Fast forward 10 years,  we moved to Minnesota and soon enough had three little kids and a large suburban home with a huge backyard and tons of play space.  A few years later Charlie and I took another walk; this time around Cedar Lake; three whiny kids in tow, and we agreed that we were not doing what we said we would do.   Into the picture emerges Monterey Cohousing, an intentional community in St. Louis Park, with its own Edwardian era Mansion, wonderful individually-designed townhomes, huge lawns and woods with a path leading right down to a City park. The townhome we purchased was a simple two story, cape-cod style structure with four bedrooms, tons of windows and light. The kids at ages, 3, 6 and 9 were eager for playmates.  To our delight, there were other kids around, tons of community common space, including a playroom, exercise room, teen room and a spacious three season porch.  This intentional community is tucked away on a dead end street just a few blocks from City Hall in St. Louis Park.  It is 6 blocks from Minneapolis, 10 blocks from Cedar Lake, a mile or so from the Rec Center and Trader Joe’s and is close to bike trails and parks. 

So Charlie, the kids and I began to live the dream.  For the first time in many years, we felt like we were living our values. We all felt safe enough for our kids to roam the community alone as early as four years old. When we had to run an errand, we could leave the youngsters home and ask a neighbor to check in on them as the “responsible adult”. My kids learned that their world is a safe place full of adults who will look out for them and teach them things their parents might not know about. For example, one summer a neighbor supervised a group of kids in the wood working shop as they collectively built a loft and an indoor swing for the playroom.  Another neighbor took over as the Destination Imagination leader and worked with a group of girls to build a set and rehearse a complicated sketch for an upcoming competition.  Two  days a week Charlie and I did not have to cook!  In exchange, we cooked dinner for the community about once a month. In our community kitchen and dining room we were all exposed to cuisine we might not encounter in the macaroni & cheese, chicken nuggets world we were accustomed to. At dinner, there were other adults asking the kids about their day or offering to help them with homework. Best of all, when our full-time work schedules did not allow us to meet the Kindergarten bus on time, we were fortunate to have surrogate grandparents from the community anxious to greet the bus and bring the kids back to their house to bake brownies. 

Yes, collective living has its downsides as well.  We all have our own homes and don’t have to mingle or socialize with the neighbors if we choose not to; However, if we care about that ugly life size garden gnome that suddenly appeared on the front lawn, we have to be willing to sit down and talk about it!  We make all community decisions by consensus.  We have spent as long as twenty minutes talking at a board meeting about  whether we should have one or two umbrellas in the front entry way to the mansion and whether they should lean against the wall or be placed on top of the coat rack! We sometimes are required to reconcile how our own personal needs and values might bump up against what is for the greater good. My kids learned this the hard way when we had to throw away the dozens of cushions and pillows that the kids would pile up on the play room floor and jump onto from the loft. The cushions were causing problems for kids with asthma.  Weeks of discussion and compromise led to the ultimate decision that the cushions had to go.  At another time, one group of kids had to give up playing video games in common space because some parents did not want their kids exposed to things they otherwise weren’t  allowed to do at home. The video gaming moved to a private home.  

Monterey cohousing helped Charlie and me  raise three responsible, principled, independent and mature children.  While cohousing is not for everyone, it can be a good fit for those who seek safety, community, adult friendships and important lessons in resource sharing, compromise and consensus-building.                         Karmit Bulman

Studio, 2 rooms, Ist floor: read more

A Three Bedroom, 3rd floor east:  read more

A Three Bedroom, 3rd floor west: read more

A Three Bedroom, Town House apartment: read more

Discover Cohousing the Monterey Cohousing way. Join us for dinner (optional), a tour, and a discussion with a Question & Answer Session with Cohousers. Please call 952-930-7554 at least 3 days in advance to let us know you are coming and to make a dinner reservation. Dinner is $5 per person ($2.50 for kids 12 and under). Times to join us are as follows:

• 6:30 p.m. for Dinner and a Tour
• 7:15 p.m. for the Tour plus a discussion and Q&A session with Cohousers.
• 7:45 p.m. for the Q&A session with Cohousers

Can’t make this session?  the next Info Session is Thursday, October 18, 2012

We have a central courtyard, (between the Big House and the townhouses), a front yard, with driveways and parking bays (incl. garages) on the periphery. The grounds of the 2.5 acre site are beautifully landscaped by our residents. There is even a community vegetable garden space.

The rear of the property adjoins a small park, reachable by a short walk through community owned woods.

Other typical social occasions include periodic movies in the library, weekly card games, evenings of singing, and “neighborhood news” gatherings for catching up on each other, and casual co–chats. Once, 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. We’ve also hosted other musicians from around the world. 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 make decisions by consensus and all members participate in decision-making.  We have a do-it-ourselves approach to community upkeep, believing hands-on work together supports community-building and keeps costs down.

We learn and grow from the experience of living together,  committing to clear and open communication and resolution of conflict.  We engage in regular assessment of community well-being.

We are available as a resource for the larger community.

WE PROVIDE private dwelling units and furnished shared common space, following the principles of cohousing.  The varied sizes of our dwelling units promote diversity in family size and income. We self-manage the property in a financially conservative manner.

We preserve ample outdoor space maintained in an environmentally responsible manner.  We share certain durable household goods.  We create a safe environment for children, teens and adults.

WE EXPECT all who live here to value and support community.  This includes active participation by all households in governance, decision-making and community upkeep.  We all agree to abide by community decisions.              June  2008