Fort Lewis/McChord AFB

[mmeehs17]

We will be pcsing to McChord in a few months from Massachusetts and I'm wondering if anyone here is from there/currently living there. We have a son who will be entering Kindergarten this fall. I'd love any suggestions on areas to live/avoid. We prefer more city/suburban and less rural. We like to be where there is "civilization". We are a non-vax family. Not very "crunchy" at all, but I'm open to what other people practice and non judgemental, even if not my cup of tea. So... are the drs. overal non vax friendly? Schools? I know there are religious and personal exemptions (already use the religious one with my son for preschool here and no worries, and his ped. doesn't give me any grief). Comments? Concerns? Where to look for housing. I also recently went back to teaching high school (French) in an urban school out here. What are the prospects like out there.

Thank you,

Bethany

[Soul-O]

Originally Posted by mmeehs17

We will be pcsing to McChord in a few months from Massachusetts and I'm wondering if anyone here is from there/currently living there. We have a son who will be entering Kindergarten this fall. I'd love any suggestions on areas to live/avoid. We prefer more city/suburban and less rural. We like to be where there is "civilization". We are a non-vax family. Not very "crunchy" at all, but I'm open to what other people practice and non judgemental, even if not my cup of tea. So... are the drs. overal non vax friendly? Schools? I know there are religious and personal exemptions (already use the religious one with my son for preschool here and no worries, and his ped. doesn't give me any grief). Comments? Concerns? Where to look for housing. I also recently went back to teaching high school (French) in an urban school out here. What are the prospects like out there.

Thank you,

Bethany

Hi Bethany: I've been at Ft. Lewis for about a year now. We live on post for the convenience factor; however, there are some nice communities (Puyallup, Lacey, Dupont) close to McChord if you choose to live off base. The communities I mentioned have the better schools as well; however, I wouldn't bank on easily finding a teaching job - i.e. our part time nanny is a laid off elementary school teacher with several years of experience and excellent references. I would avoid housing in Tacoma, Lakewood, and parts of Spanaway.

As far as non-vax friendly Peds practices are concerned, I'd suggest you go to Fir Creek Pediatrics in Lakewood. The office is very crunchy and personable. The post/base medical facilities are pretty crowded, so you should have no problem getting a waiver to go off base if you ask for one at the Tricare office while in-processing. Lastly, Washington does allow for personal choice vax exemptions for public school registration; however, as you probably know, base youth services will not accept vax exemptions (except medical).

There are lots of military mamas on Mothering from McChord & Lewis. I hope you enjoy your time here in the Pac NW, and please don't hesitate to PM me if you have any questions.

Welcome!

[Waterbaby020805]

I know this thread is a few months old, but I just moved here a few weeks ago and I have a few questions myself! Did you move here yet? I'm in Lacey and the area is really nice!
I'm looking for a Christian kindergarten for my daughter. Any suggestions?

[SumnerRain]

We are in Lacey, next year I will have a child in Kindergarten, middle school and high school, and so far I like them all (Mountainview, Komachin, and Timberline. We take our kids to Dr. Sipher at Olympia Pediatrics and I LOVE her, so did not bat an eye that I didn't want to vax my daughter (we were delaying, started at two) and she has helped me come up with a reasonable schedule and has been VERY awesome with all my kids, even when they are not the one being seen. I cannot say enough good things about her. I don't know if they take Tricare though. My husband works on Lewis and his commute is reasonable. Sorry I cannot help you with your other questions, but I hope you settled in well.

And welcome Waterbaby! Hope you are loving the PNW! I wish I knew of suggestions for you, but I have no clue.

Hope you both love it here as much as we do, we moved here in March and cannot be happier here!

[Sarah W]

Hi! We live in Dupont, so just a little North of you. I don't have any advice on school, my LO is not quite 2 yet.

Welcome to the area. Lacey/Olympia is a very nice area. We go to the Farmer's Market in Olympia every weekend.

[Alohamelly]

Just wanted to say I'm on Fort Lewis and if anyone wants to chat about the area, pm me! I really like it here! We've been here for 2 years now.