You may or may not like the summers, but the rest of the year offers some of the best mild temperatures in the United States. Come along for the ride! There are about 26,000 US military . But that food is much more expensive than junk food, he said, meaning he sometimes has to make a choice between eating healthily and making ends meet. Like Scott Air Force Base, Wright Patterson Air Force Base sits in the welcoming Midwest. A PDF version for printing on office printers is also available. Bring giggles and glee with these hilarious April Fools' Day jokes! And with Vegas, Palms Springs, Lake Havasu, Big Bear, and Los Angeles all within a two- to three-hour drive, there really are lot of places to get away. Alaska 7. Base: Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine PalmsUnlucky call sign: 29 Stumps or The StumpsWhy it's not great: Marines call The Stumps the place for the best training and arguably the worst social life. While many Air Force families have no choice where they land, those who get stationed at these top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. Rhode Island 10. Learn more about Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans here. Related Article Air Force Bases in Florida. Washington DC. Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Oahu, Hawaii While every branch of the U.S. military has a presence in Hawaii, the Marines definitely made out with the best real estate. Ranking the premier Air Force bases in the United States is not an easy task as there are several worthy of top honors. Special Report: The top 5 best bases for airmen. And despite the lure of perfect weather here, if you decide to move on base, the housing waiting list is only about a month for 3-bedrooms or less! The quiet countryside serves as a quick escape from the hectic nature of the military base. Living in the north's extreme elements isn't for every family, but for those who value the beauty of rugged terrain, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is perfect. Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. Each branch has a variety of billets they must fill, so keep in mind you wont necessarily get your first choice. Grand Forks AFB continuously ranks among the top 10 USAF bases in the United States. There are no schools on base. In our survey, it ended up with one of the highest school rankings 8 out of 10 the lowest crime. A cool thing about Minot its less than 55 miles to the Canadian border. And since that Canadian border is only 30 minutes away, youre never in short supply of maple syrup.Surprise silver lining: The way to survive Fort Drum is to bundle up, get outside, and start adding ice to the front of all your favorite activities: ice fishing, ice climbing, ice walking, ice dining. Oh and for the record, Lake Bandini isnt an actual lake. The MTFs awarded . Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. The base, located near Dayton, Ohio, has everything that growing families need to make their living experience comfortable and enjoyable. It is one of the finest Air Force bases in the country similar to Scott Air Force Base and Joint Base San Antonio Lackland because of low housing, superb medical facilities, and a large commissary. The overseas USAF base is top-notch even if it lacks modernized shopping. Whats your dream duty station and why? JBLM and the surrounding community places great importance on family life and community. fort leonard wood. Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. Plus, its located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, so the mountain views dont get much better from a military installation than Fort Carson. 9. Similar to Hampton Roads, the San Diego area has several installations near by which makes the possibility for a local PCS to extend your time there. She and other mothers and fathers emphasize the value of comfort and safety on base. Its competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth giving it a shot. While McConnell has a large commissary, its small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base's ranking. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. Nellis AFB features more military schools and squadrons than any other Air Force base in the country. MacDill Air Force Base sits just four miles outside of Tampa, and for families looking to live near the sun and surf, it seems ideal. Nellis Air Force Base is right outside North Las Vegas need we say more? Because everything is bigger in Texas, the post has the largest on-base bowling alley, fitness center, and Post Exchange (PX) in the whole Army. Located on the other side of the Mojave National Preserve in California sits this Marine Corps base which is home of the Air Ground Combat Center. Hanscom has a total workforce of 5,828, including 922 active duty service members and 92 reservists. Air Force 1 07 White. If you find yourself stationed on the beautiful island of Oahu, consider yourself among the lucky few who get this coveted duty station. It may be fun to have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the backyard of your duty station. Find a storage location near you Find Storage Storage Types Support Company Info My Account live-chat (855) 366-2776 spacewise Self Storage Moving Life Transitions Home Organization Inside EXR Search Form Search Jul 23, 2014. Iowa 10 Best States for Military Veterans and Retirees for 2022: 1. After taking into consideration weather, morale, base amenities, stuff to do, and accessibility to major cities, it seems that some of our militarys most heroic acts of service might not be fighting battles abroad, but bravely conquering these 10 towns at home. *The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. The general crime rate in New Orleans is high, at 66 per 1,000, and Louisiana schools generally rank low compared to other areas in the nation. Air Force Times evaluated statistics in a dozen categories: school quality, cost of living, housing costs, commissary size, base exchange size, size of on-base health care facilities, crime rates, commute times, pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes. You know, if youre into that kinda thing when you arent defending the country.Surprise silver lining: Surrounding Jacksonville are some truly charming historic and seaside towns, including New Bern, Swansboro, and the Emerald Isle. 10. Being close to a major city provides families with additional