This is my first base that I've lived at. Overall, I love it. Coming from my civilian viewpoint, the feeling of safety living here is very comforting. A few tips: the navy police will "getcha" for speeding. Careful in front of the fire station, especially. If you live on base, check with FC about getting a gate pass CAC card so you can come in on Navy road after hours. Make sure to utilize the rec center for ticketmaster and Malco purchases: you can save a ton! Don't forget the savings you can see with the NEX and their scratch-off deals, and, when you go to the commissary, make sure to check out the coupons to the right as you walk in and MAKE SURE to download and link the commissary app for online coupons.
This is an older base, BTW, originally established in 1917(!) The housing was recently(ish) renovated, but you can still see the dated architecture and, in my house at least, the upstairs floors are very creaky. The housing seems overpriced--a very dated 3 bedroom two floor triplex costs us $1050 a month from BAH. Seems high for this area, but I factor in how convenient it is to be on base, the absolute security in the very high crime Memphis area, and the included utilities.
Overall, like I said, I love living here, and hope you will too!
Edit: one last edit as I sit in the dark at 7:11 am on a clear day on 5/4/14: if there is so much as a butterfly sneeze, the power goes out for the base housing. There is a serious need for infrastructure improvement for the electrical grid on base. read more