MyLivingChoice

Realife Co-Op

825 Essex Pkwy NW

4.3(4 ratings)· Rochester average: 4.4

Realife Co-Op, photo 11 / 2

Quick Facts

Ownership model
Resident member-owned cooperative, not standard rental
Transportation
Van service for appointments and grocery shopping
Age requirement
Minimum age 62 for residency

What Families Think

Realife Co-Op is a resident-owned independent living cooperative in Rochester, MN, for adults 62 and older. Reviewers generally praise its cleanliness, spacious apartments, and active social calendar, though one visitor found the hallways dreary and residents unfriendly, a view another resident disputed as atypical.

The Good

  • Reviewers describe apartments as clean and spacious
  • Multiple social and activity groups meet daily
  • Friendly, engaged resident community reported by most reviewers
  • Cooperative ownership structure managed by residents

The Bad

  • One report of unfriendly residents and dreary hallways
  • No in-unit washer/dryer; laundry located per floor

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

Realife Co-Op is a senior living community in Rochester, Minnesota offering Independent Living. Amenities include Outdoor Patio, Fitness Center and Gathering / Activity Spaces. Families rate it 4.3 out of 5 across 4 reviews.

About Realife Co-Op

Realife Cooperative of Rochester is an independent senior living community in Rochester, Minnesota, designed for active adults age 62 and over. Located at 825 Essex Parkway NW, it is a resident member-owned cooperative offering quality, affordable housing and lifestyle.

The community consists of 87 apartment units in a two-story structure with central hallways. Residents can choose from ten unique one- and two-bedroom unit styles and sizes, and underground parking is available.

Common areas include a community room with serving kitchen, fitness and exercise center, activity and billiard room, library and computer room, woodwork shop, and a comfortable lobby. Outdoor amenities feature a patio with barbecue grill and garden plots for residents.

Services provided include van service for appointments and grocery shopping, catered meal events, daily USPS mail delivery to the lobby, local newspaper delivery, and on-site support from a Resident Service Director, maintenance personnel, and housekeeping staff.

Types of Care at Realife Co-Op

Independent Living

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Cable or Satellite TV
  • Emergency Call System
  • Kitchen
  • Multiple Floor Plans
  • Private Rooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Wi-Fi / High-Speed Internet

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Fitness Center
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Pet Friendly
  • Transportation Services

Activities

  • Birthday / Holiday Parties
  • Games
  • Grocery Shopping and Errands
  • Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)

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Help Me Choose

Reviews of Realife Co-Op

4.3overall · 4 ratings combined

4.3★ on Google (4)

Joe Smith

Dec 2023

via Google

Friendly people, very very very clean, the layouts in the apartment I looked at were spacious and well designed. This? place is ideal for many people. It does not fit my needs entirely because it does not have washers and dryers in the units are available on each floor. The units have Carpet and I require no carpet in my living spaces. these things could be modified at extra expense and approved by real life. I highly recommend checking this place out to see if it meets your requirements for cooperative living.

John Lindberg

Jul 2023

via Google

I feel that RoxAnn’s review does not really provide a good sense of what Realife is like. She apparently visited during the CoVid outbreak—nothing was normal at the time. Dreary hallways? Was this due to energy-saving measures? The hallways have multiple reproductions of artwork to add interest, and there is a group of residents who ensure that the art regularly rotates. There are multiple other groups that meet, 3-4 per day on average, each with a different focus or activity. It is not a problem, at all, to find a group that you can take part in. As an independent senior community, it is important for those social interactions to be available for everyone. I moved into Realife six months ago. I enjoy the many opportunities it offers, and do not regret it at all. I have talked to others here who have been here since the building opened, and who say that they cannot imagine living anywhere else. I am sorry that RoxAnn had a negative experience in 2020, but her experience is not typical in 2023.

RoxAnn Fenske

Dec 2019

via Google

Hallways are dreary, and residents weren't very friendly. I had a meeting and I rang bell they never asked if they could help me.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does Realife Co-Op offer?

Realife Co-Op offers Independent Living.

Is Realife Co-Op pet friendly?

Yes. Realife Co-Op lists pet-friendly accommodations among its amenities. Ask about any size or breed policies when you visit.

Where is Realife Co-Op located?

Realife Co-Op is located at 825 Essex Pkwy NW in Rochester, Minnesota.

What do families say about Realife Co-Op?

Realife Co-Op is a resident-owned independent living cooperative in Rochester, MN, for adults 62 and older. Reviewers generally praise its cleanliness, spacious apartments, and active social calendar, though one visitor found the hallways dreary and residents unfriendly, a view another resident disputed as atypical.

How can families visit Realife Co-Op?

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Realife Co-Op and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

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