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Old 11-21-2011, 06:55 PM
 
51 posts, read 77,884 times
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Hi all, it looks like my family and I will be posting to Monterey so my husband can attend the Naval Postgraduate School to complete a Masters. The posting will be for 2 years. We are Australians, and my husband is a Captain (soon to be Major - he would be promoted at the end of 2012) in the Australian army, so we would be given housing and our medical expenses and various other expenses would be covered.

We have two children, aged 2 and 4, and my eldest son would have to start school next year (instead of in 2013) to avoid being 6 months behind, as our school calendars are quite different.

I was just wondering if I could get some info on the area? I know there are some other threads but thought it might be good to start a new one as I have never been to USA. Anything anyone knows about military life in particular would be really helpful as chances are we would live near the NPS and would be part of the community there.

Thanks!
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Old 11-21-2011, 07:43 PM
 
Location: The High Seas
7,372 posts, read 16,017,645 times
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Lots of good hiking in the vicinity (with ticks often present on trails east of Hwy 1, unfortunately), temperate climate year-round. Fog is not unusual. Lots of interesting places to visit in the area. Small-town atmosphere.
There's also a military forum on C-D that may be helpful with specific info regarding NPS.
It's a nice place. I think you'll like it.
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Old 11-22-2011, 05:37 AM
 
Location: SW MO
23,593 posts, read 37,484,310 times
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Caution! After living in Monterey you may never wish to return to down-under.

Enjoy the experience - sea mammals, 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur, Hearst's Castle, monarch butterflies in Pacific Grove, et al.
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Old 11-22-2011, 09:59 AM
 
Location: Vancouver, WA
8,214 posts, read 16,703,091 times
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Welcome to the area. I think you will really enjoy your stay. There are many fun things to do here for families, especially if you enjoy the outdoors.

The main question for you will be where to live for your 2 year stay. One of the primary considerations for parents is the school district you choose to live in. If you live in the military housing at La Mesa your son will go to La Mesa Elementary. While this school has had generally good reviews for a number of years they have recently had administration problems, so much so that a number of families pulled their children out. I've heard from one military family that the administrator was recently fired.

Pacific Grove and Carmel have the best elementary schools in the area. Other families decide to send their children to private school if they don't like the public schools. That is another option. We homeschool. So these issues don't really impact our family. Though they do our friends.

Derek
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Old 11-22-2011, 05:51 PM
 
Location: Pluto's Home Town
9,982 posts, read 13,763,920 times
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I was just in Monterey/Pacific Grove over the weekend. What a beautiful place! I had never visited. It really seems like the best California has to offer. Coastal beauty, nice hiking and outdoors, and a small/medium very involved community. I think you would enjoy it, and I think that your kids would do fine.

Welcome to the US! Hope you have a blast.
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Old 11-25-2011, 12:42 PM
 
Location: Monterey, CA
3 posts, read 4,648 times
Reputation: 15
Welcome to California! You will definitely enjoy your stay in Monterey. I find the environment in Monterey to be very calm, but at the same time, close enough to major cities to make your weekends forever interesting. The military community in the area is very supportive and connected, so I doubt you will have any issues finding suitable housing or schools. In fact, I would suggest calling the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation office at the Presidio of Monterey to get more information, and possibly connect with a sponsor. Enjoy your time in this beautiful state!
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Old 11-25-2011, 02:11 PM
 
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
2,190 posts, read 6,852,200 times
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And you're just right up the road from one of the most wonderful and magical places in California ... Big Sur.
That alone makes living in Monterey a very good thing.
Enjoy!
Big Sur California
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Old 11-25-2011, 07:14 PM
 
Location: Monterey, CA
276 posts, read 774,423 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaijai View Post
And you're just right up the road from one of the most wonderful and magical places in California ... Big Sur.
That alone makes living in Monterey a very good thing.
Enjoy!
Big Sur California
Call me weird, but I've yet visit Big Sur. Do I need a truck or suv to get up that mountain? If so, I'm ished out of luck. I do want to visit, especially after watching a wildlife documentary about it yesterday. Breathtaking on film.
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Old 11-25-2011, 07:36 PM
 
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
2,190 posts, read 6,852,200 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmoothBBQ View Post
Call me weird, but I've yet visit Big Sur. Do I need a truck or suv to get up that mountain? If so, I'm ished out of luck. I do want to visit, especially after watching a wildlife documentary about it yesterday. Breathtaking on film.
Hey there smooth.
How are you and "the wife" (and the dog of course) doing in Monterey so far?
No, no need for a truck but you might want to visit soon before any part of the road washes out which often happens in the winter ... either that or wait until spring.
The wild flowers are beautiful then.
Any car will do.
The road (HWY1) is just a road and it's actually a good one but if you have vertigo it may mess with you a bit especially when you're driving south as you'll be right next to the cliffs that plummet down to the ocean for some of the drive.
If you visit in the winter / early spring you may see whales migrating. Bring your binoculars!
Big Sur Gray Whale Watching
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Old 11-25-2011, 11:56 PM
 
Location: Vancouver, WA
8,214 posts, read 16,703,091 times
Reputation: 9463
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmoothBBQ View Post
Call me weird, but I've yet visit Big Sur. Do I need a truck or suv to get up that mountain? If so, I'm ished out of luck. I do want to visit, especially after watching a wildlife documentary about it yesterday. Breathtaking on film.
Hey SmoothBBQ,

Looks like you made it! Welcome to Monterey. Now that you are here you definately need to take a drive to Big Sur. That's our backyard here and it's awesome! No need for a special vehicle. I drive Hwy 1 all the time in in car. BTW, the entire coastline from Point Lobos to Morro Bay I consider the Big Sur coast. However there is also the small town of Big Sur which is closer to the northern end of the drive.

Check out this thread I wrote about the drive with pictures: //www.city-data.com/forum/calif...ip-advice.html

I was just there last night and this morning. Since I'm into nature photography I like to shoot sunrise and sunset there often. Here are couple form this morning:







Derek
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