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What It's Like Living in Riverbend, Regina

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.

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