Living at the Willows combines...
Access to nature (one of the prettiest wooded biking/running trails in Rochester is just a couple blocks away and at least six parks/playgrounds are also within walking distance)
A quick and easy commute to Mayo (via the above trail which goes right downtown, via a 10-15 minute drive to Clinic buildings, via 10 minute drive up Hwy 52 to St. Mary's Hospital, or on the #5 bus (pass free for Mayo employees) running every 30-60 minutes throughout the day).
Front porch is a great place to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. Condo association takes care of all maintenance of the grounds, so there is no mowing or snow shoveling to take away from your time to socialize, sleep, and study!Ground level means cheaper air conditioning and no steps to climb when bringing home groceries.
Grassy courtyard right outside the front door.
Condo common area out back has a big grassy area backing up to gorgeous woods (yes, we see deer sometimes!). There is a volleyball court and lots of room for pets, picnics, frisbee, bocce ball, etc.
We love the specific location of our condo for the following reasons:
1. This condo is on a corner, which means that the bedrooms do not share a wall with another unit.
2. We are one of the few units that faces directly out onto the grassy courtyard -- meaning no traffic right outside your door!
3. We are within a couple minute walk of a great dog park (if you are a dog-lover -- even if you're not, it's a fun place to meet people), one of the prettiest wooded trails in Rochester (great for biking, running, rollerblading, etc.), and also within walking distance of at least six parks/playgrounds. The Bear Creek trail leads straight to downtown Rochester (e.g. just a few blocks from the med school) and is less than an hour walk (obviously much shorter on wheels).
4. Nice neighbors including other medical students, residents, and fellows. Our immediate neighbors are also very quiet. The girl across the hall is a graduate student, as is one of our neighbors "across the grass." It is not uncommon for neighbors to bring their pets outside for our daughter to meet or to come home to find someone walking around pulling weeds here and there just to keep things spruced up. The surrounding neighborhood is very nice too -- there are two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school within 1/2 mile, which testifies to the family-friendly nature of the community. I've lived here alone, with another female roommate, and now with my husband and 2-year-old daughter and have always felt safe.
5. The condo association is financially sound, very well-organized, economically-minded, and efficient. Association fees are $100 per month and include maintenance of the grounds (including snow removal, cleaning the hallways, water, garbage, etc).
6. The bus comes around the corner as it goes down to Pinewood, where it is visible from the condo windows. This is a nice head's up that the bus will circle back past the Willows about 5 minutes later -- making it very easy to do some last minute getting ready and still catch the bus on time.
6. The bus comes around the corner as it goes down to Pinewood, where it is visible from the condo windows. This is a nice head's up that the bus will circle back past the Willows about 5 minutes later -- making it very easy to do some last minute getting ready and still catch the bus on time.
7. This unit is on the highest elevation of the property (west end), meaning that the porch, utility closet, and garage have never flooded. My sister lived in a unit on the lowest elevation of the property (east end) and had problems with this every time it rained.
8. We are close to downtown (about 3 miles) but not right in Mayo's backyard, so coming home feels more like a retreat and escape from school/work.
9. Nearly-new construction means that there are a lot of safety features -- including a water sprinkler system, fire retardant "stuff" inside the walls, special doorways that will seal off a fire in an adjacent unit to keep it from spreading to yours, intercom doorbell, etc.
10. Utilities are CHEAP! We can have the air conditioning on all summer and the heat all winter without much expense due to the well-insulated construction and reasonable size (as opposed to trying to heat or cool an older or bigger house).
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