A local realtor's honest take on White Bear Lake's best-kept secret communities
Look, I've been selling real estate around White Bear Lake long enough to know what works and what doesn't. Dellwood, Grant, and Mahtomedi? They work. Not because I'm trying to sell you something—because families genuinely love living here and rarely leave.
Quick History Lesson
Dellwood started in the late 1800s as the place to escape summer heat. Grand hotels, steamboats, dance halls—the whole resort scene. When it incorporated in 1956, residents basically said "we're staying small and keeping this special." About 1,200 people live there now and they're pretty serious about keeping it that way.
Grant did the same thing the same year. Under 4,000 residents, big lots, lots of trees, zero interest in becoming the next suburb. If you want privacy close to the metro, Grant's your spot.
Mahtomedi's got deeper roots—mid-1800s farming community that grew when the railroad arrived. Swedish and German families built it up, including that log chapel that gave the town its Dakota name. It's grown to about 8,000 people but somehow kept its small-town vibe. Real downtown, local shops, church communities that actually matter, neighbors you know by name.
What Makes It Different
I can show you nice houses anywhere. What I can't create is community character—that takes decades. These places have it.
Dellwood's Fourth of July parade? Whole town shows up. Kids decorate bikes, grandparents bring lawn chairs, it's straight out of a movie except it's real.
Grant residents will literally show up to city council meetings to protect what makes Grant special. They're not messing around about keeping things quiet and beautiful.
Mahtomedi's got everything—summer concerts, community festivals, youth sports where three generations show up to watch, a beach that's basically the town's summer headquarters. I've seen families where grandparents, parents, and kids all live within a few blocks. That's community.
White Bear Lake: The Real Draw
Here's why people move here and stay: White Bear Lake. 2,400 acres, crystal clear, great fishing, recreation year-round.
But it's not just the lake itself—it's the lifestyle. Summer evenings on the water. Teaching your kids to fish. Morning coffee watching sunrise. Family gatherings on the dock. This becomes your everyday life, not vacation.
Lakefront properties? They almost never hit the market. When they do, they're gone fast—often before we even list them publicly because families have been waiting.
Even without direct lakefront, tons of neighborhoods have deeded lake access, beach rights, community docks. You get the lake lifestyle without the lakefront price tag.
Let's Talk Real Numbers
I'm not going to sugarcoat pricing. You need to know what you're getting into.
Lakefront: $350-$450+ per square foot Direct lake access starts around $1.3M for something decent. Nice luxury lakefront? $2-4M+. That's just reality.
Lake Access (no direct frontage): $275-$375 per square foot Way more accessible. Good 2,500 sq ft home with lake access runs $700-950K. Still gets you the lifestyle.
Big Lots in Grant/Dellwood: $250-$325 per square foot You're paying for space and privacy. 3,500 sq ft home on a great lot runs $875K-1.15M.
Mahtomedi Neighborhoods: $225-$285 per square foot This is your entry point with Mahtomedi schools. Well-updated 2,000 sq ft home around $450-570K.
The Teardown Thing
Here's what's happening—buyers are paying $1.5-3M for lakefront properties with old houses, then tearing them down and building exactly what they want. The house doesn't matter. The lot does.
You can't create new lakefront, so when it's available, people move. They'll invest another $1.5-2M in construction and end up with their dream home on the lake.
Same thing happens with big lots inland. Buy for $600K-1.2M, build custom for $800K-1.5M, end up with exactly what you want on a premium lot in an established community.
I work with builders who can give you accurate numbers upfront. That matters because you need to know total investment before you buy.
Schools (This Matters to Everyone)
Mahtomedi Schools: Consistently top-ranked in Minnesota. Small classes, involved parents, 95%+ graduation rates. Families absolutely pay premiums to get into Mahtomedi boundaries. I have clients who will adjust everything else in their search just to get Mahtomedi schools.
White Bear Lake Schools: Strong academics, good programs, solid choice. Serves parts of Dellwood and surrounding areas.
Private options: Hill-Murray (especially if your kid plays hockey), Holy Angels, Gentry Academy for serious student-athletes.
The Hockey Thing (Yeah, It's Real)
Full disclosure: hockey is a big deal here. The White Bear-Mahtomedi rivalry is no joke. Friday night games are packed with grandparents who played in the '60s, parents who played in the '90s, kids in team gear. It's intense but fun.
You're choosing a side when you move here. Your kids will grow up with strong opinions about which team is better. You'll care about playoff brackets. It's part of the deal.
If you want community where youth sports matter and everyone shows up, you'll love it. If that's not your thing, just know it's part of the culture.
Why People Love It Here
Lake living 20 minutes from downtown St. Paul. Small-town feel with metro access. Mature trees and real character you can't fake. Community where people actually know each other. Schools that work. Natural beauty everywhere.
Also—this matters—families stay. Multiple generations in the same neighborhood. That tells you something.
Who Should Move Here
- Families who care about schools and want their kids in good programs
- Lake people who want year-round water access
- Anyone who values community over square footage
- Professionals working St. Paul or east metro
- Empty nesters who want to stay near family
- People who appreciate mature neighborhoods over cookie-cutter developments
Real Talk
Visit in different seasons. Summer's beautiful but winter on the lake is its own thing. Go to community events—you'll figure out pretty quick if this is your vibe. Talk to people who live here—most are friendly and honest about what it's like.
Be realistic about budget. These areas aren't cheap, but there's value if you know where to look.
I help families relocate here from all over. I know the questions you have because I've answered them dozens of times. I work with quality builders for new construction and teardown projects. I know these communities—where value is, what makes sense, what doesn't.
More than that, I actually care about helping families find the right fit. This isn't just about closing deals for me. I approach this work with integrity and genuine interest in serving people well.
If you're exploring White Bear Lake communities, let's talk. Happy to help you figure out if this area makes sense for your family.
Ornell Group
Brokered by Real Broker | Real Luxury
Northern Suburbs Lake Real Estate Specialist
Ready to see how strategic luxury marketing maximizes your property's exposure and value? Let's discuss a customized approach for your lakefront or luxury estate.
Content and insights provided by Ornell Group. Real estate services brokered by Real Broker. Luxury lake properties marketed through Ornell Group | Real Luxury. Content enhanced and transformed with AI assistance by our team. All market data, pricing, and property information subject to change.
