View Larger Map

While not gated, North Oaks neighborhood is private property.

The sign at the gate announces “No Trespassing – Private Road and Land” and people are expected to have a reason for entering this Ramsey County suburb of 4,200 residents. But if you do have a reason, it’s a treat to drive on these meandering roads along sprawling forests. The dense trees actually keep the area a degree or two cooler than the surrounding suburbs.

And these concealing woods make it easier to lose yourself on North Oak roads that seem to roll up and down in no particular pattern with little in the way of street signs. (Can you tell I got lost?) One feels very far from the urbanized sections of the Twin Cities with not a strip mall or office park in sight. North Oaks can make you forget those things even exist. Instead this northern suburb has amenities like the beach at sizeable Pleasant Lake, a country club golf course and amble cross-country ski trails.

The origins of North Oaks’ private roads go back to its founder, Louis Hill, son of railroad tycoon James J. Hill. He has some maverick notions such that communities and residences should be self-sufficient – right done to streets people live on. In North Oaks a homeowner’s property line extends to the middle of the road. And they tend to keep it simple; there are no streetlights or curbs in North Oaks.

Most of the housing is built on lots of more than 1½ acres with private well and septic systems. And sticking to the nonconformist style of North Oaks, there is a lack of architectural accord. Each home reflects the original homeowner’s taste, from modern to colonial to rambler – and many fall into the luxury category.

As of today the least expensive listing for the community is $369K and the most costly is $3.1 million. Most North Oaks homes on the market presently seem to hover around the million-dollar mark. Back in October, the Star Tribune wrote that homes priced in this range have a stronger market. Here’s an example of one such home with an open house on Sunday (April 13th) 1-3. (By the way, if the buyer of that $3.1 million dollar home used Webdigs and got back 2/3rds back of a 2.7 commission that would be $55,800 – just saying.)

So if you’re looking for a quiet place in the woods near solid communities like White Bear Lake and Shoreview, you just may have a reason to drive along North Oaks’ lovely private roads. But take someone else from Webdigs with you - I’d probably get ya lost.

Source: Portions of this post were gleaned with permission from a 2006 Star Tribune article by Jason Amundsen.

Lucie B. Amundsen is a local writer who listed her St. Anthony home with Webdigs yesterday. If the buyer uses a Webdigs agent they’ll get nearly $6K back - 2/3rds the buyer broker commission. Pretty cool, huh?