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Buy a large acreage lot to build a custom home on the space you want.
The dream is simple: a spacious home on several acres where your kids can play freely, you can add that workshop or home gym, and you actually have privacy from neighbors. The challenge? Finding acreage that doesn't mean an hour-plus commute, isolation from good schools and services, or a seven-figure price tag.
For decades, prospective acreage buyers faced an impossible choice: space or convenience, but rarely both. The South Metro Minnesota area—particularly Prior Lake, Lakeville, and surrounding communities—has changed that equation. Today, you can genuinely have expansive acreage living while maintaining quick access to Minneapolis-St. Paul, excellent schools, shopping, dining, and all the conveniences of metro life.
This comprehensive guide explores how acreage living works in the South Metro, compares the area's premier developments, and helps you understand whether this lifestyle shift makes sense for your family.
Let's start by acknowledging the challenge that makes many people think acreage living isn't realistic for their situation.
Scenario 1: The Affordable Acreage (That's Too Far)
You find beautiful 5-acre properties an hour northwest or southwest of the metro. They're affordable, spacious, and everything you imagined—except your commute becomes unbearable and you're 30+ minutes from basic services.
Scenario 2: The Convenient Acreage (That's Unaffordable)
You discover acreage in desirable inner-ring suburbs like Minnetrista or Medina. Perfect location, but the lot alone costs $800K-1.2M before you build anything. It's financially out of reach.
Scenario 3: The "Acreage" That Isn't
You settle for a 0.5-0.75 acre lot in a typical suburb. It's marketed as "spacious," but you still hear your neighbors, can't add the amenities you want, and don't get the privacy you were seeking.
The result: Many families give up on acreage entirely, convinced it's a fantasy for anyone who works in the metro or values convenience.
The South Metro—particularly communities like Prior Lake, Lakeville, Credit River, and Spring Lake Township—offers something rare: genuine acreage (2+ acres) with metropolitan convenience and reasonable pricing.
This isn't marketing spin. It's the result of specific geographic, infrastructure, and development factors that create ideal conditions for accessible acreage living:
Major Highway Access: Highway 35, Highway 13, and Highway 169 create excellent connectivity to Minneapolis-St. Paul and employment centers throughout the metro.
Mature Development Pattern: The South Metro has evolved beyond the "frontier" stage. You get services, shopping, and amenities without sacrificing space.
Land Availability: Unlike inner-ring suburbs where every parcel is spoken for, the South Metro still has land available for acreage development—keeping prices more reasonable.
School Excellence: Districts like Lakeville, Prior Lake-Savage, and New Prague consistently rank among Minnesota's best, eliminating the concern that acreage means sacrificing education quality.
Community Character: The South Metro attracts residents who intentionally chose acreage living—you're among like-minded neighbors who value space and nature.
One of the biggest concerns about acreage living is the commute. Let's get specific about actual drive times from South Metro acreage developments.
Morning Commute Times (Typical Weekday, 7-8 AM):
Key Factor: Quick access to Highway 35 means you're on major routes within minutes, not crawling through suburban streets for 15 minutes before reaching a highway.
Morning Commute Times (Typical Weekday, 7-8 AM):
Key Factor: Spring Lake Township location provides beautiful acreage while keeping you close to the Highway 13 and Highway 35 corridors.
Morning Commute Times (Typical Weekday, 7-8 AM):
Key Factor: Lakeville's position along the I-35W corridor provides excellent access to southern metro employment centers and quick routes north.
Here's what many people don't realize: these South Metro acreage commutes are often similar to or better than typical suburban commutes:
Example 1: Living in Plymouth and commuting to downtown Minneapolis during rush hour: 35-45 minutes. Living in Cardinal Pass with the same commute: 35-40 minutes. You're getting 3+ acres instead of 0.2 acres for the same drive time.
Example 2: Living in Woodbury and commuting to Eden Prairie: 40-50 minutes. Living in Harvest Bluffs with that same commute: 35-40 minutes. You save time AND get acreage.
The revelation: South Metro acreage doesn't add commute time—it often improves it compared to congested suburban routes.
