A Closer Look at Fort Worth’s 8 Leading Luxury Communities

What defines luxury? Is it a price point? Is it a mindset? A way of living?

However you personally define the luxury lifestyle, you can find it in Fort Worth. As a real estate professional working with high-net-worth clients, I find there certain commonalities that define luxury living. A luxurious home offers:

• Security for you, your loved ones, and your most valuable possessions. This can be from an installed home security system, a gated community, or a community with security patrols.
• Peace of mind. Security is part of peace of mind, but so are other details. Some prefer a maintenance-free community that takes care of lawn maintenance or provides high-speed Internet.
• Access to quality education. Our children represent our future. Naturally, parents want to provide the best foundation for their success with highly ranked educational institutions nearby.
• No two people share the same sense of style, but for some, a luxury lifestyle exudes a defined sense of personal tastes, whatever that may be. Contemporary. Modern. Mediterranean. Minimalist.
• Who wants to drive miles to the grocery store? The luxury lifestyle means the amenities you want are easily accessible.

Approach your home purchase with the confidence that Fort Worth’s luxury communities deliver these characteristics and much more. Our luxury real estate market offers homes designed to meet any buyer’s tastes. In Fort Worth you will find:

• Spacious Mediterranean-inspired homes and villas
• Lakefront properties with gorgeous views close to amenities
• Contemporary designs, using natural elements or a more early modern style
• Sprawling ranches with or without ranch-style homes
• Urban townhomes and stylish downtown penthouses

And any other combination that suits your personal tastes and desires.

A Closer Look at Fort Worth’s Amenities

The beauty of choosing to live in Fort Worth is you are near practically anything you would want. The 17th largest city in the United States, Fort Worth is steeped in history, has a rich equestrian tradition, is home to numerous golf courses, and has award-winning performance arts centers.

Prime Living calls Fort Worth the cultural capital of the Southwest. We are home to the incredible Bass Performance Hall, which hosts the Fort Worth Opera and the Fort Worth Symphony. These elegant institutions are juxtaposed against Fort Worth’s country and western music scene epitomized by Billy Bob’s Texas, billed as the world’s largest honky-tonk.

Downtown you will find a safe, walkable urban environment. Sundance Square is Fort Worth’s premier destination of food, retail, and entertainment venues. Sprawled across 35 blocks, find everything from classic Texas barbecue to Gourmet French cuisine. Indulge a sweet tooth at Steel City Pops, Shackolad Chocolate Factory, and Paciugo Gelato. Shop at White House | Black Market, Demarara, Haltom’s Jewelers, or Parfumerie Marie Antoinette. Catch a movie, laugh with Four Day Weekend, or attend an event in the plaza.

If you enjoy a fine glass of local wine, the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area is attracting interest to grow grapes. See the family and individually owned wineries that offer tours and tastings. Locally, look no further than Cowtown Winery or Times Ten Cellars. For other spirits, other local distilleries produce whiskey, vodka, and rum.

Most Exclusive Homes for Sale

Now that we’ve covered some of Fort Worth’s amenities, what does residential life look like in Fort Worth? To get a glimpse of what is available, let’s see the current most expensive homes for sale. As of December 2018, the top five are:

• The infamous Baldridge House is a one-and-a-half acre estate built in 1910 in the Crestline area. With six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and space for 11 cars, this estate is on the market for $7,950,000.
• In Montserrat, the King’s Palace is fully furnished with seven en-suites, a total of 15 full and one half bath, on 2.12 acres. Including its guest living space, it has 24,093 sq ft. It is listed at $7,000,000.
• This 1920s built home on Alta Drive in the Crestline Area is on two acres beside a creek. The listing description says it was recently renovated for entertaining. Interior highlights include oak flooring and custom millwork. It is listed for $5,950,000.
• A majestic French-styled traditional estate is listed in the desirable Mira Vista. The home is on over two acres with unobstructed views and 12,000 square feet of living space. Listed for $5,850,000, the home includes seven bedrooms, eight full baths and two half-baths.
• Another home in Mira Vista, this southwestern-style villa overlooks the 18th hole. The four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms sits on 1.33 acres. The home has an indoor basketball court and exercise area plus a wine cellar. Listed for $3,999,995.

