‘We’re very happy here’
- Sr Perspective
- Jul 31
- 5 min read
BUSINESS PROFILE: Realife Cooperative
Realife Cooperative offers independent, cooperative living in a peaceful neighborhood
By Scott Thoma
Whether it’s from someone who recently moved into Realife Cooperative at Mueller Gardens in St. Cloud, or from someone who has lived there since its inception 19 years ago, the positive feedback is the same.
“I love it here,” said Karen H., who moved into Realife this past February. “I was divorced several years ago and left with a big house that was more than I could manage and it started to own me. I looked around and put my name on the list at Realife and eventually moved in here. I feel safe here and it’s so convenient because everything it taken care of for us, even though we own our home.”
Realife Cooperative is a form of multi-home ownership, solely owned and operated by the residents who live there. It’s the only one of its kind in the St. Cloud area.
The building houses 50 units in a picturesque rural setting on the western edge of St. Cloud and offers active adult living and independent living for those 55 and older.
“My husband and I moved from our hobby farm in Becker when he started having health problems, and I chose this place,” said Gloria, the president of the five-member board and one of the original homeowners of Realife from 2006. “He didn’t like it here at all when we first moved here because he loved our home. But now he says it’s the best place we could have been and told me it was a good thing I was looking out for him.”
Realife Cooperative has excellent amenities, a growing and healthy community, and a pet-friendly atmosphere.
“I was so happy that I could have my dog, Poppy, here with me,” said Karen H. “That means a lot to me and he is such a good companion.”
Realife Cooperative has various floor plans available, offers exercise classes three times a week, is a non-smoking community, and has excellent security for all residents.
Currently, there are 12 original charter members residing at Realife Cooperative. The homeowners have no one to oversee their decisions and set their rules. It is owned collectively by its resident members, who elect a board of directors that provide direction to a management staff.
Realife Cooperative is a community within Ebenezer Senior Living, the largest senior housing management company in the state.
“Realife is a community of your peers,” said Brenda Williams, Housing Property Manager at Realife. “The people relate to one another, grow together and nurture one another. You can be alone if you want, but you don’t have to be isolated.”
Among the many amenities offered at Realife Cooperative: two elevators, cable, telephone, Wi-Fi, outdoor space, garden/patio area, media/activities room, library, fireplace, lounge, and a guest room. There is also a woodworking shop with an abundance of power and hand tools, a craft room, seven laundry rooms, a heated and secure vehicle parking garage with a car wash bay, wellness room, and a fully-equipped kitchen and large dining area.
Williams urges people to sign up now to be placed on a waiting list so there will be an available home when they are ready to join the cooperative.
“We were on a waiting list for eight years because we weren’t ready to move out of our home yet,” said Steve Z. of St. Cloud, who moved into Realife eight months ago with his wife, Becky V. “We had a large property in a gorgeous location, but it had a lot of steps in the front and back yards. When a unit opened up, we didn’t want to lose it so we decided this was our new home. We’re very happy here.”
“We’re (baby) boomers,” said Becky. “I’m one to plan ahead. There isn’t enough senior living available for boomers and I wanted to be in a cooperative. So, we signed up early and fortunately we were able to move here.”
There is a myriad of committees that homeowners can select to join, allowing them to make decisions that they feel will benefit the other residents. The committees include: Security, Library, Activities, Garden, Repair/Replacement, Grounds/Landscaping, Finance, Marketing, Kitchen and Education.
“There are so many things to do here and so many ways to get together with others,” said Becky. “You’re never bored. There is always something you can do if you feel like it.”
“There is a sense of community and family here,” said Steve. “We feel comfortable here and the apartments feel homey.”
Residents at Realife look out for one another, giving the place a family atmosphere.
“You get to know each other here because everyone is so nice and friendly,” said Karen. “At my home, I maybe only knew two or three people in my neighborhood. I’ve only been here a short while and I already know most of my neighbors.”
“We were out in the country and I only knew one neighbor,” said Gloria. “I know everyone here.”
Many residents enjoy the convenience of living on the edge of town and away from the busy lifestyle and constant traffic in the heart of the city. Yet, they also enjoy the convenience of being close enough to stores, museums, and the hospital and clinic. Realife Cooperative is nestled among pine trees and wildlife in a country setting.
When a unit becomes available for sale, residents currently living at Realife Cooperative are given the first choice of purchasing it in case they may want to live in a larger or smaller home than they currently reside in.
“Residents are free to do what they want to make their home more comfortable and enjoyable,” Williams said. “If they want to paint or fix up their home, they can. It’s their home.”
Features in each unit include individual heating/cooling system, 36-inch doorways for easier wheelchair/walker access, lever door handles, large bi-level islands, dishwasher, step-in showers, comfort-height toilets, patios/decks, and phone/internet/television package.
Interested homeowners can select from the following floor plans:
1 bedroom, 1 bath, 702 square feet
1 bedroom, 1 bath, 852 square feet
2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1,067 square feet
2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,179 square feet
2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,202 square feet
2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,213 square feet
2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,239 square feet
2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1,362 square feet
2 bedroom, 2 bath, den, 1,391 square feet
2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,452 square feet
Also available to each homeowner is a storage space, as well as raised dishwashers and dryers to make it more convenient for someone who may have back problems.
Realife Cooperative is located at 6670 Northwood Lane in St. Cloud. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 320-258-3094 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.
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