Anyone here ever live in Guam?

[JoBri 548]

Just asking... They have an airbase there and my wife was wondering about living there, since it is much closer to the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, yet a US Territory.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have family there, but have never been there myself.

I have read on living in Guam and it reads like being in the Philippines in many ways.

[six7one 17]

I'm from Guam, and living here now. What would you like to know?

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Only visited, but it's nice. And SMALL. Living on base would prolly be better than off base, I'd reckon. But close and cheap to get to PI, for sure.

[JoBri 548]

  On 11/6/2013 at 4:13 AM, six7one said:

I'm from Guam, and living here now. What would you like to know?

Well, my wife is away right now, with the Air Force, but she told me on Skype she wondered about Guam... even found out the name of the base there. The Air National Guard in Guam operates out of Anderson Air Force Base. She is in the Air National Guard. When she gets back from Fort Lee, Virginia, where she is going through her Technical School at, she plans on starting in January to work on her nursing degree. She just wants to consider Guam for the future, as we look to see how things unfold.

She always has loved Singapore, and she lived in Indonesia and liked that too. And of course she is from the Philippines. I think she would be happy being close to those places at least. And she plans on staying in the Air National Guard until retirement. There are not a whole lot of places where you can be in the Air National Guard in Southeast Asia. But Anderson AFB is one. When she becomes an RN, maybe she could work in that field there somewhere. It would be easier maybe to get a job as an RN with just a 2-year degree in a Territory like Guam rather than going to a different country where the requirements might be more difficult for her. Yet she would be close to the places in Southeast Asia that she loves so much too. And she would also like our son to get exposed to the Asian culture more.

Things I read about Guam sounded a little discouraging, to me. Things like heavy congestion on the roads, poor roads, frequent power outages for extended periods of time, unreliable internet services, Much flooding for long periods of time, high food prices, especially meats, fruits and vegetables, wild dog problems, no noise restrictions... I wondered if all that is as bad as some things I read, or if those are extreme representations of life there. On the other hand I read it is listed among the top places to retire at, English is understood everywhere, the currency is the US Dollar, the US Constitution is law, Federal income tax of those living there goes right back into the island, and most costs are relatively affordable by American standards. And I read there are Department of Defense schools there, but not sure our son would be eligible for those being in the Air Guard and not Regular Air Force.

I wouldnt mind it even with hardships, because I would consider it an adventure. I could live anywhere in most any conditions and be ok. I was active duty Army and lived in the deserts and the snow, in rich wealthy lands and lands of great poverty. But I wonder a lot about the quality of life for my wife and son, as well as the opportunities for our son educationally. I read tonight that about 1/3 of the population are Filipino.

What I am saying is that Guam is a big unknown to me, other than the little I have already read. And I will be researching it a lot more. But anyone here who knows first-hand about life there I thought might be a huge resource in getting started in knowing the place some...

Thanks

[April-n-Gary 17]

Been to Guam quite a few times, sometimes for a couple months at a time. I'm also in the National Guard, Hawaii. Even though I was born and raised on an Island, and Guam in many respects is kind of like Hawaii, don't think I could live there permanently. In addition to all the problems you noted in your post, don't forget the frequent Typhoons! and the snakes...look up Brown Tree Snakes.

As for the jobs in the Guam Guard, I believe the units there are Services and Civil Engineers. I know of two individuals here in the Hawaii Guard (1 Doctor, 1 Med Tech) that are commuting from Guam to Hawaii because they don't have positions for them there. She maybe able to try a position with the Reserves instead, or even a IMA position. Although as a Guard member, you'll be able to use the BX and Commissary which is good, you don't have access to base housing or to the DODDS schools.

Also, although Guam is a lot closer to the Philippines, the airfare isn't as cheap as you'd think basically you have 2 choices, Phil Air or United, otherwise you'd have to fly as far as Japan or Korea to transfer.

You might want to consider Hawaii, although the cost of living can be high, esp. housing. As a RN your wife would be able to make a pretty good salary. Oh, and a lot of Filipinos here too! and a lot of other asian cultures.