Founders Ridge

Pros

• The community is described as awesome and caring for one another.
• The homes are beautiful.
• Residents note that more people caring for others would be wonderful.
• Living there is awesome.
• They were glad they visited Founders Ridge and chose a new build to customize within their budget.
• The neighbors have been welcoming but not intrusive.
• It was the best decision to move there.
• They were impressed with the layout of the model home and the workmanship.
• They have been very happy with their new home, the great neighbors, and the upkeep after more than a year.
• Ameritage was accommodating and easy to work with during the building process.
• Ameritage being a local contractor was a plus in their decision.
• Ted the builder was accommodating to their requests.
• The homes offer many customization options beyond cookie-cutter designs.
• The sunrise views over the mountain have not disappointed.

Cons

• Some homeowners were creeped out by the pest control company's door-to-door visits.
• The HOA president insulted a resident and called him a racial slur, "Spic."
• The HOA president rolled up and threatened the reviewer and their coworker.
• The HOA president told them they didn't belong in the area and it was out of their tax bracket because of the way they looked.
• The reviewer felt the community was not welcoming, especially to non-white residents.
• The reviewer would have given zero stars.

Review

Founders Ridge presents itself as a place where neighbors look out for one another and care about the community's well-being. In one vivid account, a resident describes how a neighborly instinct to protect the area from unsolicited pest control door-knockers was sparked by a board member's involvement. The concern wasn't just about a nuisance; it was about the sense of safety and trust within the neighborhood. The board member, Terry Kennedy, took steps to alert homeowners through direct conversations and an email, underscoring a shared commitment to keeping the community informed and secure. That act of looking out for others helped reinforce a feeling that the area's strength comes from collective care and mutual responsibility, a sentiment that many who live here appreciate when they reflect on the generosity they've witnessed among neighbors.

Yet not every experience in the community lands in the same positive column. A separate, vehement critique recounts a seriously troubling encounter in which the same board leadership was accused of hostility and racial prejudice. The writer asserts that, in their experience, they were singled out not for actions or behavior but for the way they look, and they describe being insulted and addressed with a racial slur by the HOA president. The accusation is stark: a request for fairness and respect was met with derogatory language, leading to a strong reaction that would have rated the experience as zero stars if that had been possible. The account speaks to a fear of being singled out or mistreated due to race, and it casts a shadow over what might otherwise be a warm community.

A related piece reinforces the sense that the community's atmosphere can feel unwelcoming to some, particularly those whom the writer perceives as not fitting a white, majority profile. The reviewer voices a painful reaction to what they describe as discriminatory conduct, stating that not being white made them feel excluded and unwelcome. The tone conveys how profoundly such experiences can alter the impression a visitor or newcomer takes away from their interactions with the HOA and its leadership. The implication is that, for some residents, the promise of a friendly, inclusive neighborhood is undermined by encounters marked by judgment or prejudice, creating a rift between the ideal of neighborly warmth and the reality some feel on the ground.

In contrast to experiences of tension or exclusion, Founders Ridge also receives high marks for its ongoing development, design options, and the sense of possibility that comes with buying a new home. Prospective and current homeowners alike describe choosing a new-build in order to tailor the space to their preferences, balancing cost with opportunity. The orientation on a hillside with mountain views and sunrises proves to be a recurring highlight, contributing to a sense of daily beauty that residents say makes up for the work of building and settling in. The process is portrayed as thoughtful and collaborative, with the builder, Ted, and the design partner Phyllis playing key roles in accommodating individual requests. The emphasis on customization and the belief that homes here are not "cookie cutter" resonates with buyers who want personal touches and flexibility in layout and finishes.

From the standpoint of construction and aftercare, Ameritage - the local contractor behind the project - appears as a tangible asset in residents' eyes. People recount positive experiences with the company during the building process, praising the straightforward, accommodating approach and the ease of working with a local contractor who understands the community's needs. This sense of practical, hands-on support translates into confidence about the finished product and a belief that the relationship between homeowner and builder contributes to a smoother, more responsive construction experience. Together with the builder's responsiveness, the quality of workmanship stands out as a notable strength of the Founders Ridge offering.

Long after moving in, residents continue to reflect on the balance between neighborliness and the occasional challenge that accompanies any community. Those who celebrate the positive aspects of living in Founders Ridge point to welcoming neighbors who respect boundaries rather than intrude, creating a sense of comfort and security. They speak of a choice to downsize as a practical move away from the burdens of yard work and the maintenance of an older home, paired with the satisfaction of enjoying a newer, more efficient living space. The overall message is that the neighborhood delivers on the practical benefits of modern construction, thoughtful layout, and a supportive local network, even as conversations about inclusivity and treatment continue to shape how residents experience community life.

Taken together, the feedback paints a complex portrait of Founders Ridge: a place where the best intentions - looking out for one another, sharing information, and building something new with care - coexist with experiences that are deeply troubling for some residents. There is a strong current of appreciation for the scenic setting, the ability to customize a home, and the responsiveness of local professionals who help turn a house into a home. At the same time, stories of perceived discrimination and unwelcoming treatment remind readers that not everyone experiences the same warmth and inclusion, and that the social climate of the HOA and its leadership can be a source of real distress. The community is unmistakably beautiful and seemingly well-intentioned, but the full picture includes both heartfelt neighborly support and troubling episodes that some residents say have left them feeling unsettled or excluded.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Athenian Diner Restaurant (1.2 miles)
• Joe's Filling Station (2.2 miles)
• Celtic Cavern (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Neil's Donuts (2.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Perkatory Coffee Roasters (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Provision State Coffee (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)

Physicians

• Community Health Center of Middletown (2 miles)
• Community Health Center (2.1 miles)
• Medical Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Center (2.3 miles)
• Radiologic Associates (2.4 miles)
• Open Mri of Middletown (2.5 miles)
• Middlesex Family Practice (2.8 miles)
• Middlesex Health Primary Care - Middletown (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Connecticut Valley Hospital (3.2 miles)
• Riverview Children's Hospital (4 miles)
• Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center (4.2 miles)
• Family Birthing Center (5.8 miles)
• MidState Medical Center (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Sage Park (3.8 miles)
• Washington Park (5.2 miles)
• Maxwell Park (6.9 miles)
• Hubbard Park (7.5 miles)
• Mill Pond Park (8.8 miles)

Theaters

• Picture Show at Berlin (4.9 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (5.9 miles)