These homes provide a small sampling of what’s available to you in Fort Worth. You can find other homes at various price points throughout communities like Mira Vista or Crestline. Let’s break down Fort Worth’s top luxury communities and the lifestyle they offer.

Westover Hills

Located inside Fort Worth is the Town of Westover Hills. It is independent from Fort Worth, although all of its boundaries touch the city. Consequently, you get the benefits of living near Fort Worth's best amenities with some advantages. For instance, the municipal tax rate was 56% lower than the city of Fort Worth in 2017. The property tax rate was $0.355 per $100.

The history of Westover Hills traces back to its incorporation as a Class A City in 1939 with home construction continuing through the 1940s, 50s, and 1960s. According to the town website, the modern Westover Hills has 277 homes and around 700 residents. Texas Hometown locator says the town Westover Hills at 748 residents as of July 1st, 2018.

The Town of Westover Hills has no revenue from sales tax or commercial properties. It is a residential-only zoning district. The town carries no long-term debt, has around 17 employees, and has a dedicated Police Department.

Property values in Westover Hills are excellent. Homeownership rate hovers around 92.7 percent.  The median property value from one source is around $1.16 million, while another claims $1.3 million. The reported median household income exceeded $200,000. The median per capita income for the town was $120,864.

The Town of Westover Hills does have some housing restrictions. All homes must be two stories. No dwelling should occupy less than 3,000 square feet, exclusive of the garage and porches. The walls must be a brick, brick veneer, stone or stone veneer. For a full list of the Town of Westover Hills’ housing requirements, see here.

The average household size hovers around 2.48 people. For families, Westover Hills is served by the Fort Worth Independent School District. Its nearby public schools are Mary Louise Phillips Elementary school, Monnig Middle school, and Arlington Heights High School. Local private schools are a popular option, including Fort Worth Country Day School, Trinity Valley School, and All Saints Episcopal School.

Crestline

The Crestline area is located off historic Camp Bowie Boulevard. According to the community website Nextdoor, people love the Crestline area because it's beautiful, well-maintained, quiet, and peaceful. Its location along Camp Bowie Boulevard gives residents access to the Fort Worth “Cultural District,” Arlington Heights, and Ridglea. A short three mile drive away is the Fort Worth downtown business district.  Residents are easily connected to greater Fort Worth amenities and cultural centers.

The estimated population of the Crestline Area is 1664 residents. Homeowners represent 54 percent of the area's occupants. Sometimes this area is lumped in with Rivercrest and Northcrest, although these areas are slightly North and adjacent to Monticello, featured as a community option below.

The iconic Rivercrest Country Club celebrated 100 years as a community center in 2011. It was one of the first clubs to incorporate residential housing in its development. Some of the area’s home offer views of the golf course. Other homes overlook above The Trinity River’s scenic West Fork.

Homes in Crestline come in a range of styles and price points to suit your tastes. Expect stucco Mediterranean, Tudor Revival, ranch, and contemporary architecture. The median list price of  Rivercrest and Crestline area home was $1.2 million as of December 4, 2018, but a search for Crestline Area real estate occasionally shows smaller homes under the $500,000 price point. Current listed homes range from $329K to $7.95M.

Crestline is serviced by the Fort Worth Independent School District. Nearby public schools include North Hi Mount Elementary, Stripling Middle schools, and Arlington Heights High School. The area’s proximity to transportation corridors means alternative private educational institutions are easily accessed.

Monticello & North Hi Mount

Monticello and North Hi Mount are peaceful neighborhoods popular in Fort Worth for their proximity to downtown. Lying just two miles east from the urban center, some homes are blocks from the city’s arts and cultural destinations, like the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum. Adjacent to the Crestline Area, River Crest Country Club, and Camp Bowie Blvd, this area combines accessibility with history and style.

