Our List Is up and We Need Some Info on a Few Bases, Please Help!

Hello K.. My husband and I just PCS'd from Whiteman, MO after spending 5 and 4 years at that base respectively. I didn't like it there, personally, but some people do. The base is out in the country, pretty much by itself. The 2 towns nearby have some things to do, but all the good restaurants and the mall are 45 minutes away in Independence or Columbia. If you like fishing, hunting and camping, the area is perfect for you. There are tons of places to do that nearby or the Lake of the Ozarks are about 3 hours away. Warrensburg is the town near Whiteman, about 8 miles and its a college town, so there are some bars and clubs if you are into that as well. Unfortunately I can't tell you much about schools cause my daughter is just now 2, so I never needed them there.
I was in Security Forces and I hated the job at that base, and then as a dependent, I was very bored there. All the good stuff was too far of a drive to do very often with gas prices so high. My husband didn't care for the squadron either, but he did enjoy the area for all the great fishing, boating and hunting.
Base housing is not bad. Before we left, they were building a whole new neighborhood with 4 and 5 bedroom homes and recently remodeled some of the older housing.
Anyway if you have any questions about the area, feel free to e-mail me. I'll be more than happy to answer any questions I can!

I have heard good things about tinker but never been there. we Visited Whiteman and it is a very small town but close to the city (I think its Kansas City). It would be great to raise kids there. Its very country but the base seemed to have everything you would need and was very clean on our visit. I know that area of the country has tornados but So does the other to I thing. I am all for the small town and would like MO out of the three.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide

Hello,
I was at whiteman for 5 years, active duty, and loved it. I had my first child there in warrensburg. We went through a midwife. the hospital is wonderful. also the area is just wonderful for a family. I'm from the mid west so traveling a little over 45 minutes to a mall doesn't bother me. I would rather be driving distance than stuck intraffic. Great place. if you want more please email me.

Hi there,

We were previously at Tinker AFB, and loved it. We spent almost 6 years there, and it really became our home. I had both of my sons there, and there is a LOT of hospitals in the city, with all kinds of specialties. They were both born at a women's center, a hospital just for OB and GYN stuff, it was so nice!! (and covered by tricare) I don't know too much about playgroups there, because I didn't really get into that when they were so young. There are good schools in the area. The suburb Edmond is one of the nicest ones around the area and has great schools from what I've heard. You can find everything you want around the base. Tinker is a good sized base which includes everything you could want or need. They have a newer BX minimall and foodcourt, and an even newer commissary. The housing is pretty nice ranging from apartments to duplexes and townhomes. Housing became privatized since we left, but I'm not exactly sure how that works. There are several parks all around the base, and walking trails, which is awesome. My kids went to one of the CDCs on base, and I loved it and thought it was great. I really couldn't complain about the weather there either. The summers get quite hot, but I like warm weather, haha. Winters are not too long or bitter. Honestly, there really isn't a lot there that I didn't like. If there's anything about the place that you would like to know, feel free to email me, and maybe I could help!!

Good Morning, K.,

I am from Valdosta, Georgia, home to Moody AFB. Valdosta is now consider a metropolis (on the small side). It is 3 1/2 hours south of Atlanta, 15 minutes from the Florida line, 2 hours from Jacksonville, Florida, an hour 15 minutes from Tallahassee, Florida, an hour from Gainesville, Florida. In fact, it is so close to Florida, it probably should be in Florida (smile). It is also about 15 mintues from the Wild Adventures Theme Park and the Lake Park Outlets.

It's a good place for children (We have 5). The neighborhoods surrounding Moody are in the rural area. Although there is base housing, we stayed in Valdosta. But you will have your pick of Hahira, Adels, Lakeland and other smaller towns.

It really all depends on what you like. If you like small city living and like to be away from the hustle and bustle of the big city life, then Valdosta will be for you. If you are a big city person, then you will be close enough to get a big city fix.

But it all depends on you and your temperment. Alot of people retire in Valdosta.

Also, if you like football, then Valdosta is the place to be (Lowndes High School Viking, Valdosta High School Wildcates, Valdosta State Blazers). A semi-professional soccer team will be reloating there.

I'm not sure what you are lookin for, but if there are specific things you want to know, just let me know.

We PSC'ed from Moody AFB in Valdosta GA about a year ago. I did not like the place much. That was me though. I know a lot of people that request an extension there. Moody AFB is located about 15 minutes from the main town. Valdosta is a "rural metropolitan". While there is about 50,000 people there to me it did not feel like it. It even has a cotton field inside the city limits. There is getting to be more and more to do there. When we left they had just expanded the mall and built new brand name shopping areas. Some of which are Kohls, Old Navy, Best Buy, Office Depot, Dress for Less, Pets Mart they also have the normal mall stores as well. Valdosta is mainly a college and military town. The surrounding area is mostly farm land and swamps. Only 3 hours south is Orlando and 4 hours north is Atlanta and 1.5 hours east is the ocean. Those were the highlights of the area. If you like fishing and nature it is good. There is plenty to do there. The weather is humid and it gets hot. We lived both on and off base. When we left they were building new NICE base housing and there are plenty of nice new houses right near the base. Actually a friend of mine has a house for sale there right now. (Very very nice) As far a schools go they are hit or miss. It depends on where you live at. There are a few different options to go to college or tech school at there. The base itself is a smaller one. The med center sucks. Most of the care you will get is off base. They are under sized to handle retirees, active duty, and the family members. If you have any questions at all please email me and let me know how I can further help you. at gmail my email is webbgraphix (spam prevention)