Life at 2nd Street Lofts

Tonight makes 3 full weeks that I've been living in my new apartment. I really like it so far, but have been dealing with so many changes. I didn't quite imagine that I would be living in a city such as Minneapolis, much less right downtown.

Not only is the location so much different, but the building is something new to me, too. I've realized that I had really grown attached to living on quiet streets, getting to really know the neighbors, and having a yard! Here at 2nd Street Lofts, it is more of the hotel atmosphere. To get 'home', I can take one of two stairwells in which require a key to enter...or the main entrance lobby door, which also requires a key after 5pm and on weekends. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it is such a change from just walking right into my house, leaving the door unlocked while I ran outside for something, and just the convenience of it all! Now, I find myself constantly thinking about where my keys are, rethinking quick trips to places, and overall, just better planning. Once I'm in the building, I can either take the steps up to the 2nd floor, or take the elevator (which is extremely slow:). Either way, the elevator requires a key to get on, and each floor requires a key to enter...so to get in my actual apartment, I unlock at least 3 doors.

I feel safe once I'm in the building and am thankful for the locked doors, security cameras, etc...just a big adjustment. Other changes include not having my own washer and dryer, place to park, and having to take the elevator down to the garage to throw away garbage and recycling. I am trying really hard to let myself feel like it's my home, rather than a temporary hotel. It's so weird having hallways, and super close neighbors, and getting my mail from a mass storage mailbox...with a key! Its getting better and I've learned to appreciate the location so much!

I am only 2 blocks away from one of the best trails in the city, which includes a walk over the historic Stone Arch Bridge and the cool Hennepin bridge. Being located in the warehouse district of the city allows me walking access to the train, grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, restaurants, and really anything that I could really ask for. I am really looking forward to the summer when I can walk over to the Farmer's Market and load up! I am also in close driving distance of the airport, Mall of America, several malls and shopping centers, Zoos, and really anything I could possibly be looking for! It's great!

A few things that really suck about the city is parking. I'm slowly complaining less and realizing it's just the way of life around here. I am currently #2 on the waiting list to get underground parking in my building. Unfortunately, there is no way to know when spots will become available until someone says they are moving out. I am just crossing my fingers that it will be soon:) Until then, I park on the street. It doesn't sound like a big deal and sometimes it isn't but...it is metered. On the streets surrounding my building, there are meters that are active from 8am-6pm, Monday through Friday. Since I leave for work around 10:30am, I have to be outside to put money in at 8am. Once Harper gets here, it won't be the biggest deal because I will be outside anyways! When I get home from work around 6:30, there is NEVER an open spot anywhere, and I usually have to park 2-3 blocks away. I think it must fill up around 5pm when most people get done with work. I don't mind the walk, and quite frankly I could use the exercise. It's just not very fun to have to actually change out of my pajamas in the mornings, collect 10 quarters, and then trek down to my car to make sure it doesn't get towed (which happened once already!). It's not so bad if I don't have things to carry in, and if I actually have a stock of quarters. Hopefully this ruitine will become natural..it already is! My goal for today is to find a close spot below my window...then I won't go anywhere until work tomorrow!

In a nutshell, it's a great place, and will be even better if Harper can adjust as easily as I have been. That will be the true test. I'm really thankful for the opportunity to be able to switch up my lifestyle while I can, before falling into the rut of life (even though that would be nice sometime soon). I want to to engulf myself into as much change as I can before that happens. For now, Minneapolis is wonderful... we'll see what happens next!