River Bridge - Greenacres, FL

A planned residential community, River Bridge was originally developed by Mobil Oil Company in the 1980s. At the time, a population predominately made up of retirees comprised Greenacres. In the ensuing years, the city grew to attract a broader diversity of residents, and River Bridge followed suit.

River Bridge is completely governed by a Property Owners' Association (POA), which residents pay monthly dues to and, in exchange, receive services such as yard work, outdoor maintenance and access to the community pool and other amenities.

A very active and engaged community, River Bridge hosts regular events such as weekly tennis clinics and an annual New Years Eve party for residents.

Nearby West Palm Beach serves the area with museums and a robust arts scene, including the nationally famous Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.

Both chains and local haunts comprise the sizable sampling of restaurants situated at the northeast corner of River Bridge in the area of Forest Hill Boulevard and Jog Road. Japanese, Mexican and Italian make up a few of the offerings within walking distance of most of the neighborhood.

Saigon Tokyo Restaurant on Jog Road gives diners the choice between typical Japanese fare and an impressive selection of Vietnamese cuisine, which can often be difficult to find in Palm Beach County. Family owned and operated, Saigon serves popular dishes such as beef stir fry and chicken katsu. The lunch special also ranks as a favorite among locals, providing a heaping plate of food for $9.99 that most diners are unable to finish. The sushi receives high marks for its quality and its diverse preparation options.

Also on Jog Road, El Sabor Latino Restaurant prides itself on excellent food and equally high-quality service. To ensure that happens, the owner manages the restaurant himself. Authentic Latin dishes include the bandeja pasta, featuring beans, rice, an egg and numerous meats; and the ensalda Latina: sliced chicken situated around a vegetable salad. El Sabor also offers catering and has become a popular choice for family gatherings, business functions and even Super Bowl parties.

For true New York pizza in a true New York dive, locals head over to Nola's Pizza on Forest Hill Boulevard. Not the cheapest pizza place in town, Nola's has carved out a niche, serving pizza lovers who demand quality. The dough is individually hand tossed, while the sauce comes from a homemade recipe passed down through the family for generations. With toppings served up fresh daily and pies baked to precision in top-of-the-line ovens, this restaurant ensures diners of nothing short of the best tasting pizza around.

When the urge comes for a big night out, Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach is less than 20 minutes away and provides a wide selection of dance clubs, bars, and live music venues.

Pedestrians regularly take to the streets of River Bridge for casual strolls around the neighborhood or trips to nearby stores and restaurants. The neighborhood roads are wide, lightly trafficked and feature well-kept sidewalks but no bike lanes. Parking in the area is free and abundant, and access to numerous highways and secondary roads make travel by car to other points of interest in Palm Beach County very easy.

Some River Bridge residents prefer not to drive; yet, they still get around without much trouble utilizing numerous transportation options such as Uber and traditional taxi companies. A cab cannot be hailed in River Bridge and must be called in advance for a pick up.

The Palm Tran bus system serves the River Bridge area for public transportation and features a bus stop on Jog Road less than a mile south of the neighborhood.

River Bridge features two parks situated right within the neighborhood. The Greenacres Community Park provides exercise stations, barbecue grills, lighted tennis courts and playgrounds. The Greenacres Freedom Park offers baseball fields, soccer fields and a lengthy jogging trail. Both parks welcome kids and dogs, and both provide free parking and admission.

The Greenacres Community Park hosts numerous annual events, including fireworks every Independence Day.

The cost of living in Greenacres sits lower than the average cost of living for South Florida. Residents pay an average of $905 monthly to rent a one-bedroom apartment, $2.75 for a beer at a local pub and $2 for a bus ticket to downtown West Palm Beach. Area gas prices hover at 2 percent higher than the national average.

For major shopping trips, River Bridge residents either make the 10-minute drive to the Mall at Wellington Green or they head to the expansive Palm Beach Outlets outdoor mall. Both feature large selections of big box retail and high-end stores. For a more intimate and less hectic shopping experience, numerous boutiques, kitschy shops and specialty stores serve the immediate River Bridge area.

The Riverbridge Centre shopping center in the neighborhood houses Kappy's Fine Jewelry, a locally owned and operated jewelry store that carries gold, silver, platinum and an extensive watch collection. Kappy's also has a large selection of Trollbeads jewelry.

River Bridge features a Publix within the neighborhood, serving residents on large grocery shopping errands. For smaller trips, many locals head just over a block east to the Super Grocer. One mile north, sits the Greenacres Farmers Market, which is open every Saturday and Sunday, offering produce fresh from the farm.