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I'm a few weeks away from accepting a position with the DoD, and have to rank my office location preferences. I still do not get to pick where I end up (based on the needs of the agency), but they try to drop people in one of their top 5 choices.
I am married, no kids (and none in the future), with pets. I would like to live near somewhere with outdoor recreation (trails, parks, places to walk the dog, etc.) with decent access to grocery stores and other shopping. I currently live in an area with a low cost of living, so affordability for the first few years will be very important. To give you an idea, my 4BR/2.5BA only cost us a tick over $200K. I'm in for a rude surprise! Ha
Combined income is about $150K annually, with annual grade and step increases expected each year. I'm 100% willing to sacrifice living space for affordability, but having an extra bedroom for visitors or office space would be great if we could swing it. I am going to spend as much time on my own researching costs and livability, but figured I'd ask those who have already lived in one or more of these areas for general advice.
Renting would be great since we'll only be in this first city for a handful of years, but having 3 pets is going to be an issue, so we may have to rent or buy a home instead of renting an apartment.
Choices:
San Diego, CA
Washington, DC
Mayport, FL
Oahu, HI
Chicago, IL
Jacksonville, NC
Newport, RI
Norfolk, VA
Silverdale, WA
Hello. Guy from San Diego. Lots of recreational possibilities here. The ocean, mountains to the East. Usually good weather all year around. Lots of military and civilians working and assigned to bases here. We have lots of military in our condo complex. Several Marine Corps and Navy officers. A retired Naval Academy officer.
Downside an extremely high cost of living. A modest tract home in the suburbs will be in the million dollar range. We also have some of the highest utility rates in the country. A one bedroom apartment in an upscale community could run as high as 3,000 a month. A decent home rental in a middle class neighborhood might be in the 5000 a month range. And there is a homeless problem like other CA cities.
I was in the Marines in the 80s through 92 then the Army up till 2013.
1st duty station was Kaneohe Hawaii and last one in Fairbanks Alaska. I'm still in AK after retirement from a Tribal healthcare job.
So in the Marines besides Hawaii I also did the typical East coast, West coast and Okinawa tours.
I loved California and Hawaii especially with the extra COLA and housing allowance I received but I think the East coast picks of Florida and North Carolina would be my choices. I think your $$ would go farther so they may fit your budget well and they have plenty of outdoor activities.
I was stationed at Cherry Point about 50 miles or so up the coast from Camp Lejuene. A much smaller base so I dont know if that would be open to you? I bought my 1st house there in Havelock NC, a 3bd 2ba was 65k in the 80s but now still under 200k per zillow value. Lived there 9 years and I miss it!
I enjoyed kayaking the intercoastal waterways, driving on the beach when open to 4wd in the Winter, fishing and biking.
Random stuff: NC state income taxes are pretty low but you do pay property tax yearly on registered vehicles. Havelock NC is small town living without crowds but big box stores are close and the big city of Raliegh is an easy drive.
A DOD job near the beach sounds great!
Good luck to you
I'm a few weeks away from accepting a position with the DoD, and have to rank my office location preferences. I still do not get to pick where I end up (based on the needs of the agency), but they try to drop people in one of their top 5 choices.
I am married, no kids (and none in the future), with pets. I would like to live near somewhere with outdoor recreation (trails, parks, places to walk the dog, etc.) with decent access to grocery stores and other shopping. I currently live in an area with a low cost of living, so affordability for the first few years will be very important. To give you an idea, my 4BR/2.5BA only cost us a tick over $200K. I'm in for a rude surprise! Ha
Combined income is about $150K annually, with annual grade and step increases expected each year. I'm 100% willing to sacrifice living space for affordability, but having an extra bedroom for visitors or office space would be great if we could swing it. I am going to spend as much time on my own researching costs and livability, but figured I'd ask those who have already lived in one or more of these areas for general advice.
Renting would be great since we'll only be in this first city for a handful of years, but having 3 pets is going to be an issue, so we may have to rent or buy a home instead of renting an apartment.
Choices:
San Diego, CA
Washington, DC
Mayport, FL
Oahu, HI
Chicago, IL
Jacksonville, NC
Newport, RI
Norfolk, VA
Silverdale, WA
SD has the nicest weather and beaches of the bunch.
I'm a few weeks away from accepting a position with the DoD, and have to rank my office location preferences. I still do not get to pick where I end up (based on the needs of the agency), but they try to drop people in one of their top 5 choices.
I am married, no kids (and none in the future), with pets. I would like to live near somewhere with outdoor recreation (trails, parks, places to walk the dog, etc.) with decent access to grocery stores and other shopping. I currently live in an area with a low cost of living, so affordability for the first few years will be very important. To give you an idea, my 4BR/2.5BA only cost us a tick over $200K. I'm in for a rude surprise! Ha
Combined income is about $150K annually, with annual grade and step increases expected each year. I'm 100% willing to sacrifice living space for affordability, but having an extra bedroom for visitors or office space would be great if we could swing it. I am going to spend as much time on my own researching costs and livability, but figured I'd ask those who have already lived in one or more of these areas for general advice.
