Of course, not all categories are equally important to service members. The base sits only a few feet above sea level, subjecting it to occasional flooding. The base is rural yet only about an hour from London as well as other countries in the area like Scotland. A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. If you love it, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get extended there. Located just outside Abilene, Texas, Dyess Air Force base was voted the worst among Task & Purpose readers. Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. In the case of Cannon AFB, solid relationships here are built not on entertainment or flashy dining options, but on good ol fashioned beer, football, and common commiseration. Sarah Sicard Both families and singles can easily find plenty of on-base housing, including single-family, duplex, and townhome floor plans (up to 5 bedrooms). It also maintains dedicated strategic-level bombers, CAS . Key West the very last Key on the string is the dream station for anyone who loves warm weather and blue coastal waters and is one of the nicest military bases in Florida. The historic Army base is one of the largest in the world with 50,000 active-duty soldiers calling it home. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. Pikes Peak, among the many 14ers in the state of Colorado, is right in your backyard. Minnesota 4. Danielle Kruse, a military wife, living on the base, highlighted this sentiment, saying she appreciates how all families living here go through similar experiences and support one another in deployment times. Regardless, they're all ones you won't want to miss: 1. Many of its products are locally-sourced thanks to the U.S.'s massive industrial base. Its a great base for singles because of its proximity to downtown San Antonio and Austin which are paradises for this type of crowd. Though military life is extremely hard on families there are thousands that make it work every year. Military Bases & Facilities. Related Article List of Air Force Bases in the US. Though the weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get stationed if you have to go outside the United States. Sure, there are dozens of barbers that will give you a tight fade, but theres really nowhere to be off duty and allow your face to fade into a five oclock shadow. Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. Plus, its located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, so the mountain views dont get much better from a military installation than Fort Carson. While optempo might be high with sea duty and European rotations, with all the various installations located there you could maneuver into a local PCS to extend your time. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. While many enjoy the mission of the installation (bombers and missiles), many dislike the location being in such a remote area without a bigger city nearby. Whether you love Antebellum architecture or visiting historic sites, you arent far from old-style charm when youre stationed at Beaufort. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. Similar to Hampton Roads, the San Diego area has several installations near by which makes the possibility for a local PCS to extend your time there. Below, we rounded up the best military bases categorized by interests. Fort Bragg is home to the 82nd Airborne Division, Spec Ops Forces, and PsyOps. Here are the top Air Force bases in the nation: Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. "For such a small base, we do have quite a lot of amenities," Oakes said. Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. Perhaps this is due to D.C.s abysmal traffic, the ridiculous cost to rent or buy a house, and the high levels of crime associated with Anacostia. Were sorry, Fayetteville -- you didnt deserve that. And New Orleans is a five-hour drive, so at least you can get a beignet for your troubles.Surprise silver lining: In recent years, Fort Polks base amenities have undergone an impressive facelift. Ranking the premier Air Force bases in the United States is not an easy task as there are several worthy of top honors. Housing near Lakenheath is among the best with plenty of new and trendy options. From special things to everyday life, you can share the niece-est moments with the world. At SOUTHCOM, you can expect to meet a lot of different people as its a joint base. The base is one of the oldest bases in the nation, and a portion of the homes on base are historic homes. With Duke and UNC (among other universities) nearby, you can get smarter while also becoming manically invested in March Madness. Matthew Robins assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, is ready to go at the skijoring event at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Air Force Services is an especially important and necessary job on bases that consist of hundreds of service members just not elegant or deeply fascinating. Also worth mentioning: Freedom Crossing, the first-ever, on-base, open-air shopping center offers tons of restaurants and shops. (tied) McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Hanscom Air Force Base near Bedford, Massachusetts, has a lot going for it. It regularly ranks in the Top 5 Air Force bases in the country. Submit an Article Total aircraft strength: 113 Fighter aircraft: 33 Combat tanks: 57 Total naval assets: 90 Defense budget: $4.44 billion 17. They say there are two kinds of military towns: those that come ready-made and those you "make the most of." Enjoy one of our high quality American, State . The unassuming military base in small-town Illinois is a hidden gem based on those who have served at the location. Washington Navy Yard, Bolling Air Force Base, and Fort Lesley J. McNair (Army) are but a few. If that is not enough, consider that Elmendorf-Richardson has its own ski area. Scouring the earth, here are the duty stations that have been deemed the best and worst. If you love the water, youll love it here. Iowa 10 Best States for Military Veterans and Retirees for 2022: 1. The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy? 1. Royal air force. Grand Forks AFB continuously ranks among the top 10 USAF bases in the United States. Correction: The original version of this article inadvertently reversed the order of the towns and ranked Fayetteville #1 instead of #10. Virginia 2. Here are the five worst Air Force installations where you can be stationed, according to their responses. 