Nextdoor residents describe Monticello as a walkable, well-maintained and charming neighborhood with friendly neighbors and convenient access. It estimates around 2,777 people live within Monticello’s boundaries, with 72 percent of residences owner-occupied. Monticello has an active neighborhood association promoting quality of life and special events for the area’s residents.

Monticello dates back to the 1930s. The result of early restrictions today translates into a charming urban community with spacious lots and tree-lined streets. The range of residential architecture is a testament to the community’s long growth and development. You can find English Tudor-inspired homes beside Colonial Revival.

Current list prices range from $157K to $1.43 M. The median sale price is $575K. As a true testament to the area’s variety, square footage ranges from 806 to 5,850. A typical home is on a quarter-acre lot with three bedrooms.

Sandwiched between Monticello and Camp Bowie Blvd is the North Hi Mount community. In Fort Worth’s early days, this was the area for executive homes. Today, North Hi Mount is similar to Monticello, with an array of home styles and square footages. A typical North Hi Mount home was built in 1941, and the area’s current listed homes range from $279K to $1.2M. It does have a neighborhood association.

North Hi Mount residents tend to be educated, with 83 percent having a college degree. The median income of a North Hi Mount resident is reportedly $92,273. Comparatively, 82 percent of Monticello residents carry a college degree and have a median income of $82,117.

Monticello and North Hi Mount are part of the Fort Worth Independent School district. Zoned schools are North Hi Mount Elementary, Stripling Middle, and Arlington Heights High.

Tanglewood

One of Tanglewood’s most notable features is its tall trees. On Nextdoor, it’s cited as one of the things people love about Tanglewood--plus its walkability, parks, and schools.

Originally, homeowners had to build around existing trees which resulted in today’s shaded lots. Other early construction stipulations required homes to have a two-car garage attached to the house and to be brick or stone. The older homes often adhere to a ranch-style design, but as the founding deed restrictions have expired, new modern construction is popping up around the community.

Tanglewood is popular for its proximity to transportation highways like the Chisholm Trail Parkway. Fort Worth commuters can reach downtown or other areas of the city fairly quickly. Some properties are within walking distance of shopping, dining, or other amenities.

The Tanglewood neighborhood association advocates on behalf of residents and hosts events like block parties, Halloween trick-or-treating, and a parade.

Tanglewood homes currently range from $385K to $1.13 M with a median sale price of $384,900. Home construction dates back to the 1950s, with typically three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Tanglewood is part of the Fort Worth Independent School District. Its Tanglewood Elementary School was rated 10 of 10 on Great Schools. The area is zoned for Mclean Middle and Paschal High School.

Overton Woods, Park, and West

Due to their size and proximity, we are covering the areas of Overton Woods, Overton Park, and Overton West together. The Overton area lies between the Trinity River, River Hills, and Westcliff.

Access to greater Fort Worth is quick via I-30 or the Chisholm Trail Parkway. The area is in close proximity to dining, shopping, and entertainment options. For example, the Trinity Commons shopping area off Hulen St offers Starbucks, Ulta Beauty, and Designer Shoe Warehouse. The Overton Park Plaza just off Loop 820 is home to Sprouts Farmer’s Market and several chain restaurants. Overton is not far from Texas Christian University.

In the center of the community is Overton Park and Hartwood Park, a strip of green space with a popular biking trail and river views. The trail connects to the Trinity Trails biking path. Some streets are canopied by huge trees. Home sizes and styles range widely over the Overton area.

Overton Wood’s expansive homes date back to the 1980s up to present. About half of the homes are owner-occupied. Currently, home Overton Woods asking prices range from $768K to $1.75 million, with a median sale price of $749,000. Generally, single family homes have 4 bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Overton Park real estate currently ranges from $699,950 to $1.05 M, with a median sale price of $799,000. Here you will find expansive ranch-style homes. Its crime rate is relatively low. There is an Overton Park Neighborhood Association aimed at promoting the interests of the area’s residents and to improve the area’s parklands. There is a gated townhome community in Overton Park.

