Best Cities for Military Families - 2010

[Guest guest]

*Got this off a link for Military Families CAVEAT: Not necessarily true

for families who have a child with disabilities, but at least a start

1.) U.S. Marine Corp base Camp Pendleton, Calif.* Camp Pendleton is close

to Oceanside and San Clemente, with a base population of about 8,000. Other

surrounding cities include San Capistrano and Carlsbad. Of these, I

prefer Oceanside. Oceanside is in San Diego County with a population of

about 170,000 people. Almost all homes in the area are single family

homes.The average listing price in December 2008 was about $476,000. In 2009

it was about $270,000. Yet, the market stabilized in its month-over-month

decrease in price, and the high number of foreclosures in the area lets

buyers get in for great prices. If you’re interested in this area be sure to

bid low. You may want two or three potential homes on your list, and narrow

it down to the house that offers the best deal.

What’s more, jobs are relatively strong in close-by Orange County, which

should help sustain the housing market. Oceanside is in San Diego County

with a population of about 170,000 people. Almost all homes in the area are

single family homes.

*2.) U.S. Army base Fort Knox in Radcliff, Ky.* About 11,000 people live on

Fort Knox, which leads to strong demand for housing. And, the base is nearby

town and Vine Grove. The average price for a home is about $136,000

and is steadily increasing —this is 1.2 percent gain in price in the past

year — making it a relatively safe investment.

*3.) U.S. Air Force base Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, S.D.* Close to Box

Elder S.D., it has a moderate median household income of about $35,000, and

the average home price is about $136,000. This is down from about $268,000

in 2004, and it’s increased throughout 2009 providing a glimpse of

stability. The crime rate is relatively low and the community boasts close

to 70,000 people. It has great dining and shopping for those looking for

entertainment and is partly driven by tourism. There is also a vast cultural

experience available with community theatres, playhouses, arts centers, and

museums. Additionally, you’ll find national parks and a high quality of life

in Rapid City.

*4.) U.S. Army base Fort Drum near Watertown, N.Y.* This is an ideal area

for military families on the move, with a base population of 13,000 plus.

Nearby towns include Mills and Carthage. The current listing price is

about $126,000. And, there isn’t a large turnover of homes which lends

itself well to stability. The city also has its own mission and vision: To

create a secure and safe environment and promote the welfare of its

citizens; to be a vibrant and attractive growing community. With a

population of about 25,700 people, this Northern New York community is about

70 miles north of Syracuse and 30 miles south of Canada. It has a

200-year-old legacy going back to the New England pioneer days. Those who

enjoy the outdoors will love the camping, hiking, rafting and boating local

lakes provide.

Regardless of where you want to live, be sure to look for job growth (or at

least stability in a recession), people moving in and not out, and price

stabilization for at least six months.

*For more house hunting advice, visit Military.com's Home Buying

channel<http://www.military.com/finance/pcs-moving-guide/>

..*

[image: Bookmark and Share] <http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250>

Sign Up for Money Matters

Newsletter<http://www.military.com/NewsLetter?newsletter=10>

Print this

page<http://www.military.com/Content/Printer_Friendly_Version/1,11491,207960,00.\

html?passfile=207960 & page_url=%2FFinance%2Fcontent%2F0%2C15356%2C207960%2C00%2Eh\

tml & passdirectory_file=%2Fnewsfiles%2F207960%2Ehtm & str_filename=207960>|

Email

to a

Friend<http://www.military.com/Content/Email_To_A_Freind/1,11492,207960,00.html?\

passfile=207960 & page_url=%2FFinance%2Fcontent%2F0%2C15356%2C207960%2C00%2Ehtml & p\

assdirectory_file=%2Fnewsfiles%2F207960%2Ehtm & str_filename=207960>

[image: Bookmark and Share] <http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250>

*R*

Military.com <http://www.military.com/> | About

Us<http://www.military.com/aboutus/aboutushome.htm> |

Press <http://www.military.com/PressCenter/1,,pressCenter-Main.htm,00.html> |

Advertising<http://www.military.com/aboutus/twocolumn/0,15929,Business-Opportuni\

ties,00.html>

| Affiliate

Program <http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent1/0,,affiliate,00.html>

--

Sara- different pathways lead to Nirvana.