Contrary to the name, there aren't really any hills in North Richland Hills to speak of. Nobody knows for sure how they came up with the name of the town, actually.
This suburb in the fast-growing Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is actually the third largest city in Tarrant County on the Fort Worth side. Locals call this popular town NRH for short. How popular is it? Well, the population is really exploding, having grown by 15% between 2000 and 2012 alone. There's a lot to like about living in NRH, from safe streets, lots of green space and all the businesses you'd ever need. It's also conveniently located next to the popular "Mid-Cities" area that includes Hurst, Euless and Bedford.
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Moving to North Richland Hills
North Richland Hills has a great location, with easy access to either Fort Worth or Dallas but with a slower pace of life than either of these two large, bustling cities. If you've decided that North Richland Hills is the right place for you -- and why wouldn't you? -- it shouldn't be too hard to find apartments for rent.
The apartment complexes in North Richland Hills are spread out pretty evenly throughout the city, with clusters of a few complexes here and there. It's not like in some cities where all the apartments in the whole city are segregated to the same exact neighborhood (often intentionally so because of zoning laws.) Some apartment communities are located along Loop 820, which gives you easy access for commuting into Dallas or Fort Worth for work or for play. There are some very new, very fancy apartments and townhomes, particularly along Mid Cities Blvd. Older complexes are located in the Holiday Lane area, and these offer the biggest bang for your buck because a willingness to live in a little bit older of a property can save you hundreds of dollars every month!
If you are interested in house rentals or renting a duplex, NRH has lots of affordable options for that, too. Nearly half of the homes here were built in the 1970's and 1980's during a previous real estate boom, including many which are now rental properties today. The advantage of the older houses and condos for rent in NRH is that they're a perfect "starter home" in terms of size - the average such home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. Did we already mention that they're really affordable?
When you look for rental property in North Richland Hills, you should be prepared to put on your "good tenant" face. Bring your proof of employment, a complete credit report and those all-important security deposits. If you're moving with a pet, you should be prepared to pay extra deposits for a pet-friendly apartment.
But what if your credit has taken some hits, or you haven't been at your job very long? Well, luckily the fact that the housing stock is older might be on your side here, too. You might have an easier time finding a second chance apartment or an understanding landlord, especially if you're willing to put down some extra deposits or sign a longer lease.
North Richland Hills Neighborhoods
NRH doesn't have distinct neighborhoods per se, but it is roughly divided in half in terms of the types of homes you'll find in each area.
Northern Side: The northern end of North Richland Hills runs right along the border of ultra-popular suburbs like Keller and Colleyville. When you want to find the newest buildings, country chic shopping and ladies who lunch, Keller and Colleyville are where it's at. Just follow Davis Blvd and Highway 26 straight north and you will run straight into these newer suburbs. This half of NRH definitely tries to "keep up with the Jones'" with its trendy northern neighbors.
Southern Side: While not isolated farm land, the south half of NRH definitely has a more rural, relaxed feel to it. Loop 820 and Hwy 121 make driving to pretty much anywhere a snap when you're ready for a little more action. As you travel south, you'll run into more and more parks, lakes and rivers guaranteed to keep your free time as active or relaxed as you desire.
The Good Life in North Richland Hills
Life seems almost too easy in North Richland Hills. You have access to one of the best job markets in the country for several decades running. Not only are there are a lot more jobs here, housing is comparatively affordable. On top of the great cost-of-living factors, you can also enjoy great weather here. The Dallas/Fort Worth area does have some colder days each winter and usually gets only one or two ice storms, but the ice storms are rare and usually melt within a day or two. Summers are really hot, with many weeks in a row of temperatures above a scorching 90 degrees. Most people think the best time of year is in March and April, when other parts of the country are still getting occasional snow but the temperature here range between 60 to 70 degrees and the bluebonnets are starting to bloom.
How about those brutal summers, though? North Richland Hills has your back. The NRH2O water park in the southern part of town is a popular place to beat the heat. The popular water park attracts overheated people from all over Tarrant County. From tame wave parks and kiddie pools to wet and wild uphill water rollercoasters, there's bound to be some type of ride here that meets your idea of fun and refreshment.
There are all kinds of parks in NRH that don't require you to get drenched, though. From Legacy Park to the Tipps Canine Hollow Dog Park, you can soak up some sunshine and fresh air. Get some exercise by hitting the trails, since North Richland Hills provides all kinds of walking paths, including the Cotton Belt Trail and the John Barfield Trail.
Like to go out to eat? So does pretty much everyone else around here! In addition to the usual chain restaurants, North Richland Hills has more mom-and-pop independent restaurants than you can imagine, too. A lot of the independent restaurants here have a really unique or quirky character, like Billadelphia's, a barn-shaped joint that proudly serves up Philly-style cheesesteaks, and From Across the Pond, a restaurant that serves British fare. Niki's Italian Bistro has standout dishes like lobster ravioli, and Back Forty Smokehouse dishes up Texas-style brisket.
When it's time to de-stress and unwind, North Richland Hills has you covered. Texas Salon Suites is legendary for their great salon services, and Skylight Massage and Skincare will relax you with a holistic Eastern approach to wellness. Jerry's Paw Spaw will even make sure your pooch is pampered, too! Golfers will love the Iron Horse golf club, just south of Loop 820. From the practice range to the well-manicured 18 holes, this course ranks head and shoulders above the rest, especially considering it's a municipal course.
North Richland Hills has a great quality of life. You have easy access to all the shopping and shows in Fort Worth and Dallas when you want a taste of the fancy big-city life, but your day-to-day life has a calmer pace. With clean streets, a low crime rate, great weather and friendly neighbors, what more could you want?
