eglin air force base?

Question

our family will move to eglin around jul 1 this year. thoughts on cities to check out (OR stay clear of) when looking for housing? we'd prefer a < 20 min commute each way (with traffic...).

are there any children's hospitals in that area (off base)? not all hospitals are staffed/equipped to care for pediatric emergancies.

we may still be there when our daugther turns 5 yrs - thoughts on school districts?

lastly - anyone have insight on midwives in that area? anyone do a homebirth there?

Answer 1

I'm a Military Retiree, and am familiar with Eglin AFB ... the County School District is tops in the state with its education at all levels ... and yes, the instruction is excellent.

Now the biggest hurdle you will face (depending on the rank of the military sponsor) is where you will live. I hope you realize just how large Eglin AFB is ... and that there are communities within that 20 minute drive that are land-locked (surrounded completely by Eglin AFB), and have NO further room to expand.

I happened to choose to purchase up North of Eglin when I was stationed there .. the communities are smaller, it is still within a 30-45 minute drive each way (quite doable), and the housing costs are cheaper ...

Eglin has a HUGE Regional Military Hospital -- and a new Birthing wing was opened ... and there is a top-notch Pediatrics Clinic at the Base Hospital, as well as Family Health Clinic/Family Practice Clinic too.

Answer 2

Welcome to Eglin !!!!!!!!! You will love it.

Eglin is not like other Air Force bases, it is huge, so depending on what part of the base your husband is going to be working on, will determine where you might want to live.

Towns outside the base include :
Valparaiso--- good area
Niceville--- nice area
Fort Walton Beach--- has good and bad areas
Crestview--- good area
Destin--- great area, but expensive, plus the commute is horrible.

I don't really know about childrens hospitals, but I do know my former boss's daughter, went to Panama City to have her baby.( that might tell you something)

Just remember, the Eglin area is hot and humid in the summer, but you would be hard to find a more beautiful area to be stationed at.

You might want to give Yahoo Maps a look to get an idea of the area, and remember to try thier hybrid and satelitte maps.