5 Reasons I Love Living in Maple Leaf

Having known a number of friends toying with the idea of moving toward the city, I've been considering my favorite things about living where we do.  Below are five reasons I love living in Maple Leaf. They aren't mind-blowing, in fact, they're mostly very obvious, and I think these pertain to all our little neighborhoods on our edge of town:

1. Tiny Libraries - I know these are making their way out to the burbs, but tiny libraries was one of many reasons I loved living in Fremont. When they started popping up on my own street and the surrounding areas in Maple Leaf, my heart lept! I always keep books in the back of my car (books for unexpected park days, books I need to return to friends, books I'm ready to donate).  Several times now I have hopped out and traded a book in the back for something appealing in the little lending library on the sidewalk.

2. Parks - My mom took us girls to a lot of parks growing up.  I have such strong, happy memories when I pass by the one with all the flags halfway between Bothell and Edmonds. That's where most often we'd end up with Elise - I remember us setting our sodas in the sand so they wouldn't fall over while we enjoyed the swings.  Sure enough, our teeth met a nice amount of grainy soda when we returned. We always drove to the parks though. And as a kid, I had no complaint about this, as an adult I don't either really. I love driving to a favorite park.  But you know what's even better?  WALKING to the park! I love that living in one of the outskirt neighborhoods of Seattle essentially means you have a park within walking distance.  For us, we have two or three, but one of them is so great it's the only one we even think to go to! Maple Leaf is made by it's incredible Maple Leaf Reservoir Park!

3. Local Businesses - For us, the local businesses starts with coffee and ends with either Ace Hardware or The Maple Bar.  Not because there aren't other awesome businesses (like a Vet I can't wait to visit someday soon! When have you ever heard those words before, right?), but because we LOVE these local haunts and something about buying goods from the guy who literally lives on your street is awesome! But in our little Maple Leaf town center strip, we also have accountants, a florist, a mechanic, a cake/bakery shop, two salons, until a month ago a drug store, midwives, a naturopath, a chiropractor and a dozen other shops.

4. Short(er) Commute - I decided yesterday that the only thing that sucks about Seattle, is the traffic.  It seriously is ALL the time now.  And it's awful; no denying it. Everything else about our green city is awesome. That being said, living on the edge of the city is a pretty nice situation. It shortens your commute into the city for work each day, while also allowing you to avoid the nasty traffic on your off days. I really like not having to sit on 45th or 50th for close to an hour any time I want to hit I-5, or go visit my parents. Where we live now, we are essentially 15 minutes to everything! (Except Bellevue and Kirkland.) And by "shorter commute" to work, I also mean we get to commute in on a bus! Sitting on a bus, instead of behind a wheel means you're spending less money and you're probably enjoying a good book. You're also walking from your bus stop to work, which is healthier for you. Of course, this is also healthier for the environment, and for the nasty Seattle traffic so everybody please get on a bus! And now that you're on a bus, read a book.  Look, I am literally solving so many major US problems right now - we're all on buses and we're reading, so there's no traffic, less exhaust, and an educated, empathetic population! I'm getting t-shirts made!

5. Community - we're still figuring this one out.  But I visited our Community Council Executive Board meeting this past month, and I'm happy to know there are wonderful people who have been members of this community for 30 years.  Like every part of Seattle (and Washington), the neighborhood is undergoing massive changes, amidst that, it is wonderful to have long-term, committed neighbors who can hopefully help us hold on to the very best parts of who Maple Leaf has always been, while wisely adapting to how the city needs to change. Living in tight quarters with neighbors can be frustrating - it's hard to not be all up in one another's business, but it also leads to conversations and hellos and goodbyes and "Great day to work in the yard, isn't it?" across the street. When Heidi lived here, she made friends with other moms at the coffee shop. I love that (as did she). As I said, we're still figuring this one out, but I think these specific neighborhoods have a lot of promise for community and I treasure that.

Well 2013, you are looking pretty dang nice.  A little quieter, perhaps kinder. You aren't as pushy as 2012, but I don't mind that at all.  I like your pace.

We kicked off the new year with some friends in Ballard/ Wallingford.  Dinner at Bastille, cocktails at Mal's and a brisk champagne walk toward the lake to catch the fireworks at the Space Needle.  It was beautiful.  I didn't think I'd get to see my roomie, but as we ran into my apartment for more layers after dinner, we found her in the kitchen making tea.  Sickness had sorted her plans a bit and with a little coercion she was running out the door with us minutes later.  

We called the night fairly early (for it being new years).  The next morning we had breakfast plans and we wanted to be ready.  Elise, Jeff, Auri, Ty & Elsa all joined us for the first official "hosting" at John's place.  We'd worked hard over the weekend to prepare - planning, shopping, buying & building a table.  But somehow we still weren't quite ready as our friends began to arrive.  That seems to be the way it goes.  And thankfully, with friends, it's almost better that way.  Elise jumped in and started frying bacon. Auri wandered in and out of the kitchen, round our legs.  She picked out "my special seat" and "John's seat."  She didn't mind where the rest of us sat so much. 

( John's fridge also got a bit "prettier" )

I love this girl and especially how she gets a certain look on her face.  She locks someone in, walks right over to them, smiles and cuddles up.  My favorite is when it's me, but no matter who her 'target' is it's always a joy to see her loving on all her Aunties and Uncles.  She is a delight and a joy so much bigger than her tiny little frame.  We were all playing games and chatting when she found her way to the floor right between Elsa and I.  She put one hand on each of our knees and she just sat there with the girls, entirely content. I love her. And I love how her giggles can fill up a room.  

After hours of food, coffee, laughing and games we said our goodbyes.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing, with sweat pants and cold cereal.  Family phone calls and well wishes.  A hunt for an open ice cream place, and eventually a movie with my parents.  John was shocked that I insisted we stay in our sweats for the movie.  As we walked out of the theatre he informed me with a smile, "I think you've made a monster.  I love wearing my sweats to movies!"  I may be ruining this man.  8 months ago he said something like, "I'm not really a sweat pants sort of guy."  He eventually dug up a pair somewhere.  Things have changed since then.  I hope he forgives me one day. : )