River Hills

A drive through the densely wooded terrain of River Hills might not uncover the grandiose residences that make up the Milwaukee suburban village. “You have a lot of privacy with a little bit of a country feel,” says Julie Lessila, a local Realtor and team leader for JML Realty Group. “But you’re still close to the conveniences of the city without being in the city.”

Grand traditional homes spread across ample parcels of land here. “Many of the lots are 5 acres or more, creating a private and quiet feel,” Lessila says. Find picturesque English Tudors, stately prairie styles with rambling layouts and colonial estates tucked beneath the neighborhood’s mature canopy of trees. “There’s mostly older architecture here,” Lessila notes. “Even modern homes have updated but classic styles.” With a median of $995,000, the price tag for real estate can range from $450,000 for a quaint cottage to luxurious villas just shy of $5 million.

River Hills students may attend top-rated public schools in the area. Kids can begin their academic journey at Indian Hill Elementary for pre-kindergarten to third grade and continue to Maple Dale Elementary for fourth through eighth grade. Nicolet High School is ranked the tenth-best public high school in Wisconsin by Niche and boasts a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio. The school is undergoing extensive renovations to improve its learning facilities, and plans include new classrooms and labs as well as a new stadium. All three schools have an A-minus or above overall score from Niche. Lessila notes that the proximity to the University School of Milwaukee is also a draw for residents seeking higher education.

With proximity to the bayside and parks, River Hills residents don’t have to look far for indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities. Canoe down the Milwaukee River that flows straight through the neighborhood for a different point of view and catch meaty salmon from its embankments. Kletzsch Park to the south provides various activities, such as archery and disc golf facilities, a softball diamond, sand volleyball courts and soccer fields. Or take to the Oak Leaf and Forked Aster hiking trails that encompass the park to discover the exceptional native plant community. Golfers will rejoice in the selection of private and public courses in the area, including Milwaukee Country Club and Brown Deer Park Golf Course, with complete 18-hole courses set along the Wisconsin scenery. The slew of country clubs offers added amenities such as access to swimming pools and tennis courts, social events and dining experiences.

Art and nature converge at the Lynden Sculpture Gardens, where 50 monumental contemporary sculptures stand scattered across 40 acres of lush English-style gardens and ponds. The garden offers free admission and guided tours – and even a special membership for River Hills residents – to delve into the art and ecological history of the site. “Lynden is one of the few public spaces within River Hills and has become a gathering place for residents,” says Executive Director Polly Morris. “The gardens are a resource for people of all ages, and we pride ourselves on being a place you want to visit over and over again.” The sculpture garden also maintains after-school programs and camps for kids and hosts local events and gatherings for the community.

Residents stock up on essentials at the handful of stores within minutes from the suburb. “While River Hills is mostly residential without much commerce, the neighborhood is close to plenty of retail,” Lessila notes. Pick up groceries at Walmart or ALDI at Brown Deer Shopping Center less than 7 minutes west, or head east to Riverpoint Village Shopping Mall for stores like Best Buy, chain restaurants and neighborhood favorite Friendship Café and Bakery. Thoroughfares Interstate 43 and West Brown Deer Road connect residents to additional entertainment, stores and restaurants nearby. “Shopping and dining in neighboring communities is not far away,” Lessila says. “Get to Downtown Milwaukee in only 10 to 15 minutes.”

Written By

Christina von Claparede-Crola

Photography Contributed By

Richard Ebbers

Video By

GL Moses