There is nothing like spending leisure time in the outdoors. In fact, that phrase -- "making the most of it" popped up over and over again in interviews with military personnel. Oh, I know, some have tried (I see those timeless and classic Longaberger baskets there, ladies) but PCSing every couple of years keeps the clutter at bay. Many dual-military couples feel that it is easier to let off steam about work when their significant other fully understands what theyre going through. When you do see the relatives, youll be on your best behavior because youll never be living ten minutes away. It doesn't take much to get bogged down in the hustle and bustle of Being Alive in 2023. You can find her riding her Vespa around San Diego, on Facebook and Instagram at @bekahdifelice, or on her blog BekahDiFelice.com. Good news for you: Being a military spouse can actually make some parts of going back to school easier. Bringing up the rear: The 5 worst bases in the Air Force Related Article Pros and Cons of joining the Air Force. What is the best Air Force base in the US : r/AirForceRecruits - Reddit This tutorial will help you learn how. Despite the astronomical costs of living in L.A., BAH rates are surprisingly low. Living in the north's extreme elements isn't for every family, but for those who value the beauty of rugged terrain, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is perfect. To come up with a school quality score, we used the website GreatSchools.com, a respected resource for ranking and comparing schools used by real estate agents and real estate websites such as Zillow and Realtor.com. Make the most of where you are. 15 Best Army Bases For Families, Couples, Singles, and Overseas Our takeaway? Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. Creating a list of the best Air Force bases in the nation is not an easy task. Nearby Northern Virginia's schools are popularly known as among the best in the country, and some live up to that reputation. Of course, its hard to be separated from everyone during the holidays. Scott Air Force Base, located in St. Clair County, Illinois, is a top spot for growing military families and single folk alike. According to Sperling's Best Places, average July temperatures in Wichita hit a scorching 93 degrees. Active-duty military families -- regardless of which branch of service their spouse serves in -- receive benefits through the military's healthcare, which is called Tricare. The 7 percent sales tax is higher than the nationwide average of 6 percent, and summer hits hard, averaging 92-degree temperatures in July. Related Article Best Army Bases for Families, Couples and Singles. The average commute in the Washington area is roughly half an hour, and hits nearly 40 minutes in the area right around Bolling well longer than the average 25-minute commute nationwide. Vic accepted his Floridian lot in life and now has a corporate job with Universal Studios. Well, you can. Best reason to be stationed there: The wine. Single-parents and military couples with children must designate a non-military person who will agree, in writing, to accept care of the member's children at any time, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, in the event the military member is called to duty or deployed with no-notice. Living on Base: Pros and Cons | Military.com should the GPS short out after somehow finding its way into an open coffee travel mug. Real talk: life is hard. Its literally in the middle of nowhere: 3,300 miles west of Hawaii and 1,500 miles east of the Philippines? The military base serves as the host for the 6th Air Refueling Wing. 40th AS, 1st AD conduct Operation Night King exercise, 53rd Wing uses Ex Black Flag to validate Tactical C2 capabilities for ground and air forces, Israeli Air Force Adir participates in Red Flag for first time, Personnel Recovery Airmen test JT-JUMPR during Red Flag, An official website of the United States government. Part of the reason Lackland ranks so high is because of its superior medical facilities which are important to a lot of military families. Depends on your job I guess, AFSOC is a whole different animal. Contact Us Listen to a Military Child Appreciation Day message specifically for military teens from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. 10. Finally, we added up the scores and stacked the bases. Oh, and lets not forget the food. You will know how to make the best of a 3,400-mile PCS move driving across the frozen Alaskan wilderness to the desert-dom of Las Vegas. Here's what you need to know. That number rose yet again. The popular Itaewon district is super close to base and offers loads of bars, restaurants, and shops. The beaches are a huge draw for tourists and locals alike, known for calm and clean waters and the caf-lined boardwalk. Thankfully, many of the USAF bases in the United States have quick access to the outdoors and are in rural locations. Military life is not easy, but we've got your back. These are the highest ranking Air Force bases for couples: Do you really need an excuse to live in Hawaii? The cost of living here hovers slightly below the national average, and the schools are well ranked. Also, the Department of Defense (DoD) schools are really good and their sports teams travel to compete against other DoD schools across Europe. In the words of another sailor, "It will drive you nuts." Dayton also supports its military demographic with plenty of exclusive discounts and promotions for service members and families. In some ways, dual-military life can be compared to a normal working couple's . So, yeah, island fever is a real thing. Do said Columbus' exchange is horrible, and he usually goes to Wal-Mart instead. That number soared to over 1.5 million couples within a decade. