Station/Boat Location~
Station Kenosha
Date there~
December 2001 - August 2005
Weather~
There are 4 different seasons.
Summer can be very hot and humid. The humidity is not high everyday. There can also be severe thunderstorms (anytime of day, not just the afternoon) and sometimes tornado watches and warnings. In summer there is a lot of haze, so you have to look straight up to see really blue sky. Spring and fall and summer for that matter, all seem to be short.
Winter can get very cold and snowy. In the three winters we have been stationed here, they seem to have had unusual winters, less snow than normal and sunnier days than normal. Winter is definitely the longest season, although that doesn't always mean snow. In the winter it is cloudy and gray a majority of the time. Make sure you invest in a heavy coat, because you are going to need it.
Military facilities~
There is a SMALL exchange in Milwaukee. It is big enough to have a few electronics, a few sweatshirts, and some uniform items for the Coasties.
The Navy TRACEN is approx. 40 minutes south of Kenosha in Great Lakes, IL.
Just off the base and next to housing is Burkey Mall with a commissary, exchange, barber/beauty shop, GNC, gift shop, flower shop, Armed Forces Bank branch, and a Subway. Down the road is an extension of the exchange and they carry toys and furniture. On base there is another exchange (geared more to recruits and people on base for school), several fast food restaurants, a movie theatre, and recreation equipment for rent.
The TRACEN is really not that far of a drive, but the TRACEN and surrounding areas can get really busy during rush hour.
Medical~
Active duty personnel have to go to the Navy TACEN in Great Lakes, IL for medical care and eye exams. Dependents can also go to the TRACEN or to local doctors that accept Tri-care (depending on your coverage).
Both my DH and I have used Kenosha United Hospital and I have used Aurora. We were very happy with the facility and care we received in both. Aurora is newer and bigger, but both are great facilities. The maternity ward at Aurora offers large private rooms. You give birth and recover in the same room. The bathroom has a large Jacuzzi tub to help with labor. I would highly recommend Dr. Kenneth Raskin, MD (OBGYN). He was a wonderful doctor and I will really miss him when we leave. I would not recommend Dr. Junith Thompson, MD (OBGYN). I have also heard that Dr. Park is really good and Dr. Tiffany is not.
We take our daughter to Lakeside Pediatrics inside the United Hospital. She sees Dr. Friedlander and we are very happy with him. Another Coastie family recommended him and was very happy also. There are several Dr.'s in the office and I have been told by several people that they are all great except for Dr. Jolly. The office is really clean and in the rooms the beds look like yellow school buses or red fire engines.
There are dentists in Kenosha, WI that accept United Concordia. Coast Guard members are required to visit Dental Associates, but good luck trying to get through to talk to someone.
Housing~
Housing in Kenosha, WI is on the economy.
It is possible to go to Great Lakes, IL and apply for Navy TRACEN housing, although take into account the commute can take longer in the winter when it snows. The housing is being remodeled and looks very nice from the outside.
There are plenty of apartment complexes in Kenosha. There are also houses and duplexes for rent. It is hard to find apartments that accept pets (some accept cats, but not dogs). The following apartments we looked at, really liked, accepted dogs and cats, and had military clauses: Riverwood Luxury Apartments and Hidden Oak Estates (in Pleasant Prairie, WI, please see note from tenant. It seems things have changed for the worse). Stationside Village is a stone throw away from the station (and accepts dogs in their town homes, which there is a wait for, and then they have a cat building). Pleasant Prairie, Racine, and even Oak Creek, WI are possibilities to live.
We lived in Oak Creek and were very happy, but the commute did get old after awhile. I would try and live in Kenosha area if possible.
Shopping~
Kenosha has Target, Wal-Mart, K-mart, ShopKo, Pier One Imports, Office Max, and Petsmart. The Target does not carry a lot of baby things. We had to go to Gurnee. IL's store to get a crib and the car seat we wanted. There are 2 outlet malls in the Pleasant Prairie area, Prime Outlets and the Original Outlet Mall. They really do have some good deals.