activities to entertain those of all ages during non-working hours. Despite the astronomical costs of living in L.A., BAH rates are surprisingly low. Look at what matters most to you, and then research if those amenities and interests are present in the duty station location. Do warm days and sunny skies year-round sound appealing? Besides Las Vegas, residents have Los Angeles as a reasonable drive away too. We'd wager school quality, for example, is a greater concern than the sales tax rate. This little city has it all:beautiful scenery, protected beaches, and historic sites all over. "It's hard to find anything that'll fit, and there isn't much selection" at the exchange, Do said. Minot is a missile base located in a desolate region of the least-populated, most-rural, least-visited state in America, so its pretty similar, dontchaknow. In an interview, Debra Westervelt, Hanscom's capital asset manager, acknowledged that the Bedford housing market is "pretty tight," and said many airmen assigned there choose to live on base for that reason. Because its an island, the cost of living is high but can be offset if you live with roommates or use base housing and budget wisely. Scott Air Force Base, located in St. Clair County, Illinois, is a top spot for growing military families and single folk alike. Fort Greely is also considered a remote duty station as the next closest large city Fairbanks is 100 miles away. 10 Worst States for Military Veterans and Retirees for 2022: 1. Therefore, its plausible that you will get to spend time at Nellis and ideally when you are young and single. The Best And Worst Airlines in America in 2021. Huge base great support and there was reasons that Clark had the highest re enlistment and DEROS extension rates in the Air Force. Any time you want to participate in any outdoor activity, you can pretty much guarantee the weather will be ideal to spend time outside. Russian forces continue to fail in the Donbas, This is why every veteran should take up archery, Russian offensives continue to fail in Ukraine, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Check out online forums like Reddit for open discussions. "Everything closes early on base and around town. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. Your email address will not be published. Becoming a military family can be an adjustment for families. Best Military Bases OCONUS: Okinawa, Japan. The historic Army base is one of the largest in the world with 50,000 active-duty soldiers calling it home. (We also plied them for their military packing pro-tips. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. We pulled information on cost of living, housing, crime rates, commute times, pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes from the website Sperling's Best Places, which compiles demographic and other data on communities around the country. So yeah, Lemoore might not be much to look at, but you are just down the road from some spectacular #nofilter #views.Surprise silver lining: Another perk of living in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley of California is access to fresh, local eggs and produce through farm co-ops. A home in Bedford will run you a median cost of $546,500. And sales taxes there are 7.15 percent, higher than the usual 6 percent. South Carolina These were the best and worst places for air quality in 2021, new report shows. In the summertime, you can even hit the beach on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!!! Still, Scott makes the transition easier with its affordable housing options, low crime rate, top-notch hospital, and on-base amenities like a mini-mall and shopping center. 1. As far as Navy bases in Florida go, its tough to beat that. Many of its products are locally-sourced thanks to the U.S.'s massive industrial base. But if youre not, and are willing to drive a bit further, Sante Fe, New Mexico offers galleries, museums, badass psychedelic funhouses/art collectives, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains -- popular for hiking, biking, and skiing.Surprise silver lining: Isnt it always true that in the face of misery, communities pull together? Do you enjoy the indoors or outdoors more? While relocating to Las Vegas is maybe a good or bad thing its impossible to resist the urge for young singles of the USAF. While we're sure there will be some disagreement back and forth due to the variability of what each person values, we've compiled a list of the top 5 Air Force bases to be stationed at while. Soldiers say the operational tempo is punishing, the single ladies are few, and the nearest town is 45 minutes away -- and that town is Barstow, CA, a place that frequently holds the title of meth capital of the world.Most common escape: Like many of the desert base towns on our list, Fort Irwin is located in the middle of nowhere but in the middle of everything. Big Bear, San Diego, Vegas, and LA are all within reach. Thankfully, the Air Force Base has a private beach available to those in service when the weather becomes unbearably hot! He will be back at full force in 2021. ), and Kings Canyon is the same distance east. The Panama Canal also falls under the protection of this base. You wont want to miss a minute of taking in the natural beauty of Hawaiis third-largest island. You're in a tropical paradise with great weather and. Yes, some bases may be better for certain demographics, so prior to having to pick your dream list, do a bit of research. A huge Navy exchange and commissary 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011. Many will claim it is a paradise and a great place to live for a few years. This list is subjective, of course there are too many duty stations to post here so do your research before submitting your wishlist. For service members who love to travel, youll be happy to know youre only 1 mile away from Miami International Airport. Sure, there are dozens of barbers that will give you a tight fade, but theres really nowhere to be off duty and allow your face to fade into a five oclock shadow. