Being in the middle of things has always been my deal. Whether it was the high school cheerleading team, running a school booster club or organizing a parade entry, I liked the excitement and energy that went along with the people and the plan.
Definitely, I have a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out).
So, when our daughters had the nerve to grow up and move out of our two-story house, my husband and I searched for a sensible one-story residence. I really thought New York City or Paris sounded fun (see FOMO, above), but family is here, and that’s a pretty big magnet. With our search narrowed down to Tarrant County, it’s no surprise that we chose a suburb with a tagline of “Discover the Center.”
Bedford, a city of about 50,000, really does sit in the center of North Texas. The northeast Tarrant County suburb has the enviable spot of being close not only to Fort Worth but also to Dallas and the mega sports complex known as Arlington.
With highways just minutes away, I can zip to my church First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, or head east to Dallas for a little indulgence — like testing perfume samples at the Neiman Marcus beauty counter. Living here means the best of both worlds: small-town ease with big-city energy easily within reach.
We’re not alone with this decision. As it turns out, Bedford’s 76021 ZIP code is among the fastest-selling areas in Texas. Houses, just five minutes from my previous Colleyville two-story, are in high demand.
Not only is it easy to whoosh onto a highway, but the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district is among Texas’ best for academic performance and financial efficiency. With an International Baccalaureate program, competitive athletics, an innovative career center and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade-worthy musicians, HEB succeeds at educating its students in multiple ways.
Turns out, living at “the center” suits us. My husband, Mr. Cargo Shorts, has the yard he thinks of as a blank canvas for growing flowers, shrubs and trees. I volunteered for three city commissions, including serving on the advisory committee for the award-winning Bedford Public Library where new programming always is popping up.
Joy Donovan is a longtime resident of Northeast Tarrant County and currently lives in Bedford on Dec. 17, 2025. Donovan is an active part of the community, and was elected onto the Bedford City Council. Donovan has been working on the Old Bedford School as well as other projects across town. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
So, one thing led to another, and I was asked to run for City Council. Much to my delight, I won. I’m privileged to serve my community. It’s been action packed, and I’m honored to be a part of many projects Bedford is developing.
Bedford is reshaping itself. Yes, we’ll open an H-E-B grocery store in HEB, a partnership between Bedford and our neighbor, Euless. But there’s more, too.
In the northeast quadrant of Bedford, The Market at Gateway on Highway 157 will open with Sprouts grocery store and new restaurants. A mixed-used development in the center of the city, the long-planned Bedford Commons, is in the works.
Redevelopment is kicking into gear, too. Stonegate Shopping Center, an area just south of 183, is brewing with opportunity. The property owners are revitalizing this zone, which is home to Turning Point Beer, a new food hall and ATP Pickleball, set to open this month.
Then there’s a favorite pet project, Old Bedford School. This historically significant showpiece has been called a “gem” for our community. In 110 years, it’s been a school, a museum and a senior center. Now it’s waiting for its next chapter, and I am happy to help transform Bedford’s legacy into a useful and beautiful destination.
Simultaneously, Bedford is investing in the essentials — upgrading streets, improving parks, and strengthening infrastructure. It’s a careful balance of laying the groundwork while building a vibrant destination that reflects the potential of our community. As a city we’ve acquired a top-notch staff who work hard every day to accomplish Bedford’s goals.
In Bedford, we’re close enough to the action to feel the buzz but grounded enough to enjoy the calm when we choose. Our neighbors wave, the traffic is relatively minimal and there’s always a festival to jump into.
Mark your calendars for Bedford’s Fourth of July celebration, which drew 20,000 visitors last year, and Beat and Eats Fest, a musical Labor Day party. And Bedford’s fabulous location also convinced the Global Flag Football League to hold its semifinals and finals in July at Bedford’s Pennington Field. We’re very excited about all these special events and enjoy rolling out the welcome mat for visitors.
So here I am, honored to serve as a city councilperson at the center of North Texas in the middle of lots of action. It’s a wonderful time for someone who’s an adrenaline junky who hates being left out of excitement. How lucky am I?
Joy Donovan Brandon is a writer and civic and community volunteer who lives in Bedford with her husband. An elected member of the Bedford City Council, her term expires in 2027.
Bedford (76021*)
Total population: 35,437
Female: 50% | Male: 50%
Age
0-9: 11%
10-19: 11%
20-29: 15%
30-39: 16%
40-49: 12%
50-59: 12%
60-69: 12%
70-79: 8%
80 and older: 3%
Education
No degree: 6%
High school: 17%
Some college: 32%
Bachelor’s degree: 31%
Post-graduate: 15%
Race
White: 63% | Asian: 5% | Hispanic: 16% | Black: 11% | Two or more: 4%
Click on the link to view the schools’ Texas Education Agency ratings**:
(*) Population and demographic data are from the census tract for 76021 zip code, one of several zip codes that cover Bedford.
(**) Schools within 1 mile of 76021.
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