North Fargo Neighborhood Guide
Longfellow, Fargo ND
Life moves at a different pace in Longfellow. A mature, tree-lined north Fargo neighborhood along the Red River, Longfellow offers oversized lots, well-maintained homes built to last, and two of Fargo's best outdoor amenities, Edgewood Golf Course and the Red River trail, right at the edge of the neighborhood. It is the kind of place people move into and stay in.
12,600+ sq ft
Median lot size, larger than most newer south Fargo developments.
1960s-1980s
Primary build era, with strong appreciation for the age of the housing stock.
Golf + River
Edgewood public golf course and Red River trail both at the neighborhood edge.
Golf & River: Longfellow's Outdoor Anchors
No other north Fargo neighborhood sits at the intersection of a public golf course and Red River trail access. For buyers who want outdoor recreation woven into their daily life, Longfellow is the address.
Northern Edge
Edgewood Golf Course
Edgewood Golf Course is a public 18-hole layout at the northern edge of Longfellow, owned and operated by Fargo Parks. For homes near the top of the neighborhood, the golf course is a backyard view and a short walk to the first tee. A bike and walking path runs along the course perimeter, giving non-golfers access to the green space without the greens fee.
The combination of a public course, no membership and no waiting list, with immediate neighborhood access is rare in the Fargo metro. Rose Creek has its own course to the south, but Edgewood is larger and more accessible as a public amenity.
Eastern Edge
Red River Trail Access
The Red River runs along Longfellow's eastern boundary, with trail access for walking, biking, and fishing. The river trail system connects through multiple north Fargo parks, giving residents a green corridor that stretches well beyond the neighborhood's borders.
Anglers in particular find Longfellow compelling. The Red River is one of the best walleye and catfish fisheries in the Upper Midwest, and having river access from your neighborhood eliminates the drive that most Fargo anglers take for granted. For buyers who measure quality of life in early mornings on the water, this is not a minor detail.
Edgewood's fairways to the north. The Red River's walleye and catfish to the east. No other north Fargo neighborhood puts both outdoor anchors within a short walk of a quiet residential street.
What Makes Longfellow Different
Mature trees, oversized lots, and a pace of life that newer developments cannot manufacture. Longfellow has the kind of neighborhood character that takes decades to develop, because it did.
Lots That Set It Apart
The median lot size in Longfellow exceeds 12,600 square feet, larger than the typical lot in many of Fargo's newer developments, including The Wilds and Osgood. That space translates into genuine separation between homes, mature landscaping that has had decades to establish itself, and backyards that actually feel like backyards. For buyers who have toured newer neighborhoods and found the lots cramped, Longfellow is often a revelation.
Appreciation That Surprises
Buyers focused on new construction sometimes overlook Longfellow. That is a mistake. The homes here, split-levels and ranch-styles built between the 1960s and 1980s, have appreciated well above what their era might suggest, driven by lot size, location, and a neighborhood that genuinely takes care of itself. Longfellow competes on price with many newer south Fargo neighborhoods while offering considerably more land and established character.
Distinctive Homes
Different shades of paint, shingle siding, stone detailing, brick accents. Longfellow's homes have the individual character that comes from decades of owners making their own choices. There is no uniform exterior palette. Every block looks a little different, and that variety is part of what gives the neighborhood its feel. Custom builds and heavily updated homes are scattered throughout, making the top of the market here a genuinely interesting tier to explore.
A Neighborhood That Knows Itself
Longfellow residents tend to stay. The turnover is lower than comparable-era Fargo neighborhoods, which means the community has genuine continuity. Neighbors know each other, the streets are quiet and well-maintained, and the social fabric that makes a neighborhood feel like one is actually intact here. For buyers who want a place to put down real roots rather than a five-year home, Longfellow keeps coming up.
North Fargo Access
University Drive North connects residents quickly to North Fargo's commercial corridors, including groceries, dining, hardware, and retail. Downtown Fargo is a short drive south. NDSU is accessible without getting on the interstate. The neighborhood's position in north Fargo gives it easy access in multiple directions without being hemmed in by a single corridor.
