If you’ve been looking for a newer home near Stuart or Jensen Beach and want to stay under $500,000, I’d take a look just across the Martin County line. Rivella is a gated community off Westmoreland Boulevard in southeastern Port St. Lucie. In October 2026, a two-bedroom home there was listed at $449,000, and several three-bedroom homes were priced close to the $500,000 mark.
What I like about Rivella is that you can still head into downtown Stuart for dinner or spend the afternoon in Jensen Beach, but you also have the St. Lucie River and the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens close to home. If being near the water is one of the reasons you’re moving to the Treasure Coast, that part of the map is worth a closer look.
In my Florida Explained video below, I take you inside Rivella and share what I noticed when I visited the site of The Grove, a planned waterfront dining destination just a bike ride from the neighborhood.
What do homes cost in Rivella?
When I reviewed the market in October 2026, most of the active listings in the main section of Rivella were priced between approximately $449,000 and $525,000, including both resales and new construction. The two-bedroom home listed at $449,000 had about 1,430 square feet of living space. If you needed a third bedroom, several homes were listed between about $490,000 and $520,000. The recent sales I reviewed ranged from approximately $400,000 to just under $500,000.
If you’re deciding between a resale and a newly built home, I’d look at what you’d still need to pay for after closing. A resale may already have the window treatments, upgraded lighting and landscaping you would have chosen yourself. With new construction, I’d ask whether the builder is offering help with closing costs or a mortgage rate buydown and get the terms in writing. Those details are worth knowing before you decide what to offer.
What are the homes and lots like in Rivella?
Rivella has newer single-family homes, including some completed in 2026. Among the homes I reviewed were two- and three-bedroom floor plans with open living areas, covered lanais and two-car garages. Several offered single-story living, which may appeal to you if you’d like a home that’s a little easier to maintain.
One thing I always tell buyers here is to step out onto the lanai. Some homes overlook a pond or preserve, while others back up to another house. You can walk through the same floor plan twice and come away with a clear preference once you see where you’d sit with your morning coffee and how much privacy you’d have.
What does the Rivella HOA cover?
Rivella residents have access to a clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool, tennis courts and places to walk within the community. One listing I reviewed showed an HOA fee of $238. Before using that figure in your budget, I’d confirm how often the fee is billed and ask the association to spell out what it covers for that address, including lawn maintenance, cable and internet. I’d also review the restrictions and ask about any upcoming assessments.
Property taxes deserve a closer look, especially on a newer home. The seller’s current tax bill can give you the wrong impression about what you’ll pay after the purchase. Rivella is in St. Lucie County, so if you’ve been budgeting for a home in Martin County, I’d run a fresh tax estimate for the Rivella property, check its flood zone and get an insurance quote for that address.
What’s nearby at the Port District?
The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens and the nearby waterfront are two places you can enjoy while you’re out looking at homes. The Grove at the Port District is the dining project I mention in the video. The idea of riding a bike over to meet friends for dinner on the river is appealing, but when I visited, I couldn’t see the planned dining spaces taking shape. February 2027 was the opening date I’d seen advertised, and I’d check the project’s progress before counting on that timing.
If you’re weighing a newer home in Rivella against an older home in Stuart or Jensen Beach, I’d be happy to help you look at what your budget buys in each community, from the view off the lanai to the monthly cost of owning the home. Contact me at Lifestyle Realty Group, or watch more of my Treasure Coast neighborhood tours on Florida Explained on YouTube.