“We didn’t choose New Rochelle; New Rochelle chose us.”
Mira Tassone
Frank and Mira loved it immediately. I held out hope for a townhouse. But the one we found in nearby Port Chester was too dark, and it’s architecture would not serve Mira’s practice. I mourned, but the three-bedroom, walkup apartment within the multi-family private house in New Rochelle was it.
Our first walk in the city was down our own street. We encountered an upscale townhouse community along Old Boston Post Road, the nearest cross-street. Following our newphew’s suggestion, we continued down to Lispanard, then left along Main Street. Just past the certified-pre-owned Honda dealership was the street leading to Five Islands Park. We walked the foot bridges to the three islands within reach, viewing the sound under a summer sun.
Walks through New Rochelle became common. Fifteen minutes brought us to downtown. We sampled multiple coffee bars, strode past restaurants galore on Division Street, and appraised the residential high rises that sprouted all around. We soon discovered Empty Hand Zendo, nestled in the former trolley turnaround station house, and encountered a vibrant community. The bride and I even savored two jazz concerts this past Autumn at the auditorium in New Rochelle Library!
Suburban city though it is, our new home manages to delight us each day. & why not? She chose us for a reason.
Right?
night skyline
another train whistle
sounds
Punam, pubtending dVerse Poets Tuesday Poetics, inspires us to write about cities. I wrote about our new home, New Rochelle, NY: a little closer to the Big Apple in “New York’s backyard.”
The pub is open! Come join us!
Frank J. Tassone 
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