Last Updated on August 9, 2019
Your Name (if you would like it to appear): Mrs. C.
Base Name: Camp Darby (USAG Livorno)
Base Location: Pisa, Italy
How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present)
2004-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 is no on-post housing so all families, officers and service members
E-7 and higher must live off post. There are some government housing units in clusters in Pisa and Livorno, but the majority of the community lives in private rental. Because there is a ceiling on rent and every landlord knows the figures, expect to pay the ceiling.
I personally recommend staying away from Tirrenia if you don’t like living
and dealing with sea side resorts during the summer months due to the disco techs, outdoor movie theater and beach traffic. However, it is only crazy for 3 months out of the year!
Rate the PX & Commissary.
We have a brand new commissary that opened up June 2009 and is very good. Our PX is small, but the manager is helpful if you’d like to order something from another PX in Europe and have them ship it down here.
Activities on base?
Your standard MWR activities: sports, pool, American Beach in Tirrenia, ODR, ITR, ACS, YS, BOSS, etc.
Active Spouses Club?
No
Things to do in area?
Camp Darby is 10 minutes from the Leaning Tower of Pisa and an hour away from Florence, Cinque Terra, Vinci, Sienna, Lucca and more. We are in the heart of Tuscany and the perfect location to explore Italy.
School System? Elementary and Middle School is on the base, but high schoolers get to go to the Florence International School.
Any colleges in area?
On post there is University of Maryland and Central Texas Community
College. Down the road is Pisa University. In Florence, there are a whole
bunch of universities that cater to American exchange students.
Jobs? (on post and off)
On post, you’ll find your standard jobs.
Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city?
You are in Tuscany- a place others spend thousands of dollar to visit once
in their life and you get to be here everyday!
Least favorite aspect?
Things are generally closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper, schools, etc.)
http://www.usag.livorno.army.mil
Any other tips?
It is a great place to visit.
Received 6/2009
Things must have changed at Camp Darby. It’s an OK place but don’t expect much more than a motel 6 environment. If you intend to go there, plan ahead. Getting there is easy enough. Expect to pay 25 Euro for a cab one way. You will be dropped off at the main gate and have a 7-10 minute walk to the Sea Pines Lodge. The Lodge is all of the way to the end of the road once you turn right from the main gate. The girls at the lodge office are helpful but not entirely aware of whats available on this tiny little main post. The only way to get around at Camp Darby is by “pit and pat” or by auto. There are no shuttles on this post. There aren’t many tours available if any. DO NOT COME HERE IF THERE IS A ITALIAN HOLIDAY UNLESS YOU HAVE A SELF-SUFFICIENT PLAN. You can rent a car there from EuropCar if it is open. Don’t plan on anything being open until after 10am or later. Take your own navigator and a WI-FI computer. Getting around the smaller towns is easy enough to find your way almost by accident. Places like Rome will need a bit more luck and a couple of days to see. This vacation was almost busted except for a little ingenuity.
If you would like to submit an updated review, that would be great! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Hi….
I am new to all this “Army”stuff so…with that being said i need help please.We will be pcsing soon to Caserma Ederle Vicenza, Italy .I am worried sick about the move and everything i read about moving , finding a house and bills the cost of living.I am near break down point with worry.Anyone willing to give advice or someone who lives there would be GREAT please.
Please email….
You’re welcome to email me – stacey@marriedtothearmy.com
Thanks so much Stacy for the reply…i have done registration process with army wife chat and never been able to log into it at all….after trying 4 different times i just gave up.I will try again.
Join us at armywifechat.com. There are plenty there who can give you specifics about moving overseas.
Looking for the Guy Gould who posted the comment here in June of 2010.
We are distant relatives and I would like to get in touch with him.
thanks