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Health & Fitness

MY MALDEN: Share Your Neighborhood's Story

I read the posts and hear the constant bashing of Malden - this is my Malden!

Editor's Note: "My Malden" was an idea by reader Susan Witham Erlich, who wanted to share her positive experience living in the city.

If you'd like to submit your own "My Malden" letter, email editor Chris Caesar at malden@patch.com.

In 1989, at the height of a real estate boom, my husband and I were so fortunate to come across an old home (1890’s) in the Maplewood area of Malden. I of course loved it at first sight - even though it was so outdated, it had “great bones” – and fortunately our offer was accepted.

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"Home sweet home," here we come. Over many years living in our new home there
were peaks and valleys within our neighborhood –there were drug dealers (our
neighbors got together and we were successful in getting them out) – (there was
a neighbor who abandoned their home but left it in the hands of their teenage
children – OMG, what a disaster, but they are long gone) and then there was the
level 3 sex offender (that was one of hardest times here). 

Yes, he is long gone too. At that point I was out of my mind – but here is the best of it all, in all the years that we have been here in Malden we have also had some of the absolute BEST neighbors. We have been so fortunate to have a family next door that was here long before us – that grew up here in Malden and take pride in their home town and their neighborhood and they have treated us like family from day one.  This family has cooked for us, shed tears with us brought tru joy to us and truly became our family as well  It seems to me that only those that love our city – that are willing to take care of our city and each other are the ones that stick around.

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We have new neighbors across the street from us now that are making a huge difference in Malden –taking care of our future. They are taking pride in their Malden and in their children’s Malden. With each neighbor that takes pride in where they live – this is creating a Malden we can all be proud of.

N & P – you are such an asset to our neighborhood, we love you and your family for being the very best neighbors ever. Our words of thanks will never be enough.

This is my Malden. What's yours? 

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