Monterey Cohousing

  • Community
  • 2 followers

About the Community

  • Established
  • Suburban

What we do

We are a unique, small community located just outside Minneapolis near lakes and shopping. We value diversity, and have varying incomes. Our 15 households currently include people of ages 10 through 85, singles and couples, with and without children.

Occupations include computer programmers, artists, teachers, therapists, caregivers, scientists, architect, piano teacher, executive director, gardener, and more. Our traditions include parties, campfires, sing-alongs, game nights, house concerts, solstice celebration, etc. Community meals and “co-chats” (spontaneous conversations) are the glue that hold the community together. We self-manage, and value working together.

The community has an abundance of common space, including a large living room, library, kitchen, dining room, three-season porch, four working fireplaces, exercise room, wood shop, laundry room, children’s playroom, and office. Outdoor common space includes lawns with picnic areas, a play area, a vegetable garden, and an acre of woods. The grounds are lovingly landscaped; we often see deer and wild turkeys roaming through our property.

Homes include eight retrofit coop apartments in an American Colonial mansion and seven townhomes built for the community. The two buildings are connected by a tunnel, which removes the weather as an obstacle to getting together. Home size ranges roughly from 400 to 1600 sq ft.

Our community grows from working together and shared experience.

Our Vision

Our mission at Monterey Cohousing Community is to have a shared experience of living intentionally with
each other. We provide private dwellings and shared common spaces, following the principles of
cohousing. We are committed to consensus, respect, diversity and environmental stewardship within our
ever-evolving community.

Our Mission

Our mission at Monterey Cohousing Community is to have a shared experience of living intentionally with
each other. We provide private dwellings and shared common spaces, following the principles of
cohousing. We are committed to consensus, respect, diversity and environmental stewardship within our
ever-evolving community.

  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • 31 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
31

How to join

We encourage people to get to know us by attending community meals, meetings, and other events before committing to purchasing a unit. We have an affiliate participation level to encourage this. Occasionally there are opportunities for renting. All potential residents, whether renting or buying must undergo a credit check and criminal background check and participate in a series of integration opportunities.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Please email us at [email protected]

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Monthly fees/dues: Yes (amount not specified)
Labor: Encouraged or suggested (2 hours/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes (some debt)
There’s lots to do to keep the community running. Everyone is expected to contribute.

We have an annual budget, supported by membership dues that range from $381 to $864/month based on the size of the unit. In the coop building these dues also cover the utilities and property tax.

There is no “joining fee” other than the purchase price of the unit. For affiliate-residents (renters) there is a $15/month maintenance fee on top of the rent.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Workshop, Large Scale Kitchen, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • About once a week

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Land Trust, Home Owners Association, or corporation

Setting

  • Suburban

Residential areas outside city centers but within metropolitan regions.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%
  • Land area size
    2.5 acres

Reviews

Location

  • Minnesota, United States

Monterey Cohousing

Promoted Needs and Offers

Need
12 months ago

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