Maria
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 17 May 2009 06:12 PM |
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Hi, new to this board. We are PCSing to Eglin, FL. Never been there so I need to know if anyone is from there or lived there? I need crucial info like best school district (have 6,5,6mo sons) and what city is near Eglin that is smaller, family-orientated? I'm willing to pay btwn 800-1300 rent but since it's for 7 mo I'd like to keep it low. BUT, it has to be decent...no bugs, no crazy neighbors, low crime, safe for kids, nice neighborhood, no liquor stores down the street, that kind of thing. I'd be willing to live in an apt or townhome but it has to be newer and w/pool, playgrounds, nice. Anyone w/any info please reply. I really appreciate it.
Maria |
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Erin
Novice CinC
Posts:58
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| 18 May 2009 12:03 PM |
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Hi Maria. This is "my neck of the woods", my family lives in Destin. Eglin isn't a town, it's just the name of the AFB. The towns you'll be looking for are Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, or Destin. Crestview is less expensive, but about a 30 min drive. FWB is also less expensive than Niceville or Destin and a tiny bit closer than Crestview. Niceville is the closest, but a little more expensive. It is also the "nicest" neighborhood next to Destin, IMO, but Destin is very expensive. None of the neighborhoods are "bad", but some parts of Crestview and FWB can be "sketchy". My mom currently teaches at the Kindergarten school on Eglin. I'm not sure how big of a place you are looking for, but rents in the area in general can be pretty high. A 2-BR apartment close to base will be about $900, a 3-BR around $1100. Crestview is a few 100 a month cheaper b/c of the distance. Most of my friends that went to EOD school rented a house while there, which might be your best bet for your family.
My husband is a Senior EOD Tech and graduated EOD school in April 2007 so let me know if you have any questions about the school or the area! |
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Jacqueline
Novice CinC
Posts:48
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| 18 May 2009 01:52 PM |
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Hi Maria! I just wanted to let you know that my husband and I are moving to Eglin in about 2 weeks. We found a townhouse in Crestview that is about a 20-25 minute drive from the base. We didn't spend a lot of time looking around, we pretty much just settled on the townhouse because the price was so reasonable and it's brand new. I hope it turns out to be a good area. When will you be moving? |
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Elizabeth
Savvy CinC
Posts:95
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| 18 May 2009 03:56 PM |
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We're moving to Eglin too in September for EOD School, but we really need to be on base, does anyone know the wait length time? |
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Maria
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 18 May 2009 04:23 PM |
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Hi, are ya'll moving there for EOD school or how long will you be stationed there? Our plans are to move there around the end of Sept. First we move to TX for 10 wks but this is after dh graduates BOLC III here in MD in July. I'm just trying to scope the place out, pick the "right" area to live in and get a decent home for the 7-8 mo we'll be there. |
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Maria
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 18 May 2009 04:31 PM |
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Oh great! I'm so glad you replied. Thank you for the info. We most likely will rent a home but I'm not opposed to a townhome or duplex as long as they are nice. I've spotted a few places on the AHRN site that are ok. What can my husband do to be best prepared for EOD school? Books to read, things to memorize, familiarity w/what sorts of things? He's so looking forward to it.
Are the beaches accessible? I mean, for ex, here where I live you have to fight for a hotel or parking near the beach on any wknd. There isnt beach where it's not owned...can we just roll up on the beach in the Tahoe there and set up camp or is it all managed?
I've got a ton more questions if you're up to answering them 
Maria
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Maria
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 18 May 2009 04:35 PM |
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I saw on the AFB website that it was anywhere btwn 0-9 mo depending on rank/housing needs. Someone also told me to avoid on base housing like the swine flu because of mold. Just what I heard.. |
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Erin
Novice CinC
Posts:58
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| 18 May 2009 04:59 PM |
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Maria- The beaches there are by far the best in Florida, and among the best in the country I'd say. There are several places in Destin and FWB that have large public parking lots including state parks, and then there are several smaller public beach accesses. The town in general gets very busy in the summer, but you should still be okay, especially on weekends, since most people tend to check out of rentals on Saturdays. I lifeguarded on those beaches for two years. Public beaches are well marked, but private ones are pretty much off limits (nasty homeowners!) You won't be able to drive your vehicle on the beach anywhere, but you can set up tents for the day on public beaches as long as you take them down at the end. Alcohol is allowed, just no glass, and no fires or pets. As far as preparing, they will give him the reading materials that he needs (actually many of them have to stay on base as they are classified, so they have morning study hall in the mornings to let them study). The PT is pretty normal, nothing too crazy. EOD school is really far more mentally challenging, with lots of tests and studying. Just be very patient! When DH was in school I hardly saw him during the week and he slept almost the entire weekend due to exhaustion. It was probably the most challenging part of our relationship, but when it was over, things got much better fast |
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eodwife
Outstanding
Posts:1643
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| 18 May 2009 06:55 PM |
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Sonnyjane is far more knowledgeable than me about EOD school, but I do want to wish your husbands luck at EOD school and that I would be excited if more EOD wives got on this forum! It's hard and stressful and you'll soon learn a new level of patience! But if they make it, know that they are joining a fantastically supportive and tight knit group of guys that are truly family. Best of luck! |
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Elizabeth
Savvy CinC
Posts:95
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| 18 May 2009 08:00 PM |
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Posted By mar_aar on 18 May 2009 04:23 PM
Hi, are ya'll moving there for EOD school or how long will you be stationed there? Our plans are to move there around the end of Sept. First we move to TX for 10 wks but this is after dh graduates BOLC III here in MD in July. I'm just trying to scope the place out, pick the "right" area to live in and get a decent home for the 7-8 mo we'll be there.
