Moving from NC to Schofield Barracks/Ft Shafter Hawaii in December

I just moved here to Schofield Barracks a month ago so there are a lot of things I could answer if you want to pick my brain. I'll also send you a private message so you can contact me more directly if you'd like.

If you choose to live on base the Enlisted housing is superior to anything you'll find off post for the same amount of money and chances are you'll end up with a lot more room too. I have a 4 bedroom house whereas most comparable places off post we only 2 bedrooms or very small 3 bedrooms.

They have a preschool library time once a week for ages 0-5 and you can meet a lot of other mothers there. I have a playgroup I attend with my 2 year old son and the ladies are really nice.

When I first moved here I had no idea about anything because we only had a week from the time we found out we were coming until we actually had things in motion to come. I'd be happy to help you answer any other questions.

B. Schmidt

Hey! This is my first duty station so I have no clue how to compare to other places. I live in the new housing on Schofield Barracks which is mixed (E-4 and up and O-3 and lower) and have LOTS of preschoolers, toddlers and babies. They have lots of playgrounds too (and are building even more!) so If you get a post house you will be able to walk to one easily.

Also remember you can sign up to live in Navy or AF housing as well and those lines might be shorter...

Food wise, the prices are no too bad. Fresh fruit and veggies are expensive and so is meat, but milk is 4 dollars a gallon which is the same price where we were in Florida.

I haven't found a playgroup so I will be watching this Q. for hints and tips on that. What I have found is that lots of moms are part of the PWOC at the chapel on post. They have free child care if you are registered with CYSS. Also the on post chapel does a Wednesday night thing every week with a free dinner. That is fun too.

Aloha J.!
I live in Mililani with my hubby and 2 girls (6 and 2 and one on the way). He's E-4 and our BAH covers our rent and utilities for a 3bd/2ba nice size house with big gated front and back yards. We love Mililani, it's such a cute family town and close to Schofield. Hawaii has lots of new military housing going up every day so either way, you have some great options. I think grocery store prices are outrageous on some things (DH's coffee is $4 at commi but $10 at Safeway, for instance) but it's reasonable if it's on sale. Most of my shopping is done at the commissary and prices are very reasonable there, your COLA is more than sufficient.
Hawaii is a great place for kids, so much to do and plenty of play groups. Check out www.hawaiimilitarywives.com and www.hawaii.momslikeme.com. The first one was my greatest resource for having a smooth PCS to the island and the 2nd one has several play groups that I attend.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. ~B.

Hi J.. My husband is in the navy and we moved to Hawaii in '06 from Texas where we met. It was really hard for me as it was the first time I had left my family and friends. We chose not to live in military housing. You can go to ahrn.com and look for off base places through there. That's where we found the two places that we've lived. We lived in Mililani (which is close to schofield) for 1 year and then moved to Waipahu (the area we're in is called Waikele but the mailing is Waipahu) were we currently are. Both areas were really nice. We live within 10 minutes walking of a nice park next to a recreation center with a pool. We actually are PCS in December so if you want you can message me and I can give you info abuot the place we're in now.

As for play groups check out honolulumommies.com. They have groups you can become a part of and have get togethers and play dates, etc. Also hawaiimomslikeme.com.

Like someone said BAH is high for a reason. And prices are more expensive, but I wouldn't know how they compare to big cities. Gas is close to $3 at the military lanes which is usually around 10 cents cheaper than others. Sorry if I seem to go on and on. Really feel free to message me with any other questions or for clarification.

Hi J.,
for the fact that your husband is a SSG with two children, my strong advise is you will be better off on post. If yall going to be at schofield, then stay on post and that goes with Shafter. The cost of leaving is high and yes, there are playgrounds on post. Things are pretty much close together and you will have no problem developing friends here. Schofield Barracks is more than 20 miles from Shafter. Do you know exactly which post because they are two separate posts. So far on the positive side, you will never have a problem with the sunshine weather all year round. We have rainy season too but then its better living with the rain than the snow. I'm a local girl and stationing here four times. There is always support system here and great people that will help you in times of need. Everyone has different experiences about the island. Some are loving it and retire here, some are hating it and anxious to leave, some too are loving it and want to extend their stay for different reasons. Either way, you will be the judge of that when you arrive and giving it sometime to adjust to things around here. You may or may not like it but it depends on how you take it. Its like everywhere else you PCS to. There are always good and bad depending on the person. But there are so much to do at so little time if you give it a chance to explore both the island and its neighboring islands...have fun, and welcome to Hawaii...

