Live in Pensacola or Milton?

[Scamahmrd]

I've recieved my orders and am reporting down to Pensacola on 01MAY05 for API. I'm going to be married then, so I also recieved follow on orders to Milton. My question is where I should live? My thinking is that I should probably live closer to Milton to reduce my drive, but I really dislike small, boring communities. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions, they would really be appriciated.

-OC Scameheorn


6 Days and a wake up 'till COMMISSIONING!!!

 

[kray1395]

My wife and I live in Pace. It's about halfway between the bases, being a little closer to Whiting. There are a lot of new houses being built and the property value continues to rise. We have been here 6 months and already stand to make $20K-$30K on the resale if we put it on the market this week. Pace still has that small town community feel to it so it can be nice as far as the friendliness of the people living here. Pensacola is just across the HWY 90 bridge and you are about 15-20 minutes from the malls and about 20-25 minutes from downtown.

The drive to NAS Pensacola ranges from around 30 minutes to an hour depending on the time of day. The last couple of months have been busier with the hurricane aftermath but things are beginning to return to normal. It has been easier with carpooling. I will be transferring to NAS Whiting next week and I imagine the drive will be a lot easier. I am about 20 minutes away from Whiting right now using back roads with little traffic.

So, if you and your wife are looking into buying a house, or even trying to find one for rent, I would at least give a look in Pace. But if you're going to go for an apartment at first, I would look in Pensacola around the University of West Florida area, i.e. Governor's Gate, King's Mill, etc. Those are some of the complexes I have heard that some people live in. Hope this helps.

 

[GTDaveMac]

How is that area in Pace in getting to I-10? Would it be convenient to get on I-10 and continue toward Mobile? I don't know about the traffic, but it seem like the commute to Spanish Fort, AL (~50 miles) would be under an hour. Am I underestimating the traffic conditions?

My fiance would be considering relocating her job to a store there. Obviously, I can't live too far from Whiting (I want to fly helos) and if the commute isn't THAT bad, it is probably just as well since I will be so busy in flight school. Suggestions? Should I look into Pace or compromise more and live in Pensacola.

 

[Scamahmrd]

Thank's a lot. As far as buying a house, do you think it would be wise if I am only going to be down there for API and Primary. Who knows where I'll end up for advanced. I would really prefer to buy a house, especially if the value is continually rising, but just wondering if it would cost me money in the long run. Anyway, thanks again for the response.

-OC Scameheorn

 

[bch]

One thing I always tell people they may want to think about.

API feels very tiring for the 4 academic weeks.
There is nothing like studying all night, waking up for a 0530 brief, briefing, flying (and oh yeah it was a fam flight, so you are completely overwhelmed still) going home, and then starting the process over again. Fams can last a while or be short. Then you get a nice PA break... but those are 2 flights a day usually. Then comes RI's where you wish life would end.

For me anyway, spending more time on the road, when all I want to do is get home as quick as possible to start that process. That and during the week, it does not matter how boring the town is, I was never able to enjoy the town until the weekend.

My vote.... Milton

 

[rare21]

if you treasure your sleep as much as i do then living in pensacola during primary and maybe advanced aint the way to go. I live in Whiting Pines and I'm up 20 minutes before i have to be at the base and i'm there on time. And when you get 0500 briefs it makes a difference. Hearing other folks driving 45 minutes to an hour from P'cola for a 0500 a.m. brief makes me cringe. But I love sleep, like peace and quiet and am married so the old Florabama lifestyle just doesnt interest me anymore...and thats why i hear most folks live in P'cola.

 

[Fly Navy]

Then you get a nice PA break... but those are 2 flights a day usually.

Not at Whiting. If you get PAs in the summer, expect a lot of downtime and cancelled flights. That was so annoying.

 

[Punk]

I made the trip everyday from P'cola to Whiting. Yeah, it was a 30 minute drive, but I was living in Pensacola (I really miss that town). All the bars were close, the beach was 10 minutes away. I got used to the drive and came to enjoy it. It would give me 30 minutes in the morning or whenever to think about what I had to do. And I was always relaxed by the time I got home.

 

[nittany03]

Not at Whiting. If you get PAs in the summer, expect a lot of downtime and cancelled flights. That was so annoying.

Expect a lot of downtime in Contact stage (Fams and PAs) period, if you're unlucky. If you're not unlucky, plan on flying everyday and tearing your hair out sometimes. It's a real hurry up and wait deal. Fly everyday one week, then the clouds move in and you're sitting on your butt.

 

[skidkid]

Single-live in Pcola closer to the bars etc
Married live in Milton more sleep etc

 

[Fly Navy]

Depends on the person.

I HATE driving a long distance to work. I just don't like it. I'd prefer to live close to work, because I have to drive there everyday.

You'll basically only go to the bars a few nights a week, unless you're either sh!t-hot or want to attrite. For me, that means drive to the fun, live near work.

 

[Scamahmrd]

For me, it's more the attraction to the beach and general civilization than to the bar scene. But my grades are my first prority, so it'll be a tough decision. I'm going down in either Feb or March for househunting leave, so I guess I'll decide then. Thanks for all of the input, it's really appriciated.

-OC Scameheorn

 

[kmac]

If I could do it again, I would have lived in Pace. Actually come to think of it, I dated a girl from Pace. Anyway, the location is a happy compromise between Pensacola and Milton. Yes it's small, but it's not dead. Given the 5 days (or more) of work that you have to drive to, the weekend drive is a breeze into downtown Pensacola. You can also probably get more bang for your buck with renting a house in Pace (see Weeks Realty) than in an apartment in northeast Pensacola (ie, Governors Gate or likewise).

 

[GTDaveMac]

So what about that drive from Pace to Spanish Fort, AL (almost to Mobile)?

 

[E5B]

I made the trip everyday from P'cola to Whiting. Yeah, it was a 30 minute drive, but I was living in Pensacola (I really miss that town). All the bars were close, the beach was 10 minutes away. I got used to the drive and came to enjoy it. It would give me 30 minutes in the morning or whenever to think about what I had to do. And I was always relaxed by the time I got home.

I don't know why everyone is obsessed with living in Pcola. You could live in Milton/Pace and have a 15 min drive to work and still only have a 30 min drive to your "bars and beachs" on the weekends. To me, that is the more realistic option.