1. Your name (as you would like it to appear):Buckles Family

2. Army Post Name: Fort Knox

3. Army Post Location: Fort Knox, KY

4. Dates When You Lived Here (please include year): Oct 2009 – August 2010

5. How is housing? On-post? On-post housing is nice and has quite a few neighborhoods of new houses. Also, most of the barracks were built within the
past few years.

Off-post? Just outside of post has some bad neighborhoods and maybe not quite as family friendly but there are also plenty of nicer areas. There are a lot of
places out in the country which I think would be ideal in an area like this. Prices vary but are all reasonably priced.

6. Rate the PX and Commissary.
Well I honestly can’t say that I have ever went into a PX or Commissary that I didn’t like. I could care less about how old the building is, prices are better
than any other off post stores.

7. Are there activities on post? Is there lodging on post? There is a bowling alley and the MWR offers programs for the soldiers and families and things for
teens and children to do.

8. What is there to do in the area? Since it’s Kentucky there is of course a lot of fishing, hunting, some hiking, etc. They also have the Patton museum and a
lot of historical things to see.

9. Rate the school system. I don’t have any children in school.

10. Are there colleges in the area? Please list. Kentucky University and Elizabethtown Community College.

11. How is the job situation? What types of jobs are in the area for spouses?

I haven’t had to job search in this area but I wouldn’t say it’s good because I have never seen any places that i would even considering applying for. They are
building a new Human Resource Center soon, not sure when it is supposed to open and it could already be open and i don’t know it as i am staying with family in
Illinois while my husband is at NTC but the center should be opening up around 4,000 jobs. The only problem i see here is that the 3rd Brigade of 1st Infantry
Division has been relocated from Fort Hood, TX to Fort Knox. So around 3,000 soldiers and their families, including mine, were recently moved to the area.
Like any post though, I’m sure that ACS is very helpful.

12. Favorite aspect of the post and surrounding area?

For me, I love Fort Knox because it close to where I’m from, Illinois. The weather is similar and there is plenty of fishing, hunting and the other outdoors activities that i love and have grown up with.

13. Least favorite aspect? The appearance of everything. I feel like the area just needed updated. New landscaping, buildings, signs, etc. and to take care of
things and keep them clean.

1. Your name (as you would like it to appear): Tina

2. Army Post Name: Fort Rucker

3. Army Post Location: Alabama

4. Dates When You Lived Here (please include year): June 2010 – July 2010 (expected to be here until 2012)

5. How is housing? On-post? Off-post?  We live on-post.  The houses are nice.  They are in the midst of getting them all renovated at updated.  There are club houses and pools in all of the neighborhoods as well as lawn care, pest control, etc. all provided just like you’d expect from a HOA type residence.  The only downside to living on post is that the helicopters fly over all hours of the night and it takes a little getting used to since it will wake you up the first few weeks you are here.

6. Rate the PX and Commissary. The commissary is great.  Good selection and great prices.  The PX is a little small with limited selection but still has most necessities.

7. Are there activities on post? Is there lodging on post?  Activities include a lake with water sports and boat rentals available, equestrian center offering riding lessons, movie theater, bowling alley, chapel, restaurant/bar, water park, and probably a few others I haven’t gotten around to exploring yet.  Army lodging is available in a renovated “hotel” (what looks like they used to be old barracks) and also at the lake they have two types of cabins available.

8. What is there to do in the area?  Fort Rucker is surrounded by 3 very small, rural towns.  Enterprise is the biggest of the three and has a few small movie theaters (2 screens each), indoor ranges, and some restaurants. In Daleville there are some very good “country” restaurants.  And in Ozark you have to drive pretty far to get to anything.  Dothan, a larger city, is about 30 minutes away and has a mall, more big chain restaurants, movie theaters, etc. (typical of a good size town).

