-E-B 1.9 mi |
|---|---|
| Nearest H-E-B | Bunker Hill H-E-B 3.9 mi |
| Pharmacy | In-store pharmacy at Westheimer and Kirkwood H-E-B 1.9 mi |
| Hospital with an ER | HCA Houston Healthcare West 2.2 mi |
| Major shopping | Town & Country Village 1.9 mi |
| Parks and nature | Terry Hershey Park 2.1 mi |
| Golf | Sharpstown Park Golf Course 5.0 mi |
| Airport | George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) 21 mi |
| Airport | William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) 20 mi |
Distances are straight-line from the approximate center of River Forest, not driving distance or time; your street and route change the real trip. Each place links to its official site; a list is not a recommendation.
The Real Estate Reality
| Median market value | $1,025,575 | HAR 2025 facts (River Forest (Houston)) |
|---|---|---|
| Value range | $782K - $1.62M | HAR 2025 facts (River Forest (Houston)) |
| Median home size | 3,439 sq ft | HAR 2025 facts (River Forest (Houston)) |
| Median lot | 13,170 sq ft | HAR 2025 facts (River Forest (Houston)) |
| Median year built | 1970 | HAR 2025 facts (River Forest (Houston)) |
| Single-family homes | 71 | HAR 2025 facts (River Forest (Houston)) |
| Tax rate: Spring Branch ISD | $1.0231 per $100 (2025) | official rate; not a tax bill |
| Tax rate: City of Houston | $0.51919 per $100 (2025) | official rate; not a tax bill |
| Tax rate: Harris County | $0.4175 per $100 (2026) | official rate; not a tax bill |
Median closed sale price, recent closed sales, price per square foot, days on market and inventory for River Forest come from the MLS, and HAR’s public pages do not publish them by neighborhood, so we do not show them here. Ask for a current MLS report for the streets you are considering. Full sources are on the River Forest Fact Sheet.
Michael’s Take Broker opinion, based on the sourced facts above
My take: River Forest gives you a west Houston lot inside the city without a MUD line. Buffalo Bayou is the thing I'd look at first: pull the FEMA zone and the seller's flood disclosure before you fall for a house.
River Forest vs. Nearby Neighborhoods
River Forest vs. Energy Corridor
Choose Energy Corridor and you gain: More choices close to the job centers.
You give up: River Forest's single-subdivision setting.
River Forest vs. Memorial West
Choose Memorial West and you gain: More neighborhoods with Spring Branch ISD.
You give up: River Forest's exact location.
Questions buyers ask about River Forest
Is River Forest a good place to live?
It suits buyers who want a west Houston lot inside the city with no MUD, at a 2025 HAR median of $1,025,575. Check the flood zone near Buffalo Bayou.
Sources: HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts FEMA Flood Map Service Center HCFCD Flood Education Mapping Tool Checked Nov 11, 2026
What are the downsides of living in River Forest?
Homes are around 50 years old, no association site publishes rules or dues, and lots near the bayou need a flood check.
Sources: HAR.com: River Forest (Houston) 2025 Facts FEMA Flood Map Service Center HCFCD Flood Education Mapping Tool Checked Nov 11, 2026
Researched and checked Nov 11, 2026. Facts link to their sources; Michael’s take is his opinion.
Every neighborhood has its advantages and tradeoffs. Before you buy, let’s talk about what actually matters to you.
Michael O’Neal
Broker | REALTOR® · The Michael O’Neal Group
Keller Williams Realty Northeast
Call or text: 832-797-3780 · themichaelonealgroup.com
Neighborhood fact sheet
River Forest Fact Sheet
The key facts on one sheet. Every figure links to its source, and each card shows the date it was last checked (sheet updated Nov 11, 2026).
Check the address. Property taxes, flood zone, HOA dues and school assignments are set for each address and can differ between homes in the same neighborhood. Before relying on anything on this sheet, look the address up in the official tools linked here.
Homes
| HAR neighborhood | Single-family homes | Median size | Median year built | Median market value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Forest (Houston) | 71 | 3,439 sq ft | 1970 | $1,025,575 |
HAR.com 2025 neighborhood facts (market value is the appraisal district’s figure, not a sale price). A neighborhood median is not the value of any one home. Full market snapshot.
Checked Nov 11, 2026
Property taxes
| Taxing unit | Adopted rate | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Branch ISD | $1.0231 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| City of Houston | $0.51919 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Harris County | $0.4175 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Flood Control District | $0.05266 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Hospital District | $0.19528 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Port of Houston Authority | $0.00603 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Department of Education | $0.0048 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
Official rates we could confirm, per $100 of taxable value. A tax bill also depends on which units cover the address, its appraised value and its exemptions. All tax details on this page.
- Harris Central Appraisal District property search
- Harris County Tax Office
- True Cost of Homeownership calculator
Checked Nov 11, 2026
HOA dues
Associations and deed restrictions differ by subdivision here. Ask the seller for the resale certificate and the recorded restrictions for the specific address.
Schools
- Spring Branch ISD Find My Zoned School (by address)
School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Confirm the assigned schools directly with the district before making a housing decision. School notes on this page.
Flood research
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Harris County Flood Control District - Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool
- How to read Houston flood maps
Flood zones are mapped parcel by parcel, and no guide can tell you whether a particular house has flooded or will flood. Ask the seller for the flood disclosure and any elevation certificate. Flood notes on this page.
Nearby essentials
Hospitals with an emergency room
Shopping
- Town & Country Village 1.9 mi
- CITYCENTRE 2.2 mi
- The Galleria 7.8 mi
Parks and nature
- Terry Hershey Park 2.1 mi
- George Bush Park 6.2 mi
- Tanglewood Park 6.5 mi
Golf clubs and courses
- Sharpstown Park Golf Course 5.0 mi
- Memorial Park Golf Course 9.2 mi
Straight-line distance from the approximate center of River Forest, not driving distance or time. Each name links to its official site. A list is not a recommendation or a ranking.
See River Forest on the area map
Checked Oct 28, 2026
Thinking About Buying or Selling in River Forest?
Every neighborhood has its advantages and tradeoffs. Let me help you understand the market, the costs and what to look for before making a decision.
Michael O’Neal
Broker | REALTOR® · The Michael O’Neal Group
Keller Williams Realty Northeast
Call or text: 832-797-3780 Text Michael
Personal help
Questions about River Forest?
Everything on this page is free to read. When you want help with a specific home, a shortlist or your own home’s value, tell us what you need.
832-797-3780
Researched and checked Nov. 11, 2026. Every fact links to its source. Related: Memorial West · All Houston communities · Area map
Sources for the sections above
- HAR.com River Forest (Houston), 2025 Facts
- City of Houston
- HCFCD: Buffalo Bayou linear detention (Terry Hershey Park)
- Terry Hershey Park
- HAR.com, Memorial West market area price trends (read Nov. 6, 2026)
- HAR.com, Energy Corridor market area price trends (read Nov. 6, 2026)
- HAR.com monthly MLS report
- Official tax rate source
- City of Houston Floodplain Management Office
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- HCFCD Flood Education Mapping Tool
- City of Houston Legal: deed restriction FAQ
Community facts: city, district and association records, the Harris County appraisal district and tax office, HAR.com and each place’s official page (records checked Oct. 21-Nov. 3, 2026). Market areas: HAR.com (read Nov. 8, 2026). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles OpenFreeMap; imagery USGS The National Map.