Yep, we're moving there around the same time you are for EOD School, DH is Prior Enlisted and looking forward to the school and actually using his brain. As for me well I am nervous due to the fact I have a one year old and a dog, so life will be strange for all of us.
What is BOLC? I don't have a clue really about being an Army wife, agh!! |
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Jacqueline
Novice CinC
Posts:48
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| 19 May 2009 07:38 AM |
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Hi Girls! My husband is in Comm Ops, so we're not moving to Eglin for EOD school. This is our for PCS, and I'm really excited about it. I'm also excited to hear that there are quite a few of us that will be living in the area, maybe once everyone get's settled we can all get together! |
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Elizabeth
Savvy CinC
Posts:95
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| 19 May 2009 09:56 AM |
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That would be cool, always nice to know people where you're moving to. When will you be arriving? |
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Jacqueline
Novice CinC
Posts:48
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| 19 May 2009 10:10 AM |
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Definitely... we will get there May 31st. |
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Carissa
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 19 May 2009 11:58 AM |
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I met my fiance while I lived in Destin and he was in EOD school.
I'd personally live in Destin(I'm completely biased though!) if I had my choice but there are way more limited options when it comes to finding housing. A few of the EOD guys I knew lived in a subdivision called Indian Lakes and it was really nice and family oriented and not too terribly expensive.
Eglin is way closer to Niceville or Crestview though. And if you live in Destin he'll definitely need a Sunpass to pay the toll on the Mid Bay bridge everyday.
I don't have any kids so I'm not too familiar with the schools. But am really familiar with the different areas down there if you have any more questions. |
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Maria
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 21 May 2009 08:18 PM |
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You and I have a lot in common..I too want to become a lawyer. My degree is pre-law but I have to put my dreams on hold until we get stationed somewhere I can attend law school for 3 yrs. Wonder when that'll ever happen?
BOLC is Basic Officer Leadership Course..there's 1,2, and 3. He's also prior-enlisted and, actually, I am too but I separated to raise our children. BTW, raising them is WAY WAY WAY more difficult and strenuous than being active duty. WAY harder.
Well, we'll have to meet up for sure then when I get there. I expect to be there around Sept. It's been difficult here for me because we live so far from post that I don't have any friends my age or anything.
Maria |
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Maria
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 21 May 2009 08:23 PM |
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How long has your husband been in EOD? Do you live in FL? Thanks for the advice. EOD is new to me. I'm pretty use to military life being born, raised and serving myself as well. I am pretty excited about moving there though. |
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Maria
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:13
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| 22 May 2009 08:18 AM |
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Hey, nice to meet you. Is your dh Army? |
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Jessie
Boot Camp CinC
Posts:2
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| 05 Jun 2009 11:58 PM |
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Wow... so I am leaving for Eglin in about 2 weeks. My husband is EOD school...big suprise. He found a great place on base to live. We were looking off-base but he was have problems getting in touch with the home owners to even see the places. On base housing isn't bad, you just have to get into the neighborhood. Many bases, of all branches, are getting the idea that maybe updating housing would be a great idea. So don't rule out on-base housing. Let me know if I can be of any other help. |
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eodwife01
Esteemed CinC
Posts:456
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| 10 Jun 2009 08:47 PM |
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Hi girls! I just wanted to add my little input on this topic...
In my opinion I would stay off base housing if possible, the houses are small and the wait list can be long. The EOD school is in Bluewater Bay and we chose to live in Niceville. It took my husband less than 10 minutes to get to the school house and on days he had to go to the base for some reason it was about the same distance. Crestview, Santa Rosa and Ft. Walton are not to far away mile wise but the speed limits are slow so it takes a while to get anywhere! Niceville is a little more expensive but we had a three bdrm/2 bath/2 car garage for only 1000 a month. Niceville has a "small-town" feel and everyone I met was really nice and helpful. My son went to Edge Elem and he loved it!
For beaches, Eglin has its own private beach, it is not on the base (its outside Destin) but you have to have a military id to access it. Also you can buy a pass for other rec areas and one of the beaches that you can access through that is the bay that you drive across to get to Destin. The toll to go across the bridge to get to Destin is 2.50 I believe (one way) but you can drive through Ft. Walton to get there as well.
I know that they have changed the schedule for the school but if you want more info pm me and I can refer you to more info.
* Oh, and one more thing that I love about Niceville is that they have a children's park and within that there is a water park. Also, at Halloween the town has a thing called "trunk or treat" where all the church's get together and the kids walk through the parking lot and get TONS of candy. Its a lot safer than trick or treating door to door and in fact I don't know if they even have it door to door in that town! |
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Naomi
Posts:45
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| 10 Jun 2009 10:06 PM |
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Hey ladies,
My hubby just signed his contract for EOD. He leaves for boot camp in August and then he will be headed to Eglin.
I wanted to live in Destin (I'm siked about being able to live by the beach). Is that way too far of a drive for my hubby?? Also, is the military paying to move ya'll down there with you hubbys? All the research I've done says that if the tech school is over 26 weeks then they will, but I'm new to all of this so I'm not sure if that is how it works.
Also, does your hubby like the EOD job? What exactly do they do? How often do they deploy?? And where do they usually station you at??
Thanks for all the help : )
Naomi |
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