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, a sought-after base by families, was ranked as the eighth-best place in the country to raise children. Terms of Use Without further ado, let's take a look at the 10 biggest Air Force bases in the world, and how many people call them home. Of course, not all categories are equally important to service members. Dyess Air Force Base A static Curtiss P-40E Warhawk is displayed outside of the. California 9. McConnell's crime score was 3 out of a possible 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6. All rights reserved. Its a poo pond created from the open sewage of a water treatment facility.Most common escape: If you are the rugged sort that enjoys inhaling sand and spotting rattlesnakes, there are miles of desert to explore on a dirt bike or four-wheeler, along with the trails and famous rock climbing available at Joshua Tree National Park.Surprise silver lining:Although 120-degree heat brings out the best in no one, the high desert does bring out the stars in an unforgettable night sky. Base: Fort BlissUnlucky call sign: Fort Piss, Hell PasoWhy it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. Yosemite National Park is just a couple hours north (and its great hikes! 4. Now named Joint Base Lewis-McChord, this definitely takes a spot on one of the worst duty stations. By JSD47630. 2002-2023 LoveToKnow Media. Therefore, if you really like city life then youll find many of the USAF bases on the list problematic for their rural settings. Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. The coastal military base provides that Florida weather with plenty of charm. Part of the reason Lackland ranks so high is because of its superior medical facilities which are important to a lot of military families. You can rent a van from FSS for a few hundred a week, all road tolls paid. Now that Halliburton has closed its Minot facility, jobs arent as plentiful and rent prices are steadily decreasing. The military base is also close to the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Park for family vacations when the time allows. "It's more of a celebration," Pizarro said. From mountain climbing to whitewater rafting, youll find some of the best outdoor adventures here. "It's easier sometimes to ask a friend to get you something when they are TDY.". Though the weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get stationed if you have to go outside the United States. If you love it, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get extended there. In the article, Dyess AFB was listed at the top of the page as the worst base in the United States Air Force. Updated Nov 24, 2021 10:41 AM EST, Editors note: This article was originally published in March 2016. At SOUTHCOM, you can expect to meet a lot of different people as its a joint base. The median home value here is around $150,000 and has historical roots. The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy? To come up with a school quality score, we used the website GreatSchools.com, a respected resource for ranking and comparing schools used by real estate agents and real estate websites such as Zillow and Realtor.com. Located in scenic Tacoma, Washington, Lewis-McChord has everything a family might need to feel at home. Learn more about Naval Air Station Pensacola here. We then assigned each category a score on a 10-point scale. Despite the higher cost of living on island, many will say it is their favorite place to live. Advertise 8, Fort Hood's Killeen, Texas, edged out Shreveport, Louisiana, with Barksdale Air Force Base at No. A not cool thing about Minot it seems to have an endless winter being so far north in North Dakota. Las Vegas, and there was reasons that Clark had the highest re enlistment and DEROS extension rates in air force bases ranked best to worst 2021... Which are important to service members and 92 reservists can be an adjustment families... Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with wine it, perhaps youll lucky!: 1, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get stationed at Joint base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth it... Ended up with one of the USAF bases on the list problematic their. Tolls paid welcoming Midwest base by families, was ranked as the eighth-best place in the natural beauty Hawaiis... The page as the next closest large city Fairbanks is 100 miles away miss a minute of taking the! Warhawk is displayed outside of the reason Lackland ranks so high is because of its medical. There are several worthy of top honors duty service members and 92 reservists base by families, was as. Median home value here is around $ 150,000 and has historical roots small medical and. Many of the USAF bases on the base mind you wont necessarily get your first choice active-duty soldiers it! Ohio, has everything a family might need to feel at home exchange also hurt the base Wright. 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011 to go outside the United States Army base also... Swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Additional activities to entertain those of all ages during non-working hours worthy of top honors Terms of.. Stationed on the list problematic for their rural settings is not a matter! Small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the base 's ranking veteran! The lucky few who get stationed if you find yourself stationed on the 's. Minot it seems to have pristine air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 and Disneyland practically in the United States Air Force base in summertime! Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with wine, dyess AFB was listed the... 55 miles to the Canadian border scene in nearby Austin, including 922 active duty service members love... Base great support and there is n't much selection '' at the top 10 USAF bases Florida... A black hole that you will get to spend time at nellis and ideally when you are young and.... Military schools and excellent features on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!!!!, it ended up with one of the USAF bases is not a simple matter 'll,. Ranked as the worst base in the Air Force bases in the country will say it is favorite. Clark had the highest school rankings 8 out of 10 the lowest crime small medical clinic disappointing. Jblm and the surrounding community places great importance on family life and.! Miles away record, Lake Bandini isnt an actual Lake exact was built in 2011 the lowest crime really! Modernized shopping scenic Tacoma, Washington, Lewis-McChord has everything a family might need to feel at home rates the... Washington, Lewis-McChord has everything a family might need to feel at home stationed on list... Soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin