Gaeta, Italy - OCONUS (Over Seas)

loribeth · 10-14-2009, 09:18 PM

My husband and I put orders in for Gaeta, we're expected to have orders cut sometime this month. We are interested in any advice or information anyone is willing to give us. I keep hearing everything on base is closed..literally everything! I'm also concerned about availability of jobs for spouses. I am a registered nurse and would love an opportunity to work on base at the clinic however there may not be one. This is what I mean we are clueless as far as the base goes and all things surrounding Gaeta. We have two small dogs and are worried about finding a place to live with them since we have seen most places will only accept one but this was online only. I'd love to meet some people before we get there too...my fear is not knowning anyone and then my husband going right to sea. As of right now we don't have a sponsor to talk to so any advice anyone can give we'd appreciate it!

Navgirl · 10-15-2009, 03:02 AM

I recently asked about Gaeta here and was told the base itself is pretty much closing and from what I understand that the nearest base housing is Naples.
My dh is an ETC and orders to Gaeta were on the list recently but by the time my dh was able to pick, he looked again to pick the orders and they were gone. Bummer. It would be funny if those were the same orders, LOL! We may be going to Hawaii, we'll know next month.

jeans997 · 10-15-2009, 07:03 AM

I live in Naples and Gaeta is not an actual base. It is where the U.S.S. Mount Whitney is docked but the actual base is down in Naples (hospital, school, full nex and commissary). I am pretty sure that there is a mini-mart up there and a little rec center but thats it. Like I said, its not a base like you and I know, its more like a gated area to house the mount whitney. A lot of the families live here on base and their husbands commute. It's about an hour away. They may have just changed it so Gaeta orders HAVE to live here on base but I am not sure on that one.

Gaeta itself is absolutely beautiful! I have heard that people love it up there. As far as work, the only place that you MIGHT be able to work as a nurse would be here in Naples at the hospital (but I'm not sure if they let spouses work there). It is very hard to find work here for civilians outside of the NEX.

If you don't have children, this is a great place to be because you can travel ANYWHERE! If you do, I have heard the the school isn't the best and a lot of people homeschool. As long as you are available for a lot of traveling, take those orders. Otherwise, I would find somewhere else. I have two young kids (both born here) and I wish we were not here. The base is not run very well, there is no resaraunt on base, and there is a lot of corruption within the base. Those are my two cents, I hope it helps.

P.S. Keep in mind, with every change of command comes a different way of doing things. When we arrived, the C.O. was AWESOME and worked to make the base awesome for all of the families. The new one doesn't seem to care too much. Just keep that in mind when people talk about living here in years past.

loribeth · 10-15-2009, 02:43 PM

Thanks for the info girls. Anything is better than nothing at this point. We're pretty much guaranteed order there just need them to send them already...the government needs some money so that can happen. We don't have kids together yet we just have our two pups. If we HAVE to live in naples I guess that wouldn't be a bad thing..at least there is a base. We're currently in Groton, CT and if I thought this base was bad Gaeta sounds like a ghost town. I hope there is the option as far as me working at the base hospital I know I can here stateside just don't know if things work the same overseas. Oh anybody have an advice on a car? I read something on here but I believe it was a few years old if memory serves right. We were looking to trade our cars in and getting a smaller car since we have an suv and an older car. We were thinking just some sort of 4 door mercedes or bmw just don't know if they will still be too big for the streets. All I keep thinking is if we don't get a smartcar our mirrors are going to be scraping on the walls of buildings haha. Any advice as far as cars go? How's the housing in naples? It has to be better than Groton if I had to guess oh and do they have normal outlets in housing or is it all screwy there too? I think I am going to have to buy walmart out in converters. Oh anybody know if this holds true, I heard they have buses or vans that take the guys that are stationed in Gaeta to base from Naples so they don't have to drive or take public transportation. Anybody else heard about this? That would be pretty nice if they do. This reminds me do you still get to buy gas vouchers there? Seems like everyone we talk to about italy was stationed there in the 80s or early 90s...not much help now a days. Well ladies thanks again for the help!

