Dear Future Homeowners,

For the last 20 years, we’ve enjoyed calling this lovely center-hall colonial at 153 Oakview our home. It’s been a wonderful place to raise a family, with a neighborhood and community to match.

We had seen (what felt like) a hundred houses in Maplewood, before finding 153 and we immediately knew it was something special. The center-hall layout creates great flow to the house with each room on the first floor feeling defined, yet wide open. The bedrooms are all generously sized, even with furnishings and big beds, and allow everyone to have their own space for schoolwork, work calls, or quiet time (very useful these last two years!). The large living room is an inviting area to read, watch tv, entertain, or just enjoy the woodburning fireplace on a cold night. The kitchen has been a focal point in the house as our family loves to cook, almost as much as we love to eat. With plenty of room to prepare your grandest meals, it’s a very functional and efficient space. The full-size basement is a huge bonus and has hosted many family movie nights, wine tastings, board game marathons, and plenty of kid’s sleepover parties. The back patio is a great place to grill and eat alfresco or gather ‘round the firepit and count fireflies in the summer months. The screened-in side porch is a cozy place to gather and offers a little more protection from the elements. The backyard has plenty of room to play with the dog, throw a ball around, or just enjoy the shade from two of Oakview Avenue’s famed oak trees.

The “extended backyard” of Maplecrest Park is right next door and has all you could ask for with a large playground, softball/baseball fields, tennis courts, and skate park. It’s also home to “Movies Under the Stars” screenings for kids, live music concert series, and a variety of little league action. The paths around the park are a favorite place for dog walkers, joggers, and kids on skates/scooters/bikes.

A twenty-minute walk down Oakview Avenue leads you straight to Maplewood Town Hall, Memorial Park, and the Maplewood Train Station (the jitney stop for the train is just 5 minutes from the house). Memorial Park is a great open space in town to enjoy sledding on snow days, Memorial Day duck races, 4^th of July festivities with fireworks, and the famous Maplewoodstock concert weekend. Just across the train station is downtown Maplewood with a variety of restaurants, bakeries, and shops. Seasonal events in town include Dicken’s Village with the holiday tree lighting, and the massive Halloween Parade is not to be missed. In the summertime, the Maplewood Pool is the place to be and is just a 10-minute walk through Maplecrest Park.  Also walkable within 5 minutes is the Hilton Library, Walgreens, and 7-11 (when you gotta have a Slurpee).  Tuscan Elementary School, Maplewood Middle School, and Columbia High School have also been walked regularly by our kids through their school days.  They’ve also enjoyed the proximity of numerous friends’ houses in the neighborhood for endless playdates, bike rides, or walking groups (to school).

This neck of Oakview Avenue is a generous, diverse, and openhearted neighborhood. We’re sure that you’ll find 153 as comfortable and welcoming as we have and turn this lovely house into your wonderful home.

Sincerely,

The Current Homeowners