When you're shopping for a home in Riverbend, schools are usually the first conversation. I get it. You want to know your kids can walk somewhere safe, that the teachers know their names, and that you're not going to spend your mortgage payment on tutoring. Let me break down what's actually here, what you'll want to verify, and what the real limitations are. No hidden agenda—just what you need to know.

Elementary Schools

Your catchment here depends on your exact address, so don't skip the Regina Public Schools school finder tool—it's worth five minutes of your time to confirm before you make an offer.

École Wascana Plains School is the heavy hitter for French Immersion families in this area. It's a K-8, which means your kid doesn't have to switch buildings until high school. French Immersion starts in kindergarten, so if that's important to you, this is your lane. The school's been around, it's well-regarded, and the teaching staff tends to stay put. If your family speaks French at home or you're committed to bilingualism, Wascana Plains gives you that pathway without compromise. Fair warning: not every catchment area in Riverbend feeds into Wascana Plains, so confirm yours.

Jack MacKenzie School is another K-8 option with French Immersion programming. Similar vibe to Wascana Plains—solid programs, experienced staff, the kind of school where parents actually volunteer and show up. Again, catchment matters here.

If French Immersion isn't your priority, you might be looking at other public schools depending on your exact location. Regina Public Schools has pretty comprehensive coverage in southeast Regina, and most of the schools they've assigned to this area have decent programming for gifted students, English Language Learners (ELL), and special needs support. What I always tell families: don't assume the first school you hear about is the one you get. Verify. Call the school. Ask to tour it. You'll feel the difference.

One real talk point: Regina's public school system is stretched. Class sizes are what they are. If your kid thrives with smaller group instruction, you might need to get creative with tutoring or summer programs. That's not unique to Riverbend, but it's something to budget for.

High Schools

Here's where the commute question comes in. Riverbend families typically feed into either Campbell Collegiate or Thom Collegiate, depending on catchment. Both are solid schools with sports programs, arts programs, and decent academics. You're not talking a cross-town drive, but it's not a walk either—most families end up carpooling or the kids take the bus.

Campbell's got strong athletics and a good shop program if trades interest your teenager. Thom Collegiate pulls more families from the south-central area. Both have rugby, volleyball, soccer, and all the standard offerings. If your kid's serious about a particular sport, I'd recommend reaching out to the coaching staff directly. High schools in Regina are pretty accessible about that.

The real thing? By the time your kids hit high school, you probably know Riverbend well enough that a 15-minute drive to Campbell or Thom doesn't feel like a burden anymore. You're running them to hockey practice anyway, right?

Childcare and Early Learning

This is where I'm going to be honest: licensed childcare spots in Regina are competitive. Riverbend's a family neighbourhood, so demand's high. If you're looking to move here with a toddler and you need full-time daycare, don't assume you'll find a spot in the neighbourhood right away.

That said, there are licensed daycares operating in and around Riverbend, and the Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre runs programs for younger kids. Your best move is to start calling around and getting on waitlists before you even finalize your home purchase. I know families who've found private sitters through word-of-mouth here, and some have gone with a mix of part-time daycare and family support. It's not impossible—you just need to plan for it.

Preschool and junior kindergarten are a bit easier. Most schools have early learning programs, and there are independent preschools scattered throughout east Regina that families tap into.

Family-Friendly Features

Riverbend's got the infrastructure that makes family life easier. The pathway systems are legitimately good—you can walk or bike to most parts of the neighbourhood without dodging traffic on major roads. That matters when your kid's learning to ride a bike or you're trying to get out of the house without loading the car.

Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre is probably the biggest community asset. It's got a full pool, fitness facilities, drop-in programs, and organized sports. Your membership covers a lot—swimming lessons, skating, hockey, soccer. It's the hub where you'll actually meet other families, and the staff know what they're doing.

Parks are solid. You've got playgrounds with equipment that's been maintained, green space for picnicking or kicking a ball around, and spaces where kids can actually run without a bunch of rules. The newer subdivisions in Riverbend tend to have pocket parks built into the street design, which is nice.

Safety-wise, Riverbend's not different from other newer residential neighbourhoods in Regina. You'll want your kids to know the basics—don't talk to strangers, tell you where they're going. But it's the kind of neighbourhood where parents do let their kids ride bikes to school or walk to a friend's house. People know each other, or at least recognize each other. That matters.

What Parents Should Know

Here's my no-rush-no-pressure advice: verify your school catchment before you make an offer. The school finder tool takes five minutes. Call the schools you're assigned to. Ask about class sizes, wait times for programs you care about (French Immersion, ELL, gifted), and what the registration timeline looks like.

Childcare is separate from schools, and it fills up fast. If you need it, start your search now.

Riverbend's a newer neighbourhood, which means the infrastructure's solid and the homes aren't 50 years old with plumbing surprises. It also means some of the community programmes and organizations are still finding their footing. You might not have the deep community roots you'd find in older neighbourhoods, but that also means you get to help build the vibe here.

Registration for schools happens in early spring for the fall term. Have your proof of residence ready—mortgage statement, utility bill, whatever shows your address. It's straightforward.

The honest limitation: you're depending on Regina Public and Regina Catholic School divisions for programming. They're doing their best with the budget they've got, but they're not unlimited. If your family needs specialized support or has very specific programming requirements, you might need to advocate for your kid or supplement with private resources.

I'll give you all the options when it comes to schools and neighbourhoods. If Riverbend feels right for your family, let's talk about what's actually available to move on. No pressure to decide today. You can also read more about what it's like living in Riverbend or explore nearby Wascana View.