Navgirl · 10-17-2009, 09:43 PM

I live in Korea but I assume all overseas military housing has 110 power because we do and did not need any converters. Also going by Korea standards if we chose to live off base land lords who deal with the base here provide transformers/converters.

Now I hear they drive really crazy in Itlay but I also have heard that those who think they drive bad there haven't been to Korea because it's a mad house here. I hate driving because all the traffic laws, lights and lines all seem to be more of guidelines than rules. I hear it's the same in Italy that the lines on the road seems to just be artwork! I would suggest a beater. We have a beater here but we also got a wild hair up our asses and bought a brand spankin' new Ford Flex in August. So far people have steered clear of us when we're in it.

MrsJ · 10-19-2009, 09:14 AM

Hey!
Im in Naples too. And believe me, Italians DO drive VERY crazy! They will make a 5Lane out of a 2lane and so on! There is a yardsalesite: naplesallhands.com i would recommend buying a old car nothing new because you WILL get your car scratched out there lol.

As to base housing here in naples. its not that bad i mean there are some things i wish they would be different (LOTS of stray cats/dogs), fleas or/and ants in the house, the power goes off every now and then, the internet was just down sat til mon ....
but on the other side, italy is beautiful esp GAETA !!! I love it up there, we went all the time on weekends just to hang out on the beach.

Im not sure about working here since (i think) 70% of the jobs available HAVE to be taken by italians.

If you have any more Q's your welcome to msg me!

Jules

PS: There ARE Restaurants ON POST NAPLES. There is A&W, Subway, Taco bell, and something else i cant think of chicken........... Also 2Cafe's, Bowling Alley (with a Irish Pub)

10-14-2009, 09:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
loribeth Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Groton, CT Posts: 11 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 11% Longevity: 1%	Gaeta, Italy My husband and I put orders in for Gaeta, we're expected to have orders cut sometime this month. We are interested in any advice or information anyone is willing to give us. I keep hearing everything on base is closed..literally everything! I'm also concerned about availability of jobs for spouses. I am a registered nurse and would love an opportunity to work on base at the clinic however there may not be one. This is what I mean we are clueless as far as the base goes and all things surrounding Gaeta. We have two small dogs and are worried about finding a place to live with them since we have seen most places will only accept one but this was online only. I'd love to meet some people before we get there too...my fear is not knowning anyone and then my husband going right to sea. As of right now we don't have a sponsor to talk to so any advice anyone can give we'd appreciate it!

10-15-2009, 03:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Navgirl Aviation Addict Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Korea Posts: 6,197 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 59% Longevity: 33%	I recently asked about Gaeta here and was told the base itself is pretty much closing and from what I understand that the nearest base housing is Naples. My dh is an ETC and orders to Gaeta were on the list recently but by the time my dh was able to pick, he looked again to pick the orders and they were gone. Bummer. It would be funny if those were the same orders, LOL! We may be going to Hawaii, we'll know next month. __________________

10-17-2009, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Navgirl Aviation Addict Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Korea Posts: 6,197 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 59% Longevity: 33%	I live in Korea but I assume all overseas military housing has 110 power because we do and did not need any converters. Also going by Korea standards if we chose to live off base land lords who deal with the base here provide transformers/converters. Now I hear they drive really crazy in Itlay but I also have heard that those who think they drive bad there haven't been to Korea because it's a mad house here. I hate driving because all the traffic laws, lights and lines all seem to be more of guidelines than rules. I hear it's the same in Italy that the lines on the road seems to just be artwork! I would suggest a beater. We have a beater here but we also got a wild hair up our asses and bought a brand spankin' new Ford Flex in August. So far people have steered clear of us when we're in it. __________________

