We live on Spring Street. It is a long and windy road comprised of many houses closely packed atop one another in the classic San Francisco style. The use of space in this area of the country is mind boggling, every inch of possible landscape is used strategically, allowing for some of the most impressive and interesting houses I have seen. Spring Street, by comparison, is quite simple... at least our block is. The fact that it is straight and has two lanes makes it seem very urban. From where we live you can gaze up to the hills leading to the Marin Headlands and watch the fog roll in off the Pacific Ocean, it's fingers creeping down the valleys oh so stealthily.
I love this street. It's not the street that I love so much but the people who live on it. California is not known for tightly knit neighborhoods, but this one seems to be plucked right out of the Midwest. People know each other. People do favors for each other. People celebrate each other and provide comfort or aid in times of need. You don't find this in Vermont where I'm from... at least I never did. Urban farming is quite popular on this street. Our block alone has had three chicken coops on it at one time (ours included). There are at least two beekeepers that I am aware of, and at least four VERY impressive backyards, complete with rock sculptures or an overflowing vegetable garden (that is difficult in this climate!).
The sad thing about where we live is it's permanence, or lack thereof, in our lifelong plans. I personally would love nothing more than to put down our roots here, but this place is just too expensive. We were extremely fortunate to happen upon a rental 3 years ago that we call home. It's small, especially for four of us, but we love it and we're thankful for it and it will work for now.
