Dh is in Japan right now and although we have a bit of time before we need to choose orders, we are talking about where is the best place gonna be for your family.. DD is EFMP Cat 4 and I am pretty much needing a place that will be able to fulfill her needs.. also she is in a fully contained Special Ed classroom, so schools are SUPER important as well.. So I guess what I am asking is for you ladies to give me your pros and cons of

1. San Diego
2. Lemoore
3. Norfolk
4. Pt. Mugu/Port Hueneme

I want to make sure there are enough services and good schools for her.. anyhow I appreciate ANY help or answers you may have

SAN DIEGO...for selfish reasons only...:D

SAN DIEGO...for selfish reasons only...:D

:lol

you are too funny!!!

Norfolk SUCKS! no... actually now that I live in a crappier place it's not as bad :)

Norfolk has some crazy traffic- especially around the military bases, theres plenty of stuff to do, DC is 3 hours away, the beaches are so-so, I'm sure they're nothing like Cali's beaches. You're in a large military region, so it's been known that people like to treat military like crap (ripping them off on a new car, rent, etc). There's some nice areas of Hampton Roads (the Norfolk area in general) but parts are run down & ghetto.


theres http://militarysos.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=69 - installation reviews, there are several for norfolk (and other bases of course!)

good luck making the decision!

I absolutely love Virginia Beach! The schools here are awesome and my son has an IEP ( he has a mild form of autism). They have been the best out of everywhere we have lived. I would not recommmend Jacksonville. The schools I did not like much. We have been stationed at Pt. Mugu. My kids were not in school then but I really liked the area a lot. I have never been to San Diego so I can not give you any advice for there. I just know that when we were Cat. 4 on EFM they did not have room for us at Lemoore. So they would not offer us the orders there. We were actually coming from Hawaii then. We are now Cat. 5 and Norfolk has everything we need and I can not complain. I think its all a personal perference on where you want to go. Not everyone will enjoy or like the same places. I wish you luck and let me know if you need any info or what not. Also we got into housing here the day we arrived. Good luck in your decision.

I'd make Norfolk and San Diego my top choices. :) My son is not EFMP, but he does have an IEP for his speech. He'll be attending our local elementary school, come September for speech therapy. I have been extremely satisfied with the services my son has been receiving for his speech therapy here in Virginia. My husband goes to school in Norfolk, but we live 20 minutes away in Chesapeake. My neighborhood/area is so kid-friendly. I just LOVE it!!!


On the other hand, I'm from San Diego. I do love San Diego, but personally, I'd choose Norfolk(more its surroundings) than San Diego any day, when it comes to raising a family. I love what the East Coast has to offer...

I'm going to throw myself in and say San Diego. I'm from So Cal and really know absolutely nothing about the other locations BUT....I do know that San Diego has absolutely EVERYTHING and I'm sure you'd be able to find great options for your child. Plus...the weather is amazing 100% of the year!! :thumbsup

Not Jacksonville - the schools are horrendous - unless you live in Clay County which has great schools.
Lemoore is pretty limited and I don't know much about the EFMP for Cat 4 here or the special needs in classrooms. If you come to Lemoore or consider it, look and see if his rate has AIP bonuses, which many do if they are going to a squadron. I work at the hospital here. It is fairly small, but it is a very good hospital. Many referrals may have to go up to Fresno, which has a good children's hospital. If you consider Lemoore, look into Akers and Neutra Elementary schools, which are on the base and do your research for special ed.

ok what i do truly know
the oldest (shes 5) HATED lemoore and i figure if it made that big of an impression on a five year old...kwim? also both my bosses didnt like lemoore or VA at all
all three girls have allergies and bad exema(i have NO idea how to spell that) but once they moved here both cleared up alot!
the oldest is in kindergarten and all i know about that is her teacher is awesome! and i have heard alot of good thigns about the schools:D but thats all i ahve:D i still vote SD:P

THANK you all so much for the info and input... Just not knowing a lot about places makes it hard for us to choose... now I have some options..

If she is a 4 your are stuck with San Diego and Norfolk on that list.

If she is a 4 your are stuck with San Diego and Norfolk on that list.

Thanks Donna that is good to know.. I am thinking San Diego might be our best bet.. close to my mom and friends and FAR away from my ex husband

GOOOOOOOOOOOOO San DIego:D:D:D:D and you will always have a babysitter:P

No advice from me girly!!! But I surely wish you were back in WA so we could meet! The horses are waiting! :D

No advice from me girly!!! But I surely wish you were back in WA so we could meet! The horses are waiting! :D

:lol aww I know hon!!!! Dh probably could get orders back there to WA, I am just not sure that he wants to. I mean it is always an option for us. ;)

GOOOOOOOOOOOOO San DIego:D:D:D:D and you will always have a babysitter:P

:lol I think dh would like that!!!!

Don't do Lemoore, it smells like cow :poop FOR REAL!!! Although I don't have kids, I hears the schools on base are awesome.