Military move to Great Lakes IL...HELP!! (Chicago, Rockford: house, transfer)

[laurajill]

My husband is in the military, and our family will be moving to Great Lakes, Ill. at the end of the summer. I know nothing about the area and (have to say) I am a nervous wreck already. I have been on different sides of the spectrum as far as living situations go, from growing up in a very small southern town with two stoplights where everyone knew everyone else, to where we are stationed now in San Diego. I am really not sure where Great Lakes falls into that spectrum. We also have been in southern California since our marriage, so I have not been through that big a move in the military system before. I would love any advice or tips on the area, or the moving process through the Navy. Anything that you feel I should know to prepare for something like this. HELP!!, I have no clue what I'm doing! Thanks so much!!

[jlawrence01]

The Great Lakes Naval Center is located in the Northern suburbs of Chicago. You will probably get more response in the Chicago suburbs section.

[linicx]

Anchors away, Mate. If you live in San Diego, you will like your new post. You'll find Trader Joe's and Cosco and other familiar stores in the Chicago area. Kroger's and Von's are the same grocery chain. I don't know if there is an Albertson's or not. No Boney's that I know of. Traffic isn't any worse in Chicago than the I-5. You won't have the ocean, but you do have Lake Michigan and the Navy Pier. Shedd's Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry are in Chicago, too. You won't want for anything except CA warm winters and mountains.

The folks on the Chicago forum can help you more than I can.

Good luck and welcome aboard!

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by linicx

Anchors away, Mate. If you live in San Diego, you will like your new post. You'll find Trader Joe's and Cosco and other familiar stores in the Chicago area. Kroger's and Von's are the same grocery chain. I don't know if there is an Albertson's or not. No Boney's that I know of. Traffic isn't any worse in Chicago than the I-5.

Vons = Safeway = Dominick's in Chicago
Albertson, bought by SuperValu = Jewel-Osco
Krogers = Food4Less (discount brand) and Hilander (Rockford)

[TheHaskells]

My husband was an instructor at Great Lakes from 06-09. He just transferred over to Live Fire at Great Lakes to finish our tour. We are retiring and moving home to AL. We live in Zion. It is about 15-30 min. to base depending on traffic or of course the snow. We are in the Beach Park School District which is very nice. High School is Zion Benton, Middle School is Beach Park and Elementary is Newport for our zoning per our address. We have 3 boys, ages 16, 10 and 7. They have been extreamly happy in the area and will not want to go. We are close to everything where we live. Just built a new super Walmart by us as well. We are trying to sell so we can move ahead of my husband and get settled before the school year starts. We have a lovely home that is a cape cod model. So, there are 2 bedrooms and a full bath upstairs, main floor has master and 4th bedroom and 2 full baths. Downstairs we have a fully finished basement, office, utility and laundry room. House has a very long paved driveway and backs to a large open park owned by the park district. 2 car garage, shed, deck and hot tub with a fenced yard. I can give you more info. about the area or the house if your interested.