A lot has happened in my life in a few short years. And while I have not lived in Jacksonville, I have been there several times. It has a daytime population of 25,000, and is best known for hosting the 1st Infantry Division (the Fighting First!) Itâs known as the first Naval Air Station, commissioned by the Navy in 1914. âThe Cradle of Naval Aviationâ has trained tens of thousands of naval aviators; these include John H. Glenn, who was the first American to orbit the earth in 1962, and Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon in 1969. The 5 Worst Navy Bases To Be Stationed. What are the best Navy bases to be stationed at? Itâs home to the Navyâs 4th fleet. Several of the nation’s top 10 places to buy are located near bases in these states. The median home value in the area is around $234,000, and rental cost for homes is $1,250 (apartments are cheaper … I hope that we get back to San Diego or Hawaii. I’ve lived in a few of those and I’m surprised you said Norfolk was lacking in off base activities. HUGE navy presence so there’s a large support system available. I would love to go Spain one day! Norfolk. Here are some of the best bases you will find overseas. I’ve got four states left to visit and San Diego will probably remain my favorite place in the US (other than Hawaii, but I wouldn’t want to live there). (tied) Joint Base … Unlike Army posts, naval stations generally need to be near the water, and thereâs an abundance of them in paradise-like locations. The beaches are wonderful and Busch Gardens is just a short drive. THE TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES. My father was Air Force, so I have been all over – my favorites were Scott AFB Illinois, Hickam AFB Hawaii and Lackland AFB San Antonio, TX. And these were their picks for the “Best Military … The climate is mild, with summer highs in the mid-80s and winter lows in the 30s. #3 – Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I will say that the cost of living is significantly higher here. Best Army Bases for Families. It will make your time here so much more enjoyable! I grew up near Chicago, I understand traffic happens, but this is mind boggling traffic. base housing program but good luck getting anything delivered on base and military-isolated. Cost of living and distance from family are some cons. By Julie Provost. 5-Norfolk, VA- Naval Station Norfolk, NAS Oceana and others. I was stationed there in 2005-2008 and I really had a great time there! Hiking, fishing, hunting, camping. You’d think it was rocket science. Naval Base Kitsap is the largest Navy installation in the area, accompanying NAS Whidbey Island and NS Everett, and nearby the massive Army / Air Force Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It can get down to minus 20 F in the winter, with feet of snow. Click-N-Ship will alert you to some of the prohibitions and restrictions based on the 5-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code ™ you're shipping to, but you are responsible for ensuring your package complies with the laws and regulations of the U.S. and the destination country. Itâs the second-largest Surface Ship base and holds over 50 ships from the Pacific Fleet. We are counting down our days to getting out of here. Glenview and Halsey are good on-post housing optionsas they are both near the commissary and MWR services. A couple of things to remember: tourism thrives in San Diego, so it is a very crowded city. Military spouses will find it easier to make connections and launch careers. Overall, the area is a perfect mix of activity and quiet residential living. Their vision: âTransforming Challenges into Achievementsâ. ). Joint Base Charleston in Goose Creek, SC had a really nice (and mostly new!) My husband worked at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, and some of his coworkers lived clear across the island, and that was a 90 minute commute sometimes, therefore they “hated” Hawaii. Made up of 13 piers over 1,000 acres of land, this navy facility boasts of more than 24,000 military personnel. Warm weather, cheap housing market, plenty of activities. You might be interested: As the result of a conflict between british troops and … Over the course of a year, temperatures typically flux between 63 F and 89 F, with lots of sunshine and ocean breezes. Thereâs also plenty of outdoor options, with lakes, mountains and beaches all within a couple-hours drive. Rota, Spain Naval … Its remote location may be a turn off to some, but for others, it means there is plenty of beach without the crowds. Jacksonville has a large concentration of people — around one million — nearly a quarter of which are military. 4-Jacksonville, FL- Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and Naval Station Mayport. 