9. Rate the school system.  We do not have school age children.

10. Are there colleges in the area? Troy University is a few towns away.

11. How is the job situation? What types of jobs are in the area for spouses?  Jobs are scarce and low-paying.  Lots of restaurant jobs and real estate office jobs, but the pay is low.

12. Favorite aspect of the post and surrounding area?  The people are very friendly here and hardly anyone will pass by without waving or saying hello.

13. Least favorite aspect?  There is not a lot to do most of the time.

14. List any local websites.  dotanmeetup.com

15. Any other tips or information?  Keep and open mind and you’ll be sure to find something here that makes you happy.

1. Your name (as you would like it to appear): None given

2. Army Post Name: Fort Polk, LA

3. Army Post Location: Leesville, LA

4. Dates When You Lived Here (please include year): Dec.2005-Nov.2007

5. How is housing? On-post? Off-post? On post isn’t too bad, North Fort is the best of the older housing to get into. Of course there is new housing for those requiring a larder house. If you live off post, I would stay away from Leesville. BAH is low there but I think for a decent house in a decent neighborhood you’ll be paying out of pocket. Try to find something in DeRidder or Anacoco.

6. Rate the PX and Commissary. I’m from not far from the area so I still visit every once in a while, they just built a new PX that is really nice. The commissary is old and small, it’s been there for at least 30 years but I hear there is talk of maybe building a new one also.

7. Are there activities on post? Is there lodging on post? There is lodging on post, but I’ve never stayed there. I was never involved with any of the activities on post other than FRG. I know they have some softball teams for adults and probably some from children as well. They have 2 or 3 pools on post.

8. What is there to do in the area? There isn’t much in the area, a few mom n pop restaurants and walmart. They are building a Chili’s on post. To do any real shopping at the mall or any other stores you have to drive either a45 minutes North to Alexandria which also has a zoo or a little over an hour South to Lake Charles.

9. Rate the school system. I don’t have children.

10. Are there colleges in the area? Please list. The have a branch of NSU right outside one of the gates. Lamar Salter campus about 15 minutes away. The Education Center has Central Texas College and a few others. Lake Charles has McNeese State Univ.

11. How is the job situation? What types of jobs are in the area for spouses? There are very few job opportunities in the area, it’s very small and doesn’t have much to offer.

12. Favorite aspect of the post and surrounding area? It’s small, but quiet and lots of outdoor activities to be done. There’s plenty of boating, fishing, hunting, etc. I loved how it really felt like a community living on post which is actually something I have yet to find at the other post we’ve been at.

13. Least favorite aspect? Not much to do as far as shopping.

14. List any local websites. N/A

15. Any other tips or information? Enjoy your time there, make the most out of it and take some fun trips around the state. Visit New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houston, Dallas, etc. Get out and do something.

Your Name (if you would like it to appear):

Kasey Tanner

Base Name: Ft. Jackson

Base Location:

Columbia, SC

How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present)

2009- present (2010)

What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy?

Due to the fact that housing is older and not very nice not a lot of people want to live on post there really isn’t a waiting list.. Balfour Beatty has taken over and has built a lot of new housing, however that goes to people that are living in the areas to be demolished. I actually lived in the old housing- which is not roomy, the backyard was small and we had a lot of problems with the house in general. Now I have been moved into the newer housing and it’s a dream come true! It’s a lot bigger with a garage. Off post, I’m not sure. I don’t know anyone who lives off post. Average rent is about 800-1200 for a nice house. Apartments are about 650.

Rate the PX & Commissary.

The PX is nice and big but crowded most of the time. I try to stay clear of it from Thursday to Saturday because of basic training graduation. Inside the PX is the pharmacy refill, vision center, UPS, barber shop, hair and nail salon, many different vendors and a Game Stop. Food is Taco Bell, Burger King, and Chinese. Anthony’s and Charley’s plus a Cinnabon. The Commissary is nice, fast checkout. They have a great variety and I can usually find everything I need.

Activities on base?

