Summerhill of Apple Valley/Co-Op

Pros

• Summerhill is a great place to live, centrally located and well maintained.
• The residents feel like family and there are many activities for those who get involved.
• The units are lovely with extra space, 9 ft ceilings, and in-unit laundry.
• Summerhill is regarded as the best choice among co-ops by those who looked at alternatives.
• The community is welcoming, well maintained, and offers a variety of amenities.
• The suites are beautiful, bright, and have adequate storage.
• Summerhill is a senior cooperative in an excellent Apple Valley location, ideal for independent living.
• There are no maintenance worries since the coop takes care of everything, including appliances and carpeting.
• The non-profit model helps keep monthly charges reasonable compared with rentals.
• The community is clean, quiet, secure, and conveniently located near restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.

Cons

• The management is described as beyond deplorable.
• The staff were nasty to the family after the father died.
• Neighbors were talking about how the management makes life difficult for them.
• There is a small board clique dictating who residents can see in their own home, indicating control issues.
• The reviewer would not recommend the place because of these issues.
• One reviewer says they hope never to have to live in a place like that.

Review

Summerhill Cooperative of Apple Valley is portrayed by many residents as more than just a place to live - it's a welcoming community designed for independent seniors who value a well-maintained, maintenance-free lifestyle in a central location. Across several personal accounts, people describe well-kept grounds and units, generous space, and practical features like in-unit laundry and 9-foot ceilings that make everyday life comfortable. The sense of belonging comes through strongly, with neighbors treated almost like family, and a shared appreciation for the conveniences and amenities that come with living in a cooperative setting. Several reviews emphasize that Summerhill is not only aesthetically pleasing but feels like a thoughtful, long-term home where residents can choose how involved they want to be.

Longtime residents speak with particular warmth about the atmosphere and stability Summerhill provides. One account reflects a decade of satisfaction, noting that the place is centrally located, well maintained, and populated by people who treat one another like family. The writer highlights the abundance of activities - great for those who want to engage - while also praising the living spaces themselves: "lovely with extra space, 9 ft. ceilings with in unit laundry." The sentiment is that Summerhill stands out among the many co-ops the person has considered, and that finding this community felt like a rare blessing. The message is consistent: a positive, enduring home where the quality of life is high and the community is supportive.

For a newer member joining after retirement, the experience centers on meeting a well-defined wish list for senior living. A resident who moved in 2023 mentions prioritizing pets, in-unit laundry, underground heated parking, and utilities included in the monthly fee, along with an affordable buy-in. Summerhill checked all those boxes and then some, though the move involved being on multiple reservation lists. The overall tone is celebratory: the building is well-maintained, the residents are welcoming, and there are amenities that make daily life convenient and comfortable. The hopeful note is that the right co-op can come through with a favorable fit, and Summerhill appears to deliver for those who value a senior-friendly, easy-to-manage lifestyle.

Beyond the specifics of features and move-in logistics, several residents offer practical guidance for prospective buyers or renters. One succinct line encourages starting the search early and recognizing that a wait list is part of finding a new home there. Another emphasizes ownership: the co-op is "owned by you for you," underscoring the co-op model as a distinctive advantage. The sense conveyed is that Summerhill offers a nice, stable community with opportunities to participate in activities or simply enjoy a peaceful, well-run living environment.

For those who have been at Summerhill for several years, the experience is consistently positive. A resident who has lived there for seven-and-a-half years praises the suites for being beautiful, bright, and well-provisioned with adequate storage. The community is described as friendly and very nice, reinforcing the impression that Deputy management and routine operations run smoothly enough to sustain a long-term stay. This perspective aligns with other long-term residents who emphasize that the suites and common areas meet high standards and that the social atmosphere remains welcoming.

A perspective from a resident who moved in during late 2022 adds a compelling human element: at 65, they were among the younger residents, yet they felt instantly accepted and at home. They emphasize the accessibility of activities for everyone, the quality of management, and the beauty of the units. The writer notes a strong sense of belonging - more welcome here in six months than in thirty years in a townhouse - an endorsement of Summerhill as a place where inclusivity and comfort matter. The takeaway is that age thresholds aren't barriers here; rather, they're part of the inviting, low-stress senior living model that appeals to a broad range of residents.

