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HAHA, either way I'll have a base with bad weather but I pray is it waaaay better than the desert. My allergies are terrible here and hubby, who never had a problem, has his own issues. Also, it is too dry;thus, leading my daughter to having bloody noses. Well, after August I will definitely tell everyone what is chosen
My hubby is wanting to PCS from our current base in CA but the only two bases he can go to on the East Coast (that are close to our families) are Langley AFB and Tyndall AFB.
We have a child going into the 2nd and a baby due after the new year. I need to know which base would be best for his career and which base would be family-oriented. I've tried to read information but keep getting turned around with a lot of negative answers.
I need to know:
The best schools: are they on base or off
Best housing area
Best place to visit doctors (this place we are in right now is horrible for doctors)
Best as far as taxes go
More cat friendly than dog?(my whole neighborhood is filled with dogs that bark day and night...)
What is the weather like?
How is the shopping?
How are the people?
I already know that Langley has this one horrible freeway where traffic gets backed up no matter what.
Thanks!! If I can think of anymore, I'll ask
That's a lot of information to compare. Some of it is easier then the rest like who has better taxes. I would find one area you want to live in on and off post for each base to narrow it down. Then go from there.
Schools can be hit or miss depending on zoning and needs. I know for us special needs support is a must and some states do better then others.
Do you have specifics medically you are looking for? Specialists of any kind? That might make a difference as well.
Having inlaws that live in DC we've visited (and tagging along with my husband to Tampa with kids in tow while he's at conferences) there's little difference in the summer. Both are hot and humid with beaches close by depending on where you are. Winters are vastly different. One has snow storms while the other has more tropical storms.
Shopping will depend on where you live but both have more then adequate resources. You just might have to drive a bit if you have specifics in mind. ie IKEA or Whole Foods.
The people are the same. Stereotypes of snowbirds in Florida is generally true.
You can be at an Army command level like CENTCOM but unless you are filling a billet of some sort it's not necessarily going to further your career. Your husband will know better what will work versus not.
I would say both places are family friendly but that's my perception. There are some that would say a small training post in the middle of the desert is family friendly and I would disagree based off the needs of my family. Bloom where you are planted and whatnot.
Career-wise, I'd go with Langley. It's both an operational F-22 base and home to a Major Command and other activities, so he could move around and meet people. For your family it's also much closer to NY. FL to VA is around 17 hours, then up to NY around 10 more.
OTOH, Tyndall is a much more 'operational' base. People there tend to have a more 'get it done' attitude without all the office politiking. If he's an E-4 with E-5 potential, then this may be a better environment for him to excel in. I know for me, the further from the flight line I get the crankier I am...
On weather, Langley has 4 seasons and isn't often affected by hurricanes. Tyndall is coastal and humid; it's usually affected by hurricanes that sprout in the Gulf.
Regarding allergies, my spouse is also sensitive and has a much better time when we're in FL (we currently live in North VA).
For schools, I'd say it's a tie, with a slight advantage towards Langley.
If it were my choice, I'd go with Tyndall for the cost of living, activities, people, and health.
My dad was in the Air Force when I was a kid, and we moved to the Hampton Roads area for three years. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. There is SO much history there, and so much good, quality entertainment and learning experiences for families. In fact, since that time, Virginia has been my very favorite state - and I've lived in a lot of states.
My daughter is in the AF and was stationed at Langley AFB about four years ago. I've visited several times and I'm glad to say that the area is still terrific - though it is a lot more congested. Still - she and her family have really loved living there. They are relocating in a few weeks to the UK, and even though she is excited about that, she's been literally grieving over leaving Virginia and the Hampton Roads area.
Either one sounds like a good duty station. May all your choices in life be this "hard!" Good luck.
Where are the least taxes in Fl. for owning a house?
It can depend on various factors. For my family, homestead exemption, reduced home owner taxes for elderly, widows etc, applied. But I would not want to guess where thye best place would be for home ownership would be. And lower taxes does not always mean lower costs...
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Fl.