There is so much to do on post! We have a water park and 4 gyms. The main gym offers unlimited aerobics classes for only 20 a month! The gym also has a daycare area for minimal costs. Our MWR offers cabins, campers, boats and almost any other outdoor activity you can think of. There are horse stables on post. We have Skies which is all the kids activities- and there are a lot! Movie Theater.

Active Spouses Club?

A spouses club…I don’t know. We do have At Ease though. It pretty much is a spouses group. We get together once a month and do fun stuff like basket bingo, Army wife Olympics and other things of this sort. FREE child care is provided at the CDC which is right next door.

Things to do in area?

We have tons of malls: Village at Sandhills, Columbia Centre and 3 other that I can’t remember the names of. The state fair is held in Columbia. Colonial Life area is located in Columbia which houses the circus, concerts, wrestling, Disney on ice and live. 5 points is a “club” area. This is a college town so there are lots of places for adults to go out to. Edventure is a children’s museum…amazing! The state museum. Riverbanks Zoo. Monkey Joes, Leapin Lizards. Drive Inn movie theater.

School System?

I can definitely vouch for Pierce Terrace Elementary. It is the school on post for K-1. The teachers are phenomenal. They teach so well and are so sweet. The staff and even the principal really care about children and their education. They truly amaze me.

Any colleges in area?

Univerity of South Carolina

Midlines Tech

University of Phoenix

Jobs? (on post and off)

On post is the same as anywhere- aafes, commissary, NAF jobs. Off post is also pretty similar, stores, hospitals, many of the same things that are offered in all cities.

Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city?

I like it cause it’s a city but also kind of country. It’s not as fast paced as a normal city and I like that. It’s also pretty easy to get around. The post is fairly easy to navigate and people are always willing to help.

Least favorite aspect?

Family day and graduation day for basic trainees. This is EVERY Thursday and Friday. You can’t go anywhere, the whole post is congested.

Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper, schools, etc.)

www.fortjacksonmwr.com (gym, child care, travel, mwr)

http://www.am.dodea.edu/jackson/Fjpt/index.htm (pierce terrace school)

www.edventure.com

Any other tips?

Just like anywhere, do your research. Find stuff to do so that you enjoy your stay here.

Your Name (if you would like it to appear):  Airiel

Base Name: Fort Stewart

Base Location: Georgia

How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present) March 30, 2010 – present

What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy?

There was no waiting list, my DH got us housing right away, I joined him a week later.  On-post has decent E1-E5 housing… some of them are nicer, some of them not as much.  Off-post housing seems to be hit or miss.  I don’t care for Hinesville but do like Richmond Hill (25-30 minute drive) and Savannah (45-50 minute drive).

Rate the PX & Commissary.

The PX isn’t that great… I prefer to just go out the gate to Hinesville to hit up Wal-Mart.  Unless you need to pick up one thing, that you know the PX has, it isn’t really worth it IMO.  I feel the same way about the Commissary, it’s typically pretty busy, and I find that it has a ‘pushy’ feel.

Activities on base? I don’t have much to add to this yet, we’re still new.

Active Spouses Club? Same as above.

Things to do in area?  Savannah is 45ish minutes away, there’s some nice places to eat, and the beach isn’t far from there.

School System? I don’t have children so I’m not sure.

Any colleges in area?  The ed. center is right outside the gate and there is a college in Savannah.

Jobs? (on post and off)  I haven’t looked into working quite yet.

Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city? The ocean is just a 45-60 minute drive away.

Least favorite aspect? Nothing great to do or eat really close to post….

Any other tips?  I have not found people to be very friendly here.  Not sure if that’s just my luck or the area that this post is located.

Base Location: GA

How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present) 2008-2010

What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy? We live in new housing which is OK! it is typical Army housing, but it is privatized. Most bases are these days. Most of the neighborhoods have either been rebuilt or are being renovated, so housing is nice. If you choose to live off base, I recommend either Smith Station, AL; FT. Mitchell, AL; or at least out to exit 7 and beyond off the interstate.

