Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. Learn more about Naval Air Station Key West here. Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. Being close to Tampa, there is always something for kids to do. Because its an island, the cost of living is high but can be offset if you live with roommates or use base housing and budget wisely. (We also plied them for their military packing pro-tips. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. At SOUTHCOM, you can expect to meet a lot of different people as its a joint base. Oh, and theres also that small thing about the contaminated drinking water.Most common escape: Although theres basically nothing to do in Jacksonville except get a fresh tattoo or payday loan, Wilmington is just an hour away, Myrtle Beach is a little over two, and Nicholas Sparks lives nearby where he pens novels for your romantic escapism, I mean, for your reading pleasure. . Considering the average price of a two-bedroom apartment in Dayton is about $700 a month, it is easy to see how military families can comfortably live and work here. While many Air Force families have no choice where they land, those who get stationed at these top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate. Shop here and skip paying sales tax on everything from electronics to groceries. The IAF also has issues with squadron strength and target practice. Those living on base have many housing options to choose from, ranging from small duplexes to lakeside, four-bedroom abodes. best Clark Air Base 1980-1985 and 1989-1991 sad to see it close. While the state is usually not the top choice for many military families youll find a welcoming community with plenty of support. The next most important categories crime, health care facilities, commute times and exchanges were doubled in value. Located in the southern part of Colorado Springs, this mountainous area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. If you find yourself stationed on the beautiful island of Oahu, consider yourself among the lucky few who get this coveted duty station. Base: Fort BlissUnlucky call sign: Fort Piss, Hell PasoWhy it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. What would you add to this? McConnell's crime score was 3 out of a possible 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6. Colorado Springs is also home to the scenic Air Force Academy and right along the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland is such a great place to get stationed that it makes the list twice. Best area perk? Updated Nov 24, 2021 10:41 AM EST, Editors note: This article was originally published in March 2016. If want to live off base, keep in mind the cost of living is high for junior enlisted families in particular, but youll likely find yourself in gorgeous historic neighborhoods. BestPlaces.net's cost of living score for nearbyEl Segundo, California, is 218, more than double the nationwide average of 100. Located on the Canadian border, winters here are long and brutal as the snow piles up and temps dip down to thirty below. (tied) Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Becoming a military family can be an adjustment for families. New Mexico 7. So even though the base may be a bust, it might just prompt enough personal growth to make a really excellent online dating profile. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. Privacy Policy South Carolina As one of the most requested locations in the Army, youre in for a treat if you get stationed at Fort Carson. So, if you are into warm weather, sunshine, and free time, there is nothing here for you. It is minutes from downtown Tampa near the bay leading out to the Gulf of Mexico. Nestled just outside of busy and vibrant St. Louis, Scott provides military families with the freedom to live in the peaceful countryside or the bustling cityscape, all while centering their work at the famous base. Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. The absolute worst is/was Eareckson Air Station, AKA The Rock, located on Shemya Island, a tiny island (under 12 square miles) at the ass end of the Aleutian chain. Total aircraft strength: 113 Fighter aircraft: 33 Combat tanks: 57 Total naval assets: 90 Defense budget: $4.44 billion 17. 6. Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. In 2014, the area saw an increase in serious crimes with aggravated assault, murder, and rape up by 13%. Newsletter Its a poo pond created from the open sewage of a water treatment facility.Most common escape: If you are the rugged sort that enjoys inhaling sand and spotting rattlesnakes, there are miles of desert to explore on a dirt bike or four-wheeler, along with the trails and famous rock climbing available at Joshua Tree National Park.Surprise silver lining:Although 120-degree heat brings out the best in no one, the high desert does bring out the stars in an unforgettable night sky. Shes a mother of four and former mom blogger. The base's commissary is small, its only medical facility is a clinic, and its small exchange is just a shoppette. Washington DC. Though the concept of moving to Alaska may overwhelm some families it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Everyone has to settle down eventually, right? Also worth mentioning: Freedom Crossing, the first-ever, on-base, open-air shopping center offers tons of restaurants and shops. While relocating