The closest "real" mall is in Racine, WI. They have a Sears, JC Penney, Linens and Things, etc. Across the street are a Circuit City, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble and down the road is a Super Wal-Mart. I do my grocery shopping there because it is the cheapest. There is Pick n' Save and Jewel grocery stores in Kenosha.
There are tons of shopping opportunities in Illinois and there are also malls in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. If you plan on purchasing a new or used vehicle try Carmax (on 94 just inside Kenosha). Great sales people, no pressure, great quality. We bought 6 cars from them and have been very happy. If you go into Vernon Hills, IL there is a huge mall with a Marshall Fields, Lord and Taylor and other high end stores. There is a Babies r Us next door.
Adult Schools~
University of Wisconsin, Parkside in Kenosha, WI. Carthage College (private) in Kenosha, WI. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University (private) in Milwaukee, WI. Gateway Technical College (community college with campuses in Kenosha, and Racine). There is a clause in admissions to WI public colleges that says that if you are in the state of WI because of work of an immediate family member than it is possible to qualify for in-state tuition.
Fun Activities~
There is a Great America in Gurnee, IL. During the summertime there are tons of fairs, carnivals, etc. Milwaukee is known for all the festivals and carnivals. Chicago is really not that far away. There are tons of museums and sights to see. I have been told Navy Pier is a great place to visit. Kenosha has a small public museum about a mile away from the station. There is also an old trolley you can ride through the old part of downtown. The Tall ships come into the Kenosha Harbor once a year and there is a craft fair/festival right next to the station. The tall ships are really a neat thing to see. You can even take a tour on of them. The Independence Day fireworks are set off in the harbor and I have heard you can get a great view from the station.
Additional Info~
We have really enjoyed our time in the area. The station has approx. 25 people and is very historic. There is also an ANT team at the station. There is an old Fresnel lens on the quarterdeck, a scrapbook, and old photos hanging on the walls. There are two lighthouses in close proximity. The station can get fairly busy in the summer (usually with search and rescue) and very slow in the winter. The service members work a two days on, two days off with alternating weekends. In the winter they can be allowed to go home for the evening. Kenosha is a beautiful town and the shoreline is a great place to walk and take pictures.
Dependents are not required to register cars or change driver's licenses to WI. When we registered an out of state car it was approx $75. When we registered a new car in state it was $55. Also, they have a military license plate and they will put US Coast Guard at the top.
Sales tax in Kenosha is 5.5%, Racine is 5%, and just over the border in IL is 6.5%.
UPDATE ON HOUSING:
I'd like to give you a little information about the Hidden Oak Estate Apartments you reference on your website.
I'm a navy wife and have lived in these apartments for 2 years in April.
When we first moved in everything was really nice, the grounds were well maintained, the hallways were painted regularly, general repair complaints were seldom if ever. If there was a complaint about something, it was fixed either that day or the next.
A year ago last October, we were told the apartment complex had been sold. Everything went really well at first, within the past 9 months things have gone down hill drastically.
The halls have yet to be painted. There's always dog feces on the grounds. Twice I have caught the grounds keepers urinating into the woods outside our building (as if they can't be seen); when I call the officer they actually laugh at me. The security lights in the parking lot started burning out last summer and they still have done nothing about it.
Recently they sent the children of a couple of employees around at dinner time to get residence to sign lease renewals. The "renewal" was a sheet with my name typed on it and a blank line next to it. There was no explanation on the sheet itself. Of course we didn't sign it. Our lease isn't up until the end of April and we only have to give 60 days notice if we intend to leave, but 75 if we intend to stay. The 1st of February was 90 days.
Our rent is 1150 a month. We have a 3 bed 2 bath apartment on the third floor so we pay more for vaulted ceilings. Washer/Dryer Dishwasher. We have one indoor parking space and one outdoor. We also pay what they call a pet deposit, even though I've told them that since we pay it monthly and I'll never get it back, it's technically a pet rent. They still argue.
I'm not telling you this to get back at Hidden Oak Estates or to start a trashing campaign. I'm telling you this because life is hard enough when you're spouses are serving their country. And though Hidden Oak Estates claims they appreciate our business and our service, they don't act like it.
Thank you for your time.
