Monterey CoHousing (just West of Minneapolis, MN) has both the best features of urban living and relatively large green space (at the boundary between a first–ring suburb and the metropolitan core proper) on 2.5 acres that combine lawn, oak grove and a mixed species wooded slope. An Edwardian mansion (former retirement home) includes the Common Spaces (Living Room, Den/Library, 2 guest rooms, laundry, wood shop, common kitchen, dining room, kids room, large screened porch, etc.) and 8 (coop, owner occupied) apartments–style homes, from studio to 3 Bedroom. An underground tunnel now connects the "Big House" to a row of 7 townhomes, again with a range of sizes. The courtyard between the Big House and the town homes has a wonderful playset, and has become the center of summer activity for the younger set. Currently, croquet and other games using the equipment are big favorites. We also grill outside here, and sit outside until the Minnesota birds (mosquitoes) get to us, when we adjourn to the porch. The tunnel is used mostly in winter, so we don't need boots, etc. to visit. We have 15 households, 22 adults, 9 children, and 1 dependent adult. We are right on a bus line to downtown.

Now that all the homes are sold, we have been turning our attention to summer projects, social events, and picking up on ideas we haven't had time for. We are in the talking stage of developing a waiting list/interested persons list, to be used if changes are in the wind. We have some dedicated and artistic gardeners who bless us with their efforts.

In October 1997, Rob Sandelin joined us for his workshop on Effective Meetings. As a result, we have made our meetings even more efficient, and we have started a Decision Board. That gives us a way to encourage timely individual action while still allowing the whole group to know what going on and get involved where they care to. If your group needs a boost, try Rob. Our full group meetings are down to once a month, and sometimes even shorter than scheduled.

Our recent social occasions include periodic movies in members' homes, a weekly sewing circle, weekly card games, evenings of singing, and "neighborhood news" gatherings for catching up on each other, and casual co–chats. Our local legislator visited for an evening with his band, and played great music for listening and dancing. The music session was followed by a lively discussion of what’s been going on in the legislature. July 4th is our traditional time to watch fireworks from the roof, as we are on a high point for miles around. We can see 20–30 displays. We are looking forward to our community kitchen renovation being completed.

Voice Mail for Monterey Cohousing is 952–930–7554.