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10-15-2009, 07:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
jeans997 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 1%	I live in Naples and Gaeta is not an actual base. It is where the U.S.S. Mount Whitney is docked but the actual base is down in Naples (hospital, school, full nex and commissary). I am pretty sure that there is a mini-mart up there and a little rec center but thats it. Like I said, its not a base like you and I know, its more like a gated area to house the mount whitney. A lot of the families live here on base and their husbands commute. It's about an hour away. They may have just changed it so Gaeta orders HAVE to live here on base but I am not sure on that one. Gaeta itself is absolutely beautiful! I have heard that people love it up there. As far as work, the only place that you MIGHT be able to work as a nurse would be here in Naples at the hospital (but I'm not sure if they let spouses work there). It is very hard to find work here for civilians outside of the NEX. If you don't have children, this is a great place to be because you can travel ANYWHERE! If you do, I have heard the the school isn't the best and a lot of people homeschool. As long as you are available for a lot of traveling, take those orders. Otherwise, I would find somewhere else. I have two young kids (both born here) and I wish we were not here. The base is not run very well, there is no resaraunt on base, and there is a lot of corruption within the base. Those are my two cents, I hope it helps. P.S. Keep in mind, with every change of command comes a different way of doing things. When we arrived, the C.O. was AWESOME and worked to make the base awesome for all of the families. The new one doesn't seem to care too much. Just keep that in mind when people talk about living here in years past.

10-15-2009, 02:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
loribeth Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Groton, CT Posts: 11 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 11% Longevity: 1%	Thanks for the info girls. Anything is better than nothing at this point. We're pretty much guaranteed order there just need them to send them already...the government needs some money so that can happen. We don't have kids together yet we just have our two pups. If we HAVE to live in naples I guess that wouldn't be a bad thing..at least there is a base. We're currently in Groton, CT and if I thought this base was bad Gaeta sounds like a ghost town. I hope there is the option as far as me working at the base hospital I know I can here stateside just don't know if things work the same overseas. Oh anybody have an advice on a car? I read something on here but I believe it was a few years old if memory serves right. We were looking to trade our cars in and getting a smaller car since we have an suv and an older car. We were thinking just some sort of 4 door mercedes or bmw just don't know if they will still be too big for the streets. All I keep thinking is if we don't get a smartcar our mirrors are going to be scraping on the walls of buildings haha. Any advice as far as cars go? How's the housing in naples? It has to be better than Groton if I had to guess oh and do they have normal outlets in housing or is it all screwy there too? I think I am going to have to buy walmart out in converters. Oh anybody know if this holds true, I heard they have buses or vans that take the guys that are stationed in Gaeta to base from Naples so they don't have to drive or take public transportation. Anybody else heard about this? That would be pretty nice if they do. This reminds me do you still get to buy gas vouchers there? Seems like everyone we talk to about italy was stationed there in the 80s or early 90s...not much help now a days. Well ladies thanks again for the help!

10-19-2009, 09:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
MrsJ Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 1% Longevity: 13%	Hey! Im in Naples too. And believe me, Italians DO drive VERY crazy! They will make a 5Lane out of a 2lane and so on! There is a yardsalesite: naplesallhands.com i would recommend buying a old car nothing new because you WILL get your car scratched out there lol. As to base housing here in naples. its not that bad i mean there are some things i wish they would be different (LOTS of stray cats/dogs), fleas or/and ants in the house, the power goes off every now and then, the internet was just down sat til mon .... but on the other side, italy is beautiful esp GAETA !!! I love it up there, we went all the time on weekends just to hang out on the beach. Im not sure about working here since (i think) 70% of the jobs available HAVE to be taken by italians. If you have any more Q's your welcome to msg me! Jules PS: There ARE Restaurants ON POST NAPLES. There is A&W, Subway, Taco bell, and something else i cant think of chicken........... Also 2Cafe's, Bowling Alley (with a Irish Pub)