please note, all of these questions are generic and will be asked for all locations so some may sound silly. The questions underneath each area are only there to help you think. Please feel free to skip things that don't apply or to elaborate on things that I did not mention.

Housing:
(How is military housing there? Which area did you live in and did you like it? Is it affordable to buy or rent in town and if so what areas would you recommend? Any additional thoughts?)


Schools:
(Which schools did your kids attend? Did you like them? Did your kids like them? How do you think the school system was overall? Any schools you would recommend over others? Did you go to college while you were there? If so, which college and how did you like it? Any additional thoughts?)


Shopping:
(How are the commissary and NEX? Do you shop there or out in town? What stores are available out in town? What is the local shopping like? Malls? Any places you recommend? Any additional thoughts?)


Cost of living:
(What is the cost of living like? High? Average? Low? How did it effect your family? Was there anything special you had to do to make ends meet? Any additional thoughts?)


Military Community:
(How is the military community? Are there resources for family and spouses? Any likes or gripes? Additional thoughts?)


Recreation:
(What is there to do in the area for adults? For kids/families? Is there anything within a few hours driving distance?)


Weather:
(What's the weather like? Mild? Seasonal? Hot? Humid? Rainy? Cold? Are there seasons?)


Overall:
(Would you go back again? Why or why not? What are your main likes and gripes?)

I didn't stay in military housing, so I can't offer much opinion about that. There was some housing behind my old work, and it looked really nice and well-maintained. Also, the big NEX and Commissary are not on base in Everett. They are about 5 miles north, along with the Navy Lodge and Hobby shop, etc.

The actual base itself is very nice. It's very new and reminds me somewhat of a community college. It is not a very large base, and I think it has maybe 5-6 ships. My husband was on the USS Ingraham, which was stationed there, along with a couple other frigates and a carrier too.

The cost of living is about average I would say.
We lived in a nice 4 bedroom 2.5 bath house with a 2 car garage and large front and back yard for 1250 a month. We also stayed in a 2bed/2bath average apartment for 800 a month. So BAH is pretty much right on, in my opinion.

There is tons of stuff to do there, within 2 hours each direction you can;
Visit the Islands, which is fun and beautiful and you get to ride the ferry.
Go to Canada.
Go to Mt. St. Helens.
Go to Leavenworth, a fun, beautiful little Bavarian town.
Go to the beach (not for laying in the sun, more for shell shopping and food)
Get the best seafood you have ever tasted.

Everett is about 30-40 minutes North of Seattle, so you can drive to Seattle and there is TONS of stuff to do there too, like the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, Underground Seattle, etc.

The weather is definitely seasonal. Very hot in the summers, cool, crisp falls with BRILLIANT colors, really cold winters (but not too much snow, although they do get it) and very rainy springs. It does rain year-round, but not as much as the stereotype portrays. ;)

I would definitely go back. In fact that is where we are headed after this duty is up. Two thumbs up from me! :five

Housing:
(How is military housing there? Which area did you live in and did you like it? Is it affordable to buy or rent in town and if so what areas would you recommend? Any additional thoughts?) We did not live in housing. We lived out in town. Our apartments were very nice and I know alot of houses are very affordable to rent there. MANY areas are very nice. Even in Everett itself. Mukilteo is nice but a lil pricey, marysville, Lynnwood, smokey point etc. We lived in Everett itself. I had a real nice apartment across the street from target. The mall, and most big restuarnts like outback I could walk to if I wanted.


Schools:
(Which schools did your kids attend? Did you like them? Did your kids like them? How do you think the school system was overall? Any schools you would recommend over others? Did you go to college while you were there? If so, which college and how did you like it? Any additional thoughts?) I did not have kids attending school there.

Shopping:
(How are the commissary and NEX? Do you shop there or out in town? What stores are available out in town? What is the local shopping like? Malls? Any places you recommend? Any additional thoughts?) The Everett exchange on the base was tiny but good for last minute things. Smokey point had the commisarry and exchange. It was a pretty nice commisarry and exchange and I didnt mind driving 10 minutes to get there for shopping.


Cost of living:
(What is the cost of living like? High? Average? Low? How did it effect your family? Was there anything special you had to do to make ends meet? Any additional thoughts?)
Cost of living in WA isnt too bad. It can be high in areas like anywhere else. Also there is no food tax on unprepared food so this makes regular taxes a bit higher to compensate for it. We made alot of $ in WA and saved alot. Gas prices are high there now according to my dad however. Like anywhere else, if you find deals etc you can do much better

Military Community:
(How is the military community? Are there resources for family and spouses? Any likes or gripes? Additional thoughts?) The military community there is good and bad. Everett itself LOVES the military. It adopted the USS lincoln officially etc. Just like everywhere else you do have good and bad aspects


Recreation:
(What is there to do in the area for adults? For kids/families? Is there anything within a few hours driving distance?) Washington itself is rich with things to do. Seattle has the space needle, activities down there, Pacific science center, laser light shows, the waterfront, ferry, whale watching, Pike place market, tons of hiking, skiing, snowboarding, Canada is a hop, skip and a jump away and is AWESOME for shopping and such. In the summer there is Wild Waves and enchanted parks in Federal Way, Seattle has so many activities in the summer including the bite of Seattle, bumper shoot, and Seafair. Puyallup has the yearly Puyallup fair.


Weather:
(What's the weather like? Mild? Seasonal? Hot? Humid? Rainy? Cold? Are there seasons?) Weather.... Its seasonal for the most part. It isnt bitterly cold in the winter but yes it can snow. It doesnt get huge amounts of snow on a normal basis tho. So 2-3 inches can cause schools to be delayed. Rain...Well I can give you stats from weather sites that lists other states such as Texas, New York etc that get more rainfall TOTALS per year then WA. That being said yes it is cloudy there alot and it is usually misting, sprinkling, drizzling etc. I mean you cant get that green and rich and pretty without water.....We have about 10 different terms for small amounts of rainfall :giggle And yes. If you have lived in places that get downpours of rain like 2-3 inches an hour and it stops a few hours later and the sun peaks thru then it can appear to rain a ton there. But it can drizzle for 3 days staright and still only accumulate 1/2 an inch or so.... But lemme tell you. You CANNOT beat summertime there. It is GORGEOUS. Just simply beautiful. The humidity is not the sticky yucky kind the midwest and eastcoast get. And being able to walk outside and see Mt Ranier, the Olympic range etc. I LOVE it. And miss it.


Overall:
(Would you go back again? Why or why not? What are your main likes and gripes?)
Yes I would. Not only is WA home but my husband fell in love with it while we were stationed there. I do have family there and I do love the aream totally. Just be forewarned if you do have allergies WA can usually make em feel worse. Lots of green to mess with em

I went to Mariner High!! Everett is awesome! My mom worked at the NEX....

Im the same as Kat! I went to Mariner High school too! Ive lived in Everett for 14 yrs but never on a base or anything. But the weather here is rainy pretty much all fall and winter. The Px is pretty nice, ive been out there a few times. But i shop in town. The Everett or Alderwood mall is a great place to shop!! Hope you enjoy it here!!!