Local Dining on the Doorstep
Labby's, a well-loved north Fargo eatery, is close by, the kind of neighborhood restaurant that anchors a community's identity in a way that chain dining never does. Combined with the broader dining options accessible along University Drive, residents have good everyday options without driving to south Fargo.
Homes & Pricing
What You'll Find Here
Longfellow's housing stock spans a wide range of sizes and conditions, from modest well-kept ranches to heavily updated custom homes with premium finishes and generous lots.
Entry & Mid-Range
Original-Footprint Ranches & Split-Levels
The most accessible tier in Longfellow includes split-level and ranch homes with original footprints, solid bones, and the lot sizes that make this neighborhood distinctive. Many are move-in ready; some offer opportunities for buyers who want to update on their own terms and timeline. A strong entry point for buyers who want north Fargo access, outdoor amenities, and a well-established neighborhood without stretching into the upper tiers.
Updated & Move-Up
Renovated Kitchens & Finished Basements
The middle tier is where updated and renovated Longfellow homes live. New kitchens, finished basements, updated mechanicals, and improved exteriors on the same oversized lots. This is the strongest value tier in the neighborhood for buyers who want the character of an established home with modern-standard finishes. These are the homes that tend to generate the most competition when priced right.
Premium & Golf Course
Custom Builds & Golf Course Adjacency
Homes at the top of the Longfellow market, including those with golf course adjacency, premium updates, or substantially expanded footprints, represent the full potential of what the lot sizes here can support. Custom builds scattered through the neighborhood represent a smaller share of inventory but are a genuinely interesting tier to explore.
Longfellow inventory can be thin, and residents who move in tend to stay. Connecting with WSRT before searching is the most reliable way to be notified when the right home becomes available.
Schools
Schools Serving Longfellow
Longfellow feeds into Fargo Public Schools with a neighborhood elementary school and strong secondary options in north Fargo.
Longfellow Elementary School
Ben Franklin Middle School
Fargo North High School
Always verify current enrollment zones with the school district before purchasing, as boundaries can change.
Is It a Fit?
Who Longfellow Is a Great Fit For
Longfellow draws a buyer who knows what they are looking for, and usually finds it here. Here is who tends to love it most, and what to know before you commit.
Strong Fit
- Buyers who want large lots and mature landscaping that newer neighborhoods simply cannot offer
- Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who want Red River trail and fishing access from their neighborhood
- Golfers who want a public 18-hole course at the edge of their backyard with no membership fee
- Buyers who value community character and low turnover over new construction finishes
- Move-up buyers looking for value. The appreciation history here often surprises buyers focused on south Fargo
- Renovation-minded buyers who want an established home on a great lot and the freedom to update it their own way
- Buyers who work in north Fargo or NDSU and want to minimize their commute
Worth Knowing Before You Commit
- Homes built in the 1960s-1980s are carrying aging infrastructure. Mechanical systems, roofing, windows, and electrical panels are all on update cycles. Budget for these and commission a thorough inspection regardless of the listing price.
- Longfellow is car-dependent for major retail. While north Fargo's University Drive corridor is accessible, the neighborhood does not have walkable grocery or big-box retail.
- Some homes near the Red River may carry flood insurance requirements. The Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Project, currently under construction and designed to protect the metro to the 500-year floodplain level, is expected to significantly improve the flood insurance landscape upon completion. Confirm current requirements with your lender.
- The inventory in Longfellow can be thin at times. Residents who move in tend to stay, which means waiting for the right home requires patience and a connection with WSRT to be notified when something becomes available.
- Buyers accustomed to new construction finishes should set expectations before touring. The value here is in the lot, the location, and the bones, not the countertops.
Ready to Explore Longfellow?
Longfellow homes move on their own timeline, and the buyers who get the right one are the ones who are connected before the listing hits the market. WSRT stays close to this market and watches it closely. Let us help you find your place in it.
Let's Talk
Buying, selling, or just exploring the Fargo-Moorhead market, start with a real conversation.
No pressure, no scripts. Reach out and we'll tell you plainly what we see and what we'd do next.