Moving to Fort Rucker (Dothan, Enterprise: tornado, military, hotels)

[melc2500]

Hello,
my husband 3 kids and I may be moving to Fort Rucker this summer.
We are from Canada and will only be in the area for 3 years. I was wondering what area would be the best place to live and send our kids to school.
At this point any good info would be appreciated greatly

[maggiemay]

My husband and I live in on the west side of Dothan in a neighborhood known as the Woodlands. Our house is about 1.5 mikles from highway 84, which takes you straight to Daleville and Fort Rucker. His commute is about 20 - 25 minutes every morning. Other neighborhoods in Dothan with good access to 84 for the commute are the Highlands and Grove Park. Also, 2 families in my husbands unit live in Jamestown, which is a bit more inside Dothan, but has immediate access to 84. I would guess their commute is more like 30 minutes.

We decided to live in Dothan because it's larger than Enterprise, Daleville, and Ozark. It was a great decision for us. We've made wonderful friends with locals so our "group" is made up of a mixture of Fort Rucker pals and civilians of all ages and professions. We've put together a wine club that meets once a month and is tons of fun. There are several gyms and Westgate park is nearby, so keeping fit is no problem. Also, Studio Y has the best yoga available in the area. If you are interested in art lessons for your kids the Dothan Wiregrass Art League can hook you up, and there are also good resources for music or ballet.

We do not have children so I don't have specific knowledge about schools. I do think that the Enterprise schools may have a better reputation with the military families at Fort Rucker (than the Dothan schools). However, our neighbor has 2 girls in elementary and middle school and they have been very pleased. I think it depends on which neighborhood you end up in.

Good luck with your move. We are moving later this summer, but we've had a great time and will leave behind wonderful friends. This area has a reputation among many military families as having nothing to do. I think that is a state of mind, and we've been busy. The beaches at the gulf (1.5 hours away) are some of the most beautiful in the country and are great to visit. Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

[ginosgal]

We lived for many years in Daleville, it is close knit, our children were embraced by the local school system. It is safe and small, its true compared to alot of other places there may look like theres not much to do, but we were involved in alot of things and were always busy. My husband worked on Ft Rucker and his commute was about 5 minutes. Dothan has more to offer, but I didnt mind the drive for shopping, eating, etc. There are alot of Ft Rucker based families living in Enterprise, also. If you like more rural, you can buy a house in Level Plains which is between Daleville and Enterprise, and will give you the choice of either school system. Hope this helps.

[military spouse]

Hello,
My husband was stationed at Ft. Rucker several times. The last time we were there, we bought a house in Dothan (Westside off Hwy. 84). We lived in a neighborhood called Chapelwood and really enjoyed it. I believe Enterprise has grown a bit since we last lived there, but I would highly recommend Dothan. Dothan has everything you probably need. I highly agree with Maggiemay that Dothan has a nice park with a walking trail and small waterpark. There is another park in the garden district that is great for younger kids. Dothan has an abudance of restaurants and shopping. If you need a realtor, I would highly recommend Tom West Co. Both their sales team and property mgt. team were wonderful to us. We bought and sold our house through them and used them as our property mgt. company for a couple of years until we could sell the house at the price we wanted.

[njdbox]

We just moved to the area in May. I did a lot of research before arriving. From everything I read in advance and everything I have heard from other parents upon arrival, Enterprise has the best schools in the area. Of those schools, the Holly Hill and Hill Crest Schools (the latter was damaged in the recent tornado and I don't know their plans for the fall) have the best reputations.

As far as preschools, I am the Director of a Mom's Day Out (junior preschool) for 6 month olds through 3 year olds and Stepping Stones Preschool for 4 year olds.

Moderator cut: Send contact info privately
Good luck with the move.

[fowlerl1]

Hi,

I am trying to find out about the Fort Rucker Post. Preferably from some contractor workers who are on the base on a regular basis. I've heard there is a lot going on in that area and a lot of new work is coming that way due to the army closures taking place. Please feel free to reply or e-mail me at fowlerl1@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance!

[fowlerl1]

Hi,

I am planning to visit Fort Rucker. Any suggestions on nice hotels that are close to the post? I'm looking online but can't seem to get anywhere.

[ginosgal]

The Econo Lodge in daleville is a good bet, and very close to the post.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by ginosgal

The Econo Lodge in daleville is a good bet, and very close to the post.

Hubby was just at the Econo Lodge in Daleville a few weeks ago and he said it was a dump. We had stayed in that hotel years ago and he said it is even worse now. If you don't mind a 30 minute drive, you might check out some of Dothan's hotels. I believe there is a Fairfield or Hampton and a Best Western. The last time we both visited, we stayed at the Best Western and were pleased. Does Enterprise have any hotels?

[Marla Nesbett]

COMMERCIAL LODGING IN LOCAL AREA (Updated January 2006) (Local telephone area code is 334)

DALEVILLE

EconoLodge Single $41.04 Double $46.44
598-6304 *$43.20 *$48.60
*(with micro/fridge) *(with micro/fridge)
(no extra charge for children)
(crib – no charge; rollaway bed - $5.00 per night)

Daleville Inn Single $35.00 Double/King $45.00
503-9335 (no extra charge for children)
(crib/rollaway bed – no charge)

Green House Inn Single $33.43 Double $39.91
598-1475 (no extra charge for children)
(crib – no charge; rollaway bed - $5.00 per night)
OZARK

Jameson Inn Single $44.23 Double/King $50.71
774-0233 (micro/fridges in all rooms)
(no extra charge for children)
(crib – no charge; rollaway bed - $5.00 per night)
All American
Ozark Inn Single $48.60 Double $48.60
774-5166 (children - $5.00 extra)
(crib/rollaway bed - $5.00 per night)

Quality Inn Double $55.00 + tax King $58.00 + tax
774-7300 (If more than 2 adults, $5.00 extra ea (Maximum occupants – 2)
add’l -- maximum of 4 occupants)
(no extra charge for children)
(crib/rollaway bed - $10.60 + tax extra on total bill)
ENTERPRISE

Comfort Inn King $69.95 (2 occupants) Double $69.95
393-2304 (add’l person $5.00) (crib - $5.30 per night; rollaway bed - $10.60 per night)

Days Inn Single $48.89 Double $55.56
393-3297 w/mil ID $44.00 w/mil ID $50.00
(no extra charge for children)
(crib – no charge; rollaway bed - $5.30 per night)

Ramada Inn Single $55.00 Double $61.43
347-6262 (no extra charge for children)
(crib/rollaway bed - $10.00 extra on total bill)

Holiday Inn Single $59.40* Double $59.40*
Express (1 King) (2 Queen)
347-2211 (no extra charge for children)
*Govt (Official TDY) Rate (crib – no charge; rollaway bed - $5.00 per stay)
Reg rate: $75.00 + tax
DOTHAN

Holiday Inn
Express Single/Double/King $55.00
671-3700 (King includes sleeper sofa; no micro/fridges)
(no extra charge for children)
(crib/rollaway bed - no extra charge)

Quality Inn Single/Double/King $55.00
794-6601 (King includes sleeper sofa; microfridges in rooms)
(Extended stay rates: $39.00 - $49.00)
(no extra charge for children)
(crib/rollaway bed – no extra charge)