Lakeland

Situated along the shores of the St. Croix River, West Lakeland Township combines the privacy and lot size of a rural setting with nearby modern conveniences and a 15-mile commute into the Twin Cities. “We like to say it’s a rural setting in a metro area,” says Dave Schultz, Former Township Chairman of West Lakeland. “We have low taxes and a lot of room to grow and build; the minimum lot out here for newer construction is two-and-a-half acres.” With access to expansive green space and nearby water access along the St. Croix River, abundant outdoor recreation is always within reach. Neighbors can catch a glimpse of the native bison at Belwin Conservancy or launch onto the river at the locally-owned Beanie's Marina. Despite being separated from neighbors on large lots, West Lakeland residents benefit from a small-town feel maintained through local eateries like the Bungalow Inn, mainstays like Windfall Equestrian Center and annual events like the Washington County Fair. While there may be a 20-minute drive into the Twin Cities, West Lakeland offers a secluded rural lifestyle with nearby everyday essentials and immediate access to U.S. Interstate 94. The real estate market in West Lakeland is highly competitive, with a majority of homes priced almost double compared to similar properties within areas like Lakeland and the Minneapolis Metro Area. The housing stock is varied but consists primarily of sprawling modern estates, built primarily around the 1980s, on sizable lots dotted with mature trees, often with impeccable landscaping. “Buyers are attracted to the privacy and lot sizes offered in West Lakeland — And the wide range of housing from affordable ranch styles to luxury estates,” says Melissa Clawson, Team Lead at Clawson Home Group with eXp Realty. West Lakeland offers a variety of home styles from traditional ranch and Cape Cods to expansive New Traditionals. Single-story ramblers and Cape Cods range from the high $200,000s to upwards of $2 Million for lots with around 2.5 acreage. While multi-story New Traditionals range from $400,000 to upwards of $1.6 Million. Homes with more acreage are subject to increased price points here. When seeking time outdoors, West Lakeland is equipped with a variety of outdoor recreation options due to the abundance of open greenery and nearby watersport opportunities provided by the neighboring St. Croix River. Locals can visit Beanie's Marina in Lakeland for days spent out on the river. The marina offers boating rentals and a bait shop perfect for stocking up on fishing essentials before casting a line. Nature lovers can immerse themselves in the 1,500 acres of untouched greenery at Belwin Conservancy. Visitors can explore miles of trails through the rolling hills and native tallgrass prairies that appeal to both families and seasoned hikers. The Conservancy is widely known for its population of bison, offering an up-close look at the largest grazing mammal in the United States between mid-May and late September, a herd of bison lives on the restored prairie. With ample room for an equestrian lifestyle, horse stables like Circle C Ranch, Serenity Farm and Windfall Equestrian Center offer riding lessons and boarding options within the community. While the Lake Elmo Airport within West Lakeland does not offer public international travel, the local runway is appealing to local businesses and individuals interested in taking flying lessons. Golf enthusiasts can visit the semi-private Stone Ridge Golf Club, offering an 18-hole course layout, on-site dining at Danny’s Kitchen and affordable membership options. Every year, neighbors gather along North 40th Street in Stillwater for the annual Washington County Fair. The fair is family-friendly, offering live entertainment on the park pavilion's main stage, hands-on exhibits, horse shows, and live tractor pulls. Visitors can grab a craft beer or a bite to eat at a variety of local eateries and food trucks on-site. Admission prices depend on age ranging from $2 for senior citizens to $10 for visitors 8 years and older. The longstanding event, which has been a tradition since 1871, is hosted from the end of July through the beginning of August. West Lakeland is sleepy and not where a buyer would go for urban amenities, but there are surrounding communities a short drive away with lots of shopping and dining destinations. Residents can shop at Tamarack Village, which features a variety of department stores and retailers, like JCPenney, T.J. Maxx and The Home Depot along U.S. Interstate 94. While groceries and everyday essentials are available at Whole Foods Market, Cub Foods and Target in neighboring Woodbury, an 8-mile drive from the community. “We’re bounded by the freeway, so it’s nothing to jump on there and drive 15 minutes in any direction,” says Schultz, who served as Township Chairman for 15 years. When dining in the area, locals can grab a home-style meal at the Bungalow Inn, known for their Friday fish fry and Karaoke Nights on Fridays. For a combination of Greek and Mediterranean-inspired meals, the family-owned Phil's Tara Hideaway offers a wide menu with a rotating selection of fresh produce based on the bounty of the season. Or check out the Lakewood Tavern for a relaxing dining environment, an all-American meal and happy hour specials from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. Students in West Lakeland can attend schools like Afton-Lakeland Elementary, Oak-Land Middle and Stillwater Area High School, which have earned ratings of B, B-plus and A-minus from the educational review site, Niche. Afton-Lakeland Elementary School offers the Adventure Club program for parents in need of after-school child care for students from preschool through Grade 5. Oak-Land Middle School offers a variety of after-school activities from the National Junior Honor Society and Yearbook Club to the Ski and Snowboard Club, which provides bus transportation to Afton Alps for six sessions from January through March. Stillwater Area High School offers an advanced curriculum with 20 AP courses for the opportunity to earn college credit. Charter options like St. Croix Preparatory Academy are also available. St. Croix is a public charter school that offers kindergarten through Grade 12 in its lower, middle and upper sections on the same campus. The school’s educational philosophy is based on the classical methodologies of grammar, logic and rhetoric. Private options like St. Croix Catholic School and Salem Lutheran School are also common. Residents in West Lakeland rely on the St. Croix Scenic Byway for easy access to U.S. I-94 and neighboring areas like Lakeland and Hudson. The St. Croix Scenic Byway stretches approximately 124 miles from Point Douglas to Sandstone and is known for its riverside views, mountainous terrain and rolling landscape common throughout the St. Croix River Valley. Those seeking public transportation can visit Lakeland Park & Ride, offering Greyhound bus rides into the Twin Cities. When traveling further outside the community, residents are 25 miles from Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport. Healthcare is available 8 miles East at Hudson Hospital Emergency Center.