By Michael Savala<\/p>\n
Whenever someone tells me they\u2019re relocating to Fort Worth, I give them the same challenge: \u201cDrive down Camp Bowie Boulevard and tell me what you can\u2019t find.\u201d The funny thing is, no one has ever been able to give me an answer.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because Ridglea Village isn\u2019t just another neighborhood. It\u2019s a community that seems to have a little bit of everything.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve spent more than 10 years in apartment management, working in communities across Dallas-Fort Worth. Every property has its strengths, but moving to Ridglea Village and becoming part of this community has been different. For the first time, the place I work and the place I call home have become one and the same.<\/p>\n
One of the things I love most is how connected everything feels. Within just a few minutes, you can spend the afternoon in one of Fort Worth\u2019s beautiful parks, play a round of golf, enjoy dinner at a family-owned restaurant that\u2019s been serving families for generations, or stop by one of the many locally owned boutiques and coffee shops.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Major employers like Lockheed Martin are nearby. The Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth is just down the road. Medical City Fort Worth is within easy reach. And downtown Fort Worth is only a short drive away. It\u2019s rare to find a neighborhood that offers so much while still feeling like a small town.<\/p>\n
What truly makes Ridglea Village special, though, isn\u2019t what\u2019s around it. It\u2019s the people who make it what it is.<\/p>\n
The restaurant owners know their customers by name. Local businesses support one another instead of competing. Neighbors wave as they pass, conversations happen on sidewalks and a simple \u201chowdy\u201d from a stranger isn\u2019t unusual. In a world where so many people seem to be in a hurry, Ridglea Village reminds me to slow down and appreciate the community around me.<\/p>\n
As the assistant manager at Jefferson Ridglea Village, I have the privilege of welcoming people who are new to Fort Worth almost every day. I always tell them they\u2019re getting more than an apartment \u2014 they\u2019re becoming part of a neighborhood with deep roots, proud traditions and a genuine sense of belonging. Some of the restaurants here have been serving families for four and even five generations, and you can feel that history in every block you walk.<\/p>\n
Fort Worth continues to grow, and that\u2019s exciting to see. But Ridglea Village has managed to hold onto something that\u2019s becoming increasingly rare: authenticity. It embraces new businesses while honoring the ones that helped build the neighborhood. It offers convenience without losing its charm. It feels vibrant without ever feeling rushed.<\/p>\n
After living and working throughout DFW, I can honestly say I\u2019ve found my place. Ridglea Village isn\u2019t just where I live, it\u2019s where I feel connected. It\u2019s where neighbors become friends, local businesses become part of your routine, and every drive down Camp Bowie reminds me why I chose to call this corner of Fort Worth home.<\/p>\n
So if you ever find yourself driving down Camp Bowie, take your time. Stop for a cup of coffee at a neighborhood cafe. Have lunch at a family-owned restaurant. Browse a local boutique. Take a walk through one of our parks, wave to the people you pass, and don\u2019t be surprised if someone greets you with a friendly \u201chowdy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chances are, you\u2019ll leave understanding what I did: That Ridglea Village isn\u2019t just a place on a map.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the heart of a community, one of Fort Worth\u2019s best-kept treasures and a place you\u2019ll be proud to call home.<\/p>\n
\nRidglea Village\n<\/p>\n
Total population: 829
Male: 33% | Female: 67%<\/p>\n
Age
0-9: 0%
10-19: 38%
20-29: 1%
30-39: 11%
40-49: 20%
50-59: 8%
60-69: 11%
70-79: 5%
80 and older: 5%<\/p>\n
Education
No degree: 10%
High school: 8%
Some college: 24%
Bachelor\u2019s degree: 44%
Post-graduate: 14%<\/p>\n
Race
White: 79% | Black: 16% | Hispanic: 3% | Asian: 1% | Two or more: 0%<\/p>\n
Click on the link to view the schools\u2019 Texas Education Agency ratings:<\/p>\n