Trying to choose between Riverwood, River Island, and Bartram Trail can feel like comparing apples, oranges, and peaches. You want the right mix of schools, commute time, amenities, HOA costs, and long-term value. In this guide, you’ll get a clear, side-by-side look at each Evans community so you can match your top priorities to the right fit. Let’s dive in.
How to use this guide
Start by listing your top three must-haves. Most buyers focus on one or more of these: schools, commute, lifestyle and amenities, HOA costs and rules, and budget. As you read, map those priorities to the strengths of each neighborhood. Then plan a quick field test to confirm drive times and neighborhood feel in person.
Quick comparison: your short list
| Neighborhood | Core vibe | Schools (typical) | Fort Gordon commute | HOA snapshot | Price snapshot | Signature amenity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverwood Plantation | Walkable, master planned with town center | Greenbrier Elementary, Greenbrier Middle, Greenbrier High | About 20–30 minutes | Varies by section; sample listings show fees that can differ by phase | Median about $416K, many $400Ks–$700Ks+ | Town center, trails, clubhouse, pool |
| River Island | Riverfront, luxury to semi-luxury | River Ridge Elementary, Stallings Island Middle, Lakeside High | About 15–25 minutes | Often around $1,500 per year for many homes, confirm by address | Median about $549K, mid–six figures to $1M+ | River access, boardwalks, docks, pool |
| Bartram Trail | Golf course lifestyle, larger lots | Lewiston Elementary, Columbia Middle, Grovetown High | About 15–25 minutes | Often $500–$975 per year depending on section | Median about $400K, mid-$300Ks to $700Ks+ | Bartram Trail Golf Club, clubhouse, pool |
Price medians come from neighborhood snapshots on neighborhoods.com, and actual values can shift with market conditions. Always verify school assignment by exact property address.
Riverwood Plantation: walkable and convenient
Schools and zoning
Many buyers choose Riverwood for proximity to the Greenbrier school complex. Greenbrier Elementary, Greenbrier Middle, and Greenbrier High are located inside or adjacent to the community. Review the neighborhood’s school overview and confirm any specific home’s assignment by address with the district. Start with the Riverwood schools page.
Lifestyle and amenities
Riverwood is a large master-planned community with a town-center feel. You get trails, a clubhouse, a junior-Olympic pool, and community programming, plus on-site retail and services near the Publix-anchored center. Explore the neighborhood’s overview on the official Riverwood site.
Homes, prices, and HOA
Riverwood offers a wide range of homes and sections. Neighborhood data shows a median around $416K, with many homes in the $400Ks to $700Ks and some custom properties higher, depending on section and age. Riverwood has a master association and sub-associations, so HOA fees and amenity access vary by phase. Ask for the most recent CCRs, budget, and any special-assessment history before you buy.
River Island: river views and boardwalks
Lifestyle and amenities
If you want river access and a park-like setting, River Island stands out. The neighborhood features boardwalks along the Savannah River, community docks and kayak launches, a clubhouse, resort-style pool, playgrounds, and walking trails. For an overview of product mix and location, see the River Island community profile.
Schools and zoning
River Island homes are commonly assigned to River Ridge Elementary, Stallings Island Middle, and Lakeside High. School boundaries can change, so confirm assignment by exact address. GreatSchools shows ratings for individual schools, such as Greenbrier Elementary for context on how ratings are presented.
Homes, prices, HOA, and flood checks
Neighborhood data shows a median around $549K, with many homes in the mid–six figures and custom builds above $1M, especially with river views. Sample listings often show HOA fees near $1,500 per year, but the amount and coverage can vary by property and phase. Riverfront ownership can add considerations like dock permits and flood insurance. Use FEMA’s Map Service Center to check flood zones and discuss elevation certificates with your insurer. Start here: FEMA MSC access.
Bartram Trail: golf course living and space
Lifestyle and amenities
Bartram Trail centers on the 18-hole Bartram Trail Golf Club with an on-site restaurant, Tavern on the Trail. The neighborhood also offers a clubhouse, a junior-Olympic pool, and trails that connect toward area greenways and Patriots Park. Learn more about the club on the Bartram Trail Golf Club site.
