Best Bases- U.S and overseas

[AnnieRae]

Hi everyone!

I would love to get some first hand experiences on what you think are the best bases to be stationed at around the world. My husband and I don't have any kids and are definitely up for an adventure. I think we both would rather be at one for the more laid back bases (which I've heard are west coast and overseas). We love being outside, hiking, camping, kayaking, paddle boarding, etc. 

Let me know what you think! : )

[Emily-aaronsgirl11]

If you love being outside, you'd love the Pacific Northwest! There's several bases here, Naval Base Kitsap (which includes Keport, Bangor (lots of subs), and Bremerton (some subs, one carrier) and Naval Station Everett (some destroyers I think, one carrier). While it does rain here, it's close to Mt. Rainer and the Olympics and Mount St. Helen is a short drive away! There's tons of hiking and camping and kayaking and everything around here! Seriously the best place for that kind of thing. 

If I got to choose anywhere we went, I'd want to go to Italy for a few years. I've heard it's a wonderful place to be stationed! Sadly, there's no billets for my husband's rate and rank there. :(

[meagan5220]

I think you will find that many people have many different opinions on this subject. With that being said I hope no one takes offense to my answer (because inevitably someone always does. lol)

We have only been to two bases. Everett, WA and Newport News, VA. I will say without a doubt, I HATED living in WA. In fact I told my husband if he ever had to live there for work or military he would go alone... and he said that's ok, I would go AWOL lol. We both hated it. Apparently, we were there during the worst summer they had in decades, like for example my heater was set to kick on when the temp got to 55, it kicked on multiple times in July and August, It rained (and by rain I mean spit on you all day) almost every day we were there. It was always cloudy and dreary. They did say it was abnormal summer weather but honestly I wont try it again to see if that's true. I need sun and I actually suffered a few depressive episodes because of the lack of sun mixed with a doctor giving me a birth control that was linked to suicide attempts without warning me after I asked her. -_- The area is gorgeous when its nice out, so much to do hiking, camping, etc. there are like 21 waterfalls or something like that in the area. We just personally didn't do much because inevitably we would go somewhere and it would start raining and get really cold and yuck. Jim Creek is a military camping area about an hour north of Everett and its gorgeous. Especially the water area where you can go canoe and stuff, because they don't allow people to swim there its so clear! If you get orders there I would seriously suggest living outside of Everett. The town itself is just not the best. I mean I have lived in places that were worse, but eh if we had the choice again we would have picked Marysville of Lake Stevens or one of the surrounding cities. oh beware of the Mexican food there if you go lol. Its HORRIBLE.

Virginia, we actually like. I know a lot of people hate it here but we love it. The pollen sucks here, so as far as allergies go I am always having issues with that. The crime rate is sort of bad, but honestly there are soooo many military bases around here (probably like 20 in a 3 hour radius at least.) that its going to be higher.  We actually bought a house here. There is lots to do, lots of other states within driving distance, easy to get up to DC, lots of history, lots of places to explore down in NC and SC. Mexican food still isn't the best but we have found a few places we like lol. There is lots to do here overall, and there are lots of different areas you can live in. Country, city, small town feel, touristy areas. You do have to watch where you live because you can easily wind up in the wrong part of town just by turning the wrong way. I love the beach too. There are a few military beaches here as well which is nice.

I grew up in Oklahoma, while most people don't know, the AF base there actually has a huge navy side. Oklahoma has lots of outdoorsy stuff to do. Its more of a redneck state anyways lol. but definitely lots of fun things to do there. Most people don't really like the thought of going to Oklahoma, but I know a lot of people that have gone there and then never wanted to leave. Its got the city feel to an extent but also the country.. but I always say, Oklahomans are a different breed of people. You don't run into it much it other places. Its one thing I miss about home.

If we had the choice I would pick Italy or Germany in a heartbeat. So many things I want to explore over there. :)

[TropikalParadize]

We are in San Diego (well, Coronado actually) and absolutely love it here....good weather year round (I always lay out on the beach in Dec....actually just got back from being out on the ocean all day today....and its Feb!), really beautiful area, and tons of stuff to do outdoorsy....my husband and I are just like you guys, diving, fishing, kayaking, hiking, camping, etc....and we have had a great time here in SD...and there's lots of bases here to, I would say you couldn't go wrong with any of them! 

