Cutter's Grove in Anoka, MN

Pros

• The family relocated here and is satisfied with their apartment and services.
• Amber provides an amazing tour, and her friendliness and passion for her job are evident.
• They enjoy living near the Mississippi River and using the walking trails, with the heated garage as a bonus.
• The community is well managed and cares about its tenants.
• The grounds are well maintained, safe, and quiet, with a pool and dog park that residents enjoy.
• The apartments are spacious with ample closet space, and the office staff listen to concerns.
• The area feels safe for evening strolls, and neighbors are friendly.
• Overall, the property is spacious, well maintained, and offers good value for residents.

Cons

• Several reviewers describe it as a horrible place to live, noting garages or vehicles being broken into.
• The on-site laundry is unreliable, with machines that fail to load money onto cards.
• Rent is criticized as high for a lack of amenities, including no indoor pool and no in-unit washer/dryer, with added laundry costs.
• Management is accused of excessive turnover charges and unfair deposit deductions.
• Snow and ice removal is described as inadequate, with sidewalks often not shoveled and residents told to salt themselves.
• Staff are depicted as cold and unfriendly, with rude treatment toward families and children.
• Policies banning outdoor recreation or wheels are seen as not kid-friendly and discriminatory.
• Maintenance is described as insufficient, with flooding, damaged trim/flooring, and debris left behind after work.

Review

Cutter's Grove is best suited for active adults and small families who prize a river-adjacent lifestyle with generous apartment layouts, easy access to the Mississippi's walking trails, and a neighborhood feel that emphasizes safety and neighborliness. The location matters most: the community sits next to Mississippi River Community Park, offering scenic views and ample outdoor space, with convenient access from Hwy. 10. Inside, residents find spacious layouts and practical amenities that work for daily living, and several accounts emphasize friendly, responsive staff. For those who want a calm, scenic base with real room to spread out, this is a compelling option that trades over-the-top resort-style amenities for a down-to-earth, walkable environment.

There are clear reasons to consider alternatives, however. The most pressing limitation for certain buyers is affordability: rent is described as high for what's offered, especially for seniors on fixed incomes or SSDI, who may struggle to justify the price without subsidized options. Families with children looking for a strictly kid-friendly, rules-flexible space may be frustrated by policies that limit outdoor recreation, biking, and use of common areas, and by reports of inconsistent enforcement. Those who expect robust on-site amenities - indoor pools, comprehensive gyms, or active programming - will find Cutter's Grove falls short. For anyone who relies on steady, proactive maintenance and reliable snow removal, the mixed signals in reviews about staffing and response times warrant caution.

The strongest pros - river proximity, trails, dog-friendly outdoor spaces, and a genuine sense of community - often offset several drawbacks when living here. Residents frequently praise the well-maintained grounds, the pool and dog park in season, and the perceived generosity of the on-site staff. The heated garage, spacious closets, and overall apartment quality help justify the rent for many, especially those who value space and outdoor access. In cases where maintenance requests are handled promptly and neighbors are seen as supportive, Cutter's Grove delivers a livable baseline that can feel like a step up from more cramped, noisy, or less scenic options.

Yet the main cons carry real weight. Noise from a minority of tenants and late-night disturbances can erode the peace some residents expect, particularly in multi-building layouts. Several reviews recount significant maintenance challenges, including floods, lingering repairs, and DIY-level responses when the response from management seems slow or insufficient. In-unit laundry is not universal, and even when present, machines can be less reliable, with some reviewers paying extra for services that feel essential rather than optional. The lack of on-site indoor amenities - a gym, indoor pool, or large community center - adds up for households that value fitness and social programming as part of monthly living costs. Parking and snow removal reliability matter in Minnesota winters, and occasional garage security concerns temper the otherwise favorable impression. A thread of frustration about corporate ownership and policy consistency also appears, suggesting a rhythm to resident experience that can swing between warmly hospitable and businesslike, sometimes unevenly.

Enter decision-making with practical focus: for buyers who prize a riverfront, walkable lifestyle and a genuine, supportive staff, Cutter's Grove offers undeniable appeal if the budget can tolerate the balance of amenities and occasional friction. Prospective residents should verify the exact unit features (whether laundry is included and where), confirm parking and garage reliability, and assess the true frequency of maintenance responses. Tours should be used as a litmus test for communication and tone, with special attention to the demeanor of the team - seek out Amber or other staff who provide clear, practical guidance. Ask pointed questions about noise, pet policies, community rules, and how quickly issues are resolved in real-life scenarios. If these concerns are deal-breakers, or if in-building recreation and predictable maintenance are non-negotiable, it makes sense to explore alternatives with stronger on-site services or more stringent affordability.

Bottom line: Cutter's Grove delivers a compelling river-adjacent living option for those who value space, outdoor access, and a welcoming, neighborly atmosphere and can tolerate some inconsistency in maintenance and policy enforcement. For families with young children, or for seniors prioritizing affordability, predictable maintenance, and a broader menu of in-building amenities, it's prudent to survey other communities first. The decisive choice hinges on balancing the allure of trails, river views, and a warm community against cost, rule-set nuances, and the rhythm of repairs and management. When the alignment is right, Cutter's Grove stands out as a solid, practical home base in Anoka.

Physicians

• HealthPartners Riverway Clinic Anoka (0.8 miles)
• Allina Health Ramsey Clinic (2.3 miles)
• Allina Hospitals & Clinics (2.7 miles)
• Mercy Orthopedics Clinic (2.9 miles)
• Dr Kara Durick, Optometrist, and Associates - Coon Rapids (3.1 miles)
• The Dental Specialists (3.2 miles)
• North Suburban Eye Specialists (3.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Dakota Drug (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Cub Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Willy Mccoys (1.1 miles)
• 10K Brewing (1.5 miles)
• Ambi Wine Bar (1.6 miles)
• Willy Mccoys Champlin (2.5 miles)
• Boston's Restaurant & Sports Bar (2.9 miles)
• Pappy's (3 miles)
• Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Ramsey (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Caribou Coffee (1.4 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (6.6 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (6.8 miles)
• Starbucks (7.8 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)
• Starbucks (8.6 miles)

Parks

• Pennisula Park (1.8 miles)
• Riverdale Park (3.1 miles)
• Kelsey Round Lake Park (3.5 miles)
• Crooked Lake Park & Beach (3.8 miles)
• Sunshine Park (5.5 miles)
• Pinebrook Park (7.1 miles)
• Hillside City Park (8.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center (1.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church (2.1 miles)
• Ephiphany Catholic Church (5.6 miles)
• Nowthen Alliance Church (8.5 miles)

Theaters

• Andover Cinema (5.1 miles)
• AMC Coon Rapids 16 (7.8 miles)