just got orders for ft polk...HELP!!!

Mindy - posted on 06/29/2011

I have been in Fort Polk for 5 years. It is a very small area but it isn't that bad housing is great. Schools are great. Not too much to do AT ALL. Besides that I love it here. Of coarse I am from New Orleans so the climate doesn't bother me.

Paula - posted on 05/10/2011

We were stationed there 7 years ago and I'm sure not much has changed. We lived in Leesville which is the lil town outside of post which at that time wasn't bad on crime. I actually met some really good "local" friends there. My son was rather young and only attended the elementary school which was good. I had medical issues at that time which couldn't be handled on post so I had to drive like 2 hrs to Shreveport..but it was ok with me if thats where the quality care was. As far as the job market unless you have a degree in education or medical..well department stores and fast food is it. Wal-Mart will be your new hangout as there is nothing else there. I can say a POSITIVE of being there was we spent a lot more family time together since there was nothing else to do. Now that we are at a larger post, Ft Lewis, with so much to do we rarely have the family picnics or park outings anymore..My advice would be to make the best of it since its not permanent!!

Velecia - posted on 04/14/2011

I was there for 6yrs!

Velecia - posted on 04/14/2011

My husband and I were at Polk for three years. I wasn't happy,but there are ways to get by. If you like to ride Alexanderia and Deridder aren't bad. For a longer trip Houston isn't too far. I don't know about schools. As far as housing I recommend North Fort. And we had Verizon. go to AHRN and militarybuyer.com, for housing. Do it fast! Good Luck, God Bless!

Ashley - posted on 04/11/2011

@Wanda Hills For a list of off post housing you should visit www.AHRN.com . There you'd find a listing of homes and apartments off post for rent near all military installations. In my opinion, DeRidder has a better housing market but Rosepine has the best schools. As far as phone providers, we use AT&T. That seems to be the most reliable phone service, There's also a local cell phone company there but I don't know the name of it. Hope this helps. =))

Michelle - posted on 03/31/2011

I'm so sorry...My husband was there for training for a week and I had the hardest time get in touch with him because he had no reception on his phone. So I dont want to imagine what everything else must be like..I really wish you guys the best of luck.

Wanda - posted on 03/31/2011

We are moving down in June....I am really hoping it isn't as bad as everyone says it is. I need advice as to housing areas that are best and what brands of pesticides to use to keep the spiders and bugs away, cell phone providers to use and any useful information is gladly appreciated! Thanks!

Jessie - posted on 03/10/2011

We just got orders for Fort Polk, LA as well, I am hoping for an easy transition! LOL

Ashley - posted on 03/09/2011

Hi! My husband is also stationed at Ft Polk and I must agree with Amy, it's HORRIBLE!! I hate it there. It's in a really crappy city (Leesville) and it's just BAD really BAD!! I don't really know about on post housing because we live in Lake Charles (about an hour or so away). We moved here because there was a 2 year waiting list for on post housing for large families (we have 5 children). The city (Leesville) looks and feels really poor. There's a nearby city DeRidder (15 minute drive) that has better housing options. The only issue was the landlords/realtors were prejudice. We were not the only black people who had that issue. My husbands 1SG had the same issue and he's hispanic. I've heard that the schools in nearby Rosepine are in the top 3 in Louisiana. Also the roads are really horrible. Word of advise, don't drink ANYTHING and drive unless you're drinking out of a straw and your cup has a lid!!

Amy - posted on 01/20/2011

oh boy... we were at Polk for 3 years... good luck!!! I HATED it there, much like everyone else who is stationed there. i don't know much about schools, except for they have elementary schools on post and middle and high school are off post, but the bus takes them to there. all the schools have uniforms i believe. Housing on post is actually pretty nice (depending on what neighborhood) there is a new neighborhood in south fort called palmetto and then many more housing areas on south fort. we lived on North fort in the maple terrace housing. When you inspect the houses before you move in, make sure you look for mold. mold and mildew are a big issue down there because of the humidity. and i hope you like bugs! OMG i've never seen that many bugs before. be careful. Brown Recluses, Brown Widows, Black widows, Wolf spiders, and all sorts of other spiders as well as cockroaches. yes... big ugly cockroaches.. everywhere. you are guaranteed to find at lest one in your house upon living there. even if your house is spotless. they call them "waterbugs" down there. red ants are terrible too. lol. anyways.. if you notice you have a bug problem you call the office and tell them and they will have Vexcon come out and spray. (Vexcon- like Billy the Exterminator on TV's company) there is a time of year that lovebugs come out too.. they are harmless, but your car will be covered in dead ones if you go anywhere! As for doctors... there is BJACH on post (the hospital) some people say they are alright, but i didn't think so. if you need an appointment make sure you call a couple weeks in advance. there is also Bryd hospital off post and there must be docs offices but idk.
They just put in a new PX before we left and that was nice, in town there is Walmart, Lowes, and a few other small stores along with a bunch of dirty strip clubs and bars (when i say dirty, i mean DIRTY! when you get there, your husband will probably get a briefing about the high STD rate in the area.) and crappy tattoo shops..EXCEPT for Year of the Monkey Tattoo right near entrance rd. they are awesome. i worked there when i was there, the owner is from NY, like me! if you are flying in, you'll fly into Alexandria airport, which is about an hour west of Polk. they have more stuff there like a mall and restaurants and a zoo. If you travel about an hour south there is Lake Charles, which has a better mall and things to do. Teledo Bend is a short drive away they have an MWR site on the LA side that has beaches, a playground, camping sites, boat rentals and so on... i do have to say the Texas side of Teledo bend is nicer though.


sorry this is long... but no one else has responded yet... so here ya go!