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The best area in general is the Panhandle of Florida. From Pensacola with the Naval Station (home to the Blue Angels!), Eglin AFB (the size of Rhode Island!), Hurlburt field, and then to Tyndall AFB in Panama City. The whole part of the emeral coast is beautiful and very supportive of the military. Colorado Springs is also really nice.
I would try to not get stationed to Minot AFB in North Dakota. Cold as hell (-50 anyone??), middle of no where, very few options for shopping, eating, doctors, flights, anything really and the base itself is nothing special. The redeeming quality is the people. Granted the locals may be bit naive (most have never left the state) but they are usually nice. I am not one for small town feelings, but if that's what you dig, then you may like it.
You're right on both counts. Clarksville (like most military towns) is pretty dumpy. And Asian beetles most definitely have a smell, particularly when there are a few thousand of them dried up in the vacuum cleaner.
Would Annapolis count as a military town since it's home to the Naval Academy? If so, I think it's the nicest military town.
From a Navy point of view:
Best-Jacksonville, FL and Norfolk, VA
Worst-Patuxent River, MD ("Pax River")
Was stationed in Jacksonville and Norfolk between 2000 and 2002, so I things may have changed, but I enjoyed my time in both places. Yes, the traffic around Norfolk is bad, but I lived very close to the base and avoided it.
Pