The Ultimate Staycation

By Rachel M. Anderson, Contributing Writer

(Edina, MN) – Summer is typically a time when people plan trips. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year going on a cruise, traveling abroad, or going on the annual trip to visit family isn’t going to happen for a lot of people.

So, how do you make the best of having to stay home? One idea is to plan a staycation, which is defined as a period in which an individual or family stays home and participates in leisure activities within driving distance of their home that do not require overnight accommodations. 

Up until about a year ago, Edina residents Tom and Heather Reussé’s idea of a staycation was the five months they spent living onboard their boat, cruising the St. Croix River; and the seven months at their home on the beach in Bonita Springs, Florida. But after more than 20 years of going back and forth two times a year, they decided enough was enough.

“I had been thinking about selling our Florida home and moving back to Minnesota for quite a while and thought it would be a tough sell to get Heather to move back, but after she found Avidor Edina she got so excited I didn’t even have to do any kind of sales pitch,” said Tom, 81.

Heather, 78, had stumbled upon the 55 plus luxury apartment building at the corner of Eden Avenue and Vernon Avenue South in Edina in Sept. 2018 when it was still under construction. Her discovery happened during a visit to her daughter’s home, which is just a 15-minute walk away.

Avidor Edina opened in June 2019, and the Reussés moved into their two-bedroom apartment that September. “It’s like living in a resort. It’s such an elegant place. The staff is just so friendly and accommodating,” said Tom.

“And there’s so much to do here,” added Heather. “We’re kept very busy.”

While Heather participates in the onsite yoga classes—currently offered virtually—three days a week; Silver Sneakers, a health and fitness program for seniors, twice a week; and water aerobics once a week, Tom is kept busy with the writing club he leads and regular trips to the onsite gym.

Both lovers of nature, the Reussés don’t even have to leave home to enjoy much of what Minnesota has to offer. “We have a 2-bedroom apartment on the 5thfloor that overlooks a pond. We enjoy sitting on our porch with a cup of coffee, watching Donald and Daisy duck swim in the pond, and all the songbirds that come and go throughout the day,” said Tom.

“And the sky is just amazing. Our apartment has a 180-degree view of the horizon,” added Heather.

Their neighbor, Mary Beth Heart, 60, had a similar incentive for moving to the community. Her son and two of her grandchildren live nearby. “When I decided I wanted to move from Ohio back to Edina, I contacted City Hall and asked what they had for 55 plus that was new construction. Avidor Edina is exactly what I was looking for,” she said.

Heart settled in a one-bedroom apartment on the third floor. “I am so thankful to be here,” she said. “There are plenty of things to do—Mahjongg, Bridge, exercise classes. I love my apartment. I overlook the pool area and there is action out there most of the time.”

“We pride ourselves on having built a community that is very approachable. Everyone who lives here is very down to earth, friendly and comfortable to be around. Our residents have a wide variety of backgrounds and interests, and they have fun together,” said Gabrielle Anderson, Community Director at Avidor Edina.

Some of the more popular social activities at the community have been altered recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are still going on in some fashion. These include the daily community continental breakfast, group exercise classes, movie night, and the daily happy hour at the pool. All of the activities are free for residents to attend. Costs are covered in their monthly rent.

Avidor Edina is offering a move-in special right now. Sign a 15-month lease and your first three months of rent are free. Those who sign a 15-month lease within 60 days of their first tour receive a $250 credit on rent for months 4 – 15, and a $1,500 credit towards a concierge transition service to assist with their move.

Avidor Edina is a 165-apartment building that offers several floor plans, all with at least 9-foot ceilings and keyless fob system. There’s no shortage of common spaces, including a pool with a sun deck and hot tub, outdoor green space, a fitness club and movie theater.

Avidor Edina is located at 5220 Eden Avenue in Edina, and there are plenty of amenities just a short distance away: Jerry’s Foods, the Edina Public Library, the Edina Senior Center, Starbucks and Hilltop Restaurant are just a few of the popular attractions. The area’s well known 50th and France shopping district is just 1.2 miles away.