New Richmond

Settled by Irish farmers, the township of Erin Prairie still maintains its farming community. The area is about 45 miles from Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Off the beaten path, this community of just about 670 people has a definitively rural and agricultural vibe. The historic Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church sits close to the community’s center, and you’ll find farms and plant nurseries scattered throughout. Large expanses of open green space stretch between homes, providing a sense of privacy and seclusion to those who live here. You’ll find colonial revival farmhouses and modern-traditional homes, some with attached multi-vehicle garages. These homes sit on lots with plenty of acreage, often neighboring protected land or corn fields. Home prices in the area range from $550,000 to $775,000. Children in the community attend New Richmond Hillside Elementary School, which has an overall Niche grade of B-plus. The school was ranked as the number seven best public elementary school in Saint Croix County. Next, kids attend New Richmond Middle School, which has a B-plus overall Niche grade and was ranked as the third-best public middle school in Saint Croix County. Teenagers attend New Richmond High School, which has an overall Niche grade of B and was ranked as the number four best public high school in Saint Croix County. Lovers of the great outdoors flock to the Casey Lake Wildlife Area. Its 364 acres contain northern hardwoods and aspen forest, open grassland, restored prairie, wetland habitat and Casey Lake. Fishing at the lake is limited since it’s shallow and often experiences winter kills. There’s plenty of wildlife to observe in the area, with birding, trapping and hunting being popular pastimes. You’ll likely encounter pheasant, deer, grouse, woodcock and waterfowl on your visit. Locals can hike the area or explore via the lake on a canoe. Locals go to Twin Cities Airsoft & Paintball for a little friendly competition. Some courses are themed after significant historical battles, while others are based on popular video games. The park has a terrain full of forests, meadows, streams, bridges, hills, ravines and a lake, ensuring an exciting and dynamic experience. Meanwhile, Bases Loaded Saloon knocks it out of the park with fun drink specials inspired by America’s favorite pastime. There’s a baseball field right next to the saloon where local teams practice and compete. The community likes to come out and cheer on their team and then celebrate over drinks at the saloon. Fun community events like live music, indoor hunting contests and classic car shows take place at the local watering hole. Motorcycle enthusiasts meet up at Vinny’s Sports Bar & Grill for companionship and to watch the big game. Locals gather here for games of Texas Hold ‘Em, live music nights and bingo nights. You’ll find your standard tavern fare at the eatery. When residents crave seafood or steak, they head to Laurel’s Supper Club, a casual dining establishment with cozy décor. Along the nearby Highway 65, you’ll find plenty of places to eat, like Ready Randy’s Sports Bar & Grill, Culver’s and Champs Sports Bar & Grill. When locals need to grab groceries and other essentials, they head to Dick’s Fresh Market. If any of this appeals, Erin Prairie may be worth a look.

Located just south of New Richmond, Richmond is rural living at its best. Much of the neighborhood's landscape has not changed since the community was settled in the mid-19th century, with long stretches of rolling hills and woodlands. Throughout the community, you can find midcentury homes, ranging from cozy 3-bedroom homes for $215,000 to newly built properties that cost anywhere between $550,000 to $850,000. Many of the homes throughout the community sit on spacious lots, with some stretching over 3 acres. With large lot sizes, homes are often pretty spaced out from one another, giving residents as much privacy as they'd like. "It's a very friendly community," says Gina Knutson-Moe, Realtor with WESTconsin Realty. "It's a hometown community, and there's something about it that makes people want to work together and help each other out no matter what." Richmond is zoned to the New Richmond School District, giving parents in the area several highly rated schools for their children. Some school-aged children will start their academic journey at Hillside Elementary School, which has an overall B-plus rating on Niche. Students will then attend New Richmond Middle School, which also has an overall B-plus rating on Niche and offers each student a Chromebook to assist with their education. As a New Richmond High School Tiger, students can participate in many extracurricular activities, including the dance team that recently performed at a Minnesota Timberwolves game. Though residents can enjoy country living and the natural beauty around them, they're not too far from spending the day in the great outdoors with proximity to Willow River State Park. This expansive 2,800-acre park has miles of hiking trails and breathtaking views of Willow Falls and the Willow River Gorge. After a long hike, enjoy an afternoon lunch in the picnic area. You can spend the day staring at the stars on the campground, with over 100 sites available for reservation or just take the day to cast a line and get your catch of the day. There are also different areas for hunting throughout the year. Richmond is also home to Lundy, Ten Mile, Bass Lake and St Croix Prairie Waterfowl production areas, each encompassing hundreds of acres of wildlife preservation areas. Many residents can reach New Richmond and other surrounding communities using County Road A or Highway 65. Much of the area's shops and dining are in New Richmond, but residents are only a short drive from getting groceries or daily essentials from national retailers like Aldi or Walmart. Richmond is also 35 miles away from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, giving residents the ease of reaching plenty of big city amenities. However, you won't have to travel far for a good meal with several bars and eateries nearby. Located right across the street from each other, both Boardman Bypass and Meister's offers good spirits and a hometown vibe. Head to Meister's on the weekends to watch your favorite team play or to catch a live band play while you enjoy pub grub and a good drink. There's more than meets the eye when it comes to living in Richmond, as residents can enjoy the private living that the spacious homes afford, with many nearby amenities.

In the spring, millions of birds migrate to the upper Midwest — and the rural town of Stanton in St. Croix County. Home to more than five wildlife refuges, birdwatching and hunting are routine as the area is the primary habitat for waterfowl: ducks, geese and swans. “It’s a draw for people who like the outdoors,” says Jeremy Moe, Realtor with WESTconsin Realty, LLC. Stanton is known for its secluded feel, ample farmland and proximity to the Twin Cities. “Sixty-five percent of people here commute to the Twin Cities,” says Moe, who has lived in the area his whole life. Local mainstays like Laurel’s Supper Club and the annual Fun Fest in Downtown New Richmond contribute to the active community-oriented atmosphere that makes daily commutes into work worthwhile. “It’s a laid-back farming community with a rural vibe,” says Nicole Froehlich, Realtor at Compass Realty Group. “The best part is that we still have access to that city lifestyle across the St. Croix River.” And with the Wisconsin Highway 64 nearby, 45-mile trips into the Twin Cities are accessible within an hour’s drive. The real estate market in Stanton is competitive due to its limited inventory and proximity to downtown New Richmond. “It’s very affordable compared to the surrounding areas,” says Moe, who has been selling in the area for over 17 years. “Especially for first-time homebuyers.” With a median sales price of $400,000, homes here have increased since 2020, making prices more consistent with the average properties in the Minneapolis Metro Area. Single-family homes dominate the area, featuring styles from the mid-1900s. Stanton features a variety of home designs ranging from traditional ranch styles ranging from $300,000 to upwards of $500,000 and Craftsman-style homes ranging from $400,000 to the mid $500,000s. Homes here often feature manicured, lush green lawns and decently-sized paved driveways. Expansive wetlands comprise a quarter of Wisconsin's landscape, and Stanton is no different. It’s home to a series of wetlands comprising the St. Croix Wetland Management District. Stretching over 8700 acres, Stanton is home to more than five Waterfowl Production Areas, which provide hunting or bird-watching opportunities, prevent run-off and serve as a primary habitat for waterfowl. Teams can head to Hatfield Park for practice on the baseball fields while children burn energy on the playground on-site. There’s also a skatepark here, perfect for testing new tricks on the cement ramps. Golfers can visit the public New Richmond Golf Club and practice some swings on the 9-hole course or at the driving range. For bowling, residents can head to Gibby’s Lanes, which features 12 lanes and a family-friendly environment for a few frames nearby. Every July, neighbors gather in Downtown New Richmond for the annual Fun Fest, hosted by the New Richmond Chamber of Commerce. This four-day event features live music, carnival rides, a beer garden and a Parade on Sunday for residents to enjoy. Popular events like the bean bag tournament and hot dog eating contest garner camaraderie amongst neighbors. The Fun Fest is highly anticipated and attracts more than 6,000 visitors annually. Stanton residents are a 10-minute drive from Downtown New Richmond, which features a selection of grocery stores, like Dick's Fresh Market, Wal-Mart and Aldi, along W-65. When dining in the area, locals can head to Laurel’s Supper Club for a steak or seafood dinner and a side of their signature popovers with honey butter. Or check out the family-owned Vinny’s Sports Bar & Grill to watch the game or enjoy daily happy hour specials and Bingo on Monday nights. And visit Not Justa Cafe in Downtown New Richmond for a classic all-American meal and a casual dining experience. Families in Stanton are zoned between two school districts, New Richmond and Amery. Students can attend schools like Lien Elementary, Amery Middle and New Richmond High School, which have received ratings of B, B-plus and B from the educational review site Niche. Lien Elementary School partners with The Clubhouse, which offers before and after-school childcare, summer camp options and the Early Learning Center. Amery Middle School offers a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 and an English Language Learners (ELL) program incorporated into the curriculum for multilingual students. New Richmond High School offers a rigorous curriculum with 22 AP courses and several sports programs, such as girls’ and boys' ice hockey, powerlifting and wrestling. Stanton is primarily car-dependent, and residents rely on W-64 and W-65 for easy access to neighboring areas like New Richmond and Deer Park. When traveling further outside the community, the New Richmond Regional Airport is 5 miles away. While the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is around an hour's drive into the Twin Cities on W-64. Healthcare is available at Westfields Hospital, 8 miles away in neighboring New Richmond. Stanton received a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.