Village Cooperative of Alexandria

Village Cooperative of Alexandria sits in what used to be Washington Elementary School at 515 Jefferson Street in Alexandria, Minnesota, and has 28 maintenance-free homes made for seniors, with one and two-bedroom, single-level units that go from about 749 square feet up to over 1,525 square feet, and each home has its own washer, dryer, private balcony or patio, and individually controlled heating and cooling, so you can set things the way you like. Folks living here enjoy things you'd expect in apartments or condos, like a heated parking garage with a car wash bay, a woodworking shop for hobbies, and a fitness room to stay active, plus landscaped gardens where you can sit outside, and secure entrances for safety. There are party rooms for visiting with neighbors and spaces to host friends or family, and if loved ones need a place to stay, you can rent a guest suite. The building has fire alarms, smoke detectors, elevators for easier access, wireless internet, and on-site mail delivery. Smoking isn't allowed inside the homes or the shared spaces, and they have units that work for folks with mobility needs. The Village Cooperative model means residents live in a community with supportive services for older adults, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care, and many of the social and activity features are made so people don't feel alone. If you qualify for the Section 8 (202) housing program, rent is typically about 30% of your monthly income, and the community offers special programs and amenities for seniors with lower incomes. The broader Village Cooperative organization builds more of these communities in other states too, each with its own sales office and unique name, but always with a focus on helping older adults find comfortable, affordable homes with people their own age, and sometimes they'll host free seminars so folks can learn about cooperative living and whether it's right for them, all without any pressure. In Alexandria, all of this comes together in a place that's really made for seniors, giving them a safe and friendly place to live, relax, and connect with others.