What's the best place for veterans to live - 2015?

LTC Jason Strickland — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 19:02:07 -0400

According to Military Times, these are the top 4 places for veterans to live. What say you, RallyPoint veterans?
http://bestforvets.militarytimes.com/best-places/2015/june/large/

Best for Vets: Best Places To Live 2015 | Military Times

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 24 at 2015 7:03 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 19:03:50 -0400

I'm terrified of sharks. I find Tucson, AZ very accomodating to my completely justifiable and 100% rational fears. Now all terrorizing images aside, I have to say it depends a lot on what individual states offer and what our future goals are. Oregon will pay 100% tuition for my spouse and children to go to college thru the masters level (due to my current status). I have 3 kids and that isn't chicken feed. But I got a bottle thrown at me in Eugene, OR just because I was in uniform. They burnt down the NG Armor 6 times during the Vietnam War. Now that I'm old and yell at kids to get off my lawn, I am interested in moving to Saipan or Guam, just to live in the middle of nowhere with nothing going on. To me, that is abslute boring, ecstatic, tranquility and bliss.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 24 at 2015 7:07 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 19:07:09 -0400

Wow, look at Colorado all over this list!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 24 at 2015 7:16 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 19:16:50 -0400

LTC Jason Strickland I'm sorry but I don't believe that San Diego, CA should be in the top (4) unless you are a General or Admiral! I'm a Colonel and I have a great paying civilian job, but I'm leaving in poverty. The cost of housing is ridiculous! I apologize in advance if I 've offended any of my San Diego, CA brothers and sisters, but its just too expensive. Beautiful city and beautiful coastline, but over the top expensive! Colorado Springs is my actual pick. I have a home that I lease in Castle Rock, CO. Great motorcycle (Harley) location for veterans and there are several bases to doing your shopping at within decent driving range.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 7:37 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 19:37:47 -0400

This is a second look at this list on RP & I agree with SFC Merino. It depends on what you are looking for. I find that all three lists are heavily weighted in favor of college proximity...given that I have my degree and have no interest in dealing with that crowd every weekend, none of those listed would be at the top of my list. That being said, since I refuse to retire in the purvue of the 9th Circuit Court, I'm investigating possibilities in the Carolinas. Having lived in MO and sold real estate there, I can confirm that the cost of living/housing is low (Lee's Summit, etc.).

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 7:51 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 19:51:26 -0400

I can't say what a great place to live would be. However, I can tell you one of the worst places, Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana. Although the cost of living is not bad, the job market sucks and Shreveport has bad crime. If I could move I would.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 8:52 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 20:52:08 -0400

Well, I'm impartial to VB as that is my hometown. My dad retired from the Army in VB and there were so many benefits for military and veterans.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 24 at 2015 11:56 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 23:56:28 -0400

Where ever my family is...the best place is where my heart is at.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jun 25 at 2015 2:43 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 02:43:50 -0400

Mmm, how about... Ecuador? Anywhere with a cheap house on a sandy beach... =)

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 25 at 2015 2:44 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 02:44:28 -0400

I'm with SFC Mark Merino. Tucson is where it's at!

Response by SFC Bryan Clark made Jun 25 at 2015 3:09 AM

SFC Bryan Clark — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 03:09:05 -0400

Kansas city , MO....!!!!!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 25 at 2015 5:47 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 05:47:38 -0400

I believe alot has to do with what your interest are. If there is nothing in or near these cities that interest me other than a job then I would have to really think twice about moving there. Bottom line for me a city would have to have things that I am interested in for me to live there. I live outside of Philadelphia and there are so many things you can do with in a couple hours drive. My thoughts!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 7:29 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 07:29:57 -0400

I would have to agree with #2 & #3. Fort Carson was my first duty station and ever since I've said I am going to retire in Colorado Springs! We just arrived in San Antonio and are very pleased the the area so far! It doesn't get any better in my book!

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Jun 25 at 2015 7:55 AM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 07:55:14 -0400

Texas but thats where i am San Antonio is just to big for me . So live outside of it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 8:25 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 08:25:21 -0400

Best place to retire, is where my money worth the most and we are safe , so far Panama is looking pretty good.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 11:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 11:34:11 -0400

I would have to disagree with this top 4 selection. I'm more incline to the Northwest, Southeast and Northeast regions of the U.S.

Response by SSG Sean Thoman made Jun 26 at 2015 10:39 AM

SSG Sean Thoman — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:39:47 -0400

IT IS NOT OHIO!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 26 at 2015 11:12 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 11:12:39 -0400

Interesting list but guaranteed to be false given the "criteria". People want their own personal mix of features. It assumes a high percentage of Vets wants that mix. Sometimes it's getting as far away from anything military. My first FB post when I moved out to Northern Idaho was I moved 430 miles away in part to get away from the Navy. To a small town, with a small high school, with a small band that through two basketball games only seems to know how to play Anchors Aweigh. God save me.

Response by CSM Michael Lynch made Jun 29 at 2015 10:49 AM

CSM Michael Lynch — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 10:49:31 -0400

I believe Oregon is going to be the place I settle in over the next few years. Even Though CO has a tight second for me.

