Location: Great Lakes, IL

[Brandi]

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?)

[Heather]

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 live in the Forrestal Navy village. I really like it. The house is nice and seems to be in good condition. I have a pretty good size back yard and so do most people in this neighborhood. Some of the other neighborhoods I've either not been to or just drivin though but they look pretty nice too. All the housing here is going to be torn down a rebuilt. Waste of money if you ask me but Im sure its being done for a reason. My family and I love to get out and walk. This neighborhood is not very big and we have walked the intire thing several times. Side walks outside the neighborhood don't seem to exist. If they do they few and far between. Rent out in the town according to those rent magizines seems to be about $1200+ for a two+ bedroom house and about $1000 for a 2+ bedroom apartment. I've heard some people live in Kenosha, WI but that would be a long drive in the snow they get here!


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


My 6 year old son is attending A. J. Katzenmeier Elementary. Even though there are three schools closer to us including one IN the neighborhood this is the school hes gets bused to. The school is ok so far. Hes only been there for about a month. They don't communicate with the parents very well. I'd like to see a weekly news letter or something to that effect. I'd also like to have received some information on the things they do in class. Like where they are at or expected to be at in math and reading. I'd like to know what kind of programs they offer like music, art, pe and science. I'd like some information on the school district itself. A parent hand book would be nice. The kids are so friendly and were very excited to have a new student in class with them. The class size seemed really small to me. I think there might have been 20 kids maybe less. I really like his teacher. Shes quick to call me back and answer my questions. There is a registration fee. Our son started around end of March and we had to pay $16. The fee is to cover the cost of books and other materials he will be using. They also wear uniforms. white, navy blue, or baby blue polo shirts and navy blue slacks. When I was at the school I saw kids wearing a varity of plain shirts in those colors like turtle necks.They can wear what ever outer wear they want and they are suppost wear dark colored shoes but I was told they can wear what ever shoes they want. To buy our son 5 uniform standard polo shirts and 3 pairs of slacks cost us about $110 at target.

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?)

I've shopped at the commissary and the NEX here and I don't like either of them. To me the NEX is very very expensive. The commissary doen't have much varity and the produce is very low quality. I've shopped a few grocery stores out in town and I prefer the commissay mostly because its closer and cheaper. Wal-mart, target and a ton of other stores including a really big big mall is about a 10-20 minute drive depending on how you get there. We havn't been here very long or had very much time to get out and explore the area yet.

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?)

Im not sure about the cost of living because we live in housing so many of the things we've had to pay for in the past are taken care of. Food seems more expensive. We came from WA.

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

I've taken my daughter to play group once. It was ok but I won't be spending $2 to do it again. I havn't been told about anything. I have received a few fliers about stuff but its like garbage day is friday and blah blah blah about the neighborhood. I know there is stuff to do at the youth center. Other than that I feel like nothing goes on here.

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

There is a lot to do here it just depends on what you like to do. Chicago has some great museums. the base has some stuff to do. It's really about finding what you like

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

The weather so far has been mild. I cant really say what is like since I've been here 2 months.

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

Sure I'd come back again. I have no problem being here. Its so much sunnier then WA.

[Kym]

Housing:
We live in Fort Sheridan housing which is about 10 miles south of TSC. The housing is old but has charm. We like it but since PPV took over it has gone more ghetto. We have a backyard view of Lake Michigan as do the majority of people out here. It is a very quiet community with only about 80 families living here total. They are tearing all of the housing down out here and building two story single family homes with garages. They are suppose to look like the civilian homes currently out here in Highwood and Highland Park.


Schools:
My son goes to Oak Terrace and it is ok. Our daughter is going to St.James in the fall

Shopping:
The commissary is not that great and neither is the NEX. If you are looking for toys then you have to go to the Home Store NEX. If you are looking for anything else then you go to the main NEX. We usually shop at Super Target or Jewell. Some things are cheaper at the commissary and we go there for those things. Produce is bought on the outside


Cost of living:
The cost of living up here is high. It is cheaper in Wisconsin for rent and is only about a 30 minute drive one way depending on the traffic. Schools are better too


Military Community:
I think most things up here are geared to the single sailor or the students. I think they should offer more for the families


