West Fargo Neighborhood Guide
The Wilds, West Fargo ND
Master-planned, family-centered, and still growing. The Wilds marks the southwestern frontier of West Fargo, where quiet side streets, connected trails, and new construction sit just minutes from the city's commercial core. It is one of West Fargo's largest and most searched neighborhoods, and it offers something rare: the feel of a small community without giving up access to everything around it.
Low $300s to $975K+
Typical price range across the neighborhood.
2 out of 10
CAP Index crime score, well below both national and metro averages.
$158K
Average household income in the neighborhood.
The Ranch at The Wilds
A private, amenity-rich sub-community built by Heritage Homes at the southern edge of The Wilds, bordering Horace, with 77 carefully designed homes, resort-style amenities, and a level of finish that sets it apart from the rest of the neighborhood. What sets The Ranch apart is its clubhouse, giving residents exclusive access to amenities that simply do not exist at this scale in any other West Fargo residential neighborhood.
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Exclusive to Ranch residents.
Indoor Golf Simulator
Year-round use, no green fees.
Fitness Center
On-site, steps from your front door.
77 Heritage-Built Homes
A boutique community scale, not a large subdivision, but a neighborhood within a neighborhood, surrounded by The Wilds' trail network and park access.
For buyers who want the community character of The Wilds with a premium residential experience layered on top, The Ranch is the most distinctive product in the neighborhood.
What Makes The Wilds Different
A master-planned community built with intention, with parks, trails, schools, and amenities integrated from the start rather than added later.
Master-Planned with Purpose
The Wilds was developed as a cohesive community, not a patchwork of individual subdivisions. Pocket parks, open green space, connecting trail systems, and consistent architectural standards were all part of the plan from the beginning. The result is a neighborhood that feels designed rather than assembled.
Dakota Park Year-Round
Dakota Park is the community's central outdoor anchor, a multi-use rink that hosts pickleball in summer and ice skating in winter, alongside a playground and covered shelter. It is the kind of neighborhood amenity that keeps residents outside and connected year-round, which is no small thing in a North Dakota climate.
Connected Trail System
Paved walking and biking paths run through The Wilds and connect into neighboring Westport Beach, creating a larger trail network than either community could offer independently. Ponds and open parks are woven along the route. Residents who prioritize outdoor access on foot or bike will find more here than in most comparable West Fargo neighborhoods.
The Lights: Right Next Door
The Lights shopping and dining plaza is immediately adjacent to the neighborhood. Tati's Mediterranean Saveur, Lundy's Ice Cream, fitness studios, outdoor movie events, and a growing lineup of local businesses make it one of the most walkable commercial nodes in southwest West Fargo. Residents in The Wilds can walk or bike to dinner.
New Construction, Still Available
Unlike most established West Fargo neighborhoods where new construction is long gone, The Wilds still has active development underway. Buyers who want a brand-new home with modern floor plans and warranties intact, without waiting on a spec build in a brand-new subdivision, can still find it here from builders like Verity Homes and Thomsen Homes.
Exceptionally Safe
The Wilds carries a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, well below both the national and Fargo-metro averages. The quiet, walkable streets that follow from this rating are a genuine draw for families and for buyers relocating from larger cities where crime data is a primary filter in their search.
Homes & Pricing
What You'll Find Here
The Wilds spans a wider price range than most West Fargo neighborhoods, driven by home size, lot position, and whether a property is in the main community or The Ranch sub-community.
Entry & Mid-Range
Ranch-Style & Bi-Level Homes
Ranch-style and bi-level homes built from the early 2010s onward make up the core of The Wilds' inventory. Craftsman, traditional, and Prairie-influenced designs on lots under a quarter-acre. Most homes feature fenced backyards, two-stall garages, and open floor plans.
Move-Up & Newer Construction
New Construction from Active Builders
Larger single-family homes from active builders, including Verity Homes and Thomsen Homes, occupy the mid-to-upper tier of the neighborhood. These offer current floor plans, modern kitchens, three-stall garages, and builder warranties for buyers who want new without going to Horace. A strong option for buyers who have outgrown their first home and want to stay in West Fargo.
The Ranch
Heritage Homes in the Premium Sub-Community
Heritage Homes-built properties in The Ranch sub-community occupy the top of the market in The Wilds. Exclusive clubhouse access, consistent premium finishes, and a boutique community scale represent the top tier of pricing in The Wilds. Inventory in The Ranch is tightly held.
The Wilds spans a wider price range than most West Fargo neighborhoods, driven by home size, lot position, and whether a property sits in the main community or The Ranch sub-community.
Schools
Schools Serving The Wilds
The Wilds is served by the West Fargo Public School District, one of North Dakota's top-rated districts, with Legacy Elementary located directly within the neighborhood boundary.
Legacy Elementary School
Heritage Middle School
West Fargo Sheyenne High School
Always verify current enrollment zones with the school district before purchasing, as boundaries can change.
Is It a Fit?
Who The Wilds Is a Great Fit For
The Wilds draws a consistent buyer profile. Here is who tends to love it most, and what to know before you commit.
Strong Fit
- Families who want a walkable elementary school inside the neighborhood and West Fargo's top feeder chain
- Buyers who value community character: quiet streets, neighbors who know each other, kids walking to school
- Active residents who want connected trails, year-round park amenities, and walkable dining nearby
- Move-up buyers who want new construction without leaving West Fargo city limits
- Premium buyers drawn to The Ranch's clubhouse amenities and Heritage Homes build quality
- Buyers comparing The Wilds against Horace who want the same feel but inside city limits
Worth Knowing Before You Commit
- The Wilds is car-dependent for most daily errands. The Lights plaza is walkable, but grocery stores and larger retail require a drive.
- Homes on the western half of the neighborhood sit closer to the Horace Diversion of the Sheyenne River and carry greater flood exposure than eastern-half properties. Confirm flood insurance requirements with your lender before making an offer.
- The FM Diversion Project, a $3.2 billion flood control project currently under construction, is designed to reclassify much of the area to a 500-year floodplain upon completion, which would significantly reduce flood insurance costs for most properties.
- Lots in The Wilds are on the narrower side, generally under a quarter-acre. Buyers who prioritize yard space should look specifically at larger or corner lots.
- The Ranch sub-community has HOA-governed amenities and standards. Review the HOA documents carefully before purchasing inside The Ranch specifically.
Ready to Explore The Wilds?
Whether you are looking for a family home near Legacy Elementary, a new build with modern finishes, or a premium property in The Ranch, WSRT knows this corner of West Fargo inside and out. Let us help you find the right fit before someone else does.
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