Riverside Woods

Independent Assessment

The original research lead described Riverside Woods as a '55+' new-construction community with homes starting near $499,995, sourced from Seniorly and a newhomesource.com active-adult filter. On closer, independent research, the Town of Andover's own municipal website (andoverma.gov/821/Riverside-Woods) explicitly describes the development as age-restricted to households where at least one member is 62 or older, and this is corroborated independently by at least two condominium-focused directories (massneighborhoods.com, joes.homes), both of which label the community '(62+)' or '62+ Andover MA Condo Community' rather than 55+. Because a municipal government page is a stronger primary source than a generic active-adult filter on a listings aggregator, 62+ is treated as the better-supported classification. Unit-count sources also conflict meaningfully: the Town of Andover cites roughly 200 total units (with 20-30 designated as affordable/income-restricted), while builder-era reporting variously cites 168 condominium homes across four buildings or 186-207 units in a mix of low-rise, townhome, and detached formats.

Who May Find This Community Appealing

Riverside Woods will appeal most to buyers who specifically qualify for and want a genuinely 62-and-older community -- a stricter threshold than the common 55+ product -- and who value a gated, low-maintenance condominium lifestyle along the Merrimack River within Andover's inland Merrimack Valley setting. Its mix of market-rate and income-restricted affordable units may also appeal to buyers interested in Andover's affordable-housing program, subject to the town's application and eligibility process for those specific units.

Homes, Builders & Development History

Pulte Homes began construction at Riverside Woods around 2016-2017, building low-rise condominium buildings along a wooded, conservation-adjacent site near the Merrimack River. Unit sizes reported across sources range broadly, from roughly 950 to over 2,500 square feet, with 1- to 3-bedroom layouts; two-bedroom, two-bath units in the 1,312-1,495 square foot range appear most commonly referenced in current listings. Buildings include deeded garage parking and in-unit washer/dryers.

Current Pricing & Market Positioning

Recent listing data shows Riverside Woods pricing in the roughly $400,000s to $650,000 range, with an average sale price cited around $511,000. Buyers should confirm current asking and closed prices with a local agent, since the figures reviewed come from secondary listing aggregators rather than live MLS data.

New Construction vs. Resale Considerations

No evidence of ongoing new-construction sales at Riverside Woods was found, and the community is treated as an established, resale-oriented product, though an exact sell-out date was not confirmed. Buyers should confirm current unit availability, the age and condition of specific units, and whether any affordable/income-restricted units are currently available through the town's application process, directly with the sales office, condominium association, or a local agent.

Taxes, Insurance & Special Assessments

Homes at Riverside Woods are subject to Town of Andover property tax administration; Andover's residential tax rate was reported at approximately $12.48 per $1,000 of assessed value as of FY2025, the most recent figure that could be confirmed (the FY2026 rate had not been independently verified as of the last update). On a home priced near $500,000, that rate implies a property tax bill in the range of roughly $6,200 per year before any exemptions, though buyers should confirm the current rate with the Andover Assessor's Office. The condominium association's master insurance coverage and any special-assessment history were not independently confirmed.

Community Layout & Lifestyle

Riverside Woods offers a gated, low-rise condominium lifestyle set against wooded conservation land along the Merrimack River, with a clubhouse, fitness center, and rooftop terrace as the community's central shared spaces. The riverside conservation trails offer a quieter, more nature-oriented setting within Andover.

Shopping, Healthcare & Airport Access

Riverside Woods is located at 459 River Road, Andover, MA 01810, in the inland Merrimack Valley portion of Essex County, north of downtown Andover along the Merrimack River. The community is convenient to Route 495 and Route 93, both within a short drive, and to Andover's downtown shopping and dining district. Buyers should confirm current drive times to specific medical facilities and highway access from this exact address.

Age Qualification & Material Ownership Restrictions

The Town of Andover's own municipal website describes Riverside Woods as an age-restricted development for households where at least one member is 62 years of age or older, and this is corroborated by independent condominium directories that label the community '(62+)' rather than 55+. This is a meaningfully stricter threshold than the federal HOPA 80/20 standard or the Massachusetts registration-based over-55 exemption under M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4, paragraph 7; a 62+ community may set its own qualifying age above 55 while still falling under the same general 'housing for older persons' exemption framework. Riverside Woods' recorded condominium declaration was not independently reviewed for the exact verification procedure; buyers should confirm current eligibility rules directly with the condominium association.

Tradeoffs & Limitations

Because Riverside Woods is age-restricted to 62 and older rather than 55 and older, buyers age 55-61 will not qualify to purchase here, unlike at 55+ communities. Conflicting unit-count figures (roughly 168 to over 200, depending on the source) could not be reconciled, and no confirmed current HOA/condo fee amount was found; buyers should verify both directly with the condominium association or a local agent. Listings in this community have reportedly stayed on the market for an unusually long average duration (one source cited roughly 650 days), which buyers should independently confirm and factor into resale-liquidity expectations.

Comparison With Nearby Communities

Riverside Woods is age-restricted to 62 and older rather than 55 and older -- a distinction buyers age 55-61 should note before shopping this option alongside Meetinghouse Commons, Riverbend Crossing, or the Topsfield condominium cluster, all of which use a 55+ standard. Its gated, riverside setting and larger scale (roughly 200 units) also distinguish it from the smaller, older condominium communities tracked in North Andover and Topsfield.

Current Listings

A connected local agent, or the Riverside Woods condominium association directly, can provide current available listings and confirm eligibility documentation requirements.

Is Riverside Woods a 55+ or 62+ community?

It is age-restricted to 62 and older, not 55 and older. The Town of Andover's own website and multiple independent condominium directories describe Riverside Woods as a 62+ community -- buyers age 55-61 will not qualify.

How many units are in Riverside Woods?

Sources conflict. The Town of Andover cites roughly 200 total units, while builder-era reporting variously cites figures from 168 to over 200 across four low-rise buildings. The exact current count could not be reconciled; buyers should confirm directly with the condominium association.

Who built Riverside Woods?

Pulte Homes began construction around 2016-2017. The community is now an established resale market with no evidence of ongoing new-construction sales.

Where is Riverside Woods located?

At 459 River Road, Andover, MA 01810, along conservation land bordering the Merrimack River in the inland Merrimack Valley portion of Essex County.