Retiring closer to family or where more job opportunities are (please read description)?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 20:49:03 -0400

I understand this is a very subjective question. So, I'm coming down to the wire (4.5 years) until I become part of the "Check of the Month Club" and this has been really bothering me. My two choices (no compromising at the moment) as these are very good choices are either Savannah, GA (Ft. Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield) where most of my family resides, or San Antonio, TX. We were stationed in Savannah, GA a few years back and loved it. We were also stationed at Hood and fell in love with San Antonio. Now GA, has cheaper housing where we want to live (Rincon/Guyton) and just the culture is very close to how I am personally and the schools for our daughter are outstanding. Fort Gordon/Augusta, GA is a big NO/GO. I understand there are a ton of jobs in Augusta for people with clearances, but do not want my daughter attending the public school system there.

San Antonio, TX is also a very cool place to live and we love Texas as well. Texas has no state taxes, but will get you hard on property taxes. And San Antonio has endless job opportunities for post military careers.

Family is very important to us and being close to family would make up for all the time missed while serving. However, I do not want to limit my job opportunities. Please share your thoughts. I simply want to hear from experienced people that had to make this hard decision and how it panned out for you.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 16 at 2020 9:40 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 21:40:37 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Personally, I would opt for being in a ‘family’ AO.

Private/religious schools might suit your daughter.

After burying two wives and having moved ‘closer’ to my sons after the passing of the second, I remain a bit miffed that both sons - for extremely good reasons - moved to other states.

I do understand them fleeing California. At my advanced age, I am not about to follow my sons as they change residences, but would appreciate having some actual family nearby.

It is no big deal, but I do appreciate recalling a few family gatherings before my folks started moving about. Just the idea of actually knowing a few of my cousins was rewarding.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jun 16 at 2020 10:23 PM

Maj Robert Thornton — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 22:23:56 -0400

An alternate to either choice might be in the Warner Robins, GA area. You have one of the states largest industrial complexes at Robins AFB, the school system is one of the better ones in the state, and affordable housing. Just saying.
I retired from the Air Force at Robins AFB. we ended spending 24 years in Houston County before we both retired for good and moved to Dawsonville. Closer to my sons up here.

Response by COL David Turk made Jun 16 at 2020 11:14 PM

COL David Turk — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 23:14:43 -0400

We picked the spot near relatives because we really liked the area more than anything else. Being near relatives is a bonus.
As an aside, make sure you can live with the prevailing politics in the area you retire. It will play a bigger role than you think. Also the financial stability of the community.

Response by MAJ Lee Goehl made Jun 17 at 2020 3:58 AM

MAJ Lee Goehl — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 03:58:13 -0400

I too was torn between family mom's in San Antonio and dad's in Illinois. My late wife was born and raised in San Francisco.We chose Illinois because of the small town and raising our children. Good school's and we both work for the VA 2 miles from home.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 17 at 2020 9:28 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 09:28:42 -0400

Throughout my working life every decision I made for my family over career worked out for the best. In the military, private, and public sectors decision as to job or location that we (wife and me) thought would work out best for us and the kids turned out right.
Example: leaving Alaska I had choice to go to Little Rock to be a line C130 instructor or to MacDill AFB as a staff officer at USREDCOM. I took MacDill because of location and schools. In the course of 3 years USREDCOM folded and I moved to USSOCOM then to USTRANSCOM. This led to PCS to Scott AFB. Also to computer system expertise that smoothed my way into post-retirement with a Government contractor. We stayed in the Scott AFB area because the job was here and the whole family was tired of moving. This led to 16 years as a project manager.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 17 at 2020 9:35 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 09:35:12 -0400

Don't limit yourself to only working on Army facilities. Savanah area also has Beaufort and Parris Island If you don't mind working with Marines. But don't just look at DOD jobs either. If Federal employment is where your passion is there are a crap ton of non-DOD federal jobs. Leaving the Military is your chance to put some roots down and slow the pace so take advantage of it. If building those family memories for your kids is a priority being closer to home may be where you should be. Nothing against Texas but having some family nearby will mean alot to all of you.

Response by CPT Michael Tatu made Jun 17 at 2020 12:16 PM

CPT Michael Tatu — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 12:16:30 -0400

I was fortunate to have done both - in fact my wife's family helped me connect to a job - one thing you need to understand about civilian jobs - it is all about networking - the hidden job market is the jobs that are just about to be publicized and if you find out about those through your network you can avoid ending up with a resume in the now digitized "circular" file - find out about the position and make sure you have all the buzz words in your resume - but network first - family is just above opportunities in my book. My wife's family was critical to both of our careers as we both traveled for our jobs and that is much easier with family around - we also had a special needs child and I don't know what we would have done without family support

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2020 12:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 12:49:59 -0400

If i were you i would focus on networking in Georgia within rhe range you're willing to consider.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2020 5:26 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 17:26:06 -0400

I chose family in all decisions throughout my active duty career, including when to retire and location of retirement residence. When you are in your final days of life and look back, what will you regret? You've got to be at peace with yourself. You say that family is very important to you. Will you be at peace if you are pretty much away from them for the rest of your life? Only you can decide that.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Jun 18 at 2020 12:31 AM

SSG Dennis R. — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 00:31:54 -0400

I had no desire to return to my home of record - Buffalo, NY. It was a dump when I was a kid, IMO, it's still a dump and the weather sux.
Go where the money is.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2020 8:29 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 08:29:55 -0400

The drive to/ from savannah to Ft. Gordon isn’t bad. The MI contractors at Gordon are know to recruit SM that are ETSing. That’s what I would SFC but I’m also a dumb single private