Santa Monica, the Town That I (mostly) Love

I think most places have positive and negative aspects about living in them, and Santa Monica is no different. The downside to living here is that there are constantly tourists everywhere, you can't walk anywhere without running into homeless people begging for food or money and there aren't very many conveniences like there are in the suburbs (i.e. I need to take the freeway to get to a Target, GASP!).

But the benefits make it worth it to live here. I love the weather and being close to the beach and bike paths along it. I love living in/near the big city but in a place that has a much more mellow vibe. I love being able to walk to everything that I really need, including the grocery store, shopping, restaurants, the post office, etc...

And ... I love the library! The new public library was just finished less than two years ago, and it's by far the nicest public library I've ever been to.



It's huge, with two stories, built around an open atrium. The tables/desks are big, with plenty of room to spread out all your books and notes, plus there are lots of private study rooms you can reserve. Everything is nice, new and clean. There is free wi-fi for everyone.
The atrium / courtyard has a cafeteria in the middle, plus lots of tables to sit out in the sun, and a little stream that runs through it.



I can walk there in about five minutes, but if I drove, parking is pretty convenient (a rare thing in our neighborhood where meters and permit parking are the norm).
It also has a great selection of books, magazines and DVDs that you can check out for four weeks, no limit on how many you can check out each time!

The other day, I went with Timmy and we checked out a few picture books (black and white), Horton Hears a Who, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and Goodnight Gorilla.

I have studied there for finals before, and I get a lot done. I think it's mostly because I'm too afraid to leave my stuff alone once I get a seat, so I don't take as many breaks. I'm pretty sure this is also going to be my primary study spot for the bar this summer. I think it will work out nicely to walk over in the morning, study for 4 hours or so, head home for lunch and to pump, then come back for another 4 hour chunk or so.