RiverTown: The Complete Community Guide
By Inna Moskalyk
Apr 10, 2023
Tags:Neighborhood Guides
RiverTown: The Complete Community Guide
Originally published April 2023. Updated October 2025 with River Lodge opening, new school, and latest home pricing.
There’s a moment driving into RiverTown when the St. Johns River comes into view and everything just feels… different. Maybe it’s the way the morning mist hangs over the water, or how the kayakers wave as they paddle past the River Club. This isn’t just another master-planned community-it’s what happens when developers actually understand why people move to Florida.
After spending considerable time with RiverTown residents and exploring every corner of this community, here’s what you need to know if you’re considering making it home.
What Makes RiverTown Different
Most master-planned communities in St. Johns County check the same boxes: pool, gym, playground, done. RiverTown took a fundamentally different approach by building the entire community around actual river access and nature immersion.
The St. Johns River Connection
Unlike communities that simply overlook water, RiverTown puts you on it. The River Club sits directly on the St. Johns River with a kayak launch, paddleboard rentals, and a boardwalk that lets you watch dolphins play in the early morning. Residents store kayaks on-site and can launch anytime-no loading and unloading from car roofs.
Unlike communities that simply overlook water, RiverTown puts you on it. The River Club sits directly on the St. Johns River with a kayak launch, paddleboard rentals, and a boardwalk that lets you watch dolphins play in the early morning. Residents store kayaks on-site and can launch anytime-no loading and unloading from car roofs.
Three Distinct Amenity Centers
Most communities have one clubhouse. RiverTown built three, each with different vibes:
Most communities have one clubhouse. RiverTown built three, each with different vibes:
The River House is your everyday amenity center-resort pool with water slide, lap pool, tennis courts, fitness center, playgrounds, soccer fields. It’s where families spend Saturday afternoons.
The River Club on the riverfront is where adults escape. On-site restaurant (try the grouper tacos), fire pits where neighbors gather, game room, and that incredible boardwalk. Friday evenings here feel like a permanent vacation.
The River Lodge opened summer 2024 and changed everything. Picture a man-made lagoon for kayaking and paddleboarding (perfect for kids learning), lazy river, zipline, splash park, and an 8,000 square foot fitness center that makes gym memberships unnecessary. Annual fee for access to all three? Just $55.
Neighborhoods: Where the Homes Actually Are
RiverTown isn’t one neighborhood-it’s a collection of distinct villages, each with different price points and vibes.
Mattamy Homes builds the most affordable single-family options, starting in the mid-$300s for new construction. These are solid, well-designed homes with the features Florida buyers expect: impact windows, tankless water heaters, covered lanais. Most Mattamy neighborhoods cluster near the River House amenities.
Toll Brothers’ The Shores targets luxury buyers. This is a gated community within RiverTown featuring waterfront townhomes and single-family homes with private docks. If you want to keep your boat steps from your back door, this is it. Prices climb well past $1 million for premium waterfront lots.
WaterSong is the 55+ active adult neighborhood, completely gated with its own amenity center beyond the main three. Single-family homes and villas, low-maintenance living, and a community of people who actually use the kayaks and trails. Starting mid-$400s with options stretching past $700K.
Current average asking price across all RiverTown: approximately $637,780 as of January 2026, though entry-level new construction still exists in the high $300s if you move quickly.
The School Situation: Major News
This has been RiverTown’s single biggest concern-and it’s being addressed in a major way.
Hallowes Cove Academy opens Fall 2025 as a K-8 school built on 32 acres within RiverTown. Capacity for about 1,100 students, collaborative teaching environments, and-critically-it’s walking or biking distance for most residents. Eventually it converts to a middle school when a separate elementary opens.
This is a game-changer. Previously, RiverTown families drove to schools in other parts of the county. Now there’s a neighborhood school in one of Florida’s top-ranked districts, eliminating the biggest objection families had.
Current school zones still apply until Hallowes Cove opens, so confirm with the St. Johns County School District for specific assignments.
Commercial Development: What’s Here and Coming
RiverTown originally meant driving 15+ minutes for groceries. That’s changed significantly:
Now Open:
- Publix grocery store (finally!)
- Gas station
- Initial retail and office spaces
The commercial buildout continues, with more retail announced. The days of RiverTown feeling isolated are ending.
For serious shopping, Durbin Park (15 minutes north) and St. Augustine (20 minutes south) handle everything else. The trade-off between quiet community and big-box retail proximity is real-RiverTown leans toward the quiet side, intentionally.
The Outdoor Life
If being outdoors matters to you, RiverTown delivers in ways most Florida communities can’t match.
Trails Everywhere
Miles of walking, biking, and running trails wind through the community and connect the three amenity centers. These aren’t afterthought sidewalks-they’re legitimate nature trails through preserved areas with wildlife sightings common.
Miles of walking, biking, and running trails wind through the community and connect the three amenity centers. These aren’t afterthought sidewalks-they’re legitimate nature trails through preserved areas with wildlife sightings common.
River Access
Kayaking and paddleboarding are integrated into daily life here. The River Club launch puts you on the St. Johns River within minutes. The man-made lagoon at River Lodge offers calmer waters for beginners and families. Rentals available if you’re not ready to buy equipment.
