Choosing a luxury home in Edina is as much about neighborhood character as it is about the house itself. Maybe you want a walk-to-dinner lifestyle near 50th & France, or perhaps you crave a private, wooded estate with room to breathe. In this guide, you’ll see how six of Edina’s most coveted enclaves differ on architecture, lot size, walkability, and day-to-day feel so you can narrow your search with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Country Club: Historic, walkable charm
Country Club, officially the Edina Country Club District, is one of Minnesota’s earliest master-planned suburbs. Most homes date from 1924 to 1944 with authentic revival styles like Tudor, Colonial Revival, and French Provincial. The district is locally designated, and exterior demolitions or major street-facing changes require a Certificate of Appropriateness, which preserves the neighborhood’s historic integrity. You can review the heritage overlay on the City’s page for the Edina Country Club District.
Lots here are mature and landscaped with a formal, timeless feel. Parcels are substantial compared to many metro neighborhoods, though not in the multi-acre estate category. Tree canopy and consistent setbacks create a cohesive streetscape that many buyers value.
Walkability is a standout. From many blocks you can reach 50th & France or Minnehaha Creek trails in a short walk. If you prize architectural authenticity plus pedestrian access to daily amenities, Country Club delivers a distinct experience.
Rolling Green: Estate living and privacy
Rolling Green is Edina’s classic estate district with a park-like street plan and very limited through traffic. Housing spans mid-century ramblers to custom two-story homes and newer luxury builds, all set to emphasize privacy and green views. For a deep dive on history and character, explore the Rolling Green neighborhood guide.
Lots rank among the largest in Edina. Multi-acre holdings exist, and golf course edges and wetlands buffer the neighborhood, enhancing the secluded feel. A recent multi-acre estate even drew regional attention for its scale and setting, as noted in Axios’ coverage of a record-listing country estate.
Walkability is limited. This is a car-dependent enclave designed for quiet streets, space, and privacy rather than errands on foot. If you want a country-estate atmosphere close to the city, Rolling Green is your benchmark.
Parkwood Knolls: Wooded lots, custom homes
Parkwood Knolls blends generous, wooded parcels with a mix of mid-century ramblers, custom two-stories, and recent high-end infill. Many homes sit on lots in roughly the 0.3 to 0.8 acre range, with room for outdoor amenities. The neighborhood connects to Walnut Ridge Park and the Nine Mile Creek trail network, as detailed in the Parkwood Knolls neighborhood guide.
Day-to-day, Parkwood Knolls offers suburban calm with convenient road access. Most errands are a short drive, and parts of the neighborhood sit closer to Hopkins retail and major routes. Homes.com characterizes the area as generally car-dependent with quick driving access to shopping; see the Parkwood Knolls overview for a snapshot.
If you want space, trees, and a refined single-family setting without the full estate scale of Rolling Green, Parkwood Knolls is a strong fit.
Arden Park: Creekside and close to 50th & France
Arden Park pairs creekside living with one of the best walks to 50th & France. You’ll find a blend of 1940s storybook and Cape Cod homes alongside architect-led new construction. The neighborhood’s namesake park and Minnehaha Creek add trails, winter rinks, and room to unwind.
Lots are typically moderate, often deep and shaded, which creates privacy without losing the street’s social energy. The park serves as a central green and a daily gathering point. For a practical snapshot of lifestyle and location, see the Arden Park neighborhood guide.
Walkability is a prime draw. Many blocks sit just a few minutes from coffee, dining, boutiques, and services. If your ideal weekend includes a creek walk and a quick stroll to dinner, Arden Park should be on your shortlist.
Minnehaha Woods: Leafy creek corridor
Minnehaha Woods lines the creek with a mix of 1930s homes, classic mid-century styles, and targeted infill on deeper parcels. The area keeps a calm, leafy character while allowing for modern rebuilds where lots support it. For neighborhood context, see the Minnehaha Woods guide.
Lots range from moderate to deep, and new construction often takes advantage of depth to create indoor-outdoor living without overpowering the street. The creek is the star here, with easy access to nearby parks and recreational paths.
While not as walkable to retail as Arden Park or White Oaks, many blocks sit within a short drive of 50th & France. If you want creek access and a storybook feel without estate-scale acreage, Minnehaha Woods is appealing.
White Oaks: Leafy, storybook next to 50th & France
White Oaks is a 1930s-era neighborhood named for its mature oak canopy. Architecture includes 1.5-story cottages, Tudors, Colonials, and thoughtfully designed high-end rebuilds. Tree-lined streets and wetlands pockets create a quiet, established mood.