Response by SPC Chris Early made Jun 30 at 2015 1:17 PM

SPC Chris Early — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 13:17:12 -0400

well i can say its not detroit smh

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 4 at 2015 10:51 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 10:51:16 -0400

Gotta give a shout out to where I currently live - and #2 on this list - Colorado Springs!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 4 at 2015 10:59 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 10:59:10 -0400

LTC Jason Strickland, let me expand on why Tucson is so awesome. Large veteran population. In fact our Congressional Representative is a USAF veteran, COL Martha McSally (USAF RET). Centrally located base, Davis Monthan AFB that has a large exchange and commissary. Low cost of living. A gallon of gas averages $2.39 last I looked. Average home price of $134,000 according to http://www.zillow.com/
Great college in University of Arizona. Lots of outdoor activity. Great night life. I could write a book and I've only lived here for a year.

Real Estate, Apartments, Mortgages & Home Values | Zillow

Fast, free, thorough home search on America's most popular web portal, covering real estate, apartments, mortgages, school data, and home improvement ideas.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 12:29 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:29:06 -0400

I have always liked Colorado Springs and enjoy visiting there. I was just through there in May.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 4 at 2015 9:01 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 21:01:36 -0400

For many veterans/retirees, it may be useful to look at places with low/no state income tax -- as well as low/moderate cost of living. Stretching out your dollar can snowball and give you more breathing room as you plan for your retirement.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Jul 5 at 2015 12:13 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 00:13:36 -0400

I am in the process of buying 5 acres in Mississippi! They, like me, loves guns!

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 5 at 2015 10:51 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 10:51:35 -0400

Surprised not to see other locations in Texas on this list - or Florida, considering the tax implications...

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 7 at 2015 3:53 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:53:06 -0400

For further consideration, WalletHub just ranked Colorado Springs #9 as a "best city for families."
http://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-families/4435/

2015’s Best & Worst Cities for Families

Families move often and for varied reasons. In fact, the average American can expect to move an estimated 11.7 times during his or her lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Moving can be a sign of either opportunity – a new job or long-term wealth accumulation, for instance – or of instability like foreclosure or job loss. The key in either case – whether you’re a newly married couple or a victim of America’s economic transition – is...

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Aug 10 at 2015 3:33 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 15:33:32 -0400

#4: Oklahoma City
#5 Denver
#6 Honolulu
#7 Albuquerque

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Aug 18 at 2015 9:28 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 09:28:46 -0400

Great to see Colorado Springs as the #4 most educated city in the U.S.!

http://wallethub.com/edu/most-and-least-educated-cities/6656/

2015’s Most and Least Educated Cities

They may not always be the brightest bulbs in the chandelier, but the college-educated third of Americans often have a leg up on their degree-less peers. With more schooling, they not only have access to better job opportunities and bigger salaries, but educated workers also fill their cities’ coffers with the most tax dollars over time, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Sep 16 at 2015 10:19 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:19:35 -0400

More fodder for Colorado:
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/broadway_17th/2015/09/smile-colorado-youre-one-of-the-happiest-states-in.html

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 16 at 2015 11:02 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:02:07 -0400

For me it came down to a few factors.
1. Good amount of Federal government jobs
2. Low Cost of Living
3. Gun Friendly
4. Vet Friendly
5. Not urban

So after all of that I decided on East Limestone County Alabama. I bought a 3342 Sqft house on a .5 acre lot with 4 bed and 3.5 bath for $235K. My property taxes are $700ish a year. Most people I know here are either vets or have something to do with the arsenal and I live in the country. Of course obtaining a pistol permit here is insanely easy and my county offers 24/7 365 day a year same day service lol.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 16 at 2015 11:54 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 11:54:12 -0400

Foxboro Massachusetts.. Our small city has a full time Veterans Affairs Advocate located in the Town Hall Building ..He was great when I moved here from California. Last month he organized a Candle Light Vigil for the 4 marines and sailor who were killed in Chattanooga He also makes arrangements for military funerals for us veterans ..helped to transfer my VA paperwork to the VA in West Roxbury. He also gave me a list of retail shops that give military discounts to retired and former service members. Not too bad for a retired Army Lt Col who graduated from Norwich Academy but likes us old Marines.

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made Oct 14 at 2015 2:41 PM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:41:12 -0400

I'm retired in North Carolina and love it but given the choice, I would have retired in Germany. My kids grew up there, we Iove the culture and lifestyle, and the easy travel opportunities.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Oct 14 at 2015 3:30 PM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:30:14 -0400

I have already lived in the Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads/Tidewater region. I will tell you now, there is not a day that has gone by since I moved to my Home of Record, that I have not longed to return to Virginia Beach Hampton Roads Tidewater. The people understand military service, as anyone who lives in this region is hard pressed to think of how the military has not touched their lives. This makes them extremely military friendly. Jobs, places to live, and things to see and do, everything revolves around the military including the economy.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Oct 14 at 2015 4:12 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:12:22 -0400

Idaho.... ultra conservative, respectful of individual rights, loves Military, cheap housing, and the Great Outdoors!

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Nov 21 at 2015 1:04 PM

LTC Jason Strickland — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 13:04:51 -0500

A little more good news for Colorado Springs:
https://porch.com/colorado-springs-co/best-place-to-own-a-home

Colorado Springs Ranked #8 Best Place To Own A Home In America

We surveyed over 10,000 US homeowners across all 50 states and ten categories of satisfaction to determine where's the best place in America to own a home. Did your city make the cut?