The scenery is not only gorgeous but the weather is decent (by Alaska standards) and wildlife is abundant. Check out our list of the best Air Force bases to live on for couples, singles, and families. Part of the reason Lackland ranks so high is because of its superior medical facilities which are important to a lot of military families. Jason Do has been stationed at Columbus for five years and called it "one of the worst bases" in the Air Force. And much like before, our criteria was based on factors ranging from activities, culture, and on-base amenities, to the food, friendliness of the locals, and travel opportunities, among other things. There are at least a dozen other locations where airmen receive more not just places like New York City and Honolulu, but also West Point, New York; Oakland, California; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and New Haven, Connecticut. Keep in mind its very competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but savor the opportunity if it presents itself. If you dont, a sightseeing plane may crash land on the road 10 miles later and youll be stuck in traffic on the two-lane-through-nothing part of the Alaska-Canada Highway for HOURS. Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. Think rain and wind and only seven to eight hours of daylight. Like Harry Potters Room of Requirement, the Exchange will have what you need even before you need it, tax-free! Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. Best reason to be stationed there: Technicolor everything. Be forewarned, though, Yongsan is set for closure (date TBD). Benefits of Dual-Military Couples - Military Benefits Related Article US Military Bases in Germany. The cost of living here hovers slightly below the national average, and the schools are well ranked. But the area's high cost of living and housing prices partly because it is about a 25-mile drive from Boston landed Hanscom in the bottom five. Sara Fotheringham was deployed to Qatar. In fact, that phrase -- "making the most of it" popped up over and over again in interviews with military personnel. They now have one son and three dogs, and are working through the ups and downs of dual-military life every day. Why you wouldn't want to live there: Almost all assignments to Souda Bay are unaccompanied, which means family members aren't authorized to live there with the service member. While China has increasingly adopted Western influences, the traditional family structure is still highly valued and holds a prominent position in Chinese culture. Traveling to Asia and Australia is also easy and affordable, and since Guam is a US territory, English is the primary language on the island. Here are the best Navy bases in the United States based on criteria like location, housing, amenities, and community support: Social worker Casi Preheim, MSW, provides expert answers to the question: C, Essential Extras: 17 Things That Make Life Better for Less. Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. Related Article Air Force Bases in Florida. The basic allowance for housing to an Airman with dependents hovers around $2,000 a month. Related Article How To Join The US Air Force. Free, confidential non-medical counseling services. Also, base amenities are pretty decentralized between different areas, so you could say the base lacks a measure of convenience. Compliance. Individuals often have different career goals, and when in a dual-military relationship, it is important to sit down and have conversations about the future. Depending on whom you ask, Rota is either a quiet, family-friendly beach town or a young sailors nightlife dream during the touristy summer months. Aviano managed to edge out other Italian base towns for the #1 spot based on its prime location. Most military bases have a variety of full-time or hourly daycare centers. MWR manages most recreation on every base, including gyms, pools, bowling alleys, horse stables, event centers, golf courses, discounted equipment rentals and more. Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is a major part of base life -- and a part of your benefits. And you cant find the quilt that your husbands moms great-aunt made just for you with tiny arthritic fingers and should be displayed at all times but is accidentally in an unpacked pro gearbox. It is one of the finest Air Force bases in the country similar to Scott Air Force Base and Joint Base San Antonio Lackland because of low housing, superb medical facilities, and a large commissary. Apra Harbor, Guam. Thanks to the PCS Movedream sheet, youll always be sent far away from any and all family. With forty nearby museums to choose from, families will never tire of learning and exploring. Although culture shock is all but inevitable, the US military's heavy presence on the island means just about everything is translated into English. Research and compare the top credit cards for military members here. So, where did the lucky ones get sent? The base, located near Dayton, Ohio, has everything that growing families need to make their living experience comfortable and enjoyable. Why you wouldn't want to live there: The language barrier can be challenging and the German social culture can come off as cold and direct. The beaches are top notch. You can learn more about United Concordia dental coverage here. It's a dream -- and, shockingly, the reality -- for some lucky service members. Do says that for airmen stationed in Columbus, it's tough to afford to eat healthily and stay fit. Housing near Lakenheath is among the best with plenty of new and trendy options. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Just as we asked current and former military personnel from all branches of the service where they loved and hated being stationed in the United States, this time we wanted to know the best/most desired overseas assignments. Oh, and did we mention that you can get ice cream served in a hot waffle. You fill it with crap. These are the highest ranking Air Force bases for couples: Do you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii? However, couples will love everything millions of vacationers find a reason to visit Hawaii each year including spectacular scenery and fantastic weather. 10 Best Air Force Bases for Families | LoveToKnow For most married service members, those allowances include Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). Produce on the island can be super limited and expensive, since a lot of it is shipped from the States. That number rose yet again. The military base is also close to the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park for family vacations when the time allows. Theyre just cool. 10. Best base amenity: Were told the commissary on base is crucial for stocking up on familiar American food from home, mostly frozen or non-perishable. I had the opportunity when I arrived at Langley AFB while I was still single, however, I . The amenities at the military base are excellent and Colorado Springs is an excellent community to call home since so many residents are either active duty or retired military personnel. People in Okinawa drive teeny, overpacked cars, and you will too. And at the end of each school year, Pizarro said, Bedford High School holds a party for students whose families are transferring away from Hanscom, which is attended by base leaders. