By Joyce Middlebrooke
Special to the Herald

“You and Dad are too old to be living in the sticks,” my daughter, Karen, had insisted many times the past five years. It’s true that since 1970 we had lived in a tiny community of about 800 in the Sierra Foothills. It consisted of two-hour round trips to the grocery store and any other services. As for the ages, at 80 and 85 we still hiked, and traveled extensively teaching ballroom dancing on cruise ships. I lived in my dream home surrounded by a lush forest and clear, blue sky. How could I leave our mountain sanctuary and friends we love? If we did leave, where would we go?
“Just come to Berkeley and try to find a small house near us,” Karen didn’t give up.
Last year we spent eight days looking and getting depressed in Berkeley. Husband Sam hates traffic and refuses to live in a house without off-street parking. I refuse to live where there is visible air pollution. Prices were truly unbelievable. A two-bedroom, 900 sq. ft. home with a view and in such bad condition it had to be torn down: $825,000. Two bedrooms in livable condition with no view: $1,000,000-plus.
July 1, 2016: Karen brings up the usual, “When are you going to get out of the sticks? I can’t help you if you get sick. How about looking in Benicia?”
“BENICIA???? Are you serious?”
As a San Francisco native, my 1950s memories of Benicia included a fleet of dark grey, tired ships fromWorld War II and smoking stacks from oil refineries along the highway. Fraternity boys at the UCs went there to make whoopee by negotiating for temporary affection. I had no idea that a hidden gem awaited.
“OK, I’ll look,” grumble grumble.
We took the Military West off ramp, turned right on First Street, and by G Street I said, “I want to live here.”
We called Sam, another S.F. native, whose response was the same as mine. “BENICIA? Isn’t that a dumpy military town?”
We spent a little time doing our-style of research: initiating a conversation with strangers in a restaurant. “We’re thinking of moving here, what can you tell us about the town?”
Everyone we met gave a glowing description. Many had been born here, went away for school or work and returned. Areavibes.com https://www.areavibes.com/benicia-ca gave Benicia a high rating. By mid-August we owned a home here.
First Impression: the friendliest, most trusting people I’ve ever met. On moving day, the next-door neighbor, Jean, came over and invited us to dinner.
“We’ll be gone for the next two months,” Jean said. “Here’s the key to our house. If you have no room for overnight guests, feel free to put them in our guest room.”
One month after moving, Sam had to go by ambulance to the emergency room. That evening, I came home from the hospital and found a hot, covered bowl of chicken stew by the front door. It was from neighbors. They had seen the ambulance in the morning and sent the food, along with a note for good wishes and blessings.
Other impressions/questions: I have never seen so many dentist offices in a town. We counted 27 beauty salon/spa businesses and 29 restaurants/cafes on First Street. How do they all get enough customers? We found a harbor full of beautifully maintained yachts and wondered why, in a year, we have never seen any sailing in the Carquinez Strait. Where do they go?
We still keep learning about Benicia, the history, enjoying farmers markets, community center classes, art and ethnic events, so many restaurants, easy access to long walks in the hills, the beautiful library, the Herald, Saturday morning free coffee tasting in nearby Vallejo and more. Plus, what other town can boast having a world-class museum in a camel barn? We’re happy here!

Sharing is caring!