Homeport WI
Station Kenosha
Date there~
December 2001 - August 2005
Weather~
There are 4 different seasons.
Summer can be very hot and humid. The humidity is not high everyday. There can also be severe thunderstorms (anytime of day, not just the afternoon) and sometimes tornado watches and warnings. In summer there is a lot of haze, so you have to look straight up to see really blue sky. Spring and fall and summer for that matter, all seem to be short.
Winter can get very cold and snowy. In the three winters we have been stationed here, they seem to have had unusual winters, less snow than normal and sunnier days than normal. Winter is definitely the longest season, although that doesn't always mean snow. In the winter it is cloudy and gray a majority of the time. Make sure you invest in a heavy coat, because you are going to need it.
Military facilities~
There is a SMALL exchange in Milwaukee. It is big enough to have a few electronics, a few sweatshirts, and some uniform items for the Coasties.
The Navy TRACEN is approx. 40 minutes south of Kenosha in Great Lakes, IL.
Just off the base and next to housing is Burkey Mall with a commissary, exchange, barber/beauty shop, GNC, gift shop, flower shop, Armed Forces Bank branch, and a Subway. Down the road is an extension of the exchange and they carry toys and furniture. On base there is another exchange (geared more to recruits and people on base for school), several fast food restaurants, a movie theatre, and recreation equipment for rent.
The TRACEN is really not that far of a drive, but the TRACEN and surrounding areas can get really busy during rush hour.
Medical~
Active duty personnel have to go to the Navy TACEN in Great Lakes, IL for medical care and eye exams. Dependents can also go to the TRACEN or to local doctors that accept Tri-care (depending on your coverage).
Both my DH and I have used Kenosha United Hospital and I have used Aurora. We were very happy with the facility and care we received in both. Aurora is newer and bigger, but both are great facilities. The maternity ward at Aurora offers large private rooms. You give birth and recover in the same room. The bathroom has a large Jacuzzi tub to help with labor. I would highly recommend Dr. Kenneth Raskin, MD (OBGYN). He was a wonderful doctor and I will really miss him when we leave. I would not recommend Dr. Junith Thompson, MD (OBGYN). I have also heard that Dr. Park is really good and Dr. Tiffany is not.
We take our daughter to Lakeside Pediatrics inside the United Hospital. She sees Dr. Friedlander and we are very happy with him. Another Coastie family recommended him and was very happy also. There are several Dr.'s in the office and I have been told by several people that they are all great except for Dr. Jolly. The office is really clean and in the rooms the beds look like yellow school buses or red fire engines.
There are dentists in Kenosha, WI that accept United Concordia. Coast Guard members are required to visit Dental Associates, but good luck trying to get through to talk to someone.
Housing~
Housing in Kenosha, WI is on the economy.
It is possible to go to Great Lakes, IL and apply for Navy TRACEN housing, although take into account the commute can take longer in the winter when it snows. The housing is being remodeled and looks very nice from the outside.
There are plenty of apartment complexes in Kenosha. There are also houses and duplexes for rent. It is hard to find apartments that accept pets (some accept cats, but not dogs). The following apartments we looked at, really liked, accepted dogs and cats, and had military clauses: Riverwood Luxury Apartments and Hidden Oak Estates (in Pleasant Prairie, WI, please see note from tenant. It seems things have changed for the worse). Stationside Village is a stone throw away from the station (and accepts dogs in their town homes, which there is a wait for, and then they have a cat building). Pleasant Prairie, Racine, and even Oak Creek, WI are possibilities to live.
We lived in Oak Creek and were very happy, but the commute did get old after awhile. I would try and live in Kenosha area if possible.
Shopping~
Kenosha has Target, Wal-Mart, K-mart, ShopKo, Pier One Imports, Office Max, and Petsmart. The Target does not carry a lot of baby things. We had to go to Gurnee. IL's store to get a crib and the car seat we wanted. There are 2 outlet malls in the Pleasant Prairie area, Prime Outlets and the Original Outlet Mall. They really do have some good deals.