The small neighborhood of Overton West tucked between Overton Woods and Overton Park includes competitively priced, generously sized homes.  Current prices here range from $505K to $760K, with a median sale price of $517,450. The single-family homes come in an array of styles, typically reside on quarter-acre lots, and have 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms.

Overton is in the Fort Worth Independent School District. The nearby Tanglewood Elementary is a highly rated public school. Other public secondary schools for the area are Mclean Middle and Paschal High. Two charter schools, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, and the Texas School of the Arts, are nearby.

Mira Vista

The Mira Vista Country Club anchors the luxurious Mira Vista community. A full-service, member-owned country club, the community centerpiece offers an outstanding championship par-71 golf course with world-class amenities. Mira Vista is the only 24-hour gated golf course community in Fort Worth, Texas. The single-point-of-entry enhances security and means no-through traffic for the community.

Located in southwest Fort Worth, Mira Vista is near the Chisholm Trail Parkway and a short seven miles from the heart of downtown. The community is the perfect escape from the hustle of urban living without sacrificing proximity to excellent dining, shopping, and entertainment.

The community offers stunning vistas through its 700-acre development. Special attention was paid to its landscape, preserving wooded areas, brooks, and lakes. Each home site was designed to offer a secluded, personal experience. Walking trails wind through the community. A pavilion overlooks the lake, as do some of the homes.

Homes in Mira Vista currently range from $659,500 to $5.85 M. The median sale price is $944,450. Construction began in 1988 and continues through the present day. Homes typically are on half-acre lots, but can range up to three acres. An average home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Square footage ranges from 2306 to 12,268.  All new home plans are reviewed to ensure they align with community’s high standard of design principles.

Montserrat

To the far west of downtown Fort Worth awaits the gated community of Montserrat. Discover some truly spectacular homes in Montserrat. This exclusive residential community offers over 210 home sites, two parks totaling over 30 acres, a community clubhouse, pool, and a sports court.

What stands out about Montserrat, besides the exquisite residences, is its natural beauty. Thanks to the community’s higher elevation, you have 50-foot cliffs overlooking Mary’s Creek, glittering views of the downtown skyline, and lush, and rolling hills. The developers instituted landscaping and development standards intend to preserve Montserrat’s natural beauty.

Montserrat lots range from smaller “garden” and “vista,” to the luxurious “chateau” and “estate” lots. The design standards and restrictive covenants ensure superior construction and design throughout the community. For example, homes are required to be primarily masonry material and have masonry or iron fences. There is on-site property and HOA management.

In terms of security, the guardhouse is manned 24/7. A security vehicle makes regular neighborhood patrols. Perimeter fencing adds to resident’s peace of mind. The parks have outdoor lighting to improve nighttime access and safety.

Current prices range from $729,900 to $7M. The median sale price is $1.15M. Typical lot size is 0.74 with five bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Access greater Fort Worth through Montserrat’s two entrances. The South Entrance immediately drops residents into I-820. The downtown center is approximately 15 minutes away. The recently opened Bella Plaza Montserrat at the intersection of Team Ranch Road and Loop 820 plans to provide retail, dining, and other consumer services for Montserrat residents. The fashionable Salons of Volterra, currently open, was twice named Best Day Spa by Fort Worth Magazine.

Montserrat is in the Fort Worth Independent School District. Public institutions for Montserrat include Waverly Park Elementary, Leonard Middle, and Western Hills High. Parents should consider one of Fort Worth’s establish private schools like Fort Worth Country Day School, Trinity Valley School, and All Saints Episcopal School.

Finding the Right Luxury Home for You

When it’s time to buy your next home, keep in mind the ideal features you want. Your home shopping list should have categories based on must-haves, nice to have, and not necessary. Prioritize your needs. Do you want a luxury home near the downtown core, perhaps in Monticello? Do you want your home to be an escape with stunning views, such as residences in Montserrat? Perhaps security is a top priority, so you want a gated community like Mira Vista.

Do your own research about the luxury communities in Fort Worth, but when it’s time, consult with the luxury real estate experts at Chicotsky Real Estate Group. Backed by the power of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International, luxury is built into our brand and our service.