Recreation:
The Wisconsin Dells are only 3 hours north roughly and The Mall of America in MN is only about a 5 hour drive north. St.Louis is 3 hours away too. We haven't found much in downtown Chicago to do besides Navy Pier


Weather:
Summers are nice once it warms up in June/July. Winters are brutal. Fall is nice. Spring, well that is like Winter. The first week of May is suppose to be in the 50's this year


Overall:
The command up here sucks so probably wouldn't come back but dh is retiring in a few years anyways

[BLBnJVB3]

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 live in town so I don't know much about housing. I have been to Forrestal and the housing there seems nice. It is right across the street from the Nex and Commissary. There is other housing here but I haven't been there yet.


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?)

My daughter doesn't go to school yet but I have registered her for kindergarten this fall. She will go to Woodland School District #50 and the teachers seemed really nice and helpful when I went in to register her. I haven't been told anything about her having to wear a uniform and I have a book of their rules and other stuff and I don't remember any of the kids wearing one so I don't think she will have to. In order to register her I had to have a physical done from a doctor in Illinois, a vaccination card with the dates of all the vaccinations she had, a recent dental exam, her original birth certificate, and two proofs of residency.

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?)

I only go to the Commissary here. There isn't much variety and the produce isn't that great. There have been several times I wasn't able to get some type of produce I needed and had to go to a grocery store in town. I go to Jewel for stuff when the Commissary doesn't have what I need. We also have a membership at Sam's. We have it because it's cheaper to buy formula and sometimes diapers there. When the membership is up we will not be renewing it though. I go to Walmart for household stuff and there are several Walmarts around this area. Gurnee Mills is the mall and it is huge. Seriously, I've been there several times and still haven't walked around the whole thing yet. There is even an ice skating rink in it where you can take lessons and hockey games/practices are there.

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?)

It is very expensive here. Even though BAH is $400 more here than it was for us in Mayport, FL. it is still barely enough. We got a really good on deal the house that we rent. We have looked at other houses, condos/townhouses, apartments and it would be almost impossible for us to afford another place that would fit all of our stuff in this same school district. Buying a house, condo/townhouse here is really hard. Prices for them are really high and the property taxes are really high as well.

Military Community:
(How is the military community? Are there resources for family and spouses? Any likes or gripes? Additional thoughts?)
Since I live away from base I can't say what it is like near there. I can say in town there isn't much of one. At least that is what I have seen.

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

There are alot of forrest preserves up here. Since the weather hasn't warmed up much yet I haven't gone to any but my neighbor said he likes to ride his bike around them. There is a Six Flags on Rt. 45 or Grand Ave., depends on which way you are coming from. It is a quick drive to Wisconsin and Chicago. We are right by Lake Michigan, too. There are some beaches up here. It is hard for me to call them beaches though coming from FL. There are several Metra stations around town, too.


Weather:
(What's the weather like? Mild? Seasonal? Hot? Humid? Rainy? Cold? Are there seasons?)
Cold. I'm sure the summer weather won't be too hot but the winters are cold. There wasn't much snow this year I thought. I only shoveled maybe 3-4 times. It is very windy here. It seems to be getting better the closer to summer it gets but during the winter it was really bad.

Overall:
(Would you go back again? Why or why not? What are your main likes and gripes?)
I would not come back here. I don't like the cold. I miss the FL. beaches and weather. And the COL is just way too high here for me.

[Traci]

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?)
I live in Nimitz Village housing. I have a three bedroom townhouse type home. It is in good condition. I have a huge field behind my house with two playgrounds and a bike trail. I want to say housing said it was 40 acres. I love that my kids can go out, ride bikes and stuff and never even get close to the street. since I live in housing I can't comment on how affordable it is around her.


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?)
My daughter went to South school for 4 years. My son went to kindergarden. Up until last year I had no issues but last year was a total nightmare. I am in the middle of presuing a lawsuite. Without going into detail it involved the 4th grade teacher abusing(mental, emotional and verbal) my child along with other kids in the class. The district won't act so now it's an issue for the lawyers. I do not recomment anyone putting their children in the district but especially South school. If I had to do it over again I would move either to Wisconsin or someplace outside the Great Lakes/North Chicago/Waukegan. If anyone would like to talk to me in more detail about the school system please feel free to email me.

