I'm PCSing to Hurlburt Field and got some questions

[2000Z3M]

Well I'm PCSing to Hurby :D . I'll be there sometime next year and can't wait. This is the base and job I have wanted since I joined the Air Force about 4 years ago.

What is a good area to live in? I don't mind up to a 45 min drive to work. I was looking at Destin. I was there in Oct and really liked that area. Is the housing market still on the down slope? Lets say I have to live on base, where are some storage units?

Where are some good ranges at? I have a few weapons, and I need a place that will let me use SBRs. I'm not sure if the range on base will let me.

I'm sure I'll have more questions the closer I get to PCSing.

Thanks

Chris

[SATCOM]

Navarre is nice in spots too, so check out the listings in that area.

[Invisible J]

One big thing to keep in mind is that traffic along US-90 can be outrageous for the folks coming in from FWB, Destin and Navarre, and not just during spring break.

If you don't mind the drive (about 35 miles), you may get more bang for your housing buck in Crestview.

I doubt you'll have any trouble with your SBR's on base as long as they're legal.

[SN]

Go to Crestview if you don't mind a drive.

[Escale]

If you're buying, Navarre and Crestview will be the cheapest real estate. If renting, look at Okaloosa island or Destin for more interesting neighborhoods. The commute sucks from anywhere, but Navarre is probably the worst traffic. Storage units are everywhere.

Ranges: There's Shoal River between Crestview and DeFuniak on HWY 90. Nice place, nice folks. Also, Jay's Guns in Crestview (which is a class 3 dealer) is opening a range on 4 wheel drive in Baker on 1 Jan.

If you're into IPSC, the closest clubs are Mobile and Tallahassee. IDPA and CAS- Pensacola. NRA High Power matches go on base once a month.

[Dumpsterchair]

Housing prices are dropping in Crestview right now, or were when I left in August. There are some units moving into the area over the next few years however (Joint Strike Fighter, Army SF Group) that I think will do some interesting things to the housing market there. Crestview is a nice place to live and would be an easy commute. I lived near Destin and really enjoyed it out there but it is spendy. That whole area is growing like mad so housing prices have been fluctuating a lot. I would recommend caution if you are buying a house and looking to sell in just a few years. I am not saying it's a bad idea, I would just do my homework. When we were looking last year in Crestview, we saw houses drop $30-40K in just 2-3 months.

[2000Z3M]

Thank you for all the advice. I'll let y'all know when I get there. If I live in Crestview, its what about a 45min-1hr drive to hurby?

Chris

[Invisible J]

Thank you for all the advice. I'll let y'all know when I get there. If I live in Crestview, its what about a 45min-1hr drive to hurby?

Chris

No: 35-40 minutes most days.

[2000Z3M]

Alright, I have been looking for a house/condo and I found one I like. Now the only problem is I'm on the other side of the world. If anyone is in the area and wouldn't mind checking it out for me PM me and we will work out the details. I'll pay you for your time.

Thanks
Chris

[Invisible J]

PM sent.

[bugeater]

PM sent ass well

[Nuke]

PM inbound also!

[2000Z3M]

Thanks guys, I should be all set, but is somethingfalls through, ill let y'all know. I'll see you when i get there!!

Thanks again.
Chris

[Bushmaster]

I was born in FWB and went to school in C'view. My grandmother worked at Eglin and her communte from Laurel Hill was about 45 minutes.

Hurlburt used to have a back gate at the end of Racetrack Rd. I know at one time they had closed it but don't know if is open or not. Having to go thru Mary Esther and then down Hwy 98 to Hurlburt would add 20 minutes to the communte.

Housing in C'view is insane. If you are interested, 15 minutes North in Laurel Hill I can get you a big house with a big yard for $100 a sqf.

[Calbama]

The back gate to HF is open. I just played golf there last Thursday and we went through the back gate.

[2000Z3M]

well im here, and i found a place about 7 miles west of base off of 98.

[JJMR]

Crestview is the place to be. Just left there, and the house I was in was on the market for around 148k. Nice 3 bed, 2 full bath, garage, work shed and two yards. Drives not bad, my buddy next door worked the same field. It's quiet, little crime, very safe for a family. Prices are still falling from what I understand.

[2000Z3M]

i forgot to add, if anyone know anyone in the area that has a room i can rent out for a month, PM me. I close at the end of april.

[Nuke]

well im here, and i found a place about 7 miles west of base off of 98.
That puts you right around Whispering Pines area I guess! We will have to link up!

[2000Z3M]

That puts you right around Whispering Pines area I guess! We will have to link up!
you hit the nail on the head. i'll PM you my number.

[Jack Sparrow]

Based on the above, Crestview sounds like a good bet. I am also leaning toward buying in the area.

I am forecast to Hurlburt next summer; I have three school-aged kids (kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 6th grade for '09-'10 school year). Any gouge on areas to avoid based on crime or poor schools is most appreciated. Commute time is a factor, particularly with schoolhouse hours for myself to start, but the family's well-being is my primary concern with the prospect of being TDY a lot. Having a good spouse network with other military families in the area from the base would be a bonus.

Thanks in advance for any info you think would benefit.

js

[Invisible J]

JS - I'm pretty sure I shook your hand Friday night at the Sheraton :D

I've lived in Crestview for just over a year now - the only complaint I have is it's proximity to any shopping other than Walmart. Anything that Walmart or Lowes does not carry will, for the most part, need to be purchased in Mary Esther, Ft Walton or Destin. Same goes for fine dining. So if you need a $50 steak or a flux capacitor for your Delorean, it's going to be about a 30 minute drive each way. The hope is that with Eglin gaining 7th SFG near Duke Field, more businesses will move into Crestview as well.

Traffic along HWY 85 through town can be quite bad. If you choose to live in Crestview, I would purchse or rent on the southern or eastern edge of town so as to bypass the problem areas. My typical drive time to work is 30-40 minutes, from work is 40-50 minutes. The upside is that - from what I've been told - hurricane damage is significantly less being that far inland.

I have no children in Crestview schools, so I can't speak to their quality, but I haven't heard any complaints from those who do.

There are a fair amount of us enlisted dudes up in Crestview, but the officer types typically live closer to the beach - you may want to look into Holly by the Sea subdivision in Navarre; I hear that the commute time is about the same due to traffic on HWY 98, however.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.

[Jack Sparrow]

JS - I'm pretty sure I shook your hand Friday night at the Sheraton :D
Yep, that was me...thanks for the good stuff here and the other night. I didn't realize Crestview was such a haul, and the hurricane issue is a good one to think about, too. I'll keep my ear to the ground, and I'm looking forward to next summer.

Thanks!

js

[Grand58742]

The upside is that - from what I've been told - hurricane damage is significantly less being that far inland.

This is correct. When Opal came through in 95, all Crestucky got was smog from the vehicles of last minute evacuees and some minor flooding damage. Winds were still a problem, but most of the housing built there in the late 80s and 90s pretty much took hurricanes into account, or so I was told.

You think 45 minutes is bad commute on a normal day? Try 45 minutes between the West Gate of Eglin to the Highway 123 turn off during Huricane Evacs. Thank God we were sheltered in place.

The good thing about Crestview is being so far away from base and the assorted ranges. The loud booms of practice and test bombing typically don't reach that far unlike other communities near the ranges. The down side is the State of Florida Work Camp and when they have an escape. They always head to Crestview.

Other than that, it's a great place to live