cities | Riverview
Riverview
Riverview is one of the most popular areas for people relocating to Tampa, and the reasons are pretty straightforward – you get more house for your money compared to other Tampa areas, and you have an easy commute to Tampa for work. Riverview is located in southeast Hillsborough County along the Alafia River, and it’s grown massively over the past couple decades from rural farmland to a booming suburban community. The area isn’t an incorporated city – it’s a Census Designated Place, which means the boundaries are defined by the Census Bureau and the area is governed by Hillsborough County rather than having its own city government. Riverview borders Brandon to the north, and FishHawk (which is technically part of the Riverview area) is to the east. The whole region has exploded with new construction communities offering newer homes, resort-style amenities, and that suburban lifestyle that families are looking for. Riverview attracts young families relocating to Tampa for work, military families from MacDill Air Force Base, and people who want newer construction without paying the premium prices of areas closer to downtown Tampa or on the west side near the beaches.
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Riverview sits in southeastern Hillsborough County, and the population has grown to around 71,000 people with continued growth happening. The area was originally founded in 1885 on the northern shore of the Alafia River (which translates to “River of Fire” from the native language). The southern side was originally called Peru or Pe-roo meaning “straight part of the river,” but Riverview absorbed that area in 1940 and became a residential settlement on both sides of the river.
The location is one of Riverview’s biggest selling points. You’re right along the I-75 corridor with easy access north to Tampa – most people can get to downtown Tampa in about 25-30 minutes without traffic. MacDill Air Force Base is about 15-20 minutes away, which is why Riverview is popular with military families. The Selmon Expressway (a toll road) connects Riverview to downtown Tampa and makes that commute pretty straightforward. You’re about 35-40 minutes from Tampa International Airport. And while you’re not on the coast, you can get to the Gulf beaches in 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.
The housing stock in Riverview is predominantly newer construction from the past 20-30 years. You’ve got massive master-planned communities with resort amenities, townhomes, single-family homes, and a wide range of price points. There are some older ranch-style homes from earlier decades, but most of what’s being built and sold is newer construction. The variety is actually pretty impressive – you can find something whether you’re a first-time buyer looking to spend in the $200s or a family wanting a larger home in the $500s-$600s.
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The new construction communities in Riverview are the main attraction. There are currently over 220 communities with new homes being built, with prices starting around $229,999 and going up from there. Communities like FishHawk Ranch, Triple Creek, Spencer Glen, Hawks Reserve, and South Creek are some of the popular developments. These communities typically offer resort-style pools, clubhouses, fitness centers, sports courts, playgrounds, dog parks, trails, and all the amenities that families want.
FishHawk specifically has become almost its own submarket within Riverview – it’s got the FishHawk Town Center with shopping, dining, and services. The median listing price in FishHawk is around $535,000, which is higher than the overall Riverview median of around $415,000, but FishHawk is considered more upscale with better amenities and the town center.
For shopping and dining, you’ve got the Westfield Brandon Mall which is right on the border with Brandon and has over 140 stores and dozens of restaurants. The Riverview Oaks Shopping Center and Goolsby Pointe Shopping Center provide your basic shopping needs. FishHawk Town Center has restaurants and retail. For big box stores and chains, everything is readily available along Big Bend Road and the main commercial corridors. The dining options are mostly chains and casual restaurants, though there are some local spots mixed in.
For outdoor recreation, you’ve got the Alafia River State Park with access to the river for kayaking, fishing, and nature activities. Balm-Boyette Scrub and Triple Creek Nature Preserves cover over 5,000 acres with hiking, biking, bird watching, and fishing opportunities. Bell Creek Nature Preserve is 600 acres with walking trails and the Alafia Scrub Nature Preserve offers beautiful river views. The area has preserved a lot of natural space despite all the development, which is a nice balance.
Entertainment options include The Alley at Southshore with 32 bowling lanes, arcade, laser maze, and mini bowling. Summerfield Crossings Golf Club and other golf courses serve the area. And you’re about 45 minutes to an hour from both Walt Disney World to the east and Kennedy Space Center if you want to make a day trip.
Riverview highlights & amenities
The schools in Riverview are part of the Hillsborough County School District. The schools generally get decent ratings, and some of the newer schools built to serve the growth areas are nice facilities. Communities like FishHawk are zoned for some of the better-rated schools in the area, which is part of why those communities command higher prices. Parents should definitely research specific school zones for any property they’re considering since quality can vary.
The healthcare in the area includes HCA Florida Brandon Hospital and TGH Brandon, both of which are close by in neighboring Brandon. There are also urgent care centers and doctor’s offices throughout Riverview.
The amenities in the master-planned communities are a huge selling point – we’re talking resort-style pools with cabanas, clubhouses with event space, fitness centers, sports courts (tennis, pickleball, basketball), playgrounds, dog parks, walking trails, and community events. Some communities have NO CDD (Community Development District) fees which saves you money on top of your HOA, while others do have CDD fees that you need to factor into your budget.
