When I originally moved to Jamaica Plain about 16 years ago I was coming from the Ozark Mountains in Southwest Missouri. This is an attractive, rural, wooded area as you would imagine. I was very nervous about moving to Boston for several reasons including the lack of trees. I grew up kicking around the woods and my only real images of the city were very NYCesque streetscapes. I ended up landing in Acton, MA in the middle of an hellacious snow storm.

Serendipitously, I found my way to Jamaica Plain within a month or so. I think it was the perfect transition for me because of the huge green belt that borders it. It’s called the Emerald Necklace and it was designed by Frederick Olmsted (Central Park designer). I was able to grab my dog Early and tromp around Jamaica Pond or Arnold Arboretum when the stress got too much. In those days, my career wasn’t so demanding and I was single. I recall weekend afternoons laying on the grass with my pooch reading a book or the like. Those days are long gone, life has changed dramatically as have my ideals.

I’ve become politically and environmentally active. Coincidentally, Jamaica Plain has grown with me. I bought a home here about 5-6 years ago and proceeded to rip the hell out of it.

My home in The Brewery District of Jamaica Plain

It looks very different from the day I bought it. I don’t think there’s a square inch that I haven’t made some change to. It was a hideous beast when I bought it. This photo is actually pretty late in the process as the new siding is being installed.  You can seethe beginnings of an ambitious, sustainable, urban garden emerging here. My goal is to absorb as much rainwater as possible, helping with the heat island effect. Rain barrels are being installed, we are active composters and we try to grow our own vegetables.

One of the real lifestyle benefits is the proximity to all the amenities we need. We drive very little, in fact, less than 8000 miles a year. Our next brave step forward into sustainability is to sell our Subaru Impreza and survive as a two Realtor team with one car. Hopefully, I can accomplish this in the spring.

We have been learning to schedule more carefully, so I can walk to work and back and even to some appointments. With proper planning it really isn’t that hard. I’m contemplating a Zip Car membership when I sell the Impreza. [By the way 2002 Subaru Impreza for sale. Inquire within.]

Everything we need to survive is in walking distance to our home including high quality foods, hardware, restaurants, bars, the best public parks in Boston, gym, boutiques, barbers, etc. There is no need to leave JP! In fact, I had to drive to Reading the other day to meet my accountant and I vowed to never leave JP again. If I had to commute in the Boston Metro area I would stick a fork in my eye.

As a Realtor I know first hand the mental process folks go through when they buy a home – and not nearly enough weight is given to the lifestyle that a given location forces one to live. If I had to drive 45 minutes to work and get in my car for every little thing would I be as happy? Probably not.

However – one interesting fact. Mike’s Gym is just 1 block from my front door and I think of a new excuse every day to avoid going. I guess convenience doesn’t help everything…