Rate the PX & Commissary. I will rate the commissary about an 8…they have a great meat and produce section…but could stand to be a little bigger for the size of the base.

And as for the PX, I would say maybe a 7 1/2… it’s ok, but I am not a big AAFES fan as far as shopping goes… but the PX is new and carries many things.  There is also 2 Starbucks here on post, 2 day Spa’s, a Mexican restaurant and we even have a Bruster’s ice cream. I also heard, but cannot confirm, that they are building a Huddle House on main post here.

Activities on base? There are many activities here, but some big things are during the nicer months, MWR has Movies under the stars, they host an Oktoberfest, a Salute to the South, and a pretty great 4th of July. They also have the typical CYS Sports activities and there is Uchee Creek where you can camp, rent cabins, trailers, boats to take out on the river (but watch out for the gators)

Active Spouses Club? Not sure about this one. I know they have a CSC, and I believe they have an ESC…I just haven’t heard much about them.

Things to do in area? There is lots to do here. There are some great State Parks that are close by, Columbus has pretty good shopping and dining, if you have children of course there’s Chuck-E- Cheese, plus there is Monkey Joe’s, Jumpin Jax, & Zoo City. Here on post there is even a new family center that from my understanding is like a Chuck-E-Cheese. And don’t forget, you are only about an hour & 1/2 from Atlanta and MAJOR SHOPPING!!!! (and sightseeing), and about 2 hours from some beaches in Florida and about 4 1/2 to Savannah, GA.

School System? Schools here on post are DODEA

Any colleges in area? Right here in Columbus, there is Columbus State and Columbus Tech. There are many other schools available through the military too.

Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city? I love the fact that everything is right at your finger tips. You don’t have to go far to get what you need/want.

Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper, schools, etc.) https://www.benning.army.mil/fbhome/sites/local/ ; http://www.am.dodea.edu/benning/ ; http://www.benningmwr.com/

Base Name: Fort Polk

Base Location: Louisiana

How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present) Mar 2007-2010

What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy? South Fort is older housing, but most are ok.  There are brand new houses, but it’s hard to get into.  You have to stay on top of housing to get things done, but other wise it’s ok.

Rate the PX & Commissary. Brand new PX is nice, not as big as others I’ve heard of but it’s still nice.  Commissary is small but it does the job.

Activities on base? There seems to always be something going on to do.  There are 3+ pools, which is great for the hot summers.  Lots of nice play grounds.

Active Spouses Club? I have no idea about these clubs.

Things to do in area? There isn’t much to do around the local area, but if you are willing to drive a few hours there is tons to do. Holly Beach is directly south of here.  There is New Orleans, Houston.  So if you put some effort into it you can find things to do.

School System? I wasn’t disgusted by the school system here.  We are from Texas and they are way behind Texas.  I ended up pulling my kids out and homeschooling.  But Louisiana is not a homeschool friendly state so if you homeschool be prepared for it.

Any colleges in area? There are a few around

Jobs? (on post and off) Stay at home mom so I’m not too sure.

Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city? We really enjoyed the pools on post.  They are nice and never really full.  I really don’t have a favorite aspect of Leesville.  It’s pretty trashy.

Least favorite aspect? Drama! Fort Polk seems to be full of it.  Leesville is trashy and I don’t feel they like the Military much.  They complain a lot about us.

Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper, schools, etc.)

Any other tips?  Try to make the best of it.  It’s a culture shock if you come from some place bigger and nicer.  You can find things to do that are fun.  The heat is horrible and the a/cs in the older housing are just swamp coolers so it gets rough during the summer.  Stay on top of housing to get them to make your a/c work!!

Your Name (if you would like it to appear): Abby McFadden

Base Name: Fort Stewart

Base Location: Hinesville, GA

How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present) July 2009 to present

What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy?

