Ryde is an established residential area, with a commercial centre around the intersection of Blaxland Road and Devlin Street. Ryde (Top Ryde) is bounded by Melville Street, Blaxland Road, Lane Cove Road and Buffalo Road in the north, Princes Street in the east, Victoria Road in the south and Bowden Street and Hinkler Avenue in the west. Ryde (Top Ryde) is the central western section of the suburb of Ryde.

Major features of the area include Top Ryde Shopping Centre, Council offices and one school.

West Ryde is an established residential area, with commercial areas along Victoria Road and near the railway station, and an industrial area. West Ryde is bounded by Rutledge Street, the waterway, Warrawong Street, Darvall Road, Morvan Street, Shaftsbury Road, Bigland Avenue, Bencoolen Avenue, Chatham Road, Park Avenue, Reserve Street, West Parade, Marlow Avenue, Ryedale Road, Terry Road, Goodwin Street and Anzac Avenue in the north, Blaxland Road, TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute (Ryde College) and Bowden Street in the east, Macpherson Street, Rhodes Street, Bank Street, Constitution Road West, Adelaide Street and Andrew Street in the south and Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club, Victoria Road and Marsden Road in the west. West Ryde is named for the western part of Ryde, which is named after the town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

Major features of the area include TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute (Ryde College), West Ryde Centre, Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club, Anzac Park, Bell Park, Maze Park and a number of schools.