Location: Lemoore, CA

[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?)

[CoffeeGirl]

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?)When we lived there from 97-01-The housing we were in was the OLD housing(called Bedrock cause the roofs were flat) which isn't even there today cause it was torn down but I loved my house & we had a huge front yard & a large house in general.


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 kids went to Akers & loved it there-I loved it there too-our experience with the staff was noting but great! We still speak with some of them too!


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?)There is a mall in Hanford & since we have left we have visited there & a new Target & entire shopping center was put up-there is also alot of shopping & fun things to do in Visalia as far as skating & movies, concerts etc. We got to see a BRAND new NEX & Commissary go up which was way cool & they are very nice too!


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?)No comment really


Military Community:
(How is the military community? Are there resources for family and spouses? Any likes or gripes? Additional thoughts?)no comment


Recreation:
(What is there to do in the area for adults? For kids/families? Is there anything within a few hours driving distance?)Beaches, Morro Bay, skiing in Big Bear. fishing in 3 Rivers, There is alot to do you just have to find it all-You can also drive to amusement parks etc.


Weather:
(What's the weather like? Mild? Seasonal? Hot? Humid? Rainy? Cold? Are there seasons?)It IS hot there but not humid really & there is wicked Fog there too that is DANGEROUS to drive in!

Overall:
(Would you go back again? Why or why not? What are your main likes and gripes?)YES! I would go tomorrow, I LOVED it there, my family liked it overall and we enjoyed our time there!


Hope I didn't forget anything

[MontanaSweetie]

Housing:
How is military housing there? VERY NICE

Which area did you live in and did you like it? We live in Coral Sea Park and I love it! The only gripe I have is that there isn't enough parking.

Is it affordable to buy or rent in town and if so what areas would you recommend? In the city of Lemoore, I don't think any of the apartments are very nice...and they usually have no available units. Hanford has better housing/apartment options. However, the price of buying a home is outrageous - over $300,000....

Any additional thoughts? The housing is new and very nice, but a little on the small side...but I guess that is typical for most military housing.


Schools:
Which schools did your kids attend? My son has only gone to Pre-school at the CDC so far.
Did you like them? Did your kids like them? YES on both

How do you think the school system was overall? Any schools you would recommend over others? I will get my first experience with the school system when my son starts Kindergarten this year.

Did you go to college while you were there? If so, which college and how did you like it? Any additional thoughts?) Yes, I attended Columbia College and Loved it! I highly recommend going there.

Shopping:
(How are the commissary and NEX? They are decent...I've been to better at other bases though.

Do you shop there or out in town? Both.

What stores are available out in town? Lots of new stores have been built in the last year...There is a Mall, Wal-Mart, Target, Pet Smart, Old Navy, etc etc etc...

What is the local shopping like? Malls? Any places you recommend? Any additional thoughts?) Just the typical stuff. The Mall is on the small side, but its decent. Lemoore/Hanford has greatly improved from when I first moved here.

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?) Cost of Living is HIGH...that is my major problems with living here. We moved into base housing because we could not afford the utilities out in town anymore.

Military Community:
(How is the military community? Are there resources for family and spouses? Any likes or gripes? Additional thoughts?)
Its average I guess. I think they offer most resources that every other base has...it just depends on what you are interested in, and how much effort you want to make to get involved with things.

Recreation:
(What is there to do in the area for adults? For kids/families? Is there anything within a few hours driving distance?) Lemoore is in the middle of nowhere! LOL. Its about an hour drive to the mountains, 2 hour drive to the Coast. In this immediate area there is not much to do, but it is convenient enough to get to things that are fun. Pismo Beach is a hot spot for people to go for recreational play.


Weather:
(What's the weather like? Mild? Seasonal? Hot? Humid? Rainy? Cold? Are there seasons?) Its freaking HOT. About 110 degrees in the Summer. Mild/Rainy winters. It does NOT rain at all during the summer. Its not humid though, so that is one good thing.