Arc Properties has developed several exceptional acreage communities throughout the South Metro. Understanding the differences helps you identify which best suits your needs.
Location: Credit River area of Prior Lake
Lot Sizes: 2.5 to 4.33 acres
Available Lots: 15 lots currently available
Builder: Exclusive partnership with Homes by Moderno
What Makes It Special:
Ideal For:
Learn More: Cardinal Pass Development
Location: Spring Lake Township, Prior Lake area
Lot Sizes: Large wooded acreage lots
Character: Heavily wooded, private settings
What Makes It Special:
Ideal For:
Learn More: Harvest Bluffs Development
Location: Lakeville, between Prior Lake and Lakeville proper
Lot Sizes: 1.5 to 2.5 acres
Character: Beautiful wooded lots with solid acreage
What Makes It Special:
Ideal For:
Learn More: Tara Farm Development
Location: Prior Lake/Lakeville area
Character: Mature wooded lots with water views and proximity
What Makes It Special:
Ideal For:
Learn More: Scenic Bay Estates Development
Choose Cardinal Pass if you want:
Choose Harvest Bluffs if you want:
Choose Tara Farm if you want:
Choose Scenic Bay Estates if you want:
Understanding the commute is important, but acreage living is about more than drive times. Let's explore what daily life looks like in South Metro acreage communities.
Traditional Suburb Morning:
Wake up, rush through breakfast, navigate neighborhood streets and school zones, merge onto congested highway, arrive at work stressed.
South Metro Acreage Morning:
Wake up to sunrise over your 3 acres, enjoy coffee on your expansive deck with no neighbors visible, let kids play outside while you get ready, quick drive to Highway 35, smooth commute on less congested routes, arrive at work refreshed.
The difference isn't huge in minutes—it's huge in mental state and quality of experience.
Traditional Suburb Evening:
Fight traffic home, arrive to neighbors on all sides, kids want to play outside but space is limited, you want to work on projects but garage is cramped, noise from neighbors interferes with relaxation.
South Metro Acreage Evening:
Quick reverse commute (often faster than morning), arrive home to your private acreage, kids disappear onto the property for outdoor play, you can work in your oversized garage/workshop without bothering anyone, evening is genuinely peaceful.
You're not just getting more square footage—you're getting a fundamentally different daily experience.
This is where acreage living really shines:
Entertainment Without Constraints:
Hobby and Project Space:
Family Connection:
Pet Freedom:
One concern people have about acreage is being "too far" from services. The South Metro eliminates this worry:
From Prior Lake/Credit River Acreage:
From Lakeville Acreage:
The Reality: You're not "out in the country" where basic errands require 30-minute drives. You're in the South Metro where acreage living and convenient services coexist.
For families with children, school quality is non-negotiable. The South Metro acreage developments serve some of Minnesota's best school districts.
Reputation: Consistently ranked among Minnesota's top-performing large school districts
Serves: Tara Farm, portions of Cardinal Pass and other developments
Strengths:
Student Experience: Comprehensive programming from elementary through high school, strong college preparation, robust special education services.
Reputation: High-performing district with strong community support
Serves: Cardinal Pass, Harvest Bluffs, portions of other developments
Strengths:
Student Experience: Well-rounded education with attention to individual student needs, strong sense of school community.
Reputation: Excellent schools serving southern Scott County communities
Serves: Christmas Pines and properties in Elko New Market area
Strengths:
Student Experience: Personalized attention, strong community connections, students known as individuals not just numbers.
Here's what makes South Metro acreage unique for families:
You're not choosing between good schools and acreage—you get both. In many metro areas, acreage properties serve rural districts with limited resources. In the South Metro, acreage developments intentionally connect to excellent school districts.
Bus service is available to acreage homes in these developments. Your kids aren't stranded without transportation.
Kids have friends nearby because the developments create small acreage communities. They're not isolated as the only family on acreage in a 5-mile radius.
"Affordable" is relative, but South Metro acreage offers better value than you might expect.
