The Twin Cities metro is one of the most livable regions in the country, with strong schools, excellent parks and trail systems, thriving local economies, and a quality of life that consistently ranks among the nation's best. But not all neighborhoods are the same, and choosing where to buy a new construction home is as important as choosing the home itself.
This guide compares five Twin Cities communities where Ron Clark Construction & Design currently builds new homes: Golden Valley, Eden Prairie, Prior Lake, Minnetonka, and Plymouth. Each offers something distinct, and the right choice depends on what matters most to you.
Golden Valley
Ron Clark neighborhood: Greenway Villas
Golden Valley is a Hennepin County city immediately west of Minneapolis, offering an exceptional combination of urban proximity and suburban character. Residents enjoy outstanding park access, including Theodore Wirth Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, along with easy access to downtown Minneapolis, dining, shopping, and cultural attractions.
Greenway Villas features detached villa homes designed for main-level living, ideal for buyers who want to stay connected to the energy of the metro core while enjoying the privacy and comfort of a single-family home in an association-maintained community.
School district: Robbinsdale/Hopkins area
Best for: Buyers who want close proximity to Minneapolis with strong park access and a mature, established community feel.
Eden Prairie
Ron Clark neighborhood: Lotus Villas
Eden Prairie is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the United States, and for good reason. The city offers outstanding public schools, over 170 miles of trails, more than 2,500 acres of parks, and a retail and dining scene anchored by Eden Prairie Center and the Southwest Light Rail connection to downtown Minneapolis.
Lotus Villas brings detached villa homes to one of the metro's most desirable communities. Buyers here get the combination of an award-winning city, a strong school district, and a home designed for modern, low-maintenance living.
School district: Eden Prairie Schools
Best for: Buyers who prioritize top-rated schools, trails and recreation, retail convenience, and a nationally recognized quality of life.
Prior Lake
Ron Clark neighborhood: Pike Lake Landing
Prior Lake is a Scott County city south of the metro core, known for its beautiful lake system, strong outdoor recreation culture, and welcoming community character. The city has grown steadily while maintaining a small-town feel that many residents value. Prior Lake offers excellent parks, water access, golf courses, and a charming downtown area.
Pike Lake Landing features approximately 40 detached villas with stunning main-level living designs. For buyers who want a quieter pace, natural beauty, and a genuine sense of community, Prior Lake delivers.
School district: Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools
Best for: Buyers who value lake access, outdoor recreation, a strong community feel, and a slightly more relaxed pace of life.
Minnetonka
Ron Clark neighborhood: Ridgewood Ponds
Minnetonka is a western Hennepin County city known for natural beauty, Lake Minnetonka access, exceptional schools, and a strong residential character. The city blends wooded neighborhoods and rolling terrain with convenient access to major highways, retail centers, and employment hubs.
Ridgewood Ponds offers a limited number of remaining homes in one of the metro's most established and desirable communities. Buyers here benefit from Minnetonka's outstanding school district, natural setting, and long-standing reputation as one of the Twin Cities' premier residential communities.
School district: Minnetonka Schools
Best for: Buyers who want a prestigious school district, natural beauty, lake proximity, and a well-established community with strong long-term property values.
Plymouth
Ron Clark neighborhood: Sunset Bluff
Plymouth is a northwest Hennepin County city and one of the metro's fastest-growing communities. Known for excellent city services, an extensive trail network, well-maintained parks, and easy highway access, Plymouth offers a modern suburban experience with strong infrastructure and a forward-looking community vision.
Sunset Bluff features thoughtfully designed homes in a community that balances growth with livability. Plymouth's combination of Wayzata Schools, convenient commuting, and high-quality city services makes it an increasingly popular choice for new construction buyers.
School district: Wayzata Schools
Best for: Buyers who want a growing, well-managed community with excellent schools, strong city services, and convenient highway access.
How to Choose the Right Neighborhood
Every buyer's priorities are different, but a few key questions can help narrow your decision.
Schools. If school district quality is a top priority, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Wayzata (Plymouth) are consistently among the highest-rated districts in the state.
Commute. Consider your daily drive. Golden Valley and Plymouth offer the most direct access to Minneapolis and the western suburbs employment corridor. Eden Prairie connects via the Southwest Light Rail. Prior Lake is farther south but offers a less congested commute for those working in the southern metro.
Lifestyle. If lake access and outdoor recreation are important, Prior Lake and Minnetonka stand out. If you want urban proximity with suburban comfort, Golden Valley is hard to beat. If you want a modern, growing community with strong infrastructure, Plymouth checks every box.
Availability. New construction inventory moves quickly. Some neighborhoods, like Ridgewood Ponds in Minnetonka, have only a limited number of homes remaining. Engaging early gives you the best selection of lots and floor plans.
Visit and Compare
The best way to choose a neighborhood is to experience it. Visit model homes, drive the surrounding streets, check out the parks and trails, and talk to the New Home Specialists who know each community inside and out.
Ron Clark Construction & Design has active neighborhoods in Golden Valley, Eden Prairie, Prior Lake, Minnetonka, and Plymouth. Model homes at Pike Lake Landing and Lotus Villas have regular open house hours; other communities are available by appointment. Visit ronclark.com/ for current hours or call 952-947-3000 to schedule a visit.