The closest "real" mall is in Racine, WI. They have a Sears, JC Penney, Linens and Things, etc. Across the street are a Circuit City, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble and down the road is a Super Wal-Mart. I do my grocery shopping there because it is the cheapest. There is Pick n' Save and Jewel grocery stores in Kenosha.
There are tons of shopping opportunities in Illinois and there are also malls in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. If you plan on purchasing a new or used vehicle try Carmax (on 94 just inside Kenosha). Great sales people, no pressure, great quality. We bought 6 cars from them and have been very happy. If you go into Vernon Hills, IL there is a huge mall with a Marshall Fields, Lord and Taylor and other high end stores. There is a Babies r Us next door.
Adult Schools~
University of Wisconsin, Parkside in Kenosha, WI. Carthage College (private) in Kenosha, WI. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI. Marquette University (private) in Milwaukee, WI. Gateway Technical College (community college with campuses in Kenosha, and Racine). There is a clause in admissions to WI public colleges that says that if you are in the state of WI because of work of an immediate family member than it is possible to qualify for in-state tuition.
Fun Activities~
There is a Great America in Gurnee, IL. During the summertime there are tons of fairs, carnivals, etc. Milwaukee is known for all the festivals and carnivals. Chicago is really not that far away. There are tons of museums and sights to see. I have been told Navy Pier is a great place to visit. Kenosha has a small public museum about a mile away from the station. There is also an old trolley you can ride through the old part of downtown. The Tall ships come into the Kenosha Harbor once a year and there is a craft fair/festival right next to the station. The tall ships are really a neat thing to see. You can even take a tour on of them. The Independence Day fireworks are set off in the harbor and I have heard you can get a great view from the station.
Additional Info~
We have really enjoyed our time in the area. The station has approx. 25 people and is very historic. There is also an ANT team at the station. There is an old Fresnel lens on the quarterdeck, a scrapbook, and old photos hanging on the walls. There are two lighthouses in close proximity. The station can get fairly busy in the summer (usually with search and rescue) and very slow in the winter. The service members work a two days on, two days off with alternating weekends. In the winter they can be allowed to go home for the evening. Kenosha is a beautiful town and the shoreline is a great place to walk and take pictures.
Dependents are not required to register cars or change driver's licenses to WI. When we registered an out of state car it was approx $75. When we registered a new car in state it was $55. Also, they have a military license plate and they will put US Coast Guard at the top.
Sales tax in Kenosha is 5.5%, Racine is 5%, and just over the border in IL is 6.5%.
UPDATE ON HOUSING:
I'd like to give you a little information about the Hidden Oak Estate Apartments you reference on your website.
I'm a navy wife and have lived in these apartments for 2 years in April.
When we first moved in everything was really nice, the grounds were well maintained, the hallways were painted regularly, general repair complaints were seldom if ever. If there was a complaint about something, it was fixed either that day or the next.
A year ago last October, we were told the apartment complex had been sold. Everything went really well at first, within the past 9 months things have gone down hill drastically.
The halls have yet to be painted. There's always dog feces on the grounds. Twice I have caught the grounds keepers urinating into the woods outside our building (as if they can't be seen); when I call the officer they actually laugh at me. The security lights in the parking lot started burning out last summer and they still have done nothing about it.
Recently they sent the children of a couple of employees around at dinner time to get residence to sign lease renewals. The "renewal" was a sheet with my name typed on it and a blank line next to it. There was no explanation on the sheet itself. Of course we didn't sign it. Our lease isn't up until the end of April and we only have to give 60 days notice if we intend to leave, but 75 if we intend to stay. The 1st of February was 90 days.
Our rent is 1150 a month. We have a 3 bed 2 bath apartment on the third floor so we pay more for vaulted ceilings. Washer/Dryer Dishwasher. We have one indoor parking space and one outdoor. We also pay what they call a pet deposit, even though I've told them that since we pay it monthly and I'll never get it back, it's technically a pet rent. They still argue.
I'm not telling you this to get back at Hidden Oak Estates or to start a trashing campaign. I'm telling you this because life is hard enough when you're spouses are serving their country. And though Hidden Oak Estates claims they appreciate our business and our service, they don't act like it.
Thank you for your time.
Homeport WI
