10 Best Independent Living Communities in Cottage Grove, MN

Independent Living

An Independent Living Community provides residents the chance to live active lives while ensuring their care requirements have been met. Food preparation, recreational activities and housekeeping chores are taken care of while you are free to use your time as you choose. Along with their daily needs being met, residents can enjoy an opportunity to live among peers, surrounded by others of similar ages and interests. Residents’ quarters consist of a private living space with their own kitchen. The independence of apartment life is still enjoyed, offering opportunities to entertain guests and visitors in a private and personal setting. While policies differ between communities, many residences allow cats and dogs as well. Nursing and health care services may always be arranged for with independent care providers if desired. There are a variety of benefits and expenditures to consider when selecting an independent living community. It is important to learn if these amenities are covered in the care plan: parking, wellness program, transportation, utilities, move-in fee, private phone, laundry, and meals. The conveniences associated with independent living include private rental hall, laundry service, golf course, transportation, beauty salon & barber shop, restaurant-style dining hall, security guards, and healthcare center.

Cost of Living

The cost of care for a community is affected by the destination in which it is located. The rent burden for Cottage Grove is around 18.9% of the average person’s monthly income. Cottage Grove has a median home value of $224,342 and the median cost of rent is around $1,515 per month.

Demographics and Values

Out of the total population of Cottage Grove, 4.1% are widows, 3.8% live in poverty, 4.3% do not have health insurance, and 9.6% have some form of disability. Out of the total city population, 49.8% are male and 50.2% are female. The median age of Cottage Grove is 36 years old. In terms of education, 25.5% have a high-school diploma, 31.3% have a college degree, and 9.2% have a graduate degree. In Cottage Grove, 8.7% of the population are veterans. Currently, the population of Cottage Grove consists of 36,793 people. Cottage Grove has a population density of 422 people per square mile. Demographically, Cottage Grove is 82.8% white, 4.8% Hispanic, 7.2% Asian, 1.6% other or not specified, 3.7% mixed race, 0.5% Native American, 0.0% Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, and 4.1% black.

State Information

An overview of Minnesota

Based on natural beauty, Minnesota ranks 3rd in the nation. In total, Minnesota has 140 general hospitals and 61 health centers that provide care for 5,654,535 citizens. Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Wing, and Alomere Health are among the top three highest ranked hospitals in the state. The quality of life enjoyed by the average Minnesota citizen is ranked 3rd nation-wide. Additionally, Minnesota is ranked 10th by standards of healthcare. In terms of resources, Minnesota has a cost of living index of 101.5, a grocery index rating of 106.7, and a housing index rating of 88.3. These index ratings are based on a system where 100 is considered the national average and anything above 100 is considered more expensive than said average.

Social demographics of the state

In terms of religious values, 34% of Minnesota’s population regularly attend some form of service and there are in total 5,953 different congregations. The top three non-Christian denominations in the state are Jewish-<1%, Muslim-<1%, and Buddhist-<1%, with the most common Christian denominations consisting of Evangelical Protestant-19%, Mainline Protestant-29%, and Historically Black Protestant-2%. In Minnesota there are 170 masonic lodges. The median age in the state is 38, and 29% of the population is over the age of 55. In the last presidential election 46% of Minnesota residents voted Democrat and 45% voted Republican. The state of Minnesota ranks 27th in the country for diversity, and the state is considered LGBTQ friendly.

State-wide weather information

Minnesota experiences an average humidity rating of about 70%. The highest monthly average humidity rating is 80% in the month of December. The average temperature in the summer rises to around 67F. Over the summer months the average high temperature peaks at around 86F during the month of July. The average low summer temperature is around 42F in the month of June. The average temperature in the winter falls to around 13F. During the winter, the average high temperature peaks at around 33F during the month of February. The average low temperature during the winter drops to around -11F in the month of January. The average air quality index rating in Minnesota is 34.5 AQI. The average air quality index rating peaks in the month of May with a rating of around 42.7 AQI. On average, the state receives 2.37 inches of precipitation a month. The most precipitation occurs in June with an average of 5.59 inches of precipitation a month. While residents of Minnesota mostly enjoy pleasant conditions, it’s important to be aware of inclement weather as well, which in Minnesota can include floods and earthquakes (high).

Wildlife to be found in Minnesota

The state of Minnesota has a diverse array of plant and animal life. Local plant life can consist of paper, river, and yellow birch, pin cherry, hemlock, and wine, red, and black spine. While venturing throughout the state, you might see animals such as the bald eagles, the black bears, the timber wolves, or the peregrine falcons. The state animal of Minnesota is the eastern timber wolf.