Overall:
(Would you go back again? Why or why not? What are your main likes and gripes?) Yes, I have enjoyed being stationed here. I would recommend it to others because the base is nice, there's little traffic because its a small community and there are many places to go and visit if you are willing to travel a little bit.

[KevzQueen]

Location: Lemoore, California

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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?)
We live on base in Carl Vinson Park. We have lots of room in the house, we like it. The backyard is small though. Lexington Park, the older housing area, has bigger back yards.



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 kids attend Neutra Elem. and Akers Elem. These are the schools on base. I haven't looked at any other schools. My kids are fine with the work they are given.
I attend West Hills College, which is very close to the base. I like it so far.


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?)

There is one mall in Hanford, which is maybe 20 minutes away. There are a few shopping centers here with the regular stores you'll see anywhere. I shop on base, in Lemoore, and in Hanford (not often).
We don't get much from the exchange, but I guess it's pretty much what you'd expect of it. The commissary is ok too. There was a neat Christmas store next to the commissary last Christmas. There is H&R Block there also.


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?)

So far, we've lived in housing, so we did not have to pay extra for utilities or anything.


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

I don't get into the spouse meetings and things like that, so I dont know what's available.



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 casino in Lemoore. There is an adventure park in Hanford. Everything else seems to be too long of a drive for me to do on a regular basis.


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

It gets very hot in the summer. The winters aren't freezing cold, but it gets nippy.

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

It seems like a nice quiet town and the traffic is not terrible, but I wouldn't come back. I like to live in a bigger area, with more things to do. I like my fun to be closer to where I live.
I don't like that the beach is 2 hours away. Jobs seem to be in Fresno or Visalia, which are not very close. I don't work there, but if/when I do, I know driving through fields will make the drive even harder.

Also, there aren't many clubs here, if any, that I can see. There is one at the casino with a $15 cover charge (got this info from my neighbors). They weren't impressed with it.

[footstepswife]

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 housing, when we moved here, they had jsut finished our house, nice, small back yard, neighbors pretty close. we have a garage.


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 kids have gone to Akers (pre-school), was okay, now I here it is much better, Neutra for k thru 4th(right now I have k, 2nd and 4th), we love this school, best teachers, great education, and great activites for the kids. We have also use the tiny tot program, great if you have the money. My DS went to TLC pre-school, out in town, kind of old house building, but great staff and lots of activities, they take 3 to 5 years old.


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?)
commissary small and sometimes prices are a little high, and the NEX, same as most NEX's lots of mall clothes over priced. I do most of my shopping out in town, Hanford, Visalia and Fresno. Malls are okay, my favorite in the Visalia mall.There is Kohl's and other big named stores in Fresno.


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?)
I guess average for California, for me and what I am use to it is kind of high. No effects on our family.


Military Community:
(How is the military community? Are there resources for family and spouses? Any likes or gripes? Additional thoughts?)
When we moved here I joined our spouses support team and had a blast for 4 years, We did lots of fun things. I have meet lots of people here, some have moved or what not. Having my kids in school also helped my meet people.

Recreation:
(What is there to do in the area for adults? For kids/families? Is there anything within a few hours driving distance?)
depends on what you like to do, there is mountians and such pretty close, camping is big here, beaches are about 2 hours away. LA, and Sacramento is aobut 2 to 3 hours away. Our kids did cheer, gymnastics, dance and soccer. I joined a gym out in town for a year.


Weather:
(What's the weather like? Mild? Seasonal? Hot? Humid? Rainy? Cold? Are there seasons?)
Winter mild, summers hot, fog lots and lots of fog in the winter.


Overall:
(Would you go back again? Why or why not? What are your main likes and gripes?)
No, I would not go back, our kids have bad asthma and allergies (which we had before we moved here), but over all a nice friendly area, if you like small farm community.

[PrincessBlue505]

We've never been stationed there, but DH had a school there and we would drive past it all the time from our last duty station to our hometown.

DH said he'd never pick orders to be stationed there-it was desolate, and the whole place smelled like cow manure (which I agreed with whenever we drove past it). He HATED it there, and I didn't like it any better when we would drive past....

