Has anyone here been stationed at MCAS Yuma? We just received orders for Aug. I'm nervous because everything I'm reading is not pleasant! Our main priority is our children and the schools they go to. The schools are not ranked very high so I was hoping to get some insight. Yes I know it is really hot there so I'm not dwelling on that!! I'm a Cali girl born and raised and we have been spoiled to have been only stationed at Camp P and Miramar my husband's career. Do we live on or off base? Which areas are nice? Any recommendations on schools? Please help I'm feeling very uneasy!! I have an elementary schooler and a middle schooler who will be in 8th grade. my husband is a E6 if that helps with housing areas. 

We were stationed there for 3 years 6 years ago! Now we may be heading to Oahu. We enjoyed our time there. Would we want to stay there forever no, but honestly we did like it. The number #1 suggestion I have is to look for a rental with a pool. You won't regret it in the summer. Also, if your into quads Glamis is a short hop away. The river is also popular in the warmer months. Many people will boat and chill on the river all summer even in the 110 heat! Our kids went to Sunrise Elementary I thought it was a good school. If your kids are in CA public schools then they will be ok. I think they are similar in comparison. Also, this was 6 years ago so don't know how much this has changed but we used to eat lunch in Algodonas, Mexico all the time. There is an indian reservation and you can park for 3$ and walk across the border. We could eat, a family of 5, for under 10$. But I'm not sure if you can cross the border anymore or need to be a certain rank? 6 years ago it wasn't prohibited for active duty. But it was really fun. It was maybe 10 min away and once you walked across the border it really felt like it. They sell a bunch of trinkets and I bought my daughters those cute Mexican dresses. I miss going there we always had fun.
The summers ARE super hot, but San Diego is 3 hours away. We truly appreciated the beach more when we lived in Yuma. The kids would be so excited to see the ocean. Now since we see it everyday they're like the beach again..loL!

Good luck on your move! Get a rental with an underground pool! 

Forgot to add, look for homes to rent in the Foothills area of Yuma. That would be the Sunrise school, sorry I do not know much about the junior high there. But like I said, I thought the schools were comparable to the ones here. 

Thank you for the advise I'm looking into rental w/pool now lol. I also found a charter school for my daughter we are trying to get her enrolled in. We decided to let my son do his 8th grade yr surrounded by other military kids. It will be a lot easier for him to adapt. 

Foot Hills will do thank you! 

I lived in Yuma for 3 years back and forth from Texas. I lived on and off base and I can tell you I would rather live on base. The Foot Hills is to far of a drive for your husband to be driving back and forth. I don't know about the schools there because my kids were to young to attend when we lived there. I am alil worried because I know its a drive from base. Were going back as well too. 

That was 3 years ago that we lived there. Were station in Cherry Point, NC. I can tell you Yuma is way better than here by 100 times. 

Agree with Jtswify to live in the foothills, we have family that lives in Yuma and we have also lived in Yuma. We know the area very well, the Foothills is by far the best area to live in. Centrally in Yuma is not a great area at all. The river is very popular and the dunes are packed especially around Thanksgiving and certian holidays. 

We didn't like it when we were there but after we left we realized how much we missed it and wish we could go back!! If it's possible I would live on base and have your kids go to school in the Foothills. It's a little drive but not bad...if you get a choice. Living on base was awesome for us. Since its a much smaller place, everyone was much more friendly!!! Oh I miss the Yuma days!! =0) 

The foothills is pretty far. I agree that it's nice out there, but we lived there for 4 years and wish we had just lived on base instead. It was such a trek to go to town and my husband already worked long hours so the commute kind of sucked. As an E6 with kids, I believe your housing would be pretty new/nice on base. Our kids were too young for school at the time, so I don't have any advice about the schools out there. 

Thank you everyone! We finally made our way put there and I agree the foothills are to far away. Base housing is only 1350. sq ft which we would go crazy in lol!! I have an 8 yr old and 13 yr old we need a much bigger space our house her on Camp P is 1750 so that would be a very big difference. We have decided to buy since it would cost us more to rent. It is very hard to find a house out there they sell very very quickly. I linked up with another spouse out there who has been there 10 yrs she told me the good areas and the areas to advoid. 

Thank you everyone! We finally made our way put there and I agree the foothills are to far away. Base housing is only 1350. sq ft which we would go crazy in lol!! I have an 8 yr old and 13 yr old we need a much bigger space our house her on Camp P is 1750 so that would be a very big difference. We have decided to buy since it would cost us more to rent. It is very hard to find a house out there they sell very very quickly. I linked up with another spouse out there who has been there 10 yrs she told me the good areas and the areas to advoid. 

I love Yuma. The people know each other and are friendly, especially in the Foothills. The Foothills is only maybe 10 mins from base and 15 at the most. My daughters had higher education then here on CP....my 11 year old went down on her reading scores since we have been here. Sunrise is excellent! Foothills has a great middle school and NEW high school. Yuma is a big circle and you can get anywhere within 20 mins. Traffic is nowhere compared to California. Winters are simple beautiful.... Base housing is just ok... But the foothills are awesome. You should take a weekend and go there and look for yourself.

The lakes are fun :) I miss it a lot. It takes a little to adjust, but once you do.... It's a place you hate at first but love in the end and when you leave, you want to go back :). Good luck 

you ladies made me nostalgic,I am from Yuma,I met my hubby there,a marine stationed at ymcas,lived on base for 6 yrs,the best years...You can love it or hate it but is a lot to do there,actually better than stinky Pendleton...This place sucks,I dont know why some people make a big deal of live in "Socal",Yuma is way more fun than here... 

Yuma is way more fun than here

No way.. for one the weather is not "way more fun" O_o 

I have to agree I will not say Yuma is more fun then here!! We have been back in forth to Yuma the last 3 weeks and it is going to be a big change. I am from Ventura County 2 hrs away from Camp P and with the weather, attractions and surrounding cities Yuma has nothing on Cali. Yuma is going to take some getting use to but it can be done! 😄 

Oh wow, I'm surprised the square footage is that small for E6 in Yuma. Although it is bigger than what we just moved out of on MCAS New River in North Carolina! I knew an E7 in Yuma that had a huge house on base, but maybe it was because he had 3 kids? I definitely don't think Yuma is more fun than Pendleton, but I do have fond memories of being there. I had all three of my kids there and my husband and I bought our first home there (that ended badly, but you can't predict the real estate market!), so it does have a special place in my heart...for those reasons, at least! Good luck finding a house!