My husband might get stationed at Camp Lejeune next and I was curious about what people thought of the area. Would you consider it family friendly? What is there to do around there with a young child? Any thoughts or complaints are appreciated!
You are going to get mixed opinions. It seems like people either love it or hate it.
I don't mind it here. We live in the southwest area, so we aren't in Jacksonville town limits (which I think makes a difference). Last time DH was stationed here, he lived in town and I didn't like it here. It's a typical military town. Paydays are awful. We dont go anywhere in town on a payday weekend. The crowds are bad. As long as you remember that, it isn't too bad. There is a very small mall, target, Walmart, ect.
I think there are family things to do here, but you have to search for them. There is a jumpy house place, a (very small) zoo, the beach is right down the road, base pools are nice (and free), Mikes farm (they have goats, pumpkin patch, strawberry picking, ect), a lot of parks, aquariums about 30 minutes away, and Wilmington has a ton of things to do. Depending on where you live, Wilmington is about an hour away. We recently found a turtle hospital at the beach, which was a fun day to see all the turtles they are saving.
If you like large cities, you might not like it here very much. The winters are usually pretty mild which is nice, but the humidity is pretty high here during the summer.
It also depends what your husband will be doing. CL has a pretty quick deployment rotation. Dh was deployed for 10.5 months (returned in feb), and his old unit is preparing for work ups for the next one already. Dh has done 3 deployments out of CL in 6 years (we had 4 years at another base in between). Obviously, some have deployed more and some have deployed less.... But (in our experience) we seem to be average.
IVF cycle 1-BPF!
9/13/09-Twin boys born at 23 weeks due to Pprom.
Ethan and Jacob-our beautiful angel babies lived for 11 minutes and 23 hours.
Single embryo FET 12/2009-BFP!
Blake born 8/2010 at 39 weeks after 36 hours of labor and an emergency c section <
IVF 2- BPF! Due April 27th
Our Story
You are going to get mixed opinions. It seems like people either love it or hate it.
I don't mind it here. We live in the southwest area, so we aren't in Jacksonville town limits (which I think makes a difference). Last time DH was stationed here, he lived in town and I didn't like it here. It's a typical military town. Paydays are awful. We dont go anywhere in town on a payday weekend. The crowds are bad. As long as you remember that, it isn't too bad. There is a very small mall, target, Walmart, ect.
I think there are family things to do here, but you have to search for them. There is a jumpy house place, a (very small) zoo, the beach is right down the road, base pools are nice (and free), Mikes farm (they have goats, pumpkin patch, strawberry picking, ect), a lot of parks, aquariums about 30 minutes away, and Wilmington has a ton of things to do. Depending on where you live, Wilmington is about an hour away. We recently found a turtle hospital at the beach, which was a fun day to see all the turtles they are saving.
If you like large cities, you might not like it here very much. The winters are usually pretty mild which is nice, but the humidity is pretty high here during the summer.
It also depends what your husband will be doing. CL has a pretty quick deployment rotation. Dh was deployed for 10.5 months (returned in feb), and his old unit is preparing for work ups for the next one already. Dh has done 3 deployments out of CL in 6 years (we had 4 years at another base in between). Obviously, some have deployed more and some have deployed less.... But (in our experience) we seem to be average.
I agree, stay home on paydays!! We don't live in Jacksonville and we are really glad we don't. We live in one of the smaller towns off base and DH only has a 15-20 min drive to work. The beach is beautiful here we go a lot. WIlmington is awesome. Agree that if you like a bigger city Jville might not be your favorite base. We aren't crazy about it here but are enjoying it while we are here and eager to see what else the Navy has in store for us.
BFP 4/4/12 CP 4/10/12
9/20/2013 Came home with our little miracle from the Philippines
I agree with Andrea. It really depends on how you accept the area. There are things to do, you just have to look for them. I will say that the festival season is about to start, and there are tons of festivals within an hour of Jacksonville. We also live off base, and not in Jacksonville. We are in the country and really like it, it's nice and quiet.
I like it here, but as I always say, "No matter where you are, it's what you make of it." The best advice I can give you is come with an open mind, and don't be afraid to explore the surrounding areas.
I agree there are very mixed feelings. We are in the middle. We have been places that we like much better, but this isn't the worst either. My biggest complaint is the lack of shopping. There are no great grocery stores in the area, you have to drive like 45 min to get to Harris Teeter or an hour to go to Wilmington for Whole Foods.
The area has a lot to do for kids during the day. So if you stay home, there are a lot of play groups and such to take part in. The base has a lot for SAHM during the week. There are not many good restaurants in the area either, which is a huge complaint from us. We were stationed in the DC area for 4 years, so we got very use to great restaurants and fun night life.
We live in Jacksonville off base, we love our neighborhood and our house. The housing on base is also decent. You make it what you want it to be. It is an OK place to be. (Seriously though, don't go to Walmart on Payday!)
I agree that there are a lot of things for SAHM. In our experience, the FRG/FRO have been really great too. Our old unit had events every two weeks or so during the deployment. We had nights out (with childcare included), massage/yoga classes, playdates, family days., ect. We stayed very busy with our unit while Dh was gone.
The previous deployments, I didn't know dh for one and the other I was working full time and no children. I wasn't very active in the frg.
It's really not bad if you come in with an open mind (and avoid paydays ). We are requesting to stay another three years in the winter.... So it isn't a terrible place. Just find a nice area outside of Jacksonville. We live outside of town this time, and the experience is completely different than when dh was stationed here before and we lived in Jacksonville.
