West Fargo Neighborhood Guide
Westwood, West Fargo ND
While the rest of West Fargo was being built around it, Westwood was already there. A 1960s neighborhood contoured by the Sheyenne River's shallow waterway, shaded by oaks and pines, and anchored by a genuinely diverse, welcoming community. Westwood is the oldest and most accessible neighborhood in West Fargo's established north end. For buyers who want the feel of a settled neighborhood, a Sheyenne River backdrop, and west Fargo school access at the lowest price point in the district's guide series, this is the address.
Lowest Average
Home value in the West Fargo guide series, more space per dollar than any comparable neighborhood.
Early 1960s
Primary build era, West Fargo's most established neighborhood.
Sheyenne River
Along the edge, with Elmwood Park trails integrated into daily life.
What Defines Westwood
Two things set Westwood apart from every other neighborhood in West Fargo's guide series: the Sheyenne River along its edge, and six decades of individual home character that no new construction can replicate.
Natural Backdrop
The Sheyenne River & Tree Canopy
The Sheyenne River's shallow waters contour Westwood's edge, bringing with it a lush canopy of oaks and pines that arch over the riverbanks and filter into the neighborhood's greener corners. Many homes back up to this wooded waterway, giving them a natural privacy buffer and a green backdrop that separates Westwood's feel entirely from the open, newer developments that surround it.
Front yard trees and landscaping throughout the neighborhood add to the shade and the settled visual quality of the streets. In a city where trees are a genuine luxury, Westwood's 60-year-old canopy is an asset that cannot be bought at any price in a newer subdivision.
Six Decades of Ownership
Individual Character & Diverse Community
Built in the early 1960s, Westwood's homes reflect six decades of individual owners making individual choices. The architectural mix, including split-levels, ramblers, Cape Cods, and a handful of more modern builds with large windows, space-age rooflines, and decorative brick chimneys, gives the neighborhood a visual variety that newer subdivisions cannot produce. No two blocks look identical.
Westwood is also one of West Fargo's most genuinely diverse neighborhoods, a community characteristic that residents and local organizations have cultivated over generations. The Fourth of July fireworks event hosted by Living Hope Baptist Church, with its 360-degree fireworks view from the surrounding homes, is the kind of community anchor that reflects years of investment in neighborhood identity.
Westwood is the neighborhood that buyers who have been priced out of newer West Fargo communities should see before expanding their search radius. With Sheyenne River access, West Fargo schools, and the most accessible average price in the district guide series, it offers more per dollar than anything else in the series.
Around the Neighborhood
Westwood's north West Fargo position puts a mix of local and regional amenities within easy reach.
Elmwood Park
Sheyenne River trails and green space, adjacent to the neighborhood's eastern edge.
Flying Pig Grill
Locally-owned lunch destination nearby, the kind of character the older north corridor offers.
West Acres Mall
3 miles south via I-94, far enough to stay quiet and close enough for regular trips.
Downtown Fargo
Under 7 miles, with Broadway, NDSU, and the Red River accessible without long freeway runs.
Westwood's north West Fargo position keeps daily errands close while staying far enough from the busiest commercial corridors to stay quiet.
What Makes Westwood Different
Locally-owned dining, Elmwood Park, West Acres Mall nearby, and a neighborhood character that took six decades to build, all at West Fargo's most accessible price point.
Elmwood Park Access
Elmwood Park sits adjacent to Westwood along the Sheyenne River, providing trail access, green space, and a natural recreation corridor that extends well beyond the neighborhood's own boundaries. For residents who want park access integrated into their daily walk or bike ride without driving to a trailhead, Westwood's proximity to Elmwood Park is a genuine everyday benefit.
Locally-Owned Dining Nearby
The "older part of town" that Westwood occupies in north West Fargo has a commercial character distinct from the chain-heavy corridors further south. Flying Pig Grill, a popular local lunch destination, is accessible from the neighborhood, representing the kind of locally-owned character that exists in established West Fargo's commercial pockets but disappears in the newer commercial strips further south.
West Acres Mall 3 Miles South
The Fargo metro's largest shopping destination sits approximately 3 miles south along the I-94 corridor, close enough for regular trips but far enough that Westwood's residential streets stay quiet rather than absorbing the commercial traffic that neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the mall deal with. A short drive when needed, not a constant presence.
Meticulous Landscaping
Homes.com notes that Westwood residents take their front yard landscaping seriously, and it shows in the neighborhood's streetscape. Well-maintained lawns, established trees, and the care that comes from long-term owner investment give Westwood's blocks a polished look that the build year alone would not predict. Pride of ownership here is visible from the street.