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?)
I do shop at the commissary on a regular basis. I just hate the produce. It sucks. I go in town for that. On occasion I shop at the NEX but for the most part Wal-Mart is my best friend. GOOD NEWS!!! A SuperWalmart opens up at the end of July. it is only going to be a 5 min drive from my house. To bad I am moving in Aug. Considering the amount of outlets and Gurnee Mills Mall it's a shoppers dream.


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?)Since we live on base it is hard to say. I do know I just spent $3.15 a gallon getting gas on base.


Military Community:
(How is the military community? Are there resources for family and spouses? Any likes or gripes? Additional thoughs?
everything is fine by me except the few wives in housing that are not happy unless they get in other peoples business and try to start crap. but I guess you get that anywhere.

Recreation:
(What is there to do in the area for adults? For kids/families? Is there anything within a few hours driving distance?)
Tons of things to do! I really like MWR alot. They offer alot. Downtown and everywhere inbetween offers something. Wisconsin has somethings to do as well. Our absolute favorite thing to do is take a trip to the Dells a few tims a year(weekend trips). the resort we go to has 5 indoor water parks and alot more. My kids love going to the outside part of the heated pool or hot tub and dunk underwater and watch their hair freez in 10 seconds or less. We were even in the outside hot tub when it was snowing. It's so cheap in winter. we can't afford to go in the summer.

Weather:
(What's the weather like? Mild? Seasonal? Hot? Humid? Rainy? Cold? Are there seasons?)
winters are cold but not that bad except when it's windy. Then your skin just stings if it's not covered. In 4 years we have never had alot of snow. We expected much worse before we got hear.

Overall:
(Would you go back again? Why or why not? What are your main likes and gripes?)
I would go back. I would just live someplace else because of the schools not the neighborhood.
__________________

[Kaymara]

Housing:
Housing is ok. The housing was just changed over to PPV and thats been a rough transition. Most of our housing is being torn down and redone. I heard the new homes will be gorgeous and there will be a pool at the community center etc. As for now, I live in a single family home. Its nice not having anyone attatched to us. We have a large area in the back thats great for kids to play in etc. I have no idea how it is to live out in town but i do know lots of people who have bought houses here and made tons of $


Schools:
I have no school aged children so I dont know.


Shopping:
The commisarry is ok. Their produce is iffy. Somedays it is rotten and somedays it is ok. It just varies. I try to buy alot of my produce out in town. There is a dominicks and Pick n save not to far. If you watch for the deals you can get stuff for GREAT prices. Also the farmers markets are great. The NEX here is very expensive. Over half the stuff I can buy out in town for cheaper. So I only shop at the NEX if need be. There are 2 malls nearby. 1 15 minutes north and 1 15 minutes South. The one North is Gurnee Mills. It is a large outlet mall and has alot of great shopping. I try to stay away from there on the weekends because it gets so packed! The one South is Hawthorn. I prefer this one. It is smaller but not nearly as busy and I can walk around and relax etc.


Cost of living:
Some things are higher then other places and some things arent. Overall I would say cost of living is fairly close to average. Maybe a tad higher.


Military Community:
There is a strong military community here since it is the bootcamp and traning center.

Recreation:
6 flags is right up the road, Chicago has a TON of stuff to do from the Navy pier to muesums and the like. Great Lakes itself doesnt have alot to do but driving a bit you can find tons of stuff. Kenosha, WI is just 20 minutes north and there is alot of shopping,. some outlet malls etc out there.


Weather:
I personally do not like the weather. It is bitterly cold and snow in the winter. And Hot and humid in the summer. Spring and summer have strong thunderstorms. Winter has blizzard conditions. It can easily drop below zero in the winter. And it can easily snow before Thanksgiving and into April sometimes. It is seasonal in the fact that fall is crisp and cool, winter if literally freezing, spring is stormy, raining and cool, and summer is hot and humid.


Overall:
I hope to never come back. I personally just am not fond of it here and I wasnt the first time we came. Thats not to say that someone else might not like it. One persons trash is another persons treasure! I am just antsy and really ready to move. As far as other things go, housing here is ok, there is things to do if you dont mind driving. Winter is usually being holed up and you really cant do stuff outside tho