A community with mid-century character amid rolling hills

Vibrant. Rolling hills. Historic. Residents who call the greater Ridglea Area home cite its small town feel, with friendly neighbors and charming mid-century style, as one of the reasons they chose to call this Fort Worth suburban community home. Fort Worth Police Department Officer Allen Pennington says, “Ridglea Hills is like the neighborhood you see in movies and read about in books."

“Ridglea” is an old English word that means “meadow near the ridge.” It’s an idyllic description describing what has transformed from cattle grazing pasture to today’s community of rolling hills and curving streets. The greater Ridglea area comprises Ridglea Hills, Ridglea West, and the Ridglea Hills Addition.

Beyond its small town charm, what makes Ridglea area attractive is its accessibility to Fort Worth’s amenities. Downtown is a short drive, as are other communities like Benbrook and the White Settlement. Major employers, like Lockheed Martin Corporation and Texas Christian University, are about a ten-to-fifteen minute drive away.

Location

The RidgleaHYPERLINK "http://ridgleahills.com/" Hills Neighborhood Association (RHNA) defines its boundaries as Camp Bowie in the North, and West Vickery to the South, but excludes the Hampton Place subdivision.

The Ridglea Hills Addition includes the Ridge Acres Addition, Ridgewood Addition, Ridglea Crest to the East and stops at Como. The west part stops at Southwest Blvd. but includes Oakwood Estates Apartments and two new small replats.

The Ridglea West area is beside the Ridglea Hills Addition, with Benbrook Highway to the West and W. Vickery Blvd to the South.

To clearly see the RHNA boundaries, visit this map, Fort Worth’s map of the RidgleaHYPERLINK "http://apps.fortworthtexas.gov/neighborhood/ViewImage.aspx?docid=1367" Hills addition, and this profile of HYPERLINK "https://www.neighborhoods.com/ridglea-west-fort-worth-tx"RidgleaHYPERLINK "https://www.neighborhoods.com/ridglea-west-fort-worth-tx" WestHYPERLINK "https://www.neighborhoods.com/ridglea-west-fort-worth-tx".

Together, the greater Ridglea area lies around six miles west/southwest of Fort Worth's Central Business District. Camp Bowie Blvd serves as a major access corridor to nearby amenities, Fort Worth’s cultural district, and beyond. Greater Fort Worth is easily accessible through nearby I-30 and Southwest Blvd.

From Cattle to Families: Ridglea Hill’s Roots

The Fort Worth area has no shortage of historic properties and neighborhoods. Historian WiniHYPERLINK "http://www.winiklein.com/neighborhoods2/ridglea.html" Klein gives A. Clayton Luther the credited as, "The Father of Ridglea;” he moved into the area around Camp Bowie Blvd in the 1920s. He and his brother, J. T. Luther, formed the A.C. Luther Realty Co. and Luther Bros. & Wilson Inc.  

They established a golf course in 1935 and started platting residential areas around it in 1946. The brothers continued buying more land in the Ridglea Hills area, up to 2,000 acres, for the residential Ridglea area. They continued grazing cattle on the land and simply moved the fences as the empty residential lots sold.

The brothers also spearheaded commercial real estate development along Camp Bowie Blvd.  Clayton Luther and Hank Green partnered to develop the Ridglea Country Club, opening its doors in 1954.

Who Lives in Modern Ridglea Hills?

Where once the developers targeted oil tycoons, the Ridglea Hills area attracts a range of residents. Data aggregated from the greater 76116 zip code showed the average household income was $56,816, with an average net worth of $360,016. The average household size was 2.24 people and the median age of the residents was 34 years. Take into account the 76116 data includes Western Hills and Westover Hills.

Crime and Safety in Ridglea

Safety and security are one of Ridglea’s selling points. While no one can guarantee complete security, the Ridglea Hills area does have one of the Fort Worth area’s lower crime rates. As of writing, in the last 12 months there were only 46 report counts of burglary, 35 counts of theft, and 25 arrests in Ridglea.

Ridglea’s Real Estate Market Profile

Ridglea is one of the younger well-established neighborhoods in Fort Worth, with development not truly taking off until the 1950s and 1960s. The neighborhood is largely single-family homes typically with a mid-century or ranch style in single-story and brick. However, it is still a diverse neighborhood in terms of its architectural character. Smaller homes may have had additions and remodels to add space. An average single-family home is on a quarter-acre lot with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Ridglea Hills residents describe the neighborhood as having a “small town” feel. Here, the kids play outside and the yards are well-kept. It’s safe to take the dogs on the walk. People get to know their neighbors.

In Ridglea Hills, you can find upscale homes with customized features and spacious, secluded lots. You can see this best in the homes around Luther Lake, which are often designed to capture its views. Another profile of a HYPERLINK "http://fortworth.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/07-08-16-ridglea-hills-midcentury-modern-house-for-sale-lake-view/"RidgleaHYPERLINK "http://fortworth.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/07-08-16-ridglea-hills-midcentury-modern-house-for-sale-lake-view/" Hills home on Luther Lake describes a mix of modern amenities like a tankless water heater in an expanded mid-century style home.

