Glen Ridge

Bird enthusiasts will find themselves right at home in Glen Ridge, a 100-acre town that lies 5 miles southwest of West Palm Beach. This residential area and registered bird sanctuary is tucked into the corner of Interstate 95 and Southern Boulevard. It’s home to starlings, yellow-billed cuckoos and storks, with roughly 250 full-time residents of the human variety. A canal separates the little town from subdivisions to the southwest, Palm Acres Estates and Flamingo Park among them. You have to take South Congress Avenue to cross between these two sides. In addition to the literal birds, you won’t find it strange to see and hear planes taking off or landing, as the entire area is just southeast of Palm Beach International Airport.

Due to its small population, houses don’t often go on the market in the Town of Glen Ridge. They’re mostly established ranch-style homes with clapboard siding, though some houses might have updated exteriors, or two stories. Most homes near the lakes or the canal have more yard space. There aren’t sidewalks, so you can either walk on the grassy sides of the road, or stick to getting around by car. The subdivisions on the other side of the canal are also primarily established ranch-style houses, ranging in price from $320,000 to $625,000. Except for Florida Mango Road and Summit Boulevard, major roads that cut through the area north to south and east to west, there aren’t any sidewalks. Public transportation is available in this area on Summit Road and South Congress Avenue.

Students can attend Meadow Park Elementary School, graded A-minus on Niche, Conniston Community Middle School, graded B-minus on Niche, and Forest Hill Community High School. Forest Hill Community High, graded B-minus on Niche, offers programs including the International Baccalaureate, culinary arts and criminal justice. Meadow Park Elementary is in walking distance of the surrounding homes in the subdivision-side of Glen Ridge, and about a 10-minute drive from the Town of Glen Ridge. Conniston Middle is roughly a 5 to 10-minute drive, depending on if you live in town or in the subdivisions, and Forest Hill High is a 10-minute drive away. Somerset Academy Lakes, a public charter school graded B on Niche serving elementary school students, is also an option. Like Meadow Park Elementary, Somerset Academy Lakes is in walking distance of nearby houses on the subdivision-side of Glen Ridge, and a 10-minute drive from the town.

Depending on where you live, it might be easier to shop at Presidente Supermarket 38, which you can reach by heading south on South Congress Avenue. Head east on Southern or Summit Boulevard to reach the Publix Super Market at Southdale Shopping Center, or west of Summit Boulevard to reach the Publix Super Market at Polo Grounds Mall. Each of these stores is no more than a 10-minute drive away. When you’re out grocery shopping, you might stop by one of the restaurants close to the stores. For example, you can get classic diner fare at Bees Knees Diner near Presidente Supermarket.

Golf enthusiasts interested in a luxury golf experience may be interested in the nearby Trump International Golf Club, which boasts 27 magnificent fairways and greens, fine dining and other amenities. East of I-95 you’ll find educational opportunities at Cox Science Center and Aquarium, which offers hands-on exhibits and large aquariums to get kids excited in science, and Palm Beach Zoo, a zoo and botanical park with rare animals, and a rainforest section. The zoo is near an access point to Dreher Trail, which you can take north to the disc golf course or south to the playground at Dreher Park, or all the way to Dreher Dog Park at the end of the trail.

Nature and wildlife isn’t far from your front door in Glen Ridge.

Written By

Leah Rambadt

Photography Contributed By

Yanan Sun

Video By

Scott Wiggins