Corpus Christi area for training and living

[SenselessNumber]

I (SNA) just got Corpus for my Primary training location and I'm trying to figure out the best place to live. The wife and I are leaning towards on base at South Texas Military Housing because it's hard to beat that commute for flights. But I'm slightly worried about what comes after, if my dreams come true and I'm able to select jets. Kingsville is a training location of course but it is an hour away so that would be rough if I remained living on base. For anyone who got Kingsville out of Corpus, were you authorized a PCS? I know for Pensacola Whiting was too close for those going there are NIFE. Or if there's some instructors on here who who have some insight as well let me know!

 

[Showbiz]

If you get Jets Kingsville, you will be required to PCS and live in Kingsville as a student even if you're only coming from Corpus. As far as living in Corpus, I'd ask yourself what you're trying to optimize for. If you're looking to optimize time spent drinking with the boys, you'll probably want to live on the Island. If you're looking for a very convenient place to live with easy access to anything you need and only 10-20 mins from base, I'd recommend a house or apartment in Southside Corpus. I knew a few people who lived on base and don't remember them having any specific complaints, but keep in mind rent in Corpus is low enough that you will definitely be able to pocket some BAH living off base.

 

[SenselessNumber]

Thank you for the insight, definitely prioritizing training. I was mainly concerned I could potentially get stuck close to Corpus and either have to commute and hour to Kingsville or pay out of pocket to move myself.

 

[Griz882]

1. Find something east of the Memorial Causeway on SPID.

2. DO NOT live on the island.

I lived at a place called Water’s Edge (it was brand new back then) and it was quite nice. Plenty of ensigns to study with.

 

[Meyerkord]

2. DO NOT live on the island.

Why? The island was pretty fun

 

[Flash]

1. Find something east of the Memorial Causeway on SPID.

2. DO NOT live on the island.

I lived at a place called Water’s Edge (it was brand new back then) and it was quite nice. Plenty of ensigns to study with.

Why? The island was pretty fun

Just so everyone is aware, just how long ago did you do your training in Corpus Griz? I'm going to hazard a guess that it has been a little while and your info may not be quite up to date, especially if your 'new' place is over 3 decades old now.

 

[Griz882]

Why? The island was pretty fun

That’s why!

Just kidding. While I was there we had two SNAs who lived there and they suffered greatly because of inbound bridge traffic. The JFK Bridge was a nightmare in my day. The island was always there for fun, however.

 

[Griz882]

Just so everyone is aware, just how long ago did you do your training in Corpus Griz? I'm going to hazard a guess that it has been a little while and your info may not be quite up to date, especially if your 'new' place is over 3 decades old now.

There is no doubt! I’m old enough but there was a bridge to SPID in my day, not a ferry. Also, quality lodging never gets old.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I'd focus on where you want to live right now, not on an uncertain future duty station. I was a Corpus dude and was sent to Meridian for intermediate/advanced. The Navy will just as happily send you back to Milton for helos after primary in corpus, if that happens to be what you end up getting. So figure out the arrangement that makes the most sense for you in Corpus. Personally, I lived on N Padre island and enjoyed it, at least as much as Corpus can possibly be enjoyable. I don't have any recollection of any part of base other than the VT-27 hangar, the sim building, and some other place we went before we classed up. I'm not sure if I ever went anywhere else on base. The drive sometimes sucked, but that was partly just due to S TX drivers, who are among the worst in the world. There's at least good restaurants and bars and stuff out on padre, and not quite the drive by shooting scene that exists on the mainland. Trust me, you aren't going to be studying 24/7, and you will enjoy getting some "away" time from work. But again, you do you

I'll admit I've never lived in any kind of base housing, but the apparent quality seems to vary significantly. I know Lemoore, Fallon, and Kingsville all were purported to have a good on-base living community. Not sure if I'd trust that to be the case at NAS Corpus Christi. Kinda like ordering halibut in North Dakota

 

[SynixMan]

As others have mentioned, South Corpus or the Island are the prime locations of SNAs. I would't worry about follow on living during flight school. Live lean and go with the flow. I'd avoid living on base.

 

[Mouselovr]

I was a corpus stud there about 18 months ago.

Most people live in south side. The island has become far more expensive than when our IPs (6+ years ago) were in corpus. I only know 2 guys who lived there.

While super fun, you are reliant on one bridge that can be shut down for accidents/wx/traffic.
Don’t live anywhere close to downtown corpus. It’s a far drive to base and dangerous in many neighborhoods.

 

[Meyerkord]

Maybe I just got lucky, but I don’t recall ever having to hit my brakes on the JFK bridge. Traffic was always light and the commute was a reliable ~15 mins to work. This was in 2019 🤷‍♂️