Carefree Cottages of Maplewood sits at 1801 Gervais Avenue in Maplewood, Minnesota, and has served seniors since 1993 with a range of care options like independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, and a continuing care retirement community. The community includes single-level cottages and the three-level Carefree Chateau, offering one to three-bedroom homes with large kitchens, plenty of closet space, air conditioning, and private porches, plus personal walk-out patios, and you'll find that almost all the units have full kitchens no matter the level of care. There's a strong focus on dignity and kindness, with the Mogren family running things since the beginning, and most staff have served for years, treating residents like family.
The place is pretty big, covering over 238,000 square feet, with 153 cottages or townhomes and 110 apartments in the Chateau building, bringing the total to 263 homes, and more than 90% qualify for federal affordable housing, so rent starts at $1,165 for a one-bedroom and goes up depending on size and services chosen, plus there's a special guest suite for visiting family and friends. Residents have options for independent living if they want to stay active and social or assisted living with help ready for daily needs like bathing, dressing, and taking medicine, and there are memory care areas for those who need it.
Every unit comes with laundry hookups, and the property takes care of trash, water, and sewer, but residents handle their own gas, electric, cable, phone, and internet. Garages are available too, either detached or attached, for a monthly fee. For those who like to stay busy, there are regular activities like movie nights, bingo, birthday parties, aerobics, sing-alongs, and volunteer chances, with places to gather like library and card rooms, activity spaces, and outdoor common areas with paths, pond views, and green spaces. Beauty services, a hair salon, and wellness programs are on site, and you'll even find restaurant-style dining, as well as scheduled transportation for shopping, doctor appointments, or running errands twice a month. Grocery trips, offsite outings, and devotional services round out the list.
Safety and care stay top priorities with 24-hour emergency maintenance, trained medical staff, and a professional management team. Residents can age in place, moving from independent living to assisted or nursing care without leaving the community, which many families like. Access to nearby shopping, restaurants, public transit, and a hospital just minutes away makes daily life easier. Many homes here are pet-friendly for small dogs and cats with a one-time fee, and emotional support animals are allowed in the Chateau. There's a mix of people here, with everybody able to enjoy as much social life as they want, and there's always the freedom to relax on a private porch or join a group in the spacious community rooms. Carefree Cottages of Maplewood stands out for its history, affordable rents, flexible living options, and steady family management, keeping things comfortable and respectful for seniors in Maplewood.