The traffic can be a concern during rush hour. Big Bend Road and the main arteries get backed up when everyone’s commuting to Tampa in the morning and returning in the evening. I-75 can get congested too. It’s something to experience firsthand by driving the commute during peak times before you commit to living there.
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Riverview attracts primarily young families – we’re talking people in their late 20s through 40s with kids who are relocating to Tampa for work. There are a lot of military families because of the proximity to MacDill. First-time homebuyers are drawn to the newer construction and relatively affordable prices. And you’ve got some empty nesters who are downsizing from larger homes and want low-maintenance townhomes or smaller single-family homes in these planned communities.
The real estate market in Riverview is dominated by new construction. The median listing price is around $415,000, with homes staying on the market an average of 72 days. There are currently 82 new homes for sale in Riverview, with prices ranging from the low $200s for townhomes up to the high $600s and beyond for larger single-family homes. FishHawk skews higher with a median around $535,000. Popular communities like Triple Creek, FishHawk Ranch, Shadow Run, and Spencer Glen see steady demand.
The market has been active with 152 homes sold in the past month, showing strong buyer interest. The inventory includes single-family homes, townhomes, and some condos. Builders like Pulte, Lennar, Centex, KB Home, David Weekley, and WestBay are all active in Riverview with multiple communities.
If you’re considering Riverview, here’s the reality – you’re getting more house for your money compared to areas like South Tampa, Westchase, or even Brandon in many cases. The commute to Tampa is manageable for most people. The schools are decent and the communities offer great amenities. But you’re further from the beaches, you’re in a suburban car-dependent lifestyle, and you’re dealing with traffic during rush hour. For families who prioritize newer homes, amenities, and value over proximity to downtown or beaches, Riverview is an excellent choice. It’s been consistently popular for years for good reasons.
Riverview FAQs
How does Riverview compare to Brandon?
Riverview and Brandon are right next to each other and people often compare them since they’re neighboring communities in southeast Hillsborough County. Brandon is more established with a mix of older and newer homes, and it has more developed shopping and dining with Westfield Brandon Mall and all the commercial development along the main roads. Riverview has more new construction and newer communities with resort amenities, but less established commercial infrastructure. Price-wise, they’re pretty comparable – you can find homes in similar price ranges in both areas, though Riverview might offer slightly newer construction for the same price. The commute to Tampa is similar from both areas. Schools vary by specific location in both communities. A lot of people end up choosing between them based on whether they prioritize newer construction and amenities (Riverview) or more established neighborhoods with better shopping access (Brandon). The line between them blurs in some areas, so it’s worth exploring both.
Is the commute from Riverview to Tampa realistic for daily work?
The commute from Riverview to Tampa is definitely doable and thousands of people do it daily, but you need to be realistic about the time investment. From most of Riverview, you’re looking at 25-30 minutes to downtown Tampa in good conditions. During morning rush hour (roughly 7-9 AM) and evening rush hour (4:30-6:30 PM), that can easily stretch to 45 minutes to an hour depending on where in Tampa you’re going and what route you take. I-75 can get backed up, and Big Bend Road within Riverview gets congested during commute times. If you’re working in South Tampa or Westshore, add some time. A lot of Riverview residents work in Tampa and make it work – they either adjust their schedules to avoid peak traffic, work remotely some days, or they’ve accepted the commute as the trade-off for getting more house and newer construction. But if both spouses are commuting to Tampa daily, that’s a lot of drive time that impacts your quality of life. Test the commute during actual rush hour before committing.
What's the FishHawk area and is it worth the premium?
FishHawk is technically part of Riverview but it’s become almost its own submarket because of the master-planned development and the FishHawk Town Center. FishHawk offers upscale communities with resort amenities, the Town Center with shops and restaurants, newer schools, and an overall more complete lifestyle package. The median price in FishHawk is around $535,000 compared to $415,000 for overall Riverview, so you’re paying about 30% more. Whether it’s worth it depends on your priorities. If you want the Town Center walkability, the higher-end amenities, and the community identity that FishHawk offers, then yeah, it might be worth the premium. If you’re more budget-conscious and don’t need the town center experience, you can find similar quality homes in other Riverview communities for less. FishHawk has strong resale value and is highly desirable, so if you buy there you’re likely to hold your value well. But you’re definitely paying for the name and the amenities.
Are there flood concerns in Riverview being near the Alafia River?
Yes, flood risk is something you absolutely need to check for any property in Riverview, especially properties near the Alafia River or in lower-lying areas. Some parts of Riverview are in flood zones and will require flood insurance. The good news is that most of the newer construction communities are built with proper drainage, stormwater management, and flood mitigation in mind. But recent hurricanes have shown that even inland areas can experience flooding from heavy rain and river overflow. Before you buy any property in Riverview, check the FEMA flood maps, ask about the property’s flood history, verify whether you’re in a flood zone, and get quotes for flood insurance. Some properties won’t require it, but others will, and that can add hundreds of dollars a month to your costs. Don’t assume that just because it’s new construction that you’re protected – do your due diligence on flood risk for each specific property.
