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I fell in love with my house the first time I looked at it with my Realtor in 1993, and I bought it. It featured large, built-in bookcases for my many, many books, and it appealed very strongly to my artistic sensibilities. The nooks and crooks, the overall decor, gave the house a special European character which I love (I am from Europe originally). Otherwise, I have always been most attracted to older houses. They have a character of their own, a mystery, that appeals to my soul.
From a practical standpoint, the apartment was a big selling point. I had just started my own graphic design business and wanted the security of a monthly rent check to help pay the mortgage while I built up my business. I have never had any problems renting the apartment.
The office was the second big selling point—it was heavily wired to accommodate my technology needs and featured several phone jacks. It was large enough to accommodate computer desks and a host of other office furniture and was isolated from the rest of the house in such a way that I felt I was actually at work. It is also a quiet and peaceful space.
I fell in love with the huge stone fireplace in the living room and, especially, the indoor brick BBQ in the kitchen! The BBQ is wonderful for cooking steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs at holiday parties, birthday parties and dinner parties. My men guests often fought over the privilege to be named designated cook! Kids are mesmerized by the flaming coals, and everybody loves the special warmth and coziness of the kitchen when the BBB is going. When we lost our power for almost a week during a terrible storm several years ago, I was able to cook myself wonderful meals on the BBB every day.
I also loved the kitchen—everything is within reach and it is easy to navigate.
The back yard is small, but it offers a tranquil sanctuary among wonderful perennial flowers and shrubs where you can read on a hot summer evening, garden to your heart’s content, and even plant vegetables. There is space for planting tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce, and there is a vigorous bed of June strawberries. Butterflies, many species of birds, dragonflies, and even humming birds visit the garden on a regular basis. The deck is a wonderful place to sit as well. On summer evenings, the view of the garden from the deck is truly enchanting.
The neighborhood, of course, is another reason why I have loved my house for so many years. Dog owners will have access to two no-leash dog parks—the Airport dog park (free), and the city dog park off Hiawatha and 54th Street East (licensed). The Light Rail, with easy access to downtown, the airport, Mall of America, and the Northstar Commuter Rail, is within walking distance. Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha Falls Park, Fort Snelling, Lake Nokomis, and miles of bike trails and hiking trails are all nearby.
The neighborhood also features a modern grocery store, a post office, a liquor store, two banks, a hardware store and and several other wonderful stores and restaurants. There’s also a great neighborhood coffee shop where the locals love to meet!
The neighborhood is wonderfully diverse and features many established families who have lived in their homes for many years. It is a stable, friendly, crime-free neighborhood where the neighbors look out for each other.
I am selling my home of so many years to downsize, but I plan on buying a new, smaller, home in this very same neighborhood.
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