Realife Co-Op

    825 Essex Pkwy NW, Rochester, MN, 55901
    4.2 · 5 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Clean active community, check accessibility

    I like the friendly people, very clean, and spacious, well-designed apartments, plus a lively social scene with several varied activities daily and rotating artwork. Drawbacks for me: no in-unit washer/dryer (laundry on each floor), carpeted units that may need costly modifications, dreary hallways and occasional unfriendly residents, and staff once didn't answer when I rang the bell during the 2020 Covid disruption. Overall: great for independent seniors who value activities and cleanliness, but check laundry, accessibility, and staff responsiveness first.

    Pricing

    Schedule a Tour

    Amenities

    4.20 · 5 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.2
    • Staff

      1.0
    • Meals

      4.2
    • Amenities

      3.0
    • Value

      4.2

    Location

    Map showing location of Realife Co-Op

    About Realife Co-Op

    Realife Co-Op is a senior living community in Rochester, Minnesota, for adults aged 62 and older, and the place covers many needs all under one roof, so you've got independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home services, and they say they handle all the levels of care, and they're also pretty straightforward about how they suggest you go through review and assessment steps before making a decision. The place has 87 attractive apartments in a two-story structure, with a choice among studios, single rooms, and two-bedroom units, with ten different floor plans to look at, and you'll see things like kitchens or kitchenettes, washers and dryers, and even central air conditioning, and there are housekeeping and maintenance folks you'll see around helping out. The building uses a co-op model, so residents have a say in how things are run, and they do have staff like a Resident Service Director, plus personal care assistants, meal service, laundry, and van transportation for things like doctor visits or grocery shopping. The community has several safety features, including sprinkler systems, controlled entry, and handicap-accessible designs, and there's heated underground parking too, which is useful in a Minnesota winter. For things to do, residents can join in devotional services, social activities, exercise in the fitness center, enjoy arts and crafts or billiards, and there are also outdoor community spaces like patios with a barbecue grill, garden plots, and a woodwork shop for those who like to stay busy with their hands. Meal service is included, and there are events with catered meals sometimes, and residents get daily mail and newspaper delivery right to their doors. Amenities like a gym, a community room with a serving kitchen, a library with computers, and easy access to the dining room are available to everyone, and there's always somewhere to sit and have a chat in the lobby or the common areas. The Realife Co-Op uses the Olera platform to offer caregiver tips and gather resident feedback, and they also have educational resources for families to help understand care options. Prices aren't published yet, but the place does focus on making sure people know what assistance and services are available, and that there are different unit sizes and year-round availability. The place has a steady schedule, open 8:30 to 4:30 on weekdays, and serves as a member-owned cooperative, which means residents are tightly woven into how the place is managed. Overall, Realife Co-Op covers the bases for both living independently and getting help when needed, and offers plenty of ways for people to stay connected, safe, and comfortable.

    People often ask...

    Nearby Communities

    • Front exterior view of Harmony Gardens Senior Living facility showing a large, multi-section building with multiple windows, a covered entrance with an American flag in front, and a parking lot with several cars parked.
      Pricing on request4.4 (30)
      suite
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Harmony Gardens Senior Living

      1438 County Rd C E, Maplewood, MN, 55109
    • Exterior view of a large, multi-story residential building with balconies and a tower-like structure at one corner, surrounded by landscaped greenery and walkways with people walking and sitting nearby during dusk.
      $7,071 – $9,192+3.6 (26)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • Studio
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Marvella

      825 Mount Curve Blvd, St. Paul, MN, 55116
    • Exterior view of a large, modern three-story senior living facility building with a covered entrance driveway, surrounded by green lawns and trees under a partly cloudy blue sky.
      $5,633 – $7,322+3.9 (69)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • Studio
      assisted living, memory care

      Alto Grayslake

      1865 E Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL, 60030
    • Exterior view of Belmont Village Senior Living Glenview building at dusk, showing a large covered entrance with white columns, well-maintained landscaping with bushes and trees, and a multi-story brick and siding facade with lit windows.
      $3,965+4.6 (121)
      Semi-private
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Belmont Village Senior Living Glenview

      2200 Golf Rd, Glenview, IL, 60025
    • Evening view of the entrance area of Belmont Village Senior Living Lincoln Park, featuring brick walls, decorative lighting fixtures, a circular chandelier on the ceiling, and a sign with the facility's name visible near the street.
      $5,506 – $7,157+4.5 (131)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • Studio
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Belmont Village Senior Living Lincoln Park

      700 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614
    • Front exterior view of the American House Town and Country senior living facility with a circular driveway, landscaped greenery, and an American flag on a flagpole under a wooden entrance canopy.
      $5,000+3.9 (61)
      suite
      assisted living, memory care

      American House Town and Country

      1020 Woods Mill Rd, Town and Country, MO, 63017

    Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

    12 facilities$4,621/mo
    15 facilities$5,348/mo
    0 facilities
    0 facilities
    3 facilities$3,973/mo
    2 facilities
    0 facilities
    0 facilities
    2 facilities
    6 facilities$4,437/mo
    0 facilities
    2 facilities$5,511/mo
    © 2025 Mirador Living