My one perfect place that I would love to go is Guam (we are currently working on it...).  I think people either love it or hate it there, and being outdoorsy I bet you would love it.  Diving, hiking, island life....well that's what we want right now anyways, so I would say that is at the top of our list! 

And I have also heard that Japan is a great place to be for a while as well...I don't have a lot of info about those bases there but one of my girlfriends is headed to Yokosuka and she's really outdoorsy like we are so I guess we will see! 

[Anti M]

I spent a total of 12 years in Yokosuka, and I adored it. Plenty of other people simply hated it.  There is a lot to do, both on base and off, the people are marvelous, and the culture is simply amazing.   Oh, and the food, I miss that so much.   The weather is meh... hot and humid in summer, chilly and gray in winter.  Lovely in spring and fall.  

[TropikalParadize]

That's exactly what I have heard from others as well, that the people and the culture were amazing....and the food too!!  *sigh* hopefully we will make it over there someday! :-)

[TropikalParadize]

Yeah one of my girlfriends lives there so I have spent a bit of time there, and I LOVE it....there's definitely give and take though, and one of my other girlfriends lived there for a couple years and hated it....are you guys into hashing by any chance?  You mentioned being outdoorsy, and the hash community there is super big and super awesome :-)

[EmilyNicole98]

My vote goes to Washington, but it is in fact the only base my husband has been stationed at! We've been here for close to a year and it's absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous! The summer was perfect, it never got above 85 and it only rained about three times in three-four months. I can't get enough of the mountain and ocean views! There's never a dull moment here either, unless you let it happen. There is so much to do, especially if you're willing to drive an hour or two away. If you can't stand the rain or like really hot temperatures, it might not be for you...people coming here from California and some southern states seem to make up the majority of people who hate it here. Understandable, but it's SO worth the weather and it doesn't rain any more than the east coast or parts of the midwest.

[EmilyNicole98]

We're in Bremerton right now. His contract is up in July of 2016 but we'll be staying in Washington and moving over near Redmond! It'll be his turn to go to school and I'm hoping to find a social work job somewhere in Seattle, too. :) 

I hope you guys love it here! You'll be glad to know it's only snowed here twice this winter lol. It might snow more up in Everett but down here we haven't had more than three inches at once. 

The mold is definitely a downside! I'm from Michigan so it's not a new thing, but it's incredible how fast it grows. We had it growing around our windows within six months. It sounds like you guys had an awful experience here! :(

[EmilyNicole98]

It's too bad we're not on the same base!! But definitely close enough to cross paths sometime. :)

[meagan5220]

Oh yeah! We when were signing the lease when I saw the mold addendum I was like uhh whats this? and the lady was like oh pretty much you just accept the fact that your apt will have mold in it. Soooo gross! I remember one day a huge chunk of mold fell out of my bathtub faucet. In what was supposed to be a relaxing bath lol!

Yeah it definitely wasn't too much fun. I mean it was a learning experience, we did have fun times there and get to explore, but definitely not the highlight of my life. lol But you know its part of life at the same time I am thankful for the experience. It also made me realize just how important my home state is and just how much I miss things I took for granted. :)

I agree high five to being social worker! When I go home its one of the things I am looking into while I am getting my Masters in Forensic Psychology for Children.

[EmilyNicole98]

Oh ew, that would ruin things! It's always referred to as the state flower, haha. It really is everywhere. I guess it's probably something you have to grow up around to not mind, it would be really hard to go from a sunny state to this. That sounds like a really interesting major!! Good luck with your studies!

[Anti M]

We lived in Japan, which has high humidity in the summer, although not as bad as Guam or the PNW.  You learn to keep food and leather clothes in airtight bins, to run dehumidifiers, to use the chemical dehumidifiers, and to air out wet towels because if you drop them in a hamper, they turn black. All sorts of tricks, including keeping bread in the fridge.

I love living in Utah, where we are bone dry!