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. There are 2,744 people assigned to Columbus, including 1,447 military service members, 598 contractors, and 472 civil servants. Most common escape: Charleston, Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Myrtle Beach are all within a couples of hours' drive. 10. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Some 20,000 military families call this rustic and scenic environment home. Edwards. Oh, and theres also that small thing about the contaminated drinking water.Most common escape: Although theres basically nothing to do in Jacksonville except get a fresh tattoo or payday loan, Wilmington is just an hour away, Myrtle Beach is a little over two, and Nicholas Sparks lives nearby where he pens novels for your romantic escapism, I mean, for your reading pleasure. Beaufort was also named as the Souths Best Small Town by Southern Living Magazine. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Any time you want to participate in any outdoor activity, you can pretty much guarantee the weather will be ideal to spend time outside. BestPlaces.net's cost of living score for nearbyEl Segundo, California, is 218, more than double the nationwide average of 100. New Mexico 7. (which would have added up to about an extra 300) Osan- Korea's pretty great even if the work sucks. This little city has it all:beautiful scenery, protected beaches, and historic sites all over. Fort Hood Visitor Center. As the Home of the Rugged Professional, this base is perfect for adventurous service members who dont mind the cold. And at the end of each school year, Pizarro said, Bedford High School holds a party for students whose families are transferring away from Hanscom, which is attended by base leaders. Holloman AFB is between White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest. Think those odd ball assignments like being at a National Guard post (hey Camp Shelby), recruiting, or those one-off assignment locations. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. Elmendorf-Richardson sits near Anchorage, Alaska, and draws in military families from all over the country because of its beauty and excellent medical and dental care, employment assistance, and educational programs. Oh, and you can walk on the ferry for free to go to Seattle! Nestled just outside of busy and vibrant St. Louis, Scott provides military families with the freedom to live in the peaceful countryside or the bustling cityscape, all while centering their work at the famous base. (tied) Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. What someone that serves the military and is single wants is drastically different from a service member with a wife and kids. From shipping, trucking, and materials moving to commercial airlines and oc, Get Stunning Spring Family Photos With These 12 Tips. Nearby Northern Virginia's schools are popularly known as among the best in the country, and some live up to that reputation. Here are the finest locations for the outdoors: What else could you want in an outdoor paradise than Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and its incredible backyard to the Great Outdoors? The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. Required fields are marked *. We pulled information on cost of living, housing, crime rates, commute times, pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes from the website Sperling's Best Places, which compiles demographic and other data on communities around the country. Therefore, if you really like city life then youll find many of the USAF bases on the list problematic for their rural settings. Fort Greely is also considered a remote duty station as the next closest large city Fairbanks is 100 miles away. Only downside mentioned has been the higher cost of living and the housing market. We then assigned each category a score on a 10-point scale. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. Whether you have shore or sea duty, sailors have a good chance in getting stationed here thanks to a large fleet that includes aircraft carriers and submarines. Newsletter Fairbanks is near the base which also provides an outstanding commissary and exchange with a mall and shoppette. Here Are the Top 5 Best and Worst Army Bases, According To New Recruits September 24, 2022 Jenna Biter Right, Staff Sgt. Related Article Best Army Bases for Families, Couples and Singles. Housing costs near Lackland are some of the most affordable in the county, and those choosing to work on the base and live nearby will find endless options to put roots down in. And if you like to unwind from desert combat training by driving into more desert to shoot more guns and drive more off-road vehicles, then Fort Irwin is your paradise.Surprise silver lining: The Barstow Tanger Outlets offer soldiers the chance to buy their Air Jordans on discount so they can wear them to Shock Wave, the on-base night club that shows UFC fights without cover and serves food that is not half bad, hit or miss, and meh, according to Yelp! He was also one of the first enlisted members in the Air Force to experience working with near real time satellite imagery. Its a great base to live on whether youre single, married, or have kids, as theres a lot to do in your downtime. 10 Best Finger Lakes Wineries Worth Visiting (With Map), The Finger Lakes region in New York is home to more than a handful of small-scale wineries. Its a poo pond created from the open sewage of a water treatment facility.Most common escape: If you are the rugged sort that enjoys inhaling sand and spotting rattlesnakes, there are miles of desert to explore on a dirt bike or four-wheeler, along with the trails and famous rock climbing available at Joshua Tree National Park.Surprise silver lining:Although 120-degree heat brings out the best in no one, the high desert does bring out the stars in an unforgettable night sky. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland is such a great place to get stationed that it makes the list twice. Wright-Patterson AFB just makes the cut among many other competing military bases for top honors. If youre bored around base, catch a flick at the theater, take a walk along a trail, or check out Afterburners, a rec facility with 36 TVs, pool tables, and an outdoor tiki bar. Nellis Air Force Base is right outside North Las Vegas need we say more? Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. On base, youll find dental care, vet services, dining, and other recreational activities for a low-key day off. Military families have options when it comes to housing whether its the affordable midsize city of Fayetteville or the richer suburb of Southern Pines. 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