It's a man-made lake, yes — but the 3.9 km paved loop trail that wraps around it is what defines daily life here. People walk it in the morning. They run it after work. In the winter, you'll see cross-country skiers and snowshoers carving tracks through the snow. In the summer, there are kayaks and canoes on the water. It's not a neighbourhood where the outdoor amenities are an afterthought. They're the entire point.

Riverbend is also one of the more condo-focused neighbourhoods in Regina. That means heated underground parking, low-maintenance living, and a community that skews toward people who'd rather be out on the trail than mowing a lawn. If that sounds like your kind of place, current Riverbend listings will show you what's available right now. If you're not sure yet, keep reading — I'll give you the full picture, including the parts that might not work for you.

Who Lives in Riverbend?

Riverbend draws a specific kind of person. Retirees and empty nesters who've sold the family home and want something smaller without giving up an active lifestyle. Young professionals who want to own rather than rent and don't need a big yard. Active people — runners, cyclists, walkers — who want trail access right outside their door. And a solid mix of couples and singles who just want things to be simple.

This isn't a neighbourhood full of families with three kids and a minivan in the driveway. It's more condo-oriented than that. The lifestyle here is built around low maintenance and outdoor access. You lock your door, walk out, and you're on the trail in two minutes. That's the draw, and the people who live here chose it for exactly that reason.

There's a community feel to the loop trail — you start recognizing the same faces on your morning walk, the same dog owners at the same spots. It's neighbourly in a quiet, low-key way that I think a lot of people appreciate.

What You'll Pay

Riverbend has a wider price range than most people expect. At the entry level, you're looking at $134,900 to $149,900 for condos built in the 1990s — roughly 1,260 square feet, two bedrooms, functional layouts. These are units that work, but they'll need cosmetic updating. We're talking older kitchens, dated flooring, that kind of thing. Nothing that should scare you off, but budget for some freshening up.

The mid-range is $310,000 to $350,000 for newer condo units with updated finishes and better layouts. Townhomes come in around $329,900. If you want waterfront — a unit that backs onto the lake with a view of the water — you're in the $400,000 to $700,000-plus range. Those don't come up often, and they move quickly.

Condo fees run $150 to $250 per month depending on the building and what's included. That typically covers exterior maintenance, common areas, and often heated underground parking. I always tell my clients to factor condo fees into their monthly budget from the start — mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and fees. No surprises down the road.

You can see what's currently listed in Riverbend to get a feel for where prices are sitting right now.

Schools and Families

Families do live in Riverbend, and the school options are solid. W.F. Ready is the public elementary school serving kindergarten through Grade 5. For high school, Campbell Collegiate is the go-to on the public side. On the Catholic side, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys covers Pre-K through Grade 9, which is convenient for families who want one school for most of their kids' years.

That said, I want to be straightforward — Riverbend isn't the neighbourhood I'd point you toward if schools and family life are your top priority. The housing stock is heavily condo-oriented, and the neighbourhood's personality leans more toward active adults and downsizers than young families. Families who do live here tend to appreciate the trail system and the safety of the area, but if you want a backyard and a street full of kids riding bikes, you might find a better fit in nearby neighbourhoods like The Creeks or other family-oriented parts of east Regina.

Parks, Trails, and Things to Do

This is where Riverbend really stands out, and it's the reason most people move here.

The 3.9 km lake loop trail is paved and lit, so it's usable year-round. In the summer months, it fills up with walkers, runners, and cyclists. In the winter, it becomes a route for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The lake itself is open for kayaking and canoeing — nothing motorized, so it stays quiet. Wascana Hill viewpoint gives you one of the better elevated views in southeast Regina, and it's a short walk from most parts of the neighbourhood.

What a lot of people don't realize is that Riverbend's trail system connects into a broader network. You can walk or cycle from the lake loop into Wascana Creek Park, Selinger Park, and Harding Park without getting in a car. For someone who's genuinely active and wants variety in their routes, that connected pathway system is a real advantage.

For shopping, Quance Street is close by — Costco, Staples, PetSmart, plus restaurants and everyday services. You're 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Regina, and Route 50, the Victoria Express, runs transit service through the area for those who use it.

The Honest Downsides

I wouldn't be doing my job if I only talked about the good parts. Here's what you should know.

Riverbend is condo-heavy. If you want a detached single-family home with a big yard and a garage, your options here are very limited. This neighbourhood was designed around condo living, and that's what you'll find. The older condos from the 1990s are affordable, but they need work — kitchens, bathrooms, flooring. Factor renovation costs into your budget if you're looking at those units.

The lake is man-made. It's well-maintained and it looks nice, but if you're picturing a natural lake with a beach, that's not what this is. Condo fees add $150 to $250 to your monthly costs on top of everything else, and that catches some buyers off guard. And while the trail system is excellent, the neighbourhood itself isn't walkable to groceries or everyday errands — you'll be driving to Quance Street or further for most of your shopping.

The market for mid-range and up condos is active here. Decent units in the $310,000-plus range tend to sell in 15 to 25 days, so when something good comes up, you shouldn't sit on it too long. The entry-level units under $150,000 have more availability and give you time to compare.

If you're weighing Riverbend against other neighbourhoods in southeast Regina, it's worth looking at Wascana View if you want more of a luxury feel with park access, or East Pointe Estates if you want a more affordable entry point with its own pathway system along Pilot Butte Creek. You can also browse everything available in east Regina to compare.

I'll give you all the information, and we'll figure out what fits your life. No rush. When you're ready to look, Riverbend listings are a good place to start.