On Post housing is nice and worth it if you qualify for the new housing. I live in the new housing addition but have heard nothing but bad things about the old house. They had a town hall meeting about 2 weeks after we got here and I found out alot about the area and the post. It seemed like the older neighborhoods had more issues even with crime and stuff that you would see off post then the newer neighborhoods.

Rate the PX & Commissary.

The PX is semi big. The one downfall was that they didn’t have even half of what was required for on post school supply list. The commissary has been under construction since we have been here so it is always a mad house. Lets cross our fingers that it is done in November like they said it would be.

Activities on base?

Active Spouses Club?

no not yet

Things to do in area?

On post there is alot. There are several playgrounds, a couple water parks, a couple pools, and a family center that is always having something. Off post you have to drive at least 45 min. unless you just want to go to a movie. The movie theater in Hinesville is okay just a little small.

School System?

On post great off post not so much.

Any colleges in area?

There alot of options for college it just depends on what you want to do and if you want a campus of online.

Jobs? (on post and off)

I don’t know. I don’t work.

Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city?

My favorite thing of the base has to be the amount of things to do just on base. As far as the surrounding city, unfortunately, I would have to say Wal-Mart.

Least favorite aspect?

My least favorite thing would have to be the fact that to do anything off post you have to drive 45 min at least.

Any other tips?

Do a lot of research of the area and the post so you don’t get bored.

Received August 2009

Base Location:

Alabama

How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present)December 2005-present

What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy?

Rucker is a TRADOC post so you walk in and receive keys to 2-3 homes to look at.  The housing is okay in Munson Heights and Bowden Terrace, but is improving since Picerne has taken over.  They are completely redoing the whole post.   Off post housing is reasonable, normaly within your BAH range, but Fort Rucker exits to 3 different cities.  Enterprise, Ozark and Daleville.  Enterprise giving you the most options of things to do and place to live. Rent runs about 800 off post and buying a  decent home starts in the 120,000 area.

Rate the PX & Commissary.

There is one PX and Commissary in the same area (parking lot). PX is minimal.

Activities on base?

In the same area (parking lot) as the PX is the movie theater and bowling alley.  They both are really a lot of fun.  Right down the road is one of the two gyms, one which is brand new ( about another 3/4 of a mile away from the PX, heading toward the enterprise gate) We have two shopettes.  If you are here for flight school your husband will take you to the museum too many times But for the most part the base is self sufficient.

Active Spouses Club?

I know there is a protestant women’s club, but not too familiar with any b/c I work full time.

Things to do in area?

Aside from the surrounding areas having some of the craziest festivals (i.e. the opossum festival, tomato festival, peanut festival ) there is a great haunted house during Halloween you need to make it to, in Opp, AL ( which also has a nice state park).  But on an everyday basis, Dothan, al is only a 30 minute drive at the most, and by 03/2007 they will have a target, the mall has pretty much everything but for everything else Destin, FL and Montgomery, AL are about an hour and half drive.  It really is all about learning to love where you are

School System?

Aside from the two elementary schools on post I don’t know much.  Although if your child is a middle/high schooler and you live on post you can choose which school of the surrounding 3 cities you want him/her to attend.

Any colleges in area?

Jobs? (on post and off)

Dothan has a wide variety of jobs if you don’t mind the commute.  If you don’t want to commute, your best bet is Enterprise, AL.  Then I would look at Ozark, and good luck in Daleville   On post you go to building 5700 off of Andrews Ave and they have a whole list of on post jobs to apply for.

Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city?

It really is all about what you get out and do!!

Least favorite aspect?

The surrounding cities being so small

Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper, schools, etc.)

Enterprise Ledger

Dothan Eagle

Any other tips?

If you love BBQ you must eat at Hooks BBQ, located in Dothan, Troy or Opp.  And there are other tons of great places to get the opportunity to eat southern food here!!