Tell me about Guam

[malibuconlee]

Just what the title says...tell me about Guam.

Have you visited? Been stationed there?

My husband is civilian but manages construction projects. His company is bidding on projects on Guam for the military as part of the big move in troops from Japan to Guam.

Good, Bad, Ugly? Give it to me.

Thanks

 

[ilovepcot]

Only thing I associate with Guam is snakes.

 

[Micca]

Never been there but I've heard they have snakes. LOTS of snakes.

 

[Beckysc]

We were stationed in Guam in the early 90's with the Air Force. Yes, there are snakes on the island and the snakes have almost wiped out the bird population, but we didn't actually see any.

It's been a while since we lived there, but we enjoyed it. We didn't have kids so we didn't have to worry about the schools there. The weather was nice...rained during the rainy season. Did experience some typhoons...the only issue we had was that the power would go out for a couple days. Also, while we were there, there were some issues with the power island wide. Nothing major, but occasionally the electricity would be out for a couple hours each night.

I have no idea how much things have changed in the lost 20 years.

 

[lovemygoofy]

OMG do you want to go to Guam?!??!

 

[legalsea]

Brown snakes, to be specific.

 

[PatsMom]

Beautiful island but not very big. If I recall, 20 miles from the Air Force base on one end to the Navy base on the other. Its been 25 years since I've been there so I'm sure things have changed. Lots of little lizards running around too. Nothing like stepping on one in the bathroom in the middle of the night! Nearly gave me heart failure.

Beaches are great for sunning but not swimming. Lots of shell collecting. It was a great place to visit but I couldn't imagine being stationed there for any length of time. By the end of two weeks I was ready to leave!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Brown snakes, to be specific.

My brother is a Naval Officer, he was in Guam briefly. He said that the brown snakes were everywhere. He had been offered a position there and refused it. He couldn't imagine dealing with the snake issue in combination with how tiny Guam is.

 

[malibuconlee]

OMG do you want to go to Guam?!??!

I don't know. Have I wanted to move to most of the places I have? Probably not. I always say I'm not military, but have a similar lifestyle with all of the moving.

Of course with the economy the way it is it sounds better than being unemployed!! Not that it's one or the other, I'm just saying....

 

[lovemygoofy]

I don't know. Have I wanted to move to most of the places I have? Probably not. I always say I'm not military, but have a similar lifestyle with all of the moving.

Of course with the economy the way it is it sounds better than being unemployed!! Not that it's one or the other, I'm just saying....

I know and understand. Good luck with your choices

 

[malibuconlee]

I know and understand. Good luck with your choices

Thanks, Tina. Of course you would get it.

We have plenty of time to make a decision. It's just something that's come up this week. Been joking about it for awhile, but it sneaks up on you. I'm just a girl from a small town in Iowa. Never dreamed life would take me where it has!! That's not a bad thing tho.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I was there for a total of 10 months in two separate years May to September one year foollowed byJune through November the following.

I enjoyed both stays. The high temperature normally never got above the upper eighties, and the low temperature was normally in either the low 70s or upper 60s. Rain was either light and ignored or drenching storms which were avoided.

It is a US territory with English as the primary langage and the US dollar is the currency. Unless actually active duty miltary you will pay Guam Income Tax and noit Federal Income Tax, but any withholdings for US tax are credited to you. The tax forms and rules are basically the same.

And it is convenient to trtavel to places as Japan, the Philiipines, Hong Kong, etc.

 

[Briarmom]

And it is convenient to trtavel to places as Japan, the Philiipines, Hong Kong, etc.

We have not been stationed there, but I would go in a heartbeat! I hate being stationed in boring places.

 

[malibuconlee]

I was there for a total of 10 months in two separate years May to September one year foollowed byJune through November the following.

I enjoyed both stays. The high temperature normally never got above the upper eighties, and the low temperature was normally in either the low 70s or upper 60s. Rain was either light and ignored or drenching storms which were avoided.

It is a US territory with English as the primary langage and the US dollar is the currency. Unless actually active duty miltary you will pay Guam Income Tax and noit Federal Income Tax, but any withholdings for US tax are credited to you. The tax forms and rules are basically the same.

And it is convenient to trtavel to places as Japan, the Philiipines, Hong Kong, etc.

Thanks for the info. Very helpful!

Anyone else?

 

[JoBird]

Hi! While I have not been to Guam, my DH lived there when he was 7-8 while his Dad was stationed there in the Air Force.
His mother was a teacher at one of the elementary schools there. This was around 1979 so much has changed.

I've heard lots of stories about their time there and any time we've travelled to Hawaii, my DH says it reminds him of those years.

They thought the island was beautiful- they went scuba diving and said it was the prettiest place they'd ever seen underwater- the coral is unbelievable.

My MIL loved being able to go to the Phillipines with ease. She does talk of little animals called shrews that ran the island. She also talks about the water being ankle deep, walking home, waiting for a typhoon to hit them a few times.

They enjoyed their time there- but I think you have to be extremely adventurous person to do it.

Good luck ---- hope you make a decision that is best for you.