4. Image: Flickr.com. Semi-Delicate Balance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. About an hour north of Chicago is Naval Station Great Lakes, the largest Navy training station. In general, heavy traffic and dealing with tunnels and bridges everywhere can be the major drawback to Hampton Roads, but with some thoughtful planning, it’s not usually a big deal. Fort Carson. Mayport has a protected harbor with a 34-ship capacity, and an airfield with an 8,000-foot runway. Some like the small town feel(Charleston, Lemoore, Whidbey Island), some like the city (San Diego, Jacksonville, Everett), some like different countries (Japan, Spain, Italy). As stated before, Florida summers are long and hot, and the winters are short and windy. Are these places based on anything other than personal preference and/or experience? Housing market is cheap. This navy base in Texas, near (you guessed it) Corpus Christi, this NAS boasts a beautiful and culture-rich area. Kadena, Japan. Itâs the home base for the Navyâs fleet throughout the West Puget Sound, and holds the title of third-largest Navy base in the U.S.; featuring four nuclear shipyards and one of only two nuclear weapons facilities, as well as the Navyâs largest fuel depot. Heading back stateside, NB San Diego is a consistent favorite thanks to year round mild weather and fun city culture. I love writing about things that are important to me. You get all four seasons, so for those who don’t prefer a specific climate. You often need a customs form to ship overseas. Too depressing for a Miami girl (where I’m from – my parents met while my dad was stationed on what used to be Homestead AFB- where I was also born). Slip away to the suburbs if you want a little more peace and quiet. Being stationed … Fair argument. Sign up to receive my latest and greatest articles! There are about 26,000 US military personnel spread across 32 military bases on the island. With a population of over 15,000, Kings Bay hosts the Atlantic Fleetâs Ballistic and Guided Missile Submarines. Check out the best 10 beaches of the area. Housing market is cheap. Most of us here at American Grit are Marines (its a wonder we can put sentences together). I would love to hear from people who've been stationed at them before. I feel as if Virginia Beach is the product child of Jacksonville and Myrtle Beach. Weather is mild with lots of precipitation. Atsugi, Japan was the best base I've ever been stationed at. Best Navy Bases for Families. There are no positives to live in Hampton Roads. 1. :) so any input is good. One of my friends grew up in Norfolk and when we moved back she tried to talk us out of looking at houses in Portsmouth. Youâll be hard-pressed to find somewhere very affordable. It has everything I could want…beaches, restaurants, shopping, fun family friendly activities. There are five housing communities on post, and Junction City, Ogden and Manhattan are all short commutes from post. Norfolk has a bad rap because it was a COMPLETE shit hole in 1980-1990's from what I've heard. Sorry about your time in Corpus. While beautiful, some people liken it to living in the middle of nowhere, and it can sometimes feel that way. I know this is old, but I completely disagree about Norfolk.Granted we just came from San Diego and it is hard to beat that place, but this is the WORST place I have ever lived. For more information, please see the Disclosure page. Named after Maj. Gen. Bennet C. Riley, Fort Rileywas established in 1853 to protect Western migration and trade. Activities galore here; beaches, hiking, city life, sight-seeing, awesome food! Building 1 at Naval Station Great Lakes, IllinoisPhoto via Creative Commons. Those that call Fort Benning home have a popular saying that goes life is “Better at Benning”. It hits its peak in July and August over 100 F, and lows are around 50 F in December and January. Itâs nearby Naval Base Coronado, NAS North Island, Naval Base Point Loma, and multiple Marine and Coast Guard stations. Perfect weather, plenty of activities, wide and varied job market. Another Florida base, Naval Air Station Pensacola is located in the northwest panhandle and houses around 15,000 active personnel. Lemoore was the first Navy base chosen to host the F-35; however, Navy families are not interested in being stationed here. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Even with the rain, Washington was made for the outdoorsy people. The only downfall of Pensacola living is how far it is from everything else. It’s SoCal, you give and you get. The official name, Naval Base San Diego, is the fourth official title and the correct way to reference the base. I promise to never abuse your inbox or sell your info. The tunnels and bridges back up all the time because people don’t follow traffic signs or panic about them, causing accidents. San Diego is my favorite place by far. Luckily, in Corpus Christi you are right on the water. The sense of community is strong at Lemoore, and base housing includes playgrounds, pools and workout rooms. Base amenities include a marina, bowling alley, movie theatre, and golf course. I might make a do a follow-up post that features an “audience vote” of the best duty stations. We are doing our second tour in Norfolk. Oh brother, traffic around any large and major Navy base is a hot mess. Expect rain and humidity year-round, with the best seasons being the warm-yet-mild fall and springtime. I receive inspiration from my family, friends, and the amazing adventures I'm able to go on. Fortunately, you can expect good Cali weather; warm and sunny most of the year. Great Lakes. Cute little upstate NY town, very family friendly, but also very little military. I just pcs’d from Hawaii and may still have an island sense of distance so if it’s more than 15 minutes drive, I think it’s “far”. Lol. Our Army insiders gave us the low down on the top 5 duty stations in the Army. norfolk is by far- the worst place i have been. 2. Despite technically being within the boundaries of Georgia, Naval Submarine Base ... #2 – Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. Some areas, like ours, are nice, but others are very sketchy. – Heather, Life of a Traveling Navy