Inner Ring Suburb (Minnetrista, Medina, Orono):
Distant Acreage (Carver, Western Scott County):
South Metro Acreage (Cardinal Pass with Homes by Moderno, Harvest Bluffs, Tara Farm):
South Metro acreage delivers the "sweet spot":
Beyond the sticker price, South Metro acreage offers financial advantages:
Property Appreciation: The South Metro continues growing and developing, supporting strong property value appreciation.
Lower Cost Per Square Foot for Improvements: Adding a pool, garage, or workshop on acreage costs less per square foot than similar additions on small suburban lots where every inch must serve multiple purposes.
Reduced Need for External Storage: No more paying $200-400/month for RV storage, boat storage, or self-storage units. Your property accommodates these needs. (Or consider Arc Properties' garage condos for additional storage investment opportunities.)
Energy Efficiency Potential: Acreage properties allow for geothermal systems, large solar arrays, and other efficiency improvements not practical on small lots.
Home Office Benefits: If you work from home partially or fully, having a true dedicated office space (or separate office building) provides tax advantages and improves work-life balance.
If you're seriously considering a move from traditional suburbs to South Metro acreage, here's what the transition looks like.
Property Maintenance: More acreage means more land to maintain. Budget for:
Winter Considerations: Longer driveways mean more snow removal responsibility. Options include:
Wildlife: Living on acreage means encountering deer, turkeys, occasional coyotes, and other wildlife. Most families love this, but it's different from suburban life.
Septic Systems: Many acreage properties use septic systems rather than municipal sewer. This means:
Space Feels Different: After years in suburbs with neighbors close, the space and privacy of acreage feels unusual at first. Most people quickly grow to love it, but there's a brief adjustment period.
Scheduling Shifts: You might need to be more intentional about social activities since you're not bumping into neighbors constantly. Acreage families often report fewer but deeper social connections.
Kids' Independence Grows: Children develop more independence on acreage, exploring property and entertaining themselves. This is positive but feels different from managed suburban play.
Nighttime Darkness: Without streetlights and neighbor windows, acreage properties are genuinely dark at night. Most people find this peaceful, but it's different.
Peace and Quiet: The absence of constant neighbor noise, traffic sounds, and urban din is transformative.
True Privacy: Walking outside in your pajamas, entertaining without worrying about noise, and feeling like your property is genuinely yours.
Space to Grow: As needs change, you can add buildings, amenities, or features without running out of room.
Natural Beauty: Watching seasons change on your property, seeing wildlife, and feeling connected to nature.
Family Benefits: Kids develop differently with space to explore, pets thrive with room to run, and family time feels less stressed.
If South Metro acreage living sounds appealing, here's how to begin exploring whether it's right for your family.
Schedule Tours: Contact Arc Properties to tour Cardinal Pass, Harvest Bluffs, Tara Farm, and Scenic Bay Estates. Walking the properties helps you:
Test the Commute: Drive from developments to your workplace during actual commute times. The drive will feel different than you expect—often better.
Explore the Area: Spend time in Prior Lake and Lakeville. Visit grocery stores, restaurants, and services. You'll quickly see that "acreage" doesn't mean "isolated."
Why Arc Properties for South Metro Acreage:
35+ Years of Local Experience: Arc Properties has developed thousands of homesites in Scott County and the South Metro since 1994. This expertise means:
Multiple Development Options: Unlike working with a single development, Arc Properties can help you compare Cardinal Pass, Harvest Bluffs, Tara Farm, and Scenic Bay Estates—matching you with the right acreage for your specific needs.
Transparent Process: Arc Properties operates with complete transparency, ensuring you understand every decision and cost. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Long-Term Relationship: Arc Properties remains your resource long after closing, answering questions and providing support as you settle into acreage living.
The paradox of acreage living—wanting space without sacrificing convenience—isn't actually a paradox in the South Metro. Prior Lake, Lakeville, Credit River, and Spring Lake Township offer something genuinely unique: 2+ acre properties with 30-40 minute commutes to Minneapolis-St. Paul, excellent schools, comprehensive services, and under-$1-million total packages with builders like Homes by Moderno.
