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FT LEE Your Name (if you would like it to appear): Michelle B Base Name: Fort Lee, Virginia Base Location: Virginia just 35 min south of Richmond in Prince George County. How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present) Feb 2006 - Sept 2007
What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list,
conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average
price to rent or buy?
Majority of the housing on post is fairly new
minus some in the process of being torn down. I live in Madison Park
which is one of the newest being only a year old. I was the first to
live in this place.
Off-post I feel staying OUT of Petersburg
would be the most ideal. Petersburg is known for high crime,
shootings, drugs ETC. The education system in Petersburg is also one
of the worst in the entire state!
BAH isn't enough to cover rent if you need
more than 3 bedrooms, or if you want a nice place. You can pretty
much expect to live in an apartment or duplex off post. Hopewell is
pretty nasty, as most military towns are. Hopewell is nicer than
Petersburg by far yet I wouldn't personally live there. Prince
George is half nice and half not. I don't recommend the public
school systems, but if forced to choose I would reside in some parts
of Prince George, some parts of Chester and Colonial Heights. I paid
to send my kid to private school at a price I would have paid more
to live off post.
Average rent for Petersburg is about 800,
Hopewell about 800 and nicer areas start around 1000 (low) to easy
1300 a month for a nice place.
Housing list is extremely long, some waiting
over 2 years for 2-3 bedrooms!
The only way to know if you want to live
somewhere in my opinion is to check the school systems out
www.greatschools.net and you can
even search before you sign a lease!
Rate the PX & Commissary.
The people who work at the Commissary are
extremely RUDE. I cannot tell you how many times I have had problems
with not just baggers, but cashiers etc. The commissary is probably
the cheapest route, although the 24hr super walmart is nice too! The
price difference truly isn't that much unless you shop on sales and
coupons at the commissary.
The PX leaves you feeling empty. Not much
worth inside, smaller stock of regular items and screwy hours. There
is a class 6 yet it closes early. There is also a PXtra which has
the military clothing attached and its our version of a shoppette.
The PXtra/shoppette has a tiny food court and a couple junk shops.
They close early and lack the luster of other places we've lived.
Activities on base?
There is a pool, movie theater, bowling and
some other basics. Not much entertainment in my opinion. The MWR
tries to have activities, although I cannot see dragging my young
children out past 8 pm to see a free old movie.
Active Spouses Club? I would have to be extremely honest and say the FRG's are absolutely pathetic. They are the worst I have ever seen (I have been stationed places that could fit in housing here and were more accommodating!)
Things to do in area? Williamsburg is only 45
min away giving you the option to outlet shop, go visit historical
Williamsburg, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA (
herosalute.com has info on how to go once with a total of
4 people for free!!) Jamestown/Yorktown. Next is Virginia Beach
about 2 1/2 hrs, Norfolk about 2 hrs and Richmond 35 min away. You
also have Washington DC being only 2 1/2 hrs away. North of Richmond
is Kings Dominion amusement park. Lots of historical places to see
and tons of free parks to visit. Maymont park in Richmond is worth
the drive. Full of water attractions, beautiful landscape, gardens
and maybe even someone on a horse or a few!
There is also the Richmond International
Speedway for Nascar fans (which I am not) and FT Lee sends soldiers
up there often. It's free to active duty.
This area does offer PLENTY of attractions, so
many I cannot name them all!
School System? I do NOT recommend ANYTHING
within 30 min unless it's private. Even with private do your
homework at
www.Greatschools.net
Any colleges in area? There are quite a few! Depending on what you're interested in depends on where to go! Check out the ED Center on post. They are extremely helpful! Jobs? (on post and off) I cannot imagine much on post, and there are plenty of places to work off! Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city? Anywhere within 45 min away is nice in comparison to this place! Least favorite aspect? Terrible support from units, FRGS and over-crowding.
Local websites? (base, chamber, newspaper,
schools, etc.)
http://www.city-data.com/city/Fort-Lee-Virginia.html
, http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/ ,
http://www.narmc.amedd.army.mil/kenner/
medical on post is a joke. No on post hospital or emergency care.
TERRIBLE SERVICE!
Vet services leave much to desire also!
Any other tips? Lots of AIT students and avoid this place UNLESS you have a personal tie to the area! |
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