The most recent pricing data for Ridglea Hills has a median sale price of $307,700. Closed prices vary widely, with homes adjacent to Luther Lake commanding top prices. Current list prices range from $39,900 to $850,000. Ridglea Hills homes averaged 66 days on the market. One source estimated property taxes around $7,400 per year and homeowners' association fees approximately $242, but consult a real estate professional for the most recent information.

Ridglea Hills residents describe the neighborhood as a place where the kids play outside and the yards are well-kept. It’s safe to take the dogs on the walk. People get to know their neighbors.

In the Ridglea Hills Addition, the majority of the homes follow mid-century modern style. The RHANA claims many of these homes were built in the 1950’s to house officers at the nearby Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.

Ridglea West is a small area with typically smaller homes dating back to the late 1940s. An average single family home is three bedrooms and one bathroom. Recent prices ranged from $49,900 to $218,900 and a median sale price of $119,900. With smaller home sizes, Neighborhoods.com estimates a typical Ridglea West home average property taxes at $1,422 per year. However, the small home pool found in this defined area can skew median home prices, which is why it’s best to consult with a real estate professional.

Around the borders of the Ridglea area, additional housing options are available in apartment and condominium complexes. Residents here still benefit from many area amenities detailed below.

Ridglea Neighborhood Associations

The Ridglea area is served by two Neighborhood Associations.

The RidgleaHYPERLINK "http://ridgleahills.com/links/" Hills Neighborhood Association host events year-round, such as an Easter Egg Hunt, Fourth of July Parade and Halloween in the Hills. Find membership information on their website, along with the boundaries. Along with the website, the RHNA runs a Facebook group plus Instagram and uses the hashtag #LiveRHLoveRH.

The RidgleaHYPERLINK "https://rhana.org/" Hills Addition NeighHYPERLINK "https://rhana.org/"bHYPERLINK "https://rhana.org/"orhood Association formed in the 2000s to serve the needs of the Addition residents. Find its boundaries and meeting information on the website.

Ridglea Hills Lifestyle Amenities

Areavibes ranks the “Western Hills-Ridglea” area as the 8th best living area in Fort Worth and says its amenities are 80% better than the rest of the city. Notably, it gives Ridglea an “A+” for its amenities, which refers to its access to local restaurants, retail, and entertainment options.

Many of these amenities are located along the Camp Bowie Corridor, serviced by the Camp Bowie District, which promotes and advances the merchants and businesses in this historic corridor. As a member of the CBD board of directors, I am keen to support our local merchants and happy to provide service recommendations.

Dining Out Near Ridglea

An assortment of restaurant venues operate near Ridglea Hills. A full list would be too comprehensive to add here. What we’d like to highlight is the variety of dining options close at hand.

Like other areas of Fort Worth, you’ll find an assortment of Latin fare, ranging from TexMex to street food to other styles. Mi Cocula Mexican Grill serves plated fare like gorditas and enchiladas, while the Rusty Taco is about authentic street-style tacos.

Other restaurants deliver cuisine from across the globe. Pan Asia crafts fare like sushi, miso soup, and orange chicken. The father and son team behind Aventino’s Italian Restaurant cook tradition Italian fare for lunch and dinner. The Blue Crab Seafood House and Bar whips up Cajun or Creole-inspired food right down to crayfish, when in season.

Check out Ridglea’s trendy cafés and bakeries. The West Side Café whips up a good brunch. Black Rooster Cafe publishes a small daily menu with savory biscuits and sweet cookies. Yoko’s Donuts delivers donuts, but also creates other savory breakfast dishes like sausage rolls and breakfast burritos.

These local dining venues are in addition to popular chains Jason’s Deli, McDonald’s, Cici’s, and Taco Cabana operating nearby.

Yelp is a good starting point to discover the dining options near Ridglea and to find local favorites.

Retailers

Ridglea area residents have commercial shops and services along Camp Bowie Blvd. The RidgleaHYPERLINK "http://brixmor.propertycapsule.com/cre/commercial-real-estate-listings/Fort+Worth/TX/ridglea-plaza/" Plaza shops include retailers in antiques and home decor like A Lost Treasure and Ties to the Past. The Sprouts Farmer Market is a chain grocer with organic produce and staples. Other sample of nearby retailers include Zoo Music, Steinmart, Dollar Tree, and Ava’s Bridal Couture. You can find a full list of retailers in the Camp Bowie District here.

To the South near the Ridglea Hills Elementary School, a Walmart Neighborhood Market is available for groceries.

 The RidgleaHYPERLINK "http://fortworthtexas.gov/uploadedFiles/PlanningandDevelopment/My_Urband_Village/FWUrban%20Villages%20Final_Ridglea%20web.pdf" Urban Village is a mixed-use neighborhood with a diverse, pedestrian-oriented corridor. Located on Camp Bowie Blvd between Bryant Irvin and Ridglea, it has experienced an increase in commercial real estate investment to the tune of $55 million dollars. The additional shops and retail are accompanied by HYPERLINK "http://fortworthtexas.gov/ridglea-urban-village/"new housing development, with most of the $56 million in funding geared towards multi-family housing construction.

