River Oaks is a mature, built-out residential city where modest single-family homes from the mid-20th century dominate, reflecting its origins as a bedroom community for the nearby air base and Fort Worth workers. Its compact 1.9-square-mile footprint leaves little room for new construction, so the housing stock is largely established and well-settled, with quiet, tree-lined streets close to Fort Worth.

River Oaks is small enough to function as one cohesive residential area rather than a set of distinct districts. The city's streets are laid out around its central community park and neighborhood schools, and it is ringed by Fort Worth on most sides. Its location inside Loop 820 places nearby retail, schools, and amenities within a short drive of home, and the compact layout gives the city a unified, walkable character.

Daily life in River Oaks is low-key and family-centered. River Oaks Community Park anchors outdoor activity with ball fields, a basketball court, a playground, picnic areas, and a concession stand, while the city's proximity to Fort Worth puts larger shopping, dining, and employment within minutes. The community's small size fosters a close-knit, suburban feel, and its compact footprint means neighbors routinely cross paths.

River Oaks is served by the Castleberry Independent School District, a small district based about five miles west of downtown Fort Worth that covers the city and the surrounding area. The district operates elementary, middle, and high school facilities across its compact boundaries, keeping most schools within a short drive or walk of home for students of all ages throughout the community.

River Oaks sits inside Loop 820 and is bordered by River Oaks Boulevard and State Highways 183 and 199, giving residents direct access to Fort Worth, the Naval Air Station, and the wider Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Commutes average around 28 minutes, with most workers traveling by car to jobs in and around Fort Worth, a pattern that reflects the city's role as a convenient residential suburb.

River Oaks Community Park is the center of local recreation, with two lighted ball fields, bleachers, a concession stand, restrooms, a playground, picnic tables and a shelter, a basketball court, and parking. The park hosts youth sports, league play, and community gatherings throughout the year, making it the hub of community activity in the city. The wider Fort Worth park system and the Trinity Trails lie nearby for additional outdoor recreation.