Short Driveways & Garages
Homes in Westwood feature short driveways connected to attached garages on the side of homes or detached garages in the rear, a layout that keeps the street-facing aesthetic cleaner than the forward-jutting garage designs that dominate newer west Fargo neighborhoods. A practical note for North Dakota winters: short driveways mean less to clear, which becomes a meaningful daily factor by February.
Downtown Fargo Under 7 Miles
Westwood sits just under 7 miles from downtown Fargo, accessible via a short drive that reaches Broadway, the Red River, NDSU, and the Civic Center without freeway navigation for most of the route. For buyers who want occasional downtown access without paying downtown adjacency prices, Westwood's north West Fargo position is one of the more efficient in the entire guide series.
Homes & Pricing
What You'll Find Here
A vintage mix of 1960s suburban styles, including split-levels, ramblers, and Cape Cods, with individual character accumulated over six decades of owner investment.
Entry
Smaller Ramblers & Cottages
The most accessible ownership entry point in West Fargo's guide series. Modest footprints with established lots, mature front yard landscaping, and the Sheyenne River canopy character that makes Westwood's blocks feel different from comparable-priced neighborhoods elsewhere in the metro.
Mid-Range
Split-Levels, Ramblers & Cape Cods
The core of Westwood's market, three-bedroom split-levels, ramblers, and Cape Cods with individual exterior character. Short driveways, side or rear garages, fenced backyards, and the varied architectural detailing that six decades of owner investment produces. This is the most common Westwood purchase profile, sitting well below the West Fargo district median.
Premium
Modern Builds & River-Adjacent
A handful of more modern builds, with larger windows, distinctive rooflines, and decorative brick chimneys, and homes directly backing the Sheyenne River and Elmwood Park corridor represent the upper end of Westwood's market. Natural setting and updated construction combine to justify the premium tier in a neighborhood this age.
Westwood delivers more interior space per dollar than any other West Fargo neighborhood in this guide series. The trade-off is age, and thorough inspections with a budget for mechanicals are essential.
Schools
Schools Serving Westwood
Westwood is served by the West Fargo Public School District with a neighborhood elementary school and the West Fargo High School pathway.
Westside Elementary School
West Fargo Middle School
West Fargo High School
Always verify current enrollment zones with the school district before purchasing, as boundaries can change.
Is It a Fit?
Who Westwood Is a Great Fit For
Westwood draws a buyer who values established character, nature access, and affordability over new construction finishes. Here is who tends to love it most, and what to know before committing.
Strong Fit
- First-time buyers who want West Fargo school quality and Sheyenne River access at the lowest price point in the district's guide series
- Buyers drawn to genuine neighborhood diversity, a community characteristic that Westwood has cultivated over generations and that newer developments have not had the time to develop
- Value-oriented buyers who recognize that the most space-per-dollar in the West Fargo guide series, with Elmwood Park access and West Fargo schools, is a compelling proposition regardless of build year
- Renovation-minded buyers who want an established home with mature landscaping and the freedom to update on their own terms
- Buyers comparing Westwood to River West who want the same established-neighborhood feel from a West Fargo address
- Buyers who want walking trails, park access, and a natural outdoor corridor built into their daily life without a trailhead drive
Worth Knowing Before You Commit
- Homes built in the early 1960s carry aging infrastructure across mechanicals, roofing, electrical panels, and windows, all on their own update cycles. A thorough inspection is essential regardless of list price. The value here is in the lot, the location, and the character, not necessarily current condition.
- Short driveways are standard. While charming in summer, they require consistent maintenance in winter. Clearing a short driveway daily during Fargo's snow season is a practical reality worth acknowledging.
- Westwood is car-dependent for all major retail. While Flying Pig and the immediate Main Avenue corridor offer local options, West Acres Mall and big-box retail require a short drive.
- Inventory is historically very thin. Westwood requires WSRT connection and pre-approval before beginning the search, not after finding something appealing.
- Some homes near the Sheyenne River may carry flood insurance requirements. The FM Diversion Project's completion will reclassify most affected properties; confirm current requirements with your lender before purchasing.
Ready to Explore Westwood?
Westwood is West Fargo's best-kept affordable secret. Sheyenne River canopy, established character, Elmwood Park trails, and west Fargo schools at the lowest average price in the district. WSRT watches this neighborhood closely. Let us connect you before the right home comes and goes.
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