Even though a lot of attention is being paid to Parrish these days, it should be noted that this part of Manatee County has been experiencing a new wave of real estate development for a few years, and River Woods is a perfect example. This pretty gated community started off as an ideal neighborhood for members of the nearby River Wilderness Golf and Country Club; the first phase was completed in the mid-1990s, and some of the most recent homes were built in 2004. River Woods is already an established neighborhood, but it has managed to retain its peaceful ambiance despite the ongoing development.

Residents of River Woods enjoy a great location just south of Old Tampa Road, about four miles east of the intersection between Highway 301 and I-75. What this means to prospective buyers is being able to easily commute to Bradenton, Sarasota, or the Tampa Bay metro area; in fact, driving to Downtown St. Petersburg is almost the same as driving to the beaches of Anna Maria Island, about 30 minutes. For golf enthusiasts, living here means being able to reach three major courses in just a few minutes. Need to get to the nearest Publix supermarket? Parkwood Square and Silver Leaf are both about three minutes away, but serious shoppers will likely prefer the Ellenton Premium Outlets less than 10 minutes away.

Single-family homes at River Woods range between 2,400 and 2,895 square feet of living space, and as of October 2019 they start around $335K for three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The architectural style is Mediterranean revival, and you can expect extras such as oversized backyards, screened lanais, natural stone countertops, decorative foyers, and more. Some homes have private swimming pools, but you can always enjoy the community center with its shared pool and clubhouse. Green spaces, nature trails, and a nice gazebo area overlooking a lake round out the amenities.

For the most part, homeowners in River Woods hold on to their properties, but this is a community of 259 homes, so you can always count on listings from motivated sellers coming on the market from time to time.