Let’s move into the future. You’ve chosen a new housing estate near Warsaw – Nova Magdalenka in Słomin – this is where your new life begins. In a spacious home with a garden. What are you thinking about? What do you expect from your new home? What are you considering? What challenges are you facing?
The Story of a Move
The last box is here. I step over the threshold of our new home, walk through the bright hallway into the living room, and place it on the stack of other boxes. Everything smells of freshness and newly painted walls. I feel the pleasant warmth of sunlight streaming through the large glass doors leading to the garden. March hasn’t spoiled us with high temperatures yet, but inside, it’s cozy. Artur has already started unpacking books and photo albums, carefully arranging them on the shelves of our little library in the corner of the living room. I look at him with a smile—so many shared memories captured in those photographs, so many beautiful stories gathered in one place.
An Apartment in a Block or a House with a Garden?
This is our place. Our own, dream home. For years, I longed for a new, clean house built just for me, not another apartment in a block that holds the memories of generations of previous tenants. I grew up in such a place, in Warsaw’s Praga district—high windowsills, small windows, wallpaper in the hallway, a wall unit filled with porcelain figurines and crystal glassware that we weren’t allowed to touch. Between the kitchen and the living room, there was always a small serving window, and the stairwell smelled of cigarettes and a dog that had just returned from a walk. And the garbage chute! I was sure they had sealed them off years ago, yet some still remain, triggering the same unease in me as they did back then.
Convincing my parents was a battle—they insisted that buying an apartment in an older building was the smarter choice because it was “more solid.” But I stood my ground, and now I know it was the best decision I could have made.
A Minimalist and Modern Home
Here is our very own home, designed in a minimalist style with shades of beige, gray, and white. No unnecessary trinkets, no random clutter. The kitchen turned out perfect—fully built-in, with no spice jars on the countertop or cups behind glass doors. Everything is neatly tucked away, clean, and orderly.
I once heard a theory that people over thirty love minimalism because we grew up in cluttered apartments filled with random decorations. There might be some truth to that.
A Housing Estate with Infrastructure
I can already picture myself in the morning, having my coffee and then going for a short walk to get fresh rolls. In our housing estate, there’s a small shop where you can buy crispy bread every morning. Next to it, there’s a parcel locker, which will likely become a regular stop on my walks. And soon, a kindergarten will open—our future child will attend it along with other kids from the estate and the neighborhood. The thought that we won’t have to drive them several kilometers to a facility, but simply walk around the corner, is wonderful.
A Two-Story House Outside the City
I lift my gaze to the stairs leading to the upper floor. I begin to climb, running my hand along the smooth wall, and think about my little dream. I’ve always wanted to have a photo frame arrangement on the wall by the stairs. I love printed photos—they capture a wonderful moment forever. I’ll choose the best shots, arrange them into a cohesive composition, and then every day, as I go downstairs, I’ll stop for a moment to recall all those wonderful memories.
A Housing Estate with Quick Access to Warsaw
I enter the bedroom. Tomorrow, the morning sun will wake me up here. I move to the second room – for now, it will be our shared office, but mostly mine, since I spend the most time editing photos and creating new concepts. Maybe if I worked in a corporation in Mordor, I’d prefer to live in the city. But still, a 20-minute drive is no sacrifice. Besides, traveling for weddings all over Poland is now my world, and Słomin is the perfect place to relax after them.
A House with Its Own Garden
I look out the window at the garden. In my mind’s eye, I can already see the lush grass, beautiful plants, and the grill where we’ll host friends in the summer. Maybe we’ll manage to throw our first party during the long weekend? I’ll definitely prepare too much food, as usual – a classic, we’ll be eating leftovers for days. Over there in the corner will be my first little vegetable garden. Maybe I’ll manage to grow some tomatoes? I sigh with contentment. This is our place on earth. Me and Artur, our little family. We’re starting a new life.