[MontanaSweetie]

It takes awhile to get used to. I actually hated it for the 1st year that we lived here, but now I really like living here.

It is a farming community, so yes, it does smell like cow! LOL.

Its actually not as desolate as you think. Yes, Lemoore is a small town. Hanford is growing like crazy, and its only 8 miles from Lemoore. Visalia is about a 40 minute drive, and so is Fresno, and those are both very large cities. The mountains and the coast are pretty close by as well. I think its actually pretty centrally located, without having to be right in the middle of all the congestion.

[proudacwife]

Housing:How is military housing there?Its Beautiful!!! Which area did you live in and did you like it?We lived in Coral Sea Park.
Shopping:How are the commissary and NEX?Really nice. The neighboring city has REALLY grown it is only a few minutes away.
Military Community:REally nice as well. the community is contuing to grow and get better
Recreationepends on what you like. I loved the loction because you really were central to everyhing its a 3 hrs drive but you could go to beach,mountains, desert and the bay area.
Weather:
Winter mild, summers hot, fog lots and lots of fog in the winter.
Overall:
Def!!!Well we are this is going to be our 2nd time being stationed there. The area has grown so much since the last time we were there and that was only about 3yrs ago. at least there are places to shop now!!!!

[Shep's Wife]

Housing:
The housing here is nice, I lived in the old housing that was torn down and now I live in Carl Vinson park (4 bedroom). I like it, there is enough room for us but, the yard is rather small. It just depends on how your house is laid out. Out in town is a little spendy especailly in the summer when you need to use the AC.


Schools:
My kids have attended both schools on base and I prefer Neutra because it has less children and more emphasis on improving morale values along with academics. The colleges here are great and really want to help out the military families. There are several here on the base that have offices you can visit and they work just to help you. They also offer some classes here on base to make really convenient. They have West Hills College, Embry Riddle, and Columbia College, I think that is it.

Shopping:
The commisary is a little pricey and does not have a lot of bulk items that my family needs. The NEX is also pricey and I find it cheaper to go out the Target or Wal-mart. About 8 miles away is Lemoore, it has not grown a whole lot, there is a Kmart. About 15 miles away is Hanford. There is a mall, Applebees, Chilis, Target, Wal-Mart. There is a new super Wal-Mart due to open soon and the new Old Navy opened (WAHOO) Hanford is growing more everyday. But to do serious shopping I would take the 45 minute trip to Fresno.

Cost of living:
Out in town the standerd of living is rather low. But the only thing really pricey here is the gas. If you live out in town the electricity can get spendy too.

Military Community:
I have to say I love the military community here. There are a lot of resources for the spouses and children. There are many poeple willing to help you with just about anything. The community out in Lemoore and Hanford really support the military here.

Recreation:
It is kinda centered between the beach and the mountains. About 2 hours to the mountains or 2 hours to the beach. Yosemite is not far away either and in the mountains is the Sequioa National Park, great for the kids!! In the winter you can go sledding up there. There are also alot of man made lakes that you can go boating or fishing on. Also dirt biking here is very popular.

Weather:
It is mild here, there are seaons but they are more like the fog season and then summer. It can get chilly in the winter but not too bad.

***But be Warned--the air here is horriable and I am not referring to the cow smell. The San Joaqin Valley is in the top three for having the worst air quality in the nation, "Fresno, location of the worst air quality in the region, is home to the highest rate of childhood asthma in the state." Something to think about before coming here.

[PrincessBlue505]

It is a farming community, so yes, it does smell like cow! LOL. Its actually not as desolate as you think.

I grew up (my entire life until I married) in Tracy which is a farming community too in the San Joaquin Valley, and doesn't smell NEARLY as bad as Lemoore. I grew up with farming smells, and Lemoore area smells nasty. We drove past it on I-5 and 99, and Lemoore seemed pretty far from places other than Hanford. And Fresno isn't a very nice area either....