I have to promote living on base. At least for a little while so you can get used to being on the island without being dumped right into it. I was totally culture shocked for the first 3 months of being here (We came via Ft. Benning). The traffic here is something else, and your BAH is sky high for a reason.

I'm a UNC gal myself and LOVE being stationed in Hawaii. we live off base in Waipahu (waikele, as mentioned before...) and this is a fantastic community especially for kiddos.
Here are some things that are a bit of a culture shock -
1. Houses off base are much smaller & have very small yards in comparison to NC. This is balanced by the great parks and outdoor opportunities (all beaches are public - even those at pricey resorts like Ko'Olina.) They are also expensive.
2. Food at civilian grocery stores is VERY expensive. However there are commissaries seemingly everywhere and they are reasonable. Pearl Harbor Mall is a military complex (HUGE - largest one in the world) with commissary, exchange, MWR, eye doctor, spa/salon, barber, UPS, and a few other things I can't even remember. Although it's a little far (about 8 miles) from where I live, the one stop shopping is worth it for me.
3. Public schools here have their problems. Biggest, most recent issue is "Furlough Fridays" where the state basically cut 17 (I think thats the number - maybe off on that a bit...) Fridays from the school calendar to save money. A lot of folks send their kids to private school which does not do furloughs. Alternatively, home schooling is an option. Otherwise, there are many non-public programs which are stepping up to offer interesting educational programs to cover those days.
Here are some websites for support systems and resources here. The resources may cover specific geographic boundaries, and not accept until you actually have a Hawaii residence.
www.MomsClubWPA.org
http://www.pearlharbormops.com/
http://www.librarieshawaii.org/
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/
http://www.discoverycenterhawaii.org/
http://www.hcwo.com/
http://www.honolulu.gov/main/residents/
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Hope this helps!
:-)

Another vote for HonoluluMommies - it's an extremely active group for playdates and they have mommy meets and volunteer activities as well. There are many members with military spouses, and they have some great advice on moving, shipping your goods, inexpensive places to live, etc. They were a great resource for me when we were moving to Oahu.

As for housing, if you decide to live off base, research the different areas - Oahu has lots of tiny microclimates, and they vary significantly in terms of sunshine and rainfall, which can have a huge effect on moods for some people (my child and I need daily sunshine, so we live out in Kapolei).

I think it's a great place to raise children - the pace of life is much slower than in other areas, and I have found that by and large, people here are very welcoming, inclusive, and kind.

Prices for food at the commissaries are great, and Costco charges mainland prices + 3%. Between those two, you're pretty much covered! Do try the local farmer's markets, too - they help support the local population and you can always find something new and interesting.

Good luck!

J.,

I currently live on Schofield Barracks. I think that you'll love Hawaii, as there is just SO much to do on the island. As for house, I chose to live on post here. One of the biggest reasons is that if you do live off post the electricity is very expensive. I do like the area here. Not sure about playgroups as my children are a little older, but they do have the spouses group and I'm sure you can get more information at the ACS.

As far as groceries, if you shop at the commissary, I don't see a huge difference. On the other hand, I don't shop at the grocery stores off post usually either. I do go to Walmart and Target. There is also a HUGE NEX and commissary that is nice too.

There are some things that I've seen a huge price jump on, but then I go to the PX and it's a lot less, so I guess it's just where you shop.

The one thing that was surprising to me was how much it was to go out to dinner, especially in Waikiki. The prices are more like mainland prices in Mililani..closer to Schofield.

Not sure about the housing at Shafter as I have only driven by it. I believe they are building new houses there, but couldn't say for sure. Here they have the new houses as well as the older houses too.

Please feel free to message me for any other questions.

Have a great day!