Professional Services

Residents have their grocery needs met by Kroger, Tom Thumb, and Sprouts Farmers Market. For more local produce, the Cowtown Farmers Market is open Sundays at the roundabout of Southwest Blvd and Camp Bowie Blvd.

An array of transportation services are in the area, like Discount Tire and Advanced Auto Parts. The Ridglea area really has many professionals services, from banking to salons to fitness centers, close to residents’ homes.

Parks and Recreation

Luther Lake is one of Ridglea Hills’ notable focal points. This 10-acre lake is surrounded by 33 home sites, making it pristine and rather private. While lovely all year-round, this beautiful location during the holiday season the lake is transformed by the glittering seasonal lights reflecting off its calm waters. Clayton Road becomes a popular drive-by destination during the season.

Luther Lake is largely inaccessible to the public. Find public green spaces near Ridglea starting with North Z Boaz Park to its northwest. A former golf course, Fort Worth transformed the 138-acre course into a fully-irrigated park complete with picnic shelters, a playground, fitness stations, basketball courts, a skate park, and a dog park. The ZBonz Dog Park is ten acres, with sections for large and small dogs. It includes an agility course.

 R.D. Evans Community Center is beside North Z Boaz Park. The center hosts after-school programs, a variety of dance classes, fitness camps, art classes and much more.

BerneyHYPERLINK "http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM8BQY_Morris_E_Berney_Park_Fort_Worth_TX" Park is a small four-acre triangular neighborhood park in the Ridglea area north of Camp Bowie Blvd. Its amenities include picnic tables and a playground.

Ridglea County Club

The most notable green space in the Ridglea area is the RidgleaHYPERLINK "http://www.ridgleacountryclub.com/membership" Country Club. This member-owned club earned the "Best Family Club in Fort Worth" over four consecutive years. Amenities include two golf courses, a professionally staffed fitness center, and top-notch swimming facilities.

The Country Club’s Family Course is an old, traditional course redesigned in 1987 that features narrow fairways and small greens. The Championship golf course longer and originally played 7,200 yards from the championship tees and 6,300 yards from the executive tees, with a 72 par. Both of Ridglea Country Club’s courses have hosted local, state and national amateur golf tournaments, such as the U.S. Open qualifier.

After a round of golf, members relax by its large pool. The facilities include two diving boards plus a baby pool complete with water features. Poolside service delivers food and beverages. One of Fort Worth’s top swim/dive teams is at Ridglea Country Club. Receive instruction throughout season from qualified coaches.

The Ridglea Country Club bills itself as a traditional club with modern amenities. For example, it has a child care program for our member children ages three months to 8 years.

Cultural Amenities

You can’t discuss Ridglea without mentioning the iconic RidgleaHYPERLINK "https://www.theridglea.com/about-1/" Theater, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The lovingly restored landmark with its 70-foot stone tower is an iconic part of the Fort Worth metroplex. Now in the heart of the Camp Bowie District, nationally-acclaimed bands have played in the 20,000 square-foot historic venue.

Once the scene of movie premieres and concerts, the renovated and restored Ridglea has three event venue spaces: The Ridglea Theater, The Ridglea Room & The Ridglea Lounge. Its spaces are used for corporate functions, charitable galas, film festivals, and weddings.

Additional access to cultural amenities are through Camp Bowie Blvd, which delivers residents to Fort Worth’s cultural district, its art museums, historic venues, gardens, and parks.

Ridglea Hills Education

The Fort Worth Independent School District serves the Ridglea Hills area. Many residents are zoned for RidgleaHYPERLINK "https://www.fwisd.org/domain/2065" Hills Elementary, which lies on the southern border of the RHNA. Reviewers on Great Schools rated Ridglea Hills four of five stars.

However, depending on location, residents could be zoned for Mary Louise Phillips or Luella Merrett Elementary School. Monnig Middle is the zoned junior high, and senior students attend either Arlington Heights or Western Hills High School.

Even better, Ridglea area residents are a short drive from the Fort Worth Country Day School, one of the area’s top private education institutions, and Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, a top performing arts charter school.

Looking at Ridglea Fort Worth

The Ridglea area is one of those communities that appeal to a variety of lifestyles. Families like how children can walk around the neighborhood. New multifamily-housing complexes at the Ridglea Urban Village offer a work-live-play lifestyle. Area town homes and condominiums simplify maintenance without sacrificing location.

Green spaces make it easy to enjoy Fort Worth’s sunniest days. For rainy days, jump on Camp Bowie Blvd and visit one of Fort Worth’s acclaimed museums. Everything you need to support your daily activities– grocery shopping, dining, professional services–are minutes away from a Ridglea area resident. This is true suburban living with an upscale feel.

For the best in Ridglea real estate, you’ll want an expert with local knowledge. Chicotsky Real Estate Group has deep roots in the Ridglea area and can help you find your ideal home.