Station/Boat Location~
Baltimore Activities/Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yards
Date there~
August 2003 to present
Weather~
Hot, humid summers; cold, snowy winters; spring and fall are perfect
Military facilities~
Curtis Bay, Fort Meade (large exchange and commissary), Andrews Air Force Base
Medical~
Tricare uses Johns Hopkins providers which are everywhere although their network is more limited in some areas. We live in Howard County and there are only a couple of places you can go to here.
Housing~
None provided. Housing in Glen Burnie is cheapest (near the base) but it is a very industrial area. You can find more housing further south in Pasadena, Arnold, Severna Park, and Annapolis, which are 15-20 minute commutes, but the housing is expensive and rents very quickly. We live in Columbia, which is a 30 minute commute (further west) but much nicer area, less urban feeling, and more reasonably priced. Some apartment complexes have the military set-aside program which means they'll waive your application and credit check fees and most of the deposits. Also, almost every place we checked in Columbia allows dogs and cats with reasonable and refundable deposits.
Shopping~
There is a ton of shopping here. Malls everywhere and huge outlet centers, plus you're very close to DC and Baltimore.
Child Care/Schools~
Haven't had to use this yet. I hear that Howard County schools are the best, followed by Anne Arrundel.
Adult Schools~
Lots of options here. There are community colleges in every county, plus Loyola, Phoenix, and Strayer Universities, and then University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown, etc.
Fun Activities~
Lots of outdoor activities in Howard County - lakes and miles of bike paths. A lot of museums and historical sites. Mountains in western Maryland, ocean beaches to the east. Baltimore and DC provide lots of activities, and you can drive to New York in about 3-4 hours. Major league baseball and football teams.
Additional Comments~
You never have to be bored here, but you might have to get used to an urban/commuter lifestyle. Traffic can be bad but not as bad as some areas in California because there are lots of alternate routes. Winter can catch you off guard if you're not used to it - prepare early. Most of the civilian work is in Baltimore and DC, but you can find work in local areas if you're more patient and/or flexible.
Homeport MD
Baltimore Activities/Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yards
Date there~
August 2003 to present
Weather~
Hot, humid summers; cold, snowy winters; spring and fall are perfect
Military facilities~
Curtis Bay, Fort Meade (large exchange and commissary), Andrews Air Force Base
Medical~
Tricare uses Johns Hopkins providers which are everywhere although their network is more limited in some areas. We live in Howard County and there are only a couple of places you can go to here.
Housing~
None provided. Housing in Glen Burnie is cheapest (near the base) but it is a very industrial area. You can find more housing further south in Pasadena, Arnold, Severna Park, and Annapolis, which are 15-20 minute commutes, but the housing is expensive and rents very quickly. We live in Columbia, which is a 30 minute commute (further west) but much nicer area, less urban feeling, and more reasonably priced. Some apartment complexes have the military set-aside program which means they'll waive your application and credit check fees and most of the deposits. Also, almost every place we checked in Columbia allows dogs and cats with reasonable and refundable deposits.
Shopping~
There is a ton of shopping here. Malls everywhere and huge outlet centers, plus you're very close to DC and Baltimore.
Child Care/Schools~
Haven't had to use this yet. I hear that Howard County schools are the best, followed by Anne Arrundel.
Adult Schools~
Lots of options here. There are community colleges in every county, plus Loyola, Phoenix, and Strayer Universities, and then University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown, etc.
Fun Activities~
Lots of outdoor activities in Howard County - lakes and miles of bike paths. A lot of museums and historical sites. Mountains in western Maryland, ocean beaches to the east. Baltimore and DC provide lots of activities, and you can drive to New York in about 3-4 hours. Major league baseball and football teams.
Additional Comments~
You never have to be bored here, but you might have to get used to an urban/commuter lifestyle. Traffic can be bad but not as bad as some areas in California because there are lots of alternate routes. Winter can catch you off guard if you're not used to it - prepare early. Most of the civilian work is in Baltimore and DC, but you can find work in local areas if you're more patient and/or flexible.
Homeport MD