IVF cycle 1-BPF!
9/13/09-Twin boys born at 23 weeks due to Pprom.
Ethan and Jacob-our beautiful angel babies lived for 11 minutes and 23 hours.
Single embryo FET 12/2009-BFP!
Blake born 8/2010 at 39 weeks after 36 hours of labor and an emergency c section <
IVF 2- BPF! Due April 27th
Our Story
We actually live on base but its the housing area on the opposite side of J-ville, Midway Park. Its basically what you make it. I have A LOT of friends, so I like it. We actually prefer to stay here. I can't tell you much about what to do with young kids since mine is only 5 months, but I know there is Jumpin Jax, the base pools and the beach of course!
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My biggest issue is that most things are closer to the Lejeune area. I live in the southwest area. For you this should be great since thats where you'll be stationed. Everyone who mentioned staying away from town during payday is right lol. But thats with all military towns isnt it? where are u coming from? I came from a super small base in the desert so I think this is way better. Just hate the base traffic!! and the humidity! Goodluck to you!!
I'm coming from Maine. I live in a small town but travel to work in the city every day (about an hour one way). I was stationed in Mississippi for about 7 months two years back. Being that we are both military, we know how the whole payday thing works. Its a nightmare. But other than the seven months in Mississippi, I have never lived out of New England. Its great here, but I'm 22 and I want to travel a little bit before the baby goes into school.
Re: Questions about Lejeune...
I don't mind it here. We live in the southwest area, so we aren't in Jacksonville town limits (which I think makes a difference). Last time DH was stationed here, he lived in town and I didn't like it here. It's a typical military town. Paydays are awful. We dont go anywhere in town on a payday weekend. The crowds are bad. As long as you remember that, it isn't too bad. There is a very small mall, target, Walmart, ect.
I think there are family things to do here, but you have to search for them. There is a jumpy house place, a (very small) zoo, the beach is right down the road, base pools are nice (and free), Mikes farm (they have goats, pumpkin patch, strawberry picking, ect), a lot of parks, aquariums about 30 minutes away, and Wilmington has a ton of things to do. Depending on where you live, Wilmington is about an hour away. We recently found a turtle hospital at the beach, which was a fun day to see all the turtles they are saving.
If you like large cities, you might not like it here very much. The winters are usually pretty mild which is nice, but the humidity is pretty high here during the summer.
It also depends what your husband will be doing. CL has a pretty quick deployment rotation. Dh was deployed for 10.5 months (returned in feb), and his old unit is preparing for work ups for the next one already. Dh has done 3 deployments out of CL in 6 years (we had 4 years at another base in between). Obviously, some have deployed more and some have deployed less.... But (in our experience) we seem to be average.
9/13/09-Twin boys born at 23 weeks due to Pprom.
Ethan and Jacob-our beautiful angel babies lived for 11 minutes and 23 hours.
Single embryo FET 12/2009-BFP! Blake born 8/2010 at 39 weeks after 36 hours of labor and an emergency c section < IVF 2- BPF! Due April 27th Our Story
I agree, stay home on paydays!! We don't live in Jacksonville and we are really glad we don't. We live in one of the smaller towns off base and DH only has a 15-20 min drive to work. The beach is beautiful here we go a lot. WIlmington is awesome. Agree that if you like a bigger city Jville might not be your favorite base. We aren't crazy about it here but are enjoying it while we are here and eager to see what else the Navy has in store for us.
BFP 4/4/12 CP 4/10/12
9/20/2013 Came home with our little miracle from the Philippines
11/26/2013 Surprise!!! BFP!
I agree with Andrea. It really depends on how you accept the area. There are things to do, you just have to look for them. I will say that the festival season is about to start, and there are tons of festivals within an hour of Jacksonville. We also live off base, and not in Jacksonville. We are in the country and really like it, it's nice and quiet.
I like it here, but as I always say, "No matter where you are, it's what you make of it." The best advice I can give you is come with an open mind, and don't be afraid to explore the surrounding areas.
I agree there are very mixed feelings. We are in the middle. We have been places that we like much better, but this isn't the worst either. My biggest complaint is the lack of shopping. There are no great grocery stores in the area, you have to drive like 45 min to get to Harris Teeter or an hour to go to Wilmington for Whole Foods.
The area has a lot to do for kids during the day. So if you stay home, there are a lot of play groups and such to take part in. The base has a lot for SAHM during the week. There are not many good restaurants in the area either, which is a huge complaint from us. We were stationed in the DC area for 4 years, so we got very use to great restaurants and fun night life.
We live in Jacksonville off base, we love our neighborhood and our house. The housing on base is also decent. You make it what you want it to be. It is an OK place to be. (Seriously though, don't go to Walmart on Payday!)
The previous deployments, I didn't know dh for one and the other I was working full time and no children. I wasn't very active in the frg.
It's really not bad if you come in with an open mind (and avoid paydays ). We are requesting to stay another three years in the winter.... So it isn't a terrible place. Just find a nice area outside of Jacksonville. We live outside of town this time, and the experience is completely different than when dh was stationed here before and we lived in Jacksonville.
9/13/09-Twin boys born at 23 weeks due to Pprom.
Ethan and Jacob-our beautiful angel babies lived for 11 minutes and 23 hours.
Single embryo FET 12/2009-BFP! Blake born 8/2010 at 39 weeks after 36 hours of labor and an emergency c section < IVF 2- BPF! Due April 27th Our Story