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland is such a great place to get stationed that it makes the list twice. Best base amenity: The Outdoor Recreation office offers hiking and scuba-diving excursions as well as water-sport classes. It regularly ranks in the Top 5 Air Force bases in the country. Known as "non-monetary compensation," military shopping benefits help military families save money on the things they want or need. London is only an hour away by train, and Scotland is an easy day trip for those that want to take a Scotch whisky tour and look for the Loch Ness Monster. She and other mothers and fathers emphasize the value of comfort and safety on base. Lederhosen not included. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. One resident told us that base houses are older and smaller than something in the States, but it doesnt matter so much since all houses offer one thing: a front door that leads outside. The BAH rates are recalculated every year. Well, you can. Of the fifty-nine possible Air Force bases in the United States, these bases reign supreme, checking off all possible family-friendly boxes. Being close to Tampa, there is always something for kids to do. Top 10 Perks of Being An Air Force Spouse | Military Spouse Here's what you need to know. All rights reserved. Though military life is extremely hard on families there are thousands that make it work every year. Your family has always lived on the same tree-lined, lemonade-stand-in-the-summer cul-de-sac and you love them for it, but lets be blunt sometimes family is better enjoyed half a continent or more away! The constant moves, deployments, North Dakota. If that is not enough, consider that Elmendorf-Richardson has its own ski area. One of the many pros to Air Force employment is affordable living costs. Matthew Rosa and Capt. The New Orleans area is a hub of such! The coastal military base provides that Florida weather with plenty of charm. You can also download the calculator as an easy-to-use app for iOS or Android. The quiet countryside serves as a quick escape from the hectic nature of the military base. should the GPS short out after somehow finding its way into an open coffee travel mug. Because of their careers, they often spend weeks apart, but do have the opportunity to collaborate in some aspects of their jobs. The cost of living here hovers slightly below the national average, and the schools are well ranked. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, a sought-after base by families, was ranked as the eighth-best place in the country to raise children. I like to think that Qatar was my honeymoon, she said. One of the longest zip lines in the world is located at Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park. The area, along with many parts of Colorado, is rapidly growing and forecasts to eventually replace Denver in terms of population. Marriage Info & Timing - Air Force M.O.M.S. B.M.T Here are the top Air Force bases in the nation: Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. Many bases also have available youth programs operated through MWR like dance classes, sports teams and clubs. Along with having the great wilderness as your backyard (more on that, below), its a great assignment for military families. Just 40 minutes down the road is Prosecco Road, a 20-mile stretch of cliffside vineyards -- most of them still family-run and several of them considered to be the best in the country. Here are the top 10 US military base towns overseas. So you sell the house, move, and then repeat the cycle, except next time, you rent. Stacey Shunk, married in March in New York City's Central Park. On Army and Air Force bases, all of those places are run by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). Military.com. Most bases are also home to a department store called an exchange, as well as gas stations, liquor stores and fast food. Here are the finest locations for the outdoors: What else could you want in an outdoor paradise than Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and its incredible backyard to the Great Outdoors? You need to have an open and honest relationship with leadership, said Col. Nemish, echoing the words of many other dual-military couples. MWR operates several resorts in vacation destinations around the world. How Does Military Housing Work? (Pros & Cons) The military site hosts the Royal Air Force but also supports U.S. personnel including the 48th Fighter Wing. What someone that serves the military and is single wants is drastically different from a service member with a wife and kids. The beaches are a huge draw for tourists and locals alike, known for calm and clean waters and the caf-lined boardwalk. Through Ashley Gutermuth's many military moves, she has learned to flip circumstances around to find the humor, and the How do you figure out what you need to know about taking your career overseas? Many people join the military to travel and see the world which is most desirable for active-duty members that are single. Bedford is a great place to raise children, said Lisa Pizarro, the school liaison officer at Hanscom. Final word: Need more thrill in your life? Also, Old San Juan is pretty much the most beautiful historic neighborhood in the US. McConnell's crime score was 3 out of a possible 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6. The Grand Canyon and Carlsbad Caverns National Park are also within reason. JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Summertime is a busy season for permanent changes of station and military couples may be apprehensive about the possibility of being separated from their spouses during their next assignments.They have little to be concerned about, however, as the Air Force Personnel Center has an accommodation rate of more than 96 percent for mil-to-mil married . Here are your top choices for couples: #1 - Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Image: Army.mil While living in Hawaii is nice it doesn't make nearly as much sense for military personnel with family due to the high cost of living. The programs MWR funds and manages on base are often much more affordable than their off-base counterparts because the government subsidizes their costs. The base is rural yet only about an hour from London as well as other countries in the area like Scotland. The Defense Department says it will permanently close the Navy's massive Hawaii fuel tank facility that leaked petroleum into Copyright 2023 Military.com. So the most compelling reason to get to Seoul now is the fact that you might not be able to get there later. Final word: Residents told us the key to enjoying Okinawa is getting off "the rock" and making the best of travel and cultural opportunities both locally and abroad. Since its so far north, residents can drive to several other countries (Austria, Croatia, Germany, France, and Slovenia) rather than relying on plane or train. Unless you boast nerves of steel and the reflexes of a ninja, you might find the roundabouts and blind curves to be stressful -- especially when another car is hugging the curve and your rear bumper at the same time. Do We Get Military Marriage Pay? | Military.com
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