We just received verbal orders to Groton, CT. DH and I met and married here in VA, so this will be my first military move. Can anyone tell me about the area? We're considering base housing, which will also be a first for both of us. Looking at local rents, utilities and schools, it seems like housing would be a good option as it feeds into what looks like a decent elementary (Barnum). PCS probably won't be til near the holidays, but I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect. TIA!
Re: Groton, CT?
Married 11/27/09 and TTC right away
Dx: Complete septate uterus with cervical duplication, endometrial polyps, PCOS, endometriosis, hypo thyroid, luteal phase defect
4 uterus surgeries to correct my complete septum and to remove polyps and 2 years of seeing the RE, medicated cycles and IUIs
Baby 1 and 2: BFP 3/3/11 with 2 babies EDD 11/1/11, M/C 4/6/11
Baby #3: 8/11 pregnant EDD 4/27/11 and m/c:(
Baby #4: 10/12/11 BFP! EDD 6/16/12m/c 10/26/11
Baby #5: 3/13/12 BFP! EDD 11/25/12 ANOTHER m/c
Baby #6: 2/14/13- BFP! EDD 10/24/13, CP 2/19/13
Baby #7: 3/15/13- BFP! EDD 11/27/13, another CP
Baby #8. BFP 5/19/13 EDD 1/22/14. 8 was not our lucky number
4th septum resection on 5/31/13.
Baby #9: 6/29/13 BFP. C section scheduled for March 5th!
My miracle baby was born March 5 at 9:33am. He was 8 lbs 12.5 oz and 21.25 inches long!
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Only one housing section of Balfour doesn't take all of the BAH. The houses in that area definitely aren't as nice as the others. Your heat, which you will need for sure, is run off gas. 90% of the homes do not have central air. The houses are heated by base board heaters. Rent costs and oil costs alone are worth giving up your BAH. Almost everyone we knew that lived off base was trying to get on.
We didn't have children while we lived there. But most people I knew that did have kids really liked Barnum. There are two elementary schools near base housing. I can't remember the other's name.
My husband and I loved going to Mystic. That's where they filmed Mystic Pizza, a Julia Roberts movie from the 80s. There are a ton of great restaurants in the area and plenty of nice beaches. Especially if you take a drive up to Rhode Island.
Thanks, ladies! Hardcopy orders came in this week - we'll be headed that way in Jan/Feb. I'm both excited and frightened, but I love hearing so many good things. And thanks for the updates on which sections of housing are newest - I've seen a lot on boards about remodels over the past few years. I'm going to try to call Balfour in the next few days to find out which sections are zoned for Barnum and how we can get on a waitlist. We have 2 kids now but plan on trying for a third in the next few months, meaning I might be pregnant by the time we move. Any guesses on how big of a house we might end up with?
I'm looking forward to exploring and daytrips around the area. Plus DH is a nuke and has been on a ship for our entire relationship, so this shore command will be the first time he has a more normal schedule, so I'm super excited to do more of that kind of stuff as a family.
The MWR is awesome there! They plan a ton of family oriented events. You can sign up to receive an email from MWR and ITT about upcoming events.
There are a ton of great places to visit in the area. One of our favorite pales to go was Buttonwood Farms. They have huge fields of sunflowers. Once they harvest what they need they create a maze in the field and have tractor rides. They make their own ice cream from the cows that live on the property. It's delicious!
If you'd like any info just let me know
Good luck!