Schools and zoning
Many Bartram Trail addresses are commonly zoned for Lewiston Elementary, Columbia Middle, and Grovetown High. Because some fringe lots can vary, confirm zoning by exact address before you write an offer.
Homes, prices, HOA, and access
Neighborhood data shows a median around $400K, with entry sections in the mid-$300Ks and premium golf-view or custom homes in the $500Ks to $700Ks or higher. Sample HOA fees often range from about $500 to $975 per year, depending on section and what is included. Golf club membership is separate from HOA dues. The community offers straightforward access to I-20 via Exit 190, which can simplify regional commutes. You can also explore a local overview on the Bartram Trail neighborhood page.
Commute and daily rhythm
Most listings estimate about 15 to 30 minutes to Fort Gordon from these neighborhoods, depending on the gate you use, exact home location, and traffic. Drives to downtown Augusta or the Augusta National area are commonly in the 20 to 30 minute range outside of event traffic. Your experience will vary by time of day, route, and construction. The best test is to drive each route during your actual commute window.
HOA costs, rules, and Masters rentals
These communities use different HOA structures. Riverwood has a master association with sub-associations, while River Island and Bartram Trail generally use neighborhood-level HOAs. Fees can cover amenities, common-area maintenance, and community programs, and amounts vary by section and property type. Short-term rentals, including Masters Week rentals, may be restricted or require registration. Review the CCRs, bylaws, and recent HOA meeting minutes to confirm rules and any scheduled assessments.
Which one is the best fit?
- Choose Riverwood if you want a walkable, master-planned setting with on-site retail and close proximity to the Greenbrier schools, plus a wide range of home sizes and prices.
- Choose River Island if you want river access, scenic trails and boardwalks, and a higher-end product mix with larger custom homes. Plan for flood-risk due diligence and typically higher HOA costs.
- Choose Bartram Trail if you want golf course living, larger lots, and quick access to I-20, with prices that span from mid-range to premium golf-view homes.
If you are relocating for Fort Gordon, factor in your gate preferences and schedule. As a next step, plan a morning and evening drive test for your top two neighborhoods and walk the amenities to get a feel for daily life.
Practical buyer checklist
- Confirm school assignment for the exact property with the district. As a starting point, review the Riverwood schools page for local context, then verify by address.
- Request the HOA CCRs, latest budget, reserve balance, and any scheduled special assessments. Ask about rental rules and whether a property is in a sub-association.
- Time-test commute routes during peak hours using your preferred map app. Try at least two gates for Fort Gordon.
- Check flood risk, especially for riverfront lots, using the FEMA Map Service Center. Ask about elevation certificates and insurance quotes early.
- Pull recent sold comps for the same section or phase. Neighborhoods can have very different product types and price bands, even on adjacent streets.
Ready to tour, compare real-time pricing, or prep your current home for market so you can buy with confidence? Connect with Ehrin Fairey for local guidance, PCS-savvy planning, and concierge-level support.
FAQs
Which Evans neighborhood has the right schools for my address?
- School zones can vary within each neighborhood. Riverwood commonly aligns with the Greenbrier campus, River Island with River Ridge, Stallings Island, and Lakeside, and Bartram Trail with Lewiston, Columbia Middle, and Grovetown High. Confirm by exact address with the district and review context on sites like GreatSchools.
How much are HOA fees in Riverwood, River Island, and Bartram Trail?
- Riverwood varies by section in a master and sub-association structure, River Island commonly shows around $1,500 per year, and Bartram Trail often ranges about $500 to $975 per year, all subject to change and confirmation with the HOA.
What are typical home prices in these neighborhoods?
- Neighborhood snapshots show medians of about $416K in Riverwood, $549K in River Island, and $400K in Bartram Trail, with wide ranges by section and lot; see profiles on neighborhoods.com for Riverwood, River Island, and Bartram Trail.
How long is the commute to Fort Gordon or downtown Augusta?
- Many listings cite about 15 to 30 minutes to Fort Gordon and roughly 20 to 30 minutes to downtown Augusta depending on exact location, gate, and traffic; always drive your route during peak hours to verify.
Are short-term rentals allowed, including Masters Week?
- Policies vary by neighborhood and section; some HOAs restrict or regulate short-term rentals, so review the CCRs and confirm any registration or minimum-stay rules before assuming event rentals are permitted.