to Las Vegas is maybe a good or bad thing its impossible to resist the urge for young singles of the USAF. Single life has its advantages and disadvantages. Of the fifty-nine possible Air Force bases in the United States, these bases reign supreme, checking off all possible family-friendly boxes. Thankfully, many of the USAF bases in the United States have quick access to the outdoors and are in rural locations. No matter which Air Force Base tickles your fancy, they all have a few essential commonalities that families tend to put at the top of their checklists. Life here is charming, but it can be dicey at times. These top-rated bases provide low-cost living to military personnel, excellent amenities on or near the base, and a strong sense of community. Off base, youll find nearby volcanoes to hike, waterfalls to swim in, and beach shores to surf along. This on-base perk also has beach volleyball courts, cabanas with grills, and a full bathhouse. Youll never regret a day at Lackland if you are single and looking to mingle. Housing near Lakenheath is among the best with plenty of new and trendy options. The only saving grace is that Las Vegas is less than 3 hours away. The only downside mentioned has been the possibility of hurricanes. Having an open mind and a willingness to explore on and off base will make your duty station experience all the better. Yeah, most havent. So, its like Aladdin, except without a genie to help you.Most common escape: Ruidoso, New Mexico offers all sorts of outdoor activities plus a casino and horse racetrack. Fort Polk resides in Louisiana where the hot summers and mosquito problems can make the area unpleasant. Again, the desert climate and dry heat make the location undesirable, and despite the name, there are no palm trees. All Rights Reserved. But Westervelt said if someone really wants an off-base home, her office can usually find something for them within 20 or 30 minutes of Hanscom. Hanscom has a total workforce of 5,828, including 922 active duty service members and 92 reservists. Link Copied! The UK Royal air force is also referred to as the Royal Air Force and it boasts of over 890 aircraft and a large number of workers, making it Europe's largest air force. If you can't fit in smaller sized clothing, you will be forced to order online. Think those odd ball assignments like being at a National Guard post (hey Camp Shelby), recruiting, or those one-off assignment locations. What someone that serves the military and is single wants is drastically different from a service member with a wife and kids. Part of the reason Lackland ranks so high is because of its superior medical facilities which are important to a lot of military families. A cool thing about Minot its less than 55 miles to the Canadian border. Located in Miami-Dade County, get an introduction to the melting pot that is nearby Miamis culture. So yeah, Lemoore might not be much to look at, but you are just down the road from some spectacular #nofilter #views.Surprise silver lining: Another perk of living in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley of California is access to fresh, local eggs and produce through farm co-ops. Families also benefit from no state income or sales tax in the Anchorage area. However, what helps Guam is that its a territory of the United States with English as the predominant language. 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. The military bases on this list range in size from 62,435 acres to more than 3.5 million and are operated by one of the military's four branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines . Oregon 5. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Craig spent many years on active duty service in the Air Force stationed in such places as Okinawa, Japan and SAC Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Eating organic and local has never been easier, which is great news for anyone who has watched any documentary on factory farming, ever. Thankfully, the Air Force Base has a private beach available to those in service when the weather becomes unbearably hot! Best reason to be . You wont know how you like a place until you go it might be the best location the military could have ever picked for you. And for how close it is to the water, youll probably be surprised by the low rates of living. Base: Fort DrumUnlucky call sign: Fort Drunk (due to the number of alcohol-related incidents on base in the 1990s)Why it's not great: As the old joke goes, Fort Drum has two seasons: winter and July. The median home cost there is a whopping $766,000. These are the highest ranking Air Force bases for couples: Do you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii? If thats not enough to get you excited about this duty station, just remember youre living in one of the top-rated cities along Floridas coastline. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. The Turkish Air Force is the tenth largest air force in the world and Turkey's military is the ninth strongest in the world overall. There are a lot of training accidents in the Hellenic Air Force. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. Center offers tons of restaurants and shops the melting pot that is nearby Miamis culture island of,. West here grace is that its a territory of the USAF Oahu, consider yourself among best. 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