Then and Now: Revisiting the Places We Once Called Home

This posting is inspired from my recent trip to Washington DC  attending  Carenna's (my Grand Daughter) Graduation from GWU and the news of the new home of my niece in the Philippines, see photo as follows:

Then and Now: Revisiting the Places We Once Called Home

Our Residence in Fair Oaks, CA before My Move to THD from 2002-2023 

As I reflect on the twelve moves that shaped our family life between the 1960s and 2002, I often wonder what has become of the communities that once formed the backdrop of our dreams, careers, and family milestones. Much has changed in America since we first settled in Chicago, Kansas City, Modesto, Pinole, Colesville, and Fair Oaks. Yet each place remains a cherished chapter in our family's story.

Chicago, Illinois

In Front of the UI Staff Apartment with Macrine and her Mom-My Mother-in-law-Mrs Elena Nieva Jambalos, 1963 

Chicago remains one of America's great cities. The skyline, museums, lakefront, and cultural diversity continue to attract residents and visitors from around the world. The winters are still as cold and windy as I remember, although climate change has somewhat moderated the most severe cold spells.

The city today faces many of the challenges common to large urban centers: higher housing costs, increased rents, traffic congestion, and concerns about public safety in certain neighborhoods. Housing costs have risen significantly, with rents increasing faster than in most major American cities during the past year. Nevertheless, Chicago continues to offer world-class universities, medical centers, arts, and public transportation. For many, it remains one of the most affordable major metropolitan areas in the United States.

Whenever I think of Chicago, however, I remember not the cold winters but the excitement of graduate school, the birth of our American journey, and the beginning of our family's adventures.

Kansas City, Missouri

Our First Purchase of a House in Platte Woods, Missouri with my Four D's. ( Dodie, David E, Dinah and Ditas), 1967 

Kansas City has grown tremendously since our years in Gladstone and Platte Woods. What was once a quieter Midwestern city has become a thriving metropolitan area known for technology, healthcare, logistics, and entrepreneurship.

Housing prices have increased considerably since our days there, but they remain relatively affordable compared with California and the East Coast. The average home value is now around $250,000, making homeownership attainable for many middle-class families.

The city continues to be known for its friendly people, beautiful suburbs, excellent barbecue, and strong sense of community. The creek behind our rental home and our beloved "Nipa Hut" in Platte Woods are memories that no amount of urban growth can erase.

Colesville, Maryland and the Washington, D.C. Area

Macrine and I in front of Our Residence in Colesville, MD ready for a night Out in Washington DC (Filipino-American Gala), 1992 

Of all the places we lived, Colesville remains closest to my heart. Today it continues to be one of the most desirable suburban communities in Montgomery County, Maryland. The area enjoys excellent schools, extensive parks, quality healthcare, and proximity to Washington, D.C.

The Washington metropolitan area has become one of the nation's leading centers for biotechnology, cybersecurity, government services, and research. Housing prices are substantially higher than when we moved there in 1990, reflecting strong demand and limited housing supply. The median household income in Colesville exceeds $130,000, demonstrating the area's continued prosperity.

While traffic congestion has increased considerably, residents continue to enjoy an exceptional quality of life. Looking back, our twelve years in Maryland were perhaps the most stable and rewarding years of our professional and family lives.

Washington, D.C.

Marinduquenos Participation on June Celebration of Philippine Independence from the US- Macrine was the Overall Chairperson of the whole Month of Celebration, 1999  

The nation's capital has undergone remarkable transformation. Neighborhoods that were once neglected have been revitalized. New restaurants, cultural attractions, and residential developments have reshaped the city.

Washington remains a global center of political power, diplomacy, education, and research. The city attracts professionals from every state and from countries around the world. Housing costs have risen sharply, but so have opportunities in government, consulting, healthcare, and technology.

Whenever I visit Washington today, I still remember my years at the FDA and the satisfaction of contributing to public health on a national level.

Modesto, California

We Became US citizens in 1972, Modesto Bee News Clippings

When we arrived in Modesto in 1969, it was primarily an agricultural community in the heart of California's Central Valley. Agriculture remains important today, but the city has grown significantly and now serves as a regional center for healthcare, education, distribution, and business.

The Modesto housing market remains more affordable than the San Francisco Bay Area, although home prices are far higher than when we purchased our first California home. The typical home value is now approximately $450,000.

Modesto still retains much of its agricultural heritage. Almond orchards, vineyards, and farms continue to define the surrounding landscape. The city faces challenges involving air quality, housing affordability, and economic inequality, but it remains an attractive destination for families seeking a California lifestyle without Bay Area prices.

Our memories of obtaining American citizenship and operating Macrine's gift shop remain among our family's proudest achievements.

Pinole, California

Me and Macrine Singing a Duet and the Backyard of Our Silvercrest Residence 💚, 1996

Pinole today remains one of the hidden gems of the East Bay. Its small-town atmosphere, excellent weather, and location along San Pablo Bay continue to attract families and retirees.

The city has grown modestly compared with neighboring communities. Residents enjoy access to San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Napa Valley, and Silicon Valley while maintaining a quieter suburban lifestyle. Housing costs, however, have risen dramatically due to the continuing demand for Bay Area real estate.

💚Whenever I think of Pinole, I remember our children's high school years, our beautiful hillside home on Silvercrest Road, and the many gatherings of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association.

Fair Oaks, California

My Backyard in Fair Oaks, CA 2002 to 2023

Today, Fair Oaks remains one of the most desirable communities in the Sacramento region. Known for its mature trees, village atmosphere, and proximity to the American River Parkway, it offers a blend of suburban comfort and natural beauty.

The Sacramento metropolitan area has experienced substantial growth as many residents have relocated from the Bay Area seeking more affordable housing and a slower pace of life. Even so, Fair Oaks continues to maintain its unique character and strong community spirit.

The cost of living is higher than the national average but remains considerably lower than many coastal California communities. Residents enjoy excellent healthcare facilities, shopping centers, recreation, and convenient access to both Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area.

After more than two decades here, I understand why Fair Oaks became our final home. We came to be near our children and grandchildren, and that decision proved wise. The greatest luxury in retirement is not a bigger house or a warmer climate, it is being close to family.

Final Reflections

Every move in our lives brought uncertainty, but each move also opened new doors. Looking back, I realize that it was never the houses themselves that made a place special. It was the people we met, the friendships we formed, the careers we built, and the memories we created.

Today, Chicago is larger, Kansas City more prosperous, Maryland more expensive, Modesto more developed, Pinole more valuable, and Fair Oaks more crowded than when we first lived there. Yet in my memory, each remains frozen in time, a place where our family laughed, learned, worked, celebrated, and grew together.

Those places were never merely addresses. They were home.