Your Expert Guide

River Oaks Shopping Center: Prime walkability with something for all

Agent Stephanie Willis.

Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

There are so many great places to live in Houston that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.
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The River Oaks Shopping Center neighborhood holds some of Houston's best dining, bars, music venues, museums, and shops of all kinds.

It’s one of the reasons real estate agent Stephanie Willis finds this area so attractive, and has chosen to call it home for eight years.

“We love walking to restaurants, coffee shops, or even the store,” she says. “We can ride our bikes downtown to watch the Astros or hang out at Discovery Green. We also love being outside and the beautiful Buffalo Bayou offers miles of hike and bike trails, kayak rentals, boat tours, and more.”

Willis has been working in the River Oaks area for the last six years. She has found that it's helpful for buyers to have a trusted real estate advisor who knows the schools, parks, best places to eat, and more to point out features that best suit their interests.

“I think the River Oaks Shopping Center area is a perfect snapshot of the city with its diversity in culture and residents,” she says. “No matter what your interests are, they are only steps away.”

Prior to residential real estate, Stephanie enjoyed a 20-year career as a personal trainer at The Houstonian Club and River Oaks Country Club. She was a collegiate gymnast and competed in adventure races and triathlons after college.

Willis offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in the River Oaks Shopping Center area. Here's her guide:

Where to eat & drink
"My favorite casual dining is Barnaby's Cafe,” says Willis. “It’s a great menu with fresh ingredients and anything you could want, from breakfast to dinner. They also have a pet-friendly patio.”

Willis’ top place for Mexican food is Cielito Cafe: “Amazing food and service; there isn’t a lot of seating, but it is definitely worth the wait!”

For brunch, Willis heads to Backstreet Cafe. Whether you like savory (try the smoked chicken and potato hash with poached eggs) or sweet (brioche French toast with roasted bananas, vanilla mascarpone, and almond brittle) or both (grilled peach flatbread with prosciutto), they have it.

And for coffee, you’ll often find Willis at Empire Cafe. “They have wonderful desserts and baked goods, too,” she says.

For good vibes, it’s Flora on the Bayou. “You truly feel like you are sitting in a treehouse lit with gorgeous chandeliers. Their patio is the best, I love the cucumber margarita, and the ceviche is delicious.”

Give the Gulf Coast oysters a try at the French-inspired Bludorn, advises Willis. It’s her five-star fine dining go-to.

And for sushi, she recommends Izakaya for their fresh and creative dishes.

Where to play
There are numerous options for everyone to relax with friends, starting with Buffalo Bayou’s outdoor activities and its wildlife to see.

The Buffalo Bayou Promenade hosts everything from farmers markets to concerts, food trucks, and outdoor workouts. And Eleanor Tinsley Park also has regular events, festivals, and more.

“Lola's is the oldest bar in Houston and is definitely worth a game of pool with friends — or go solo and make friends there!”

Where to live
“The style of homes ranges from the original bungalows to elaborate new construction. You will find something for everyone here; there are residents from college-age through retirement, and neighbors from all over the world,” Willis says.

“We have full-service, luxury high-rises, smaller condominiums, single-family homes with large yards and pools, and fabulous townhouses with minimal outdoor spaces for easy upkeep,” she adds. “Several townhomes in the area offer rooftop terraces with panoramic views of the city.”

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Stephanie Willis works and plays in the River Oaks Shopping Center area. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email stephanie.willis@sothebys.realty, or call 713-256-3369.

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THE AMERICAN DREAM

How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Houston

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Houstonians don't have to save long to afford a down payment.

Saving for a down payment remains one of the biggest barriers to homeownership nationwide, but a new report from Realtor.com shows San Antonio area buyers face a far shorter wait than most Americans.

According to the real estate site’s 2025 analysis, the typical U.S. household needs seven years to save for a standard down payment, a notable improvement from the 12-year peak in 2022. Still, the timeline remains roughly double the pre-pandemic norm, reflecting higher home prices, larger down payments, and lower household savings rates.

Houston, however, stood out as one of the most accessible major metros in the nation. The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro boasted one of the shortest time sto save for a down payment among the nation’s 50 largest markets, with households needing just 3.5 years to reach a typical down payment, according to the study.

The report found that Houston’s median down payment from January through November was $14,927. A median household income of $83,452 was estimated to produce an annual savings of $4,228. Notably, San Antonio, the only other Texas city included in the report, had the shortest time to save for a down payment at just 1.3 years.

Nationally, the time needed to save has shortened as home price growth cooled and affordability modestly improved. Still, saving for a down payment takes significantly longer than it did before the pandemic.

“Higher home prices and intensified competition have pushed typical down payments higher, at the same time that inflation and rising household expenses have reduced savings rates,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, in a release. “Although conditions have improved since 2022, today’s timeline shows that saving for a home takes meaningfully longer than it did before the pandemic, especially in high-cost markets.”

Lower savings rates have played a key role. The U.S. personal savings rate has averaged 5.1 percent of income so far in 2025, down from the pre-pandemic norm of 6.5 percent, limiting how quickly households can build funds for upfront housing costs. Meanwhile, the typical down payment has more than doubled over the past six years — rising from about $13,900 in the third quarter of 2019 to $30,400 in the third quarter of 2025.

In high-cost coastal metros, the impact is far more severe. Saving for a down payment can take 20 to more than 35 years in California cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego, effectively sidelining many first-time and moderate-income buyers.

“In high-cost markets, the typical down payment alone exceeds a full year of household income,” said Hannah Jones, Realtor.com senior economic research analyst. “That reality makes homeownership feel unattainable for many buyers, particularly younger households trying to enter the market for the first time.”

Despite those challenges, the report notes that roughly three-quarters of Americans still consider homeownership part of the American dream. Realtor.com says easing rents could help first-time buyers save more, while repeat buyers may use accumulated savings to reduce loan balances and manage higher monthly payments.

“Saving consistently, even in small amounts, is a meaningful first step toward homeownership,” Jones said. “In today’s market, building that financial cushion can make a real difference when buyers are ready to act.”

home market economy down payments home ownership real estate