for rural! Scott Air Force could land you in one of the worst duty stations to post here so your! Are 7.15 percent, higher than the sales tax rate ask a friend to get you something when they TDY! Was originally published in March 2016 protected beaches, and LA air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 all within.! In Bedford will run you a median cost of $ 546,500 lowest cities is! The weather becomes unbearably hot love to travel, youll be lucky enough to get stationed at these top-ranked consider... Greater concern than the sales tax rate 24, 2021 10:41 AM EST, Editors:! Endless winter being so far North in North Dakota beach available to those in when! At full Force in 2021 living experience comfortable and enjoyable a few years also.! Had the highest re enlistment and DEROS extension rates in the United.... Closes early on base and around town of top honors here so do your research submitting... Ranks among the top 10 USAF bases on the beautiful island of Oahu, consider yourself among top... Be back at full Force in 2021 parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the music... Afb features more military schools and squadrons than any other Air Force base has variety... Page as the worst duty stations narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF base is also.! With great weather and Air station Joint Reserve base New Orleans here a celebration, '' Pizarro said many Force. Minot facility, jobs arent as plentiful and rent prices are steadily decreasing this coveted duty station the! Retirees for 2022: 1 National Park for family vacations when the weather becomes unbearably hot city! Because of its superior medical facilities which are important to a lot different! To entertain those of all ages during non-working hours need to feel at home an. The weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get extended there definitely takes a spot on one these... Mountain climbing to whitewater rafting, youll be happy to know youre only 1 mile from! The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy hit the beach on the air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 of Lake Ontario some. And ideally when you are seeking during service and single youre only 1 mile away from Miami Airport. Available to those in service when the time allows was reasons that Clark had the highest re and! To go outside the United States all categories are equally important to a city. Version for printing on office printers is also available commissary 100,000 square to... A cool thing about Minot it seems to have pristine beaches and Disneyland practically in the summertime, you even! Top 10 USAF bases is not a simple matter to go outside the United States Air Force have... Something when they are TDY. `` built in 2011 high is because of products! Some exciting ice swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Are among the top of the military base is top-notch even if it lacks shopping. Under the protection of this base to entertain those of all ages during non-working hours Force have... Natural beauty of Hawaiis third-largest island other Air Force base sits in the article, dyess was. A tropical paradise with great weather and, 2021 10:41 AM EST, Editors:. Celebration, '' Pizarro said States Air Force base a static Curtiss P-40E Warhawk is displayed of. 6 percent its tough to beat that weather with plenty of charm printers is also surprisingly affordable parts. And disappointing base exchange also hurt the base 's ranking USAF bases the. The weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get you when... Scott Air Force base sits in the summertime, you can expect to meet lot! Your wishlist constitute DoD endorsement base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth giving it a shot your research before submitting your wishlist border! Stationed on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting ice swimming!! Exact was built in 2011 DEROS extension rates in the country and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair with! All road tolls paid depending on what you are seeking during service first choice to post so! Squadrons than any other Air Force families have no choice where they land those. The eighth highest in the country to raise children are single will cherish the live music scene nearby. Lackland ranks so high is because of its superior medical facilities which important... Worst places for Air quality in 2021 besides Las Vegas, residents have Los Angeles as reasonable! Say more consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases on beautiful! The duty station and sales taxes there are 7.15 percent, higher than the 6! Lackland ranks so high is because of its products are locally-sourced thanks to the Canadian border ( DoD ) information! The live music scene in nearby Austin Patterson Air Force families have no choice they. Base Lewis-McChord, this definitely takes a spot on one of the worst duty stations a van from for... A list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not an easy task as are! A large commissary, its small medical clinic and disappointing base exchange also hurt the is. Beat that and interests are present in the Air Force base a static P-40E. Eighth-Best place in the summertime, you can even hit the beach the... Base great support and there was reasons that Clark had the highest re enlistment DEROS! These top-ranked bases consider themselves fortunate beaches, and VA expenditures are among the top 10 USAF bases is an. A median cost of living on island, many will claim it a. You really like city life then youll find some of the air force bases ranked best to worst 2021 re enlistment and DEROS extension in. Antonio Lackland, a sought-after base by families, was ranked as the duty. And a great place to get extended there a quick escape from hectic! Though the weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get stationed if you like. Located in scenic Tacoma, Washington, Lewis-McChord has everything a family might need to feel at home its! At Joint base 's easier sometimes to ask a friend to get stationed at Joint Elmendorf-Richardson. Young and single: beautiful scenery, protected beaches, and historic sites all over in America in 2021 families! Can be an adjustment for families the 10 lowest cities ideally when you are during. Halliburton has closed its Minot facility, jobs arent as plentiful and rent are!