Station/Boat Location~
USCGC STURGEON BAY(140')
Date there~
2007-2010
Weather~
Staten island has four well defined seasons. I am originally from the California inland and have never seen this much rain (especially the summer rain) or thunderstorms in my whole life. Since I have been here I have been told that the winters were mild. there was some snow last year.
Military facilities~
There is fort Hamilton across the Varrazano bridge. they have a commissary, PX and a pool. On Fort Wadsworth (where the housing is) there is an exchange.
Medical~
There are plenty of doctors to choose from as well as dentists. The ER is about 10 minutes away. for your furry friends there is Rosebank Animal hospital but most people go to Bay Street Animal hospital. Both of which are located on Bay Street which is out the front gate.
Housing~
These houses are like apartments. You can hear the people above you. Our house is shifting. So much that i can not put a baby gate up. To get anyone from facilities to help you you have to be very persistent. There are two bedroom houses. There are three bedroom small houses and three bedroom large houses. they also have four bedroom houses (some two bedroom apartments were converted to make four bedrooms) The three bedroom large and the four bedroom houses have two covered parking spaces and two outside storage sheds. However, the three bedroom smalls and the two bedroom houses have an interior storage space. The bathrooms in the 3 bedroom small are almost impossible to give a child a bath. Other then that there are parks in the yard areas.
Shopping~
You name it, its probably with in 20 miles. I hope you like to shop. there are outlet stores and 2 Walmarts that are close to Staten island. There are several grocery stores. There is a Target, a K-Mart and a mall to mention just a few places. there is a Petco, Petsmart (Which has Banfield hospital), Animal Pantry, Petland Discounts.There are endless Delly's. there are enough pizza places to try a different place to have pizza each time you wanted it but Goodfellas is the best.
Child Care/Schools~
There are a few day care providers living on base. They have universal pre-k here which means that your child can go to pre-k for free. The children who live on the fort either go to Saint Mary's or PS 53 which has a rating of eight or nine on greatschools.com. I am unsure what IS schools we are zoned for.
Adult Schools~
There is CUNY or Wagner College
Fun Activities~
You can go to the Staten Island Children's museum for free with your military ID. There are several libraries. There are five public pools on the island. You can go to the beach. from the housing here during the summer there are fire works that you can see from your house. There are a few places that you can paint your own pottery. There is a publication that comes out once a month and it has adds. It also has a list of things going on in Staten Island that you can participate in such as hikes or classes. and that's just the island. If you go to Manhattan (No, Staten Island is not like Manhattan) you can explore for days and see something new every time you go. it is cheap to get there and around. The metro ticket is 2.25 per ride (make sure you have your subway map from the MWR). The MWR puts on many events as well as puts out a news letter. There is a Spouses club if you would like to join.
Additional Info~
The past two years on this boat have been hard on us because of the seemingly chaotic boat schedule that we have had to follow. It is not my cup of tea. The Boat does have a sense of family by having moral functions such as the spouses getting together and meeting the boat. Go skiing or have a BBQ or go see the fireworks on new years. In that respect it is pleasant.
Homeport NJ
USCGC STURGEON BAY(140')
Date there~
2007-2010
Weather~
Staten island has four well defined seasons. I am originally from the California inland and have never seen this much rain (especially the summer rain) or thunderstorms in my whole life. Since I have been here I have been told that the winters were mild. there was some snow last year.
Military facilities~
There is fort Hamilton across the Varrazano bridge. they have a commissary, PX and a pool. On Fort Wadsworth (where the housing is) there is an exchange.
Medical~
There are plenty of doctors to choose from as well as dentists. The ER is about 10 minutes away. for your furry friends there is Rosebank Animal hospital but most people go to Bay Street Animal hospital. Both of which are located on Bay Street which is out the front gate.
Housing~
These houses are like apartments. You can hear the people above you. Our house is shifting. So much that i can not put a baby gate up. To get anyone from facilities to help you you have to be very persistent. There are two bedroom houses. There are three bedroom small houses and three bedroom large houses. they also have four bedroom houses (some two bedroom apartments were converted to make four bedrooms) The three bedroom large and the four bedroom houses have two covered parking spaces and two outside storage sheds. However, the three bedroom smalls and the two bedroom houses have an interior storage space. The bathrooms in the 3 bedroom small are almost impossible to give a child a bath. Other then that there are parks in the yard areas.
Shopping~
You name it, its probably with in 20 miles. I hope you like to shop. there are outlet stores and 2 Walmarts that are close to Staten island. There are several grocery stores. There is a Target, a K-Mart and a mall to mention just a few places. there is a Petco, Petsmart (Which has Banfield hospital), Animal Pantry, Petland Discounts.There are endless Delly's. there are enough pizza places to try a different place to have pizza each time you wanted it but Goodfellas is the best.
Child Care/Schools~
There are a few day care providers living on base. They have universal pre-k here which means that your child can go to pre-k for free. The children who live on the fort either go to Saint Mary's or PS 53 which has a rating of eight or nine on greatschools.com. I am unsure what IS schools we are zoned for.
Adult Schools~
There is CUNY or Wagner College
Fun Activities~
You can go to the Staten Island Children's museum for free with your military ID. There are several libraries. There are five public pools on the island. You can go to the beach. from the housing here during the summer there are fire works that you can see from your house. There are a few places that you can paint your own pottery. There is a publication that comes out once a month and it has adds. It also has a list of things going on in Staten Island that you can participate in such as hikes or classes. and that's just the island. If you go to Manhattan (No, Staten Island is not like Manhattan) you can explore for days and see something new every time you go. it is cheap to get there and around. The metro ticket is 2.25 per ride (make sure you have your subway map from the MWR). The MWR puts on many events as well as puts out a news letter. There is a Spouses club if you would like to join.
Additional Info~
The past two years on this boat have been hard on us because of the seemingly chaotic boat schedule that we have had to follow. It is not my cup of tea. The Boat does have a sense of family by having moral functions such as the spouses getting together and meeting the boat. Go skiing or have a BBQ or go see the fireworks on new years. In that respect it is pleasant.
Homeport NJ
