Since we’ve moved, I decided to share some thoughts having lived at Fort Bragg for the past three years.
PROS:
– Most populated Army base = lots of resources (two commissaries and exchanges)
– Satellite medical offices (don’t have to go to Womack on post for routine medical appointments)
– Wide selection and assortment of activities for spouses and kids (if you have them)
– Two hours from everywhere (but the OBX and the mountains). Weekend trips are easy to plan because the major metro areas are all about two hours away. The Outer Banks and the mountains (specifically, Asheville) are both about four hours away.
CONS:
– Most populated Army base = everything is crowded = lines and wait lists (housing, child care, pharmacies, etc.)
– Traffic. Uggghhhh. None of the lights are timed. Expect one to turn green and the next to turn red.
– Pay day. Seriously, budget and save your money. You do not want to go anywhere near the commissary or the mall area (where all the restaurants are) payday weekend.
– Fayette-nam. Fayetteville has a rather charming reputation as an Army town. It’s well deserved. Yes, the town has cleaned up a lot, but it still has a ways to go. Avoid Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road.
– Two hours from everywhere. There isn’t too much to do in Fayetteville. It’s nice for the occasional weekend, but you run out of stuff to do fast.
FAVORITES:
Luigi’s – a hidden gem, family-owned Italian restaurant. Pass up Olive Garden and eat here now.
Fun Fun Fun – we enjoyed their “Fun Pass” which gave you access to mini golf, laser tag, arcade tokens for about $10. The mini golf was fun and never crowded.
Millstone 14 – the newest theater in town. Nice, comfy seats.
Brunch – check out the Fort Bragg Club for a full brunch menu for $10. Want to impress your out-of-town visitors or have someone to foot the bill? Check out Hilltop House for a fancier, pricier option.
What are your thoughts on Fort Bragg?
I’ve never been but my step dad was stationed there back in the 80’s and has soo many funny stories from living there!
We didn’t mind it but after 4 years there we were ready to go. Maybe we will go back later on in Kyle’s career who knows.
Shane was at Bragg for 8 years so it can be a career trap being there. We grew up only 4 hours from Bragg so we always had plenty of things to do. Smithfield outlets are not far from there either. 2 hours from everything is nice since we are 4 to 5 hour drive from everything but Las Cruses. Shanes brigade was broken and ass backwards so we dealt with a lot of crap. We bought our house in Hope Mills right up from the theater and loved that area it’s the only reason we even want to come back to Bragg. Be sure to go to the Battleship in Wilmington it’s a nice part of history to see. Take the 2 hour drive to explore because while it’s a 2 hour drive there is plenty to do there.
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I’m a huge Fayetteville fan (so maybe this comment isn’t about Bragg) 🙂 There’s lots do to do, places to visit and people to meet. From the “new” downtown to the Dogwood Festival/Fourth Fridays to being close to the beach… I miss it there!
I’ve never been to Bragg, but I’ve heard mixed reviews. Satellite medical offices are great! We have them here at JBLM (which we didn’t at Lackland), and I love it!