Robbins, MacDill, or Charleston AFB

[Tinkerbelle32]

Hi All! I need some information. O.K., alot of information. If you live at one of the above bases what do you think about it? Do you like it, or dislike it and why? How is the housing, base housing, etc. Is the area expensive? What is a mean price for a rental home or purchasing home. How are the schools. Ok., I guess you get my point. Trying to decide which base would be the best for us. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Tink

 

[jeffn5631]

We live near MacDill and it is right in the city of Tampa. So you will be in a large urban area with all the pros and cons that go with that. Housing costs for the past few years have gone out of site so you will have to do you home work to check out what is available. For the most part in all of the metro counties of Tampa, houses are being bought faster than they can put them up and the prices are going up just as fast. If you like theme parks, Busch Gardens is in Tampa and Orlando with all of its attractions is a short drive away. Also, you will be close to the Gulf beaches which are very attractive but we pay a price for them from June to November because of the hurricanes that come into the Gulf and last 2 years have been more active than we like to see. On your list MacDill would be in the largest urban area and if you don't like being in a big city, the choice is easy to make to cross it off your list.

J & J

 

[HeatherFeather]

Hi,

I live a couple of hours from Charleston and we TRIED to get orders there but wound up with Shaw. Charleston is a great city with tons of stuff to do. Have you checked the afcrossroads.com website? They have a lot of very useful information about each base including info about both base housing and housing in town. You will have to register for an account but it is a great website. You can figure out what your BAH will be and see if you can find a rental that you like.

I think Robbins is in/near Macon, Ga right? We haven't been there, but had a friend that didn't like it so much. I think you would be happier with Charleston unless you really like big city life and FL, in which case MacDill would probably be best for you.

Be prepared...all of the places you listed are going to be hot, hot, hot over the Summer but we love SC and love being fairly close to Disney!

 

[Longsx3]

I may be able to help.

Tampa: Tampa is home for me although I haven't lived there for 12yrs, I go home often. It is definitely a big city but there is a lot to do and if you don't enjoy cold weather it would be a great place to live. The housing market has sky rocketed but if you want to rent your BAH will go further than owning. Schools can be great if you are in the right area, they also have a very good magnet program.

Robbins: We thought we were getting stationed here a few years back and so I went on a house hunting trip. The houses back then were very reasonable in price for home ownership. I liked the area although it was definitely more rural then Tampa, you would be a few hours from the coast about an hour to Atlanta and about 5 to Orlando. So while there might not be a lot in the immediate area, there are still plenty of things nearby.

Charleston: My Brother was stationed there when I was a teen, I think there is pleanty in the area to do and it is definitely smaller than Tampa but because of the shape of the city the traffice may be as bad. I am not sure of the expenses there I think it is probably more than Robbins and maybe even Tampa. That being said I used to travel up there often as a young adult and wouldn't mind 3yrs there.

Really I don't think any of the 3 assingments would be bad, I have never heard anyone complain about be stationed at Mac Dill, Robbins or Charleston. I suggest calling USAA or your insurance company and asking for a quote to see what the insurance rates are like and then take a look at Realator.com for housing costs.

Good luck and I hope that you get the assignment that you want.


Kelly

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Thanks all for your info.! Keep it coming! We would really love to take Tampa but after doing research into the real estate aspect of it, I'm afraid we couldn't afford to live there. I see the average price for a home is about $275,000! That is way out of our budget for a Master Srgt. salary. Even renting is around $1500 a month. I think we are leaning towards GA at this point in time, but we will see! Tink

 

[Longsx3]

Thanks all for your info.! Keep it coming! We would really love to take Tampa but after doing research into the real estate aspect of it, I'm afraid we couldn't afford to live there. I see the average price for a home is about $275,000! That is way out of our budget for a Master Srgt. salary. Even renting is around $1500 a month. I think we are leaning towards GA at this point in time, but we will see! Tink

You are so right about the housing costs there, my brother's house has gone from 103K to 290K. A house we looked at buying in 2000 for 148K is now more than 300K. If we were to move there tomorrow we would rent, eventually we will buy when the market cools off.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Charleston is not going to be any cheaper than Tampa. The housing market here is thru the roof. I have lived in both areas before and personally I prefer Florida and its proximity to the mouse! Charleston is about a 6 hour drive to Orlando (depending on how much you stop).

Charleston is a nice town but very Southern. Schools are hit and miss - some good ones and some horrible ones in Charleston County. Charleston is laid back and we do have the beach but it gets just as hot here as it does in Tampa in the summer time. PM me if you have any more questions.

Gotta love the AFB. I do appreciate those touch and goes at 3am since my house is right on the river and directly under the landing pattern of those C-17s.

Oh and thanks to your family for serving!!

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Thanks for all of the great advice so far! You guys are great!