No Result
View All Result
Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
 Military Families
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Military Families
No Result
View All Result

Charleston tops list of best cities after service

Susan Malandrino
by Susan Malandrino
November 10, 2020
Military Families Magazine. Charleston, South Carolina.
ShareTweetEmailWhatsApp

Charleston, South Carolina was recently named the best city to live after military service according to a newly released list compiled by Navy Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Operation Homefront. In its compilation, The Best Cities After Service List takes a variety of quality of life metrics into account, including cost of living, housing affordability, access to recreational activities, proximity to health care resources and transportation.

To understand where transitioning service members want to live as civilians, Navy Federal teamed up with Maru/Matchbox to survey 1,000 veterans and civilians. Using the results from the survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces ranked more than 400 U.S. cities based on how they met transitioning service members’ needs and preferences.

Clay Stackhouse, a retired Marine Corps colonel and regional outreach manager at Navy Federal, says that Charleston topped their list not only for its southern hospitality but also for its proximity to Joint Base Charleston and affordable housing.

Stackhouse noted that more than 250,000 military members transition out of the service each year.

“Every veteran is going to transition differently,” he said.

According to Stackhouse, from San Diego to Deluth or Savannah, the wide range of military-friendly communities featured on this year’s list reflect that diversity. While the cities are diverse in terms of geographic locations, size and climate, they do share some similarities and all have strong veterans communities.

READ: Weighing your options to buy or rent a home

“Depending on individuality of the transition, there’s something for everybody on this list with locations all over the country,” Stackhouse said.

Data showed that transitioning service members prioritize living in a strong community of veterans with lower crime rates, lower cost of living and easily accessible outdoor activities.

Navy Federal‘s “Best Of” list is an annual resource first launched in 2018. Best Cities was the focus of the list in its first year, and last year, covered Best Careers After Service, a comprehensive list of the best careers for transitioning servicemembers.

The updated 2020 list presents an entirely new set of locations, addressing veterans’ changing desires. Of particular note is the impact of COVID-19 on the list.

“Over the last two years, service members and their families’ priorities have shifted a great deal,” Stackhouse said. “In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many civilian jobs have gone remote, so there’s little incentive to live in a costly major urban hub. Transitioning military are looking for a strong community of veterans to socialize with, building new connections and communities amidst the pandemic. We set out to identify cities that address those needs, and I believe we accomplished that goal.”

“As we transition, we should look at where we want to live and pursue that and I hope this list helps with that,” Stackhouse said.

The new top 10 cities according to The Best Cities After Service List are:

  1. Charleston, South Carolina
  2. Fort Myers, Florida
  3. Savannah, Georgia
  4. Daphne, Alabama
  5. Norwich, Connecticut
  6. San Diego, California
  7. Norfolk, Virginia
  8. Duluth, Minnesota
  9. Gulfport, Mississippi
  10. Fort Worth, Texas

To read the full list click here.

Read comments
Tags: CharlestonNavy FederalSan Diego
Share48Tweet30SendSend
Susan Malandrino

Susan Malandrino

Susan Malandrino is the assistant editor of Ameriforce Media, publisher of Military Families, Reserve & National Guard, and Military Influencer magazines. With nearly two decades of public relations, communications and editing experience, Susan has previously worked in higher education and with a variety of nonprofits. Her expertise is in both print and digital media. Based in Washington, D.C., she is married to an active-duty Naval aviator and is a twin mom. She and her family have completed seven PCS moves, three of them international. When she’s not unpacking boxes, she loves travel and particularly enjoys dragging her family to historical sites and museums. A long-time volunteer, Susan has served in a variety of mentorship roles at different duty stations with Family Readiness Groups and Navy Officers’ Spouses’ Clubs. Most recently, she served as a charity runner for the London Marathon, spearheading a team that raised more than $20,000 for premature children and their families. Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts in media arts from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Arts in communications from Old Dominion University.

Related Posts

Fort Bragg area guide Military Families Magazine
Military Relocation

Fort Bragg area guide

2 hours ago
Quantico area guide
Military Relocation

Quantico area guide

6 days ago
Tax deductible moving expenses Military Families Magazine
Military Relocation

Tax deductible moving expenses for military families

1 week ago
Fort Belvoir area guide Military Families Magazine
Military Relocation

Fort Belvoir area guide

2 weeks ago
Naval Station Norfolk area guide Military Families Magazine
Military Relocation

Naval Station Norfolk area guide

3 weeks ago
Area guide JBLM Military Families Magazine
Military Relocation

Joint Base Lewis McChord area guide

4 weeks ago

Discussion about this post

Ads

Military News, delivered to your inbox

Get a free copy of MILITARY FAMILIES delivered to your inbox each month

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • MEET OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL

GET RESOURCES

  • MONEY GUIDE

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • CFC PARTNERS
  • PRICING
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
  • BOOK CLUB
Never miss out on the latest stories.
© 2021 Military Families by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in Military Families Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Military Life
    • Deployment
    • Relocation
    • Military Spouses
    • Military Kids
  • Education
  • Career
    • Transition
    • Entrepreneur
    • Veterans
  • Health
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Get Resources
    • 2020 Military Money Guide
  • Giveaways

© 2020 Military Families by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW.