If you’re in the research phase of a custom home build, you’ve probably already discovered that “location” isn’t really one decision — it’s ten smaller ones stacked together. Lot size, school district, drive time, water access, tree cover, how many neighbors you’ll have and how close they’ll be. Getting clear on what actually matters to you before you start touring lots will save you from falling in love with a home site that doesn’t fit your life.
We build across a variety of distinct neighborhoods around the Twin Cities metro (or on your own lot!), and no two are alike. Some are quiet, tucked-away enclaves with a handful of homesites. Others sit on multi-acre lots with room to spread out. A few put you steps from a lake. This guide walks through what to weigh as you compare neighborhoods, then breaks down how each McDonald Construction community stacks up.
What to Think About Before You Pick a Neighborhood
How much land do you actually want to maintain? A quarter-acre lot in an established suburb and a 2.5-acre homesite in the countryside both let you build a beautiful custom home, but they come with very different weekends. Be honest about whether you want acreage for privacy and future projects, or whether you’d rather spend your time doing anything but yard work.
What’s your relationship to water and trees? Some buyers want to see a lake from their kitchen window. Others just want mature trees and a sense of privacy from the street. A few want both. Knowing which one matters more will narrow your list fast.
How does the school district fit your plans? Even if it’s not the deciding factor today, school district boundaries shape resale value and daily logistics for years. Look at which district each neighborhood falls under, not just the city name.
How far are you willing to drive? Chaska, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Shorewood, Cottage Grove, and West Lakeland Township all offer a different balance of metro access versus a quieter, more rural feel. Map your regular commute or drive to family before you fall for a lot.
Do you want an established community or a newer, up-and-coming one? Some of our neighborhoods are nearly built out, with mature landscaping and neighbors already settled in. Others are just getting started, which means more say in your final lot and the chance to be part of shaping the community from the ground up.
How many neighbors do you want? A three-lot cul-de-sac and a larger development both have their appeal — one offers a tight-knit, boutique feel, and the other offers a bigger sense of community. Neither is right or wrong, but it’s worth deciding which fits you.
With those questions in mind, here’s how our current and upcoming neighborhoods compare.
Carlson Bluffs & Ensconced Woods — Chaska, MN
Best for: buyers who want privacy, mature trees, and a strong school district without leaving the west metro.
These two connected neighborhoods sit on the southwest edge of the Twin Cities, in the East Carver School District #112. Wooded lots with valley views were carefully preserved during development, so if a private, tree-lined homesite is high on your list, this is one of the more established options we offer. You’re minutes from historic downtown Chaska, with Hazeltine National Golf Club and the Chaska Community Center nearby. Carlson Bluffs is the newer second addition to Ensconced Woods, so there’s still room here if you want the same wooded, tucked-away feel with a few more lot choices.
Purgatory Creek Estates — Eden Prairie, MN
Best for: buyers who want a small, close-knit neighborhood in a high-demand suburb.
At just seven homesites, Purgatory Creek Estates is one of our more intimate communities — a good fit if you want fewer neighbors and a quieter street without giving up Eden Prairie’s amenities, parks, and school system. If a boutique-scale neighborhood appeals to you more than a sprawling development, this is worth a look.
Three Oaks Estates — Eden Prairie, MN
Best for: buyers who want space, privacy, and water access in the same neighborhood.
Also in Eden Prairie but with a different feel, Three Oaks Estates sits on Crestwood Terrace with large lots, private access to Riley Creek, and legacy oak trees preserved throughout the development. If you’re weighing tree cover against acreage against water access, this neighborhood gives you a bit of all three, while still being close to Eden Prairie’s trail systems and shopping.
Shorewood Meadow — Shorewood, MN
Best for: buyers who want a small, exclusive lot near Lake Minnetonka.
This is one of our smallest and most exclusive communities — just a handful of lots on tree-lined streets, blocks from Lake Minnetonka, in the Minnetonka School District #276. If you’ve been drawn to the lake life but want a quieter street than a directly lakefront development, Shorewood Meadow is worth serious consideration.
Twin Pine Fields — West Lakeland Township, MN
Best for: buyers who want serious acreage and a rural feel near Stillwater.
If your answer to “how much land do you want” is “a lot,” this is the neighborhood to tour. Twin Pine Fields offers 2.5-acre homesites among rolling landscapes near Lake Elmo Park Reserve and downtown Stillwater, in ISD #834. It’s the most spread-out of our communities — a strong option if you want room for outbuildings, gardens, or simply distance from your neighbors, while still being a reasonable drive to the east metro.
Watersedge at Lochridge — Cottage Grove, MN
Best for: buyers who want lakefront living on a quiet cul-de-sac.
Our newest lakefront community overlooks Lake Robert on a private cul-de-sac framed by mature oaks, in the South Washington County School District #833. The city has also proposed a new lakeside park for the neighborhood. If direct water views and a quiet dead-end street are both on your list, this is for you.
Hampton Hills — Plymouth, MN
Best for: buyers who want lake and trail access without sacrificing convenience.
Hampton Hills is centered around a winding greenbelt and Lake Pomerleau, with a neighborhood park and trail system built in. It’s also one of our more convenient locations — close to shopping, restaurants, and everyday amenities in Plymouth. If you want natural surroundings but don’t want to give up quick access to daily errands, this is a strong balance between the two.
Marshall Farms — Coming Soon
Best for: buyers planning ahead and willing to get in early.
Details on Marshall Farms are still coming together, but if you’re early enough in your research phase that timing isn’t a constraint, it’s worth reaching out to get on the list. Being early to a new neighborhood often means more choice in lot placement and orientation before homesites start to go under contract.
Bringing Your List to Life
Every neighborhood above solves a different version of the same question: how much land, how much water, how many neighbors, and how far from everything else. Use the questions at the top of this guide to rank what matters most to you, then bring your shortlist with you when you tour our model homes.
Our team can walk you through available homesites, current pricing, and floor plan options for any of these neighborhoods — reach out to a new home consultant to start the conversation, or stop by one of our model homes, open Thursday through Sunday, 12–5 PM.