Your Name (if you would like it to appear):
Sara B
Base Location:
Jefferson County, North Country, Upstate NY
How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present)
Oct 08-Present (and for the next 4 years)
What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy?
They are building tons of new houses. We were on the list for almost a month and a half before we got offered, and with the weather on base is better than off. The off base housing ranges from a 2/1 for about 800 and up
Rate the PX & Commissary.
It’s all in the same building, along with a food court, game stop, barber shop, beauty shop, Clothing and Sales (open everyday which is nice). The commissary closes early without any notice, and if you are there after they close they make sure they don’t let you in.
Activities on base?
Lots of BOSS activities (Better Opp. for Single Soldiers, which isn’t just for single soldiers) and lots of stuff through the FMWR
Active Spouses Club?
I’m sure there are, however being new I haven’t found any yet
Things to do in area?
There is a new dog park on base and one in Watertown.
School System?
Lots of schools, however I don’t have school aged kids, but the buses pick up on base and drop back off on base.
Any colleges in area?
Jefferson Community College
Jobs? (on post and off)
AAFES is usually hiring
Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city?
I love driving around and checking out the older buildings
Least favorite aspect?
The way the people drive and park here, plus coming from TX getting used to the weather is tricky
Any other tips?
Watch out for bad drivers and poor parking, watch out for the snow plows so that your car doesn’t get hit.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Watertown is nasty and full of low life. Do Not Live off Post unless you can afford to live in an upscale area, which more than likely you can’t. All the off post housing that is affordable, looks like it needs to be condemned. The local’s hate the military too. The utilities are outrageous, along with gas, and if you smoke, get ready to pay $10/pk. The weather is cold, snow, and miserable. You will suffer from seasonal affective disorder if you are from the southern states. There is not much to do unless you like to ski. It’s too freaking cold to do anything else. If you like white trash, overcast or snow, nasty living conditions, digging your car out of 10 feet of snow two or three times a day, then this is the place for you.
Fort Drum is our 13th PCS and by far one of my favorite duty stations ever. I really have to disagree with the above comment about Watertown, the weather and nothing to do. This is, by far, the most welcoming community I’ve experienced. Watertown is like many small eastern cities…old. You really need to see the different neighborhoods before deciding where to live. Due to a 28 month wait for on-post housing, my husband and I had two weeks to find a home and get moved in before he deployed. We ended up buying a home in Watertown. We live in the cutest little neighborhood with just a 3 block walk to my daughter’s school. There are so many activities on and off post and gorgeous, gorgeous locations for outdoor activities. Lake Ontario is right here and there are some BEAUTIFUL beaches.
As far as the weather goes…well, I’m from Arizona and I spent most of the last 15 years in the southeast. It is cold during the winter, but we really used our air conditioning this summer. Gorgeous snowfall, beautiful autumns and a practically non-stop slew of festivals, parades and activities from spring through mid-fall. There are farmers markets everywhere, great restaurants (though most don’t open until 4 pm…a little weird) and fun, quirky things to do. The only drawback from a personal stand point is the lack of employment opportunities, but that has turned into a bonus for my family with all the activities!
Then I think you shoul go back to the hole you crawled out of!
Betsy C.. thank you what all u have said makes me feel alittle better about moving to fort drum.. we are moving in a few weeks and iam very nerves about everything more nerves about being able to afford this move.We have a 2 yr old and im so worried about taking her so far.me and my husband are only 20 yr old.He is so nerves about it all and i was fine with it but hes made me worse then him now!! Ive thought about just staying behind but thats not what i really want to do i just want to make sure our daughter is safe and we can afford evrything!! But thank you i guess evryone has a different view on things