Most lots are suburban in scale, though occasional acre-plus parcels appear and attract custom builds. The neighborhood’s edge location next to 50th & France makes for easy dining and errands while keeping a tucked-away feel. For a concise overview, explore White Oaks near 50th & France.
If you want shade, character, and a short walk to a lively retail district, White Oaks is hard to beat.
Quick compare: style, space, walkability
Architecture
- Country Club: Early 20th-century revival styles with strong historic integrity and design review.
- Arden Park, Minnehaha Woods, White Oaks: 1930s–1940s cottages and Tudors plus selective high-end infill.
- Rolling Green, Parkwood Knolls: Mid-century through newer custom homes with larger formats.
Lot size and privacy (largest to smaller, generally)
- Rolling Green: Estate-scale, including rare multi-acre parcels. 2) Parkwood Knolls and White Oaks: Generous wooded lots, occasional deeper or acreage sites. 3) Country Club: Mature, landscaped parcels short of estate scale. 4) Arden Park and Minnehaha Woods: Moderate to deep lots with block-by-block variation.
Walkability to 50th & France
- Most walkable: Arden Park and White Oaks.
- Moderate: Country Club, with nearby park corridors and a reasonable stroll to 50th & France depending on the block.
- Least walkable: Rolling Green and Parkwood Knolls, which are primarily car-oriented.
How to choose your best fit
Start with your daily rhythm. If a short walk to coffee, dinner, and services matters most, focus on Arden Park, White Oaks, and parts of Country Club. If privacy and acreage top the list, Rolling Green leads, with Parkwood Knolls close behind for larger but not estate-scale lots.
If you plan to renovate or rebuild, understand neighborhood context. Country Club has a formal preservation overlay and requires a Certificate of Appropriateness for demolitions or major street-facing changes. Review the City’s guidance on the Edina Country Club District to align your plans.
For households considering school options, boundaries can vary by street. Verify assignment for a specific address through the Edina Public Schools site or by contacting the district. Many buyers also weigh commute routes, access to parks and trails, and proximity to 50th & France or Southdale.
Smart next steps for on-the-ground insight
- Test walkability. From a central block, time a walk to 50th & France and back. Do the same for the closest park or trail access.
- Visit at different times. Compare weekday evenings to weekend middays to gauge traffic, lighting, and activity.
- Explore the creek and parks. In Arden Park, Minnehaha Woods, and nearby corridors, walk the creek banks and footbridges to feel the environment.
- Confirm property specifics. Use parcel maps and active listings to understand lot lines and depths before you fall in love with a backyard plan.
- Clarify project feasibility. If you are eyeing a remodel or rebuild, align with local guidelines early, especially in Country Club.
Ready to focus your search or compare specific blocks? Work with a neighborhood expert who can surface on- and off-market options and help you evaluate each lot and house in context.
If you want a curated shortlist that matches your style, space, and walkability goals across these six neighborhoods, reach out to Josh Sprague. You’ll get targeted opportunities, renovation and valuation guidance, and a strategy tailored to your timeline.
FAQs
What makes Edina’s Country Club District unique?
- It is a locally designated historic district with 1920s–1940s revival architecture, and major exterior changes or demolitions require review, as outlined on the City’s Country Club District page.
Which Edina luxury neighborhoods are most walkable to 50th & France?
- Arden Park and White Oaks are among the most walkable, with Country Club also offering reasonable access depending on the block; see Homes.com snapshots for Arden Park and White Oaks.
Where will I find the largest residential lots in Edina?
- Rolling Green leads for estate-scale parcels, including rare multi-acre properties, as reflected in the Rolling Green neighborhood guide and notable recent estate coverage by Axios.
Are there teardown or renovation restrictions I should know about?
- Country Club has a heritage overlay and Certificate of Appropriateness review for demolitions and major street-facing changes; review the City’s Country Club District guidance. Other neighborhoods follow standard city permitting.
How do schools work in Parkwood Knolls and nearby areas?
- District boundaries can vary by street and may include different assignment patterns; verify address-specific information directly with Edina Public Schools.
Which neighborhoods balance privacy with quick driving access to shopping?
- Parkwood Knolls often strikes that balance, offering larger wooded lots with convenient drives to Southdale and nearby retail, as summarized in the Parkwood Knolls overview.