Wife. There are plenty of fun activities within a reasonable driving distance. It is easy ... #2 – Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Best Military Bases OCONUS: Naples, Italy Naples, Italy, famous for its beauty, is home to the US Sixth Fleet and the US Naval Forces Europe . Youâll never run out of places to see and things to do. Due to the high populace of people, base housing may be hard to get into. Small town living perfectly combines with city life in Kings Bay. Norfolk. Washington DC is a 3 hours and the Virginia Mountains are not much further away – I guess it just depends on what you are looking to do. Strike Fighter Wing Pacific calls it home, and Lemoore is also the west coast site for the F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighter, with 175 Hornets and Super Hornets operating here. Virginia Beach is known for its activities; with a three-mile boardwalk, ocean views and a storied history, you wonât get bored. Sailors can venture into Chicago for a taste of the city, or travel to Wisconsin or Michigan for more area attractions (including a great lake!). If you’re looking for a job in the Navy, move to Virginia. The hardest part of moving to Norfolk is finding the right neighborhood for your family. This Virginia naval base has an inventory of 75 navy ships and 134 aircraft, making it the biggest concentration of Navy operations. Base Contact Information New Orleans Joint Reserve Base Operator 504-678-7569, DSN 678-7569 Public Affairs Office 504-678-3260 Base Housing 504-678-2089 Geography and Area Information The Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans (NAS JRB) is located in Belle Chasse unincorporated Plaquemines Parish Louisiana at 29°49′31″N 090°02′06″W. 5 Answers to Interview Questions for Military Spouses, Top 5 tips for Military Spouses After College Graduation, 5 Best Duty Stations for Navy Personnel and Families, bucket list of things to do at a new duty station, 10 Places Military Spouses Can Find Money for College, How to Create the Perfect Military Pin-up Costume, How Military Spouse Facebook Discussions Seem to Go Down, The Big List of Military-Inspired Baby Names, How I Made $3000+ a Month As A Military Spouse Working From Home, 25 Best Quotes about Broken Hearts – Inspirational Words About Heartbreak, 25 Brilliant Quotes About Books – Best Quotes About Reading, 25 Powerful Quotes About Confidence To Improve Your Self-Esteem, 25 Best Quotes About Change To Help Inspire You To Move On, 25 Best Quotes About Being Single (And Happy! Military housing is SO bad, poorly made and in poor areas, and do NOT step foot in Norfolk if you have kids in school. But San Diego would be my top choice for sure! NAS Pensacola is also the headquarters for the renowned Blue Angels. However, summers are hot with an average temperature of 86 F and 100% humidity in July. It borders the cute, historic town of St. Maryâs, on the southeast corner of coastal Georgia. I know locals who will tell you it’s bad. The median home value in Norfolk is around $200,000, which is low compared to surrounding areas. Pack away those bulky coats and boots, you won’t need them…like ever. Naval Base San Diego. Thanks for the insights! Military Branch: Navy. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. Naval Station Norfolk. (i'm not looking for party central lol) i'm looking for great deployments that i get to see … Enjoy your time here! 9 Best Military Bases in the U.S. Based on Lifestyle. In use since 1899, Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941 and became the deciding factor in American involvement in WWII. It can get pretty hot and sticky in July, but coastal breezes will provide some relief. Naval Air Training Command resides at the base, which has been training Navy pilots since 1941. I have really enjoyed my time in Norfolk, VA. Big cities like LA, San Diego and San Francisco range from three to five hours away. There is a lot to do in the area and it is easy to travel to other places in Asia and even Europe. I am originally from Charleston, SC, so you would think I would be happier to be closer to home, but I’d rather be living in Charleston. Man, I am so jealous that you’ve been to so many places.. glad we both agree on San Diego! Each base I’ve visited has had its own positive and negative traits. Not too far North of Jacksonville is Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, the east coast home to Trident nuclear-powered submarines. Maybe there should be a “5 worst Navy Duty Stations List” . Hawaii is a known tourist destination, and this base is no exception, with year-round visits from submariners. Our favorite duty station was Saratoga Springs/Ballston Spa. Naval Air Station Pensacola . Bush received his wings. Some are great while others are just terrible places to train or be stationed at, either due to weather or old age. HUGE navy presence so there’s a large support system available. I can also say that the education system is much better in Virginia than California, Florida, or Hawaii. Its location is near the site of the original 1607 Jamestown settlement. Naval Base Kitsap was created in 2004 with the merging of former NS Bremerton and the Submarine Base Bangor. I’ve seen people make turns across oncoming traffic from the opposite turn lane. The median home cost is $140,000 ($200,000 in Manhattan). Being bigger than a 7-11 fast if you ’ re looking for a reason so many places glad! 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