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, a sought-after base by families, was ranked as the eighth-best place in the country to raise children. Capt. This Top Thing may just be my personal quirk, but I always find something at every Base Exchange to get excited about, like the elusive Cadbury Crme Egg. When the kids are not in school, families can pack up the car and be in Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington, or Myrtle Beach within just a few hours. While there are numerous overseas locations worth considering for singles, this list focuses on bases in the United States. Do says that for airmen stationed in Columbus, it's tough to afford to eat healthily and stay fit. Its a great base to live on whether youre single, married, or have kids, as theres a lot to do in your downtime. The cost is $66 cash (no checks) and $6 in Bexar County if couples bring in the "Together in Texas" certificate ( www.twogetherintexas.com) . If you ask any member of the military why he or she joined the service, apart from patriotism of course, the most popular answer is often "to see the world." Although culture shock is all but inevitable, the US military's heavy presence on the island means just about everything is translated into English. 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. Immunity from Hoarding Traditionally, in America, you get married. What are the best Air Force bases for married couples? - Quora The best way to find out what is currently available from that program is to contact your base MWR office. Many bases also have available youth programs operated through MWR like dance classes, sports teams and clubs. Research and compare the top credit cards for military members here. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Cookie Notice What we heard across the board was that being away from family and in a foreign culture can be inherently challenging, but character building. They use this set of Tricare programs. The base houses family-friendly amenities like bowling, swimming, movies, parks, and other family events to create a community sense. Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is a major part of base life -- and a part of your benefits. On Marine Corps bases, they are run by the Marine Corps Exchange (MEX), and on Navy bases, they are run by the Navy Exchange (NEX). Military families working and living in San Antonio find that they have very little to complain about, other than the heat! The climate is superb and military families making camp at the base rave about their kids' educational opportunities. (tied) Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, formerly Bolling Air Force Base, ends up in our bottom five primarily due to the Washington area's abysmal traffic year after year, ranked the worst in the country and high cost of housing. Our insiders confessed that the winter months are the hardest. A "Hidden" Mil-to-Mil Couples Benefit Hickam Air Force Base is the highest rated Air Force base in Hawaii yet not for everyone which is why it doesnt rank tremendously high overall. Top 10 Perks of Being An Air Force Spouse by Military Spouse Team in Air Force, Life The Air Force life is not an easy one. MWR operates several resorts in vacation destinations around the world. Now ask them exactly where in the world they wanted to get stationed, and you get far more answers. Nellis AFB features more military schools and squadrons than any other Air Force base in the country. The constant moves, deployments, North Dakota. Everyones timeline is different, and we had to meet in the middle for our goals, they said. For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, subscribe to Military.com and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox. And if your spouse hopes to find a job in the local community, that's going to be tough Columbus' unemployment rate is a staggering 12.9 percent, more than double the nationwide rate. The Military.com pay app makes figuring it out easy on iOS or Android. Related Article How To Join The US Air Force. But nowhere is perfect! Flickr/U.S. (tied) Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. 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. And sales taxes there are 7.15 percent, higher than the usual 6 percent. Like Scott Air Force Base, Wright Patterson Air Force Base sits in the welcoming Midwest. Therefore, if you really like city life then youll find many of the USAF bases on the list problematic for their rural settings. Since most of these services are specific to each base, you should contact your local MWR office to learn what is available. Best base amenity: The USO offers guided tours and trips to local attractions and neighboring countries, as well as on-base classes that range from wine education to cooking to pottery. Related Article Top 15 Military Schools For Boys And Girls. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Privacy Policy There are American fast food restaurants operated by the Exchange service as well as movie theaters. Check out this commissary 101 for more information on commissary shopping. Seoul is something of a technological marvel, too. Prices may vary in different counties. He told his leadership that he was going to propose, and his boss ensured I would fly on the B-52 so that I could be stationed at Minot with Dylan, said Capt. It offers fast, efficient, and inexpensive public transit and wireless access. Because of their careers, they often spend weeks apart, but do have the opportunity to collaborate in some aspects of their jobs. Our Team It boasts shopping centers, short commute times to large, surrounding cities, a massive 300-bed hospital, and a friendly and welcoming community atmosphere. Stuttgarts public transit system is reliable and will get you easily around town. 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. History buffs will love exploring the frescoed chapels, ancient ruins, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.