Considering Great Lakes NS--need opinions! (Washington: transplants, appliances, house)

[team_evans]

Hello,

We're originally from Kitsap County, Washington, and about to complete year 5 on the island of Guam (hubby works for the Navy). We're discussing which bases to look into transferring to when it's time to move on and thinking of Great Lakes; it appeals to us because A) we've never lived in the Midwest and would enjoy a new adventure; B) from what we can tell by poking around online decent afforable housing is a possibility; C) there are SEASONS and SNOW there (getting tired of the tropics here on Guam!)

But there are so many towns around there and we have no idea what's what. Can anyone offer advice about where to live if he did get a job there? We can look at a map at all the towns surrounding the base, but that doesn't tell us anything. Is there anywhere within reasonable commuting distance (which I define as 45 minutes, tops) where a family can buy a 4 bedroom house in a clean, safe neighborhood with decent schools for between $275 and $300K? Shopping, activities for the kids, and green space are important to us too, but cleanliness, safety, schools, and good value for our housing dollar are the priorities. We're not looking for hastily-built new construction, where the purchase price goes toward granite counters and stainless appliances, but more for older homes that were well-built back in the day, that are less flashy (maybe in need of updated interiors) but a little more generous in square footage and lot size.

Oh, and where do we need to worry about high taxes?

I know the Navy personnel stationed at Great Lakes have to live *somewhere,* so there have to be decent places around the base for transplants to live, but being civilians we don't have the housing allowance they do so money will be tighter for us. My husband makes a good living but I stay home with our three kids (and we're considering a fourth), so we're very budget conscious.

Any thoughts you can share would be greatly appreciated : )