Small town in the city.

I can't believe it was just over a month ago that Jess and I signed our lease on W 44th street, and we have finally moved in to what we think to be our *perfect” apartment. Nestled in the heart of the Linden Hills neighborhood, our new home is located between the South shores of Lake Calhoun and the West side of Lake Harriet, in Southwest Minneapolis. Not only does it offer the convenience of being within walking distance (less than a block!) to Lake Harriet, but we also happen to be in the backyard of the neighborhoods best boutiques, dining, and best of all, the Twin Cities premium choice of ice cream... Sebastian Joe's  (literally, we’re in the backyard. We share our back parking lot…can you say dangerous?)
Known to be the best “small town in the city,” Linden Hills is the answer to the urban living we desire, but within a quaint community that we know will be our new playground. So idyllic, even Mr. Rogers would be a little jealous.

Lake Harriet/Lake Calhoun Streetcar

The Lake Harriet Bandshell is home to outdoor concerts, as well as Church services every Sunday morning [through labor day]. What a perfect backdrop for a picnic or a wedding, as well! Our routine walk/runs around the lake are always a little easier, too, when we see this as our finish line.

Downtown Linden Hills "Upton Avenue"

Linden Hill's Florist...we know where we're getting our Mother's Day gifts next year!

The "Danger Zones" 

Danger Zone #1: Bibelot gift store. Jess and I timed how long it took me to leave my apartment, walk over there and buy candles for our housewarming party, and walk back... 4 MINUTES! Not only do we share our back parking lot with them, but sometimes we even use their garbage cans and get in trouble for it. I think we learned our lesson the first time we tried that...

Danger Zone #2: Great Harvest Bakery. Free bread slices daily & the best chocolate chip cookies you could ever have. Enough said.

Patio outside Sebastian Joe's. What a perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee or scoop of ice cream.

Danger Zone #3: Sebastian Joe's. Pavarotti, Oreo, and Raspberry-Chocolate Chip are our top 3 favorite flavors. Hands down. Turns out they have great coffee & pastries in the morning as well. I suggest the Iced Vanilla Latte...

Other Neighborhood hangouts:

This store definitely brings back some childhood memories

This neighborhood hardware store has come in quite handy lately as we start to make our walls look pretty :)

People come from all over the Twin Cities to grab a sandwich {anyway you'd like it}, or their Thanksgiving turkey here. We are so lucky to have this community treasure so close.

"Thanks for calling Famous Dave's, this is Famous Allie". I have a deja vu back to my first job every time I come here. Cornbread muffins for dinner are definitely in the near future at apartment #2.

Dunn Bros Coffee. Nothing like perfectly roasted coffee beans and the best chocolate croissants in town.

Unfortunately this will be moving up the street this fall. It will still be close, but we may not be able to walk there when we need to quick grab a gallon of milk or loaf of bread anymore...

The Zumbro Cafe offers "fresh and healthy meals made from scratch from locally produced and organic ingredients." However if you are in the mood for a delicious lunch on a Monday afternoon, you're outta luck... this place is closed every Monday (and every day after 2:30), so plan your meal accordingly. I learned this last week when I tried to take a friend out to lunch in our new neighborhood. Thank goodness for Turtle Bread Bakery just down the street!

Allie would love to take some guitar lessons here... The Linden Hills house of Music has outdoor recitals showcasing the community's talent sporadically, as well. What a great way to get to know your neighbors!