Housing Options
MSC constantly seeks to improve, yet only as one of many housing options available to students.
Our goal is to provide a flexible frugal low cost option for individuals who simply need a study friendly home to afford a better education and establish a career with their new potential. Please consider the range of options available because we seek to serve only those who we serve best.
MSC appears to be the cheapest single occupant bedroom for independent students, yet other coops have apartments or flats more suited to families, enforce a tighter community with roommates and formal shared meals, or demand less responsibility from residents. MSC retains its independent status as part of the broad community of housing options open to students preparing for, attending, visiting and transitioning from any of the many schools within the Twin Cities. Our location is ideal for U of MN students and research staff, yet we remain open to those who most value what we have to offer and demonstrate this by volunteer work to increase the value we offer future students.
Those who are no longer students need to ask themselves, do they remain here to assist students and contribute to the community of learning among universities and community colleges or are they just here for cheap rent. There may be a coop closer to work, an opportunity to purchase a starter home, a place that fits your evolving needs. If ones art will not lead to prosperity, other groups better assist with housing needs. Students have priority over non-students in our Articles of Corporation.
MSC benefits from community connections with those whose situations and needs change. Occasional members move to CTC to accommodate visiting family, and return to MSC for a simple cheaper life while studying alone. We welcome modifications to make our buildings more handicap accessible, and child friendly, yet other facilities and locations my be cheaper to meet ones needs.
Do you desire: an apartment, to share a kitchen, or to actually cook and eat regularly with those in your home?
storage space, play areas for a child, a covered car garage, amenities like a gym that might be part of a package elsewhere?
Housing by U of MN St. Paul Campus ( same quiet neighborhood )
Rent in St. Anthony Park Neighborhood <-- SAPCC might list options in a changed website location
UMN Students Housing facebook posts
Zillow lists local rent options
Some family homes offer an extra bedroom for rent to students using a card posted on the wall next to the Post Office inside the lower level of the St.Paul Student Center.
By the Chinese Hospitality center a 2 bdr apt is often available with hardwood floors 612-325-8824
Mim's & Lori's Cafe has Single or Double Room Apartments 651 431-0704 shaheensinc@gmail.com <-- last we checked ~$800 of an apartment one can't share in 2019.
Minnesota Graduate Club @ 2089 Carter Ave. St Paul MN 55108
Next to Keda: 1387 Cleveland Ave N. Saint Paul, MN 55108 <-- Last checked >$500 per room in shared home.
UMN Housing: UMN Off-Campus (Selector) : Only 13% of students live on campus. Factoring out part-time students who live further from campus or take courses online, over 30,000 students look for housing directly around campus every year.
Most off campus students pay rent exceeding $500/month and overall academic outcomes are lower than for those who get into and can afford dorm life. Part of that may be financial and logistic stress of juggling jobs and commutes with course loads and research. MSC does not track academic outcomes, yet cooperative students seek to empower each other to succeed by providing study friendly rooms adjacent to campus and bus routes with utilities included for under $430/room and flexible obligations to accommodate student situations (chores and payment due dates can adjust around finals...). While we are not a social club, practical empathy is common tutoring, carpooling, and sharing housekeeping.
Space near the U of MN is scarce while classes start August to Early September.
Coop housing at a different location.
Local Co-op Housing
Other Housing Coops serving local Students:
Students' Co-op UMN E.Bank/Dinkytown Their Application <-- Like MSC these guys remain independent.
Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative S. of UMN StPaul Campus <-- Has extensive play areas at the U of MN
Como Student Community Cooperative N of Como between St.P & E.Bank Campuses. <-- "Lowest rent rates including
Utilities at the U of MN" Coop Origins
Local friendly enterprises:
Common Properties Management Cooperative <--
Personal Pride in Living <-- they also offer useful resources
More Local Housing Coops:
Omega House near Minneapolis Institute of Art
Mole Hill Coop in Powder Horn Park Neighborhood of Minneapolis
Other Cooperative Related Links
CO-OP Network.org what-is-a-credit-union
Coops that have contacted us from other places