Another long-tenured voice highlights Summerhill's undeniable strengths: an excellent Apple Valley location, the independence of a cooperative, and the absence of routine maintenance worries since building services take care of appliances and carpeting. The community is praised for being friendly and well maintained, inside and out, with non-profit status contributing to reasonable monthly charges compared with rental properties. The resounding recommendation from this account is clear: Summerhill is a strong choice for seniors seeking dignified, self-directed living with a supportive, well-run environment.

Not every review is without critique. A more critical note discusses issues with management, describing it as "beyond deplorable" and recounting a personal experience where a family member faced unkind treatment during a move-in. Some stories describe conversations among neighbors that reveal ongoing tension around management decisions and the way the board operates. The phrasing suggests that governance and interpersonal dynamics can be a source of discomfort for at least some residents, and that cliques or control dynamics may color experiences for certain households. While those concerns are not the majority sentiment, they are presented as real caveats to consider when evaluating a co-op.

Still, many comments return to shared positives: a clean, quiet environment, solid security, convenient access to restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. There is enthusiasm about the overall experience and the social fabric of the community, including reliable staff who are described as helpful by tenants. Remarks about the physical setting - well-maintained units, attractive common spaces, and a general sense of safety - bolster the impression that Summerhill offers a well-rounded senior living option. In sum, it is a place that many residents call home with strong affection, while acknowledging that, like any community, it has its complexities to navigate.

Taken together, the collection of experiences paints a nuanced portrait of Summerhill: a central, well-kept, and neighborly senior cooperative that makes elective activities optional but readily accessible, offers spacious and thoughtfully designed units, and provides a maintenance-free lifestyle backed by a community of people who often feel like family. For those who prize independence, reasonable costs, and a welcoming atmosphere, Summerhill appears to be a compelling choice - one that has clearly delivered years of satisfaction for many residents. Yet, as with any living community, potential residents should weigh governance and management dynamics alongside the obvious strengths to determine if this is the right fit for their personal expectations and needs.

This area of Apple Valley, Minnesota offers a convenient and diverse selection of amenities for senior living. With multiple pharmacies within a close distance, accessing necessary medications and healthcare services is easily manageable. The presence of reputable hospitals and physicians nearby provides peace of mind in terms of healthcare options. Additionally, there are various dining options ranging from fast-food restaurants to sit-down establishments, catering to different culinary preferences. For leisure activities, residents can visit the nearby theaters or parks for entertainment and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded community with essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors to enjoy.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.4 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (3.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – Apple Valley (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Lunds & Byerlys Burnsville (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Apple Valley Medical Clinic (0.8 miles)
• Fairview Ridges Hospital (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Nystrom & Associates (0.8 miles)
• Southdale Pediatrics (2.4 miles)
• Fairview Ridges Specialty Care Center (2.6 miles)
• Dr Anthony Battaglia (2.7 miles)
• Fairview Ridges Specialty Care Center Park Nicollet Obgyn (2.7 miles)
• Park Nicollet Clinic and Specialty Center Burnsville (2.7 miles)
• Sstar-Sports Specific Training & Rehab (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (0.9 miles)
• Culver's (1.3 miles)
• Jj’s Kitchen & Grill (1.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.9 miles)
• Burger King (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• The Original Pancake House (3 miles)

Theaters

• Jj’s Theatre & Draft House (1.7 miles)
• Emagine Eagan (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Keller Park (2 miles)
• Lac Lavon Park (2.4 miles)
• Foxborough Park (2.8 miles)
• Greenhaven Park (3.7 miles)
• Lebanon Hills Regional Park (4.8 miles)
• Bloomfield Park (6.2 miles)
• Pine Knoll Park (6.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Woodcrest Church (6.4 miles)

Transportation

• Mall of America LRT Station (7.6 miles)