Renting would be great since we'll only be in this first city for a handful of years, but having 3 pets is going to be an issue, so we may have to rent or buy a home instead of renting an apartment.
Choices:
San Diego, CA
Washington, DC
Mayport, FL
Oahu, HI
Chicago, IL
Jacksonville, NC
Newport, RI
Norfolk, VA
Silverdale, WA
I've lived in:
DC
Oahu
Norfolk
DC (5/10): not affordable, your pay is good but you won't be well off there. You have to trade distance from the city for space, and the traffic is some of the worst imaginable for people on "normal" hours. It is not unknown for some Federal office jobs to start very early and have the work day end by 3 to 3:30 to get out before the gridlock starts. Nice parks and all the perks of being in the capital city.
Oahu (7/10): not affordable, your pay is good and you can make it but you won't be living in exceptionally good areas (they'll be fine, just not top of the line). You will probably not get as much space as you hoped for regardless of where you live, either. They are not making more land on Oahu. Absolutely stellar outdoor recreation, though, particularly if you are into water related stuff-SCUBA, surfing, swimming, beaches. As a major tourist destination, it's nice to be able to do the touristy stuff and head home to your house afterwards. Some people suffer "island fever" of not being able to drive long distances. I never understood that, the island isn't that small, but it really does bother some people.
Norfolk (8/10): much more affordable, your pay is pretty high-end for that area, and space is possible. A rule of thumb is if you can, live and work on the same side of the water (e.g., if you are at the Norfolk Naval base itself, live in Norfolk or possibly VA Beach; if you are at the Naval Shipyard, live down around Suffolk or Portsmouth or Chesapeake, etc.). Follow that rule and traffic is not going to be awful. Reasonable outdoor stuff just outside the main metro areas and you are in a good location to get to mountains and beaches easily.
Was last in Norfolk in 1994. The base itself has many recreational activities. Outside the base there are the usual beaches and boating. Not too long a drive from Norfolk and you’re in some nice mountain areas.
Florida has plenty of options. One downside to Florida is it is the state most often hit by hurricanes. If you move there then get insurance to cover flood and hurricane damage for your vehicle and apartment.
Mayport FL is a beautiful outdoor area near Florida state parks and local parks.
You'd be able to save money toward your next posting and also enjoy living there.
I've lived in Florida half my life, both east and west coast, and hurricanes visit,
your work will likely help you prep if one comes but they are not as frequent in that location.
Don't buy anything except Zone X flood zone and get insurance quote before signing purchase offer.
Norfolk looks nice (I have no experience there) but LOTS more traffic to get to outdoor adventures.
Hello. Guy from San Diego. Lots of recreational possibilities here. The ocean, mountains to the East. Usually good weather all year around. Lots of military and civilians working and assigned to bases here. We have lots of military in our condo complex. Several Marine Corps and Navy officers. A retired Naval Academy officer.
Downside an extremely high cost of living. A modest tract home in the suburbs will be in the million dollar range. We also have some of the highest utility rates in the country. A one bedroom apartment in an upscale community could run as high as 3,000 a month. A decent home rental in a middle class neighborhood might be in the 5000 a month range. And there is a homeless problem like other CA cities.
I've never been to CA, but have always envied the weather and variety of things to do. I won't turn down this job if it's the location I'm offered, but I know it would be tough making ends meet for the first year or two until our GS pay catches up with the higher cost of living. Thanks for the insight!
I was in the Marines in the 80s through 92 then the Army up till 2013.
1st duty station was Kaneohe Hawaii and last one in Fairbanks Alaska. I'm still in AK after retirement from a Tribal healthcare job.
So in the Marines besides Hawaii I also did the typical East coast, West coast and Okinawa tours.
I loved California and Hawaii especially with the extra COLA and housing allowance I received but I think the East coast picks of Florida and North Carolina would be my choices. I think your $$ would go farther so they may fit your budget well and they have plenty of outdoor activities.
I was stationed at Cherry Point about 50 miles or so up the coast from Camp Lejuene. A much smaller base so I dont know if that would be open to you? I bought my 1st house there in Havelock NC, a 3bd 2ba was 65k in the 80s but now still under 200k per zillow value. Lived there 9 years and I miss it!
I enjoyed kayaking the intercoastal waterways, driving on the beach when open to 4wd in the Winter, fishing and biking.
Random stuff: NC state income taxes are pretty low but you do pay property tax yearly on registered vehicles. Havelock NC is small town living without crowds but big box stores are close and the big city of Raliegh is an easy drive.
A DOD job near the beach sounds great!
Good luck to you
Thank you! I would likely be at Lejeune, but could live within a certain radius (usually 50mi) from my duty location, so there are many options for places to live. I'll likely rank NC near the top of the list just so I can have a few years of saving up for a more expensive move later. Though I'd be a civilian, I would be subject to the mobility agreement and moving every ~5 years. CA/HI may be better suited for us when I've reached a higher GS level
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