Kayaking and paddleboarding are integrated into daily life here. The River Club launch puts you on the St. Johns River within minutes. The man-made lagoon at River Lodge offers calmer waters for beginners and families. Rentals available if you’re not ready to buy equipment.
Fishing
The St. Johns River is a serious fishing destination. Access directly from community docks or explore miles of river. Red drum, flounder, and bass are all catchable depending on season.
The St. Johns River is a serious fishing destination. Access directly from community docks or explore miles of river. Red drum, flounder, and bass are all catchable depending on season.
Who RiverTown Works For
Families with Children
Especially once Hallowes Cove Academy opens. The combination of top schools, safe streets, endless outdoor activities, and kid-focused amenities (splash parks, playgrounds, pools) makes this among the best family environments in the county.
Especially once Hallowes Cove Academy opens. The combination of top schools, safe streets, endless outdoor activities, and kid-focused amenities (splash parks, playgrounds, pools) makes this among the best family environments in the county.
55+ Active Adults
WaterSong is legitimately impressive-not a token section but a real 55+ community with its own amenities and a population that actually kayaks and uses the trails. If active living matters more than golf, WaterSong beats most 55+ alternatives.
WaterSong is legitimately impressive-not a token section but a real 55+ community with its own amenities and a population that actually kayaks and uses the trails. If active living matters more than golf, WaterSong beats most 55+ alternatives.
Nature and Outdoor Enthusiasts
People who want Florida’s nature as part of daily life rather than something requiring a weekend trip. River access, trails, preserves-it’s all integrated.
People who want Florida’s nature as part of daily life rather than something requiring a weekend trip. River access, trails, preserves-it’s all integrated.
Commuters to Jacksonville
About 30 minutes to downtown Jacksonville depending on traffic. Not the closest community, but the lifestyle trade-off works for many. Work-from-home residents have it especially good.
About 30 minutes to downtown Jacksonville depending on traffic. Not the closest community, but the lifestyle trade-off works for many. Work-from-home residents have it especially good.
Who It Might NOT Work For:
- Anyone needing walkable urban amenities
- People who want a golf course community
- Those who need immediate access to major shopping
The Real Talk
Every community has trade-offs. Here’s what to consider:
Insurance Costs
River proximity means flood zone considerations for some sections. Waterfront homes in particular need careful insurance planning. Newer construction helps with wind coverage, but budget appropriately.
River proximity means flood zone considerations for some sections. Waterfront homes in particular need careful insurance planning. Newer construction helps with wind coverage, but budget appropriately.
Ongoing Construction
RiverTown is still building out. That means construction traffic, developing neighborhoods, and amenities that continue evolving. Great for appreciation potential; less great if you want a fully complete community today.
RiverTown is still building out. That means construction traffic, developing neighborhoods, and amenities that continue evolving. Great for appreciation potential; less great if you want a fully complete community today.
CDD Fees
Like most master-planned communities, RiverTown has a Community Development District (CDD) fee in addition to HOA fees. Combined, expect several hundred dollars monthly. This covers infrastructure that makes the community work, but it’s real money.
Like most master-planned communities, RiverTown has a Community Development District (CDD) fee in addition to HOA fees. Combined, expect several hundred dollars monthly. This covers infrastructure that makes the community work, but it’s real money.
Distance
RiverTown isn’t close to much else. That’s partly the appeal-and partly a logistics consideration. The Publix helps enormously, but this isn’t a quick-access-to-everything location.
RiverTown isn’t close to much else. That’s partly the appeal-and partly a logistics consideration. The Publix helps enormously, but this isn’t a quick-access-to-everything location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are total fees (HOA + CDD)?
Combined fees run several hundred dollars monthly, varying by neighborhood. This covers all amenity access ($55 annual), infrastructure, and community maintenance. Get specific numbers for any home you’re considering-they differ by section.
Combined fees run several hundred dollars monthly, varying by neighborhood. This covers all amenity access ($55 annual), infrastructure, and community maintenance. Get specific numbers for any home you’re considering-they differ by section.
How far to Jacksonville and beaches?
Downtown Jacksonville: approximately 30 minutes. St. Augustine beaches: approximately 25 minutes. Jacksonville beaches: approximately 35-40 minutes. All estimates assume normal traffic.
Downtown Jacksonville: approximately 30 minutes. St. Augustine beaches: approximately 25 minutes. Jacksonville beaches: approximately 35-40 minutes. All estimates assume normal traffic.
Is there a golf course?
No. RiverTown is built around river and nature recreation, not golf. The closest courses are at World Golf Village and elsewhere in the county. If golf is essential, this isn’t your community-if you prefer kayaks to cart paths, it might be perfect.
No. RiverTown is built around river and nature recreation, not golf. The closest courses are at World Golf Village and elsewhere in the county. If golf is essential, this isn’t your community-if you prefer kayaks to cart paths, it might be perfect.
If you’re ready to explore RiverTown firsthand, contact Inna Moskalyk to tour available homes across all neighborhoods and price points. From entry-level new construction to luxury waterfront in The Shores, we’ll help you find the right fit for your lifestyle and budget.