Fort Eustis (Joint Base Langley-Eustis)
Hampton Roads is one of the seven major cities that comprise the Hampton Roads metropolitan area on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. The Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Hampton-Newport News area has a population of over 1.7 million, making it the 37th-largest metropolitan area in the U. S. The region includes Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake.
Located in Newport News and Hampton Roads, Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) is comprised of two groups that provide installation support to more than 9,000 military and civilian personnel including Headquarters Air Combat Command and three operational wings. Although JBLE is a joint base, it is not contiguous. There are 17 miles of interstate between the two installations. Langley AFB is located in Hampton while Ft. Eustis is in Newport News. JBLE serves a large population made up of over 145,000 active duty, guard and reserve, family members, civilians, contractors, and retirees.
Have a toddler or preschooler? Make sure to check out the local chapter of Tiny Troops Soccer to help your little one PCS with fun, soccer, and friends!
The area, often called “military-centric” is the birthplace of Colonial America and has the largest concentration of military installations of any metro area in the world. Nearly a fourth of the nation’s active-duty military personnel are stationed here. All five military services’ operating forces are here, as well as several major command headquarters.
In addition to the large military presence, Hampton Roads is known for its ice-free harbor, shipyards, coal piers, and miles of waterfront property and beaches. The body of water known as Hampton Roads is one of the world’s largest natural harbors.
Driving around the area is sometimes complicated by all the water which means bridges and tunnels. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel built in 1957 was the first bridge-tunnel complex in the world, to be followed by the area’s much longer Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel six years later. The prevalence of bridge-tunnels in the area is due to the number of shipbuilding and naval bases in the area. Region-specific information and tools to help you make the most of your commute can be found at VDOT.
Off-Base Neighborhoods
You can use your BAH for Fort Eustis to rent or buy a home near the base. Some of the nearby areas for off-post housing include lower York County, Dare, Yorktown, Grafton, and Poquoson.
On Base Housing
Military family housing at Fort Eustis is privatized and run by Balfour Beatty Communities. If you choose to live on post at Fort Eustis, there are more than 950 homes in nine neighborhoods available to all ranks. Community features include playgrounds, tot lots, a spray park, basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness center, multi-purpose room, television, and computer center.
Schools
Military children at Fort Eustis attend Newport News Public Schools. While the Elementary school is on post, Middle and High School are off post.
Cost of Living and BAH
Joint Base Langley-Eustis BAH is calculated for the Newport News area, which has an average cost of living when compared to other parts of the country. It is much more affordable than Northern Virginia, but more expensive than some Army bases located in the heartland. Fort Eustis BAH varies depending on rank and whether or not you have dependents. To determine your BAH at Fort Eustis, use our BAH calculator.
Housing Costs
The median sales price for homes in Newport News is $175,000. Virginia general sales tax is 4% higher than the national average and the Virginia state income tax is 10% lower than the national average. So, depending on where you are PCSing from will determine if the cost of living seems reasonable to you. Moving to Hampton Roads from the Washington D. C. area might mean the cost living seems very reasonable to you. If you’re moving from Altus AFB in Oklahoma, not so much.
Weather
Springtime brings thunderstorms that produce gusty winds, hail, and occasionally, tornadoes. Temperatures rise to an average 57.5 degrees during March, April, and May. Summers are often described as hot and humid while the fall brings welcome relief with temps in the mid 60’s. Snowfall over the winter months averages 7.1 inches each year with the average temperature in the mid-forties. The weather at Fort Eustis doesn’t put a damper on the fun things to do in the area. Rain or shine, we’ll help you plan your bucket list for Hampton Roads.
Base Amenities
At Fort Eustis, community features include a fitness center, multi-purpose room, television, and computer center. Property features in nearby Langley Base Family Housing include newly constructed Shoppettes, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, splash park, indoor and outdoor pools, bowling alley, camping facility, dry cleaners, movie theater, shooting range, veterinary clinic, and 18-hole golf course.
Area Attractions
WILLIAMSBURG: Take a trip into the past at Colonial Williamsburg and the Jamestown Settlement. You can also interact with colonists as you walk the historically accurate Duke of Gloucester Street. VIRGINIA BEACH: Virginia Beach is the largest city in Hampton Roads. It features a beach, boardwalk, a live music venue, the Sportsplex, museums, parks and a variety of shops and restaurants. NEWPORT NEWS PARK: A favorite destination for campers who love the great outdoors is 8,000+ acres featuring forests, 30 miles of hiking trails, a 5-mile mountain bike trail, a 5.3-mile bikeway, and two fresh-water reservoirs. Also, there are with bike rentals available, along with boat, canoe and paddle boat rentals. The park has a 180-site campground, playground, aero-modeler’s flying field, freshwater fishing and golf, archery range, picnic shelter, arboretum, and two stages. THE NOLAN TRAIL: This trail is often referred to as an urban oasis. The trail is a 5-mile loop around Lake Maury, with 14 bridges, several overlooks, and benches to rest on every half mile or so. It has been a popular strolling and jogging route for more than 25 years. VIRGINIA LIVING MUSEUM: This museum is a combination aquarium, zoo, botanical garden and science center, showcasing animals and plants native to Virginia. Additionally, visitors experience animals native to Virginia in habitats, discovery centers, and interactive exhibits. YORKTOWN BEACH: Located in historic Yorktown is a 3-acre beachfront featuring a fishing pier with no entry fee, no requirement for a fishing license and a 10-acre grass picnic area. Rentals include kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes. Shower facilities are open all summer. A hundred weddings a year happen at scenic Yorktown Beach. Also, next to the beach is Riverwalk Landing, a mile-long shopping and entertainment area. Tall ships, traditional sailing ships with the huge masts from countries around the world, are often seen sailing on the York River. YORKTOWN BATTLEFIELD: The Yorktown Battlefield is site of the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. Park Rangers lead guided walking tours of the battlefield and the 18th-century town. You can also drive through the battlefield and visit the Moore House, scene of surrender negotiations; and Surrender Field, among other sites.
Food and Drink
Seafood is popular in the coastal areas. Blue crabs are prepared in many ways such as crab cakes, crab imperial, soft-shelled in season, or simply plain crab meat that is picked from its shell and dipped in melted butter. Barbecue in Virginia is mostly pork with a vinegar-based sauce which is similar to barbeque in North Carolina. Smithfield ham, sometimes called Virginia ham, is a type of country ham which is only produced in the town of Smithfield. There are over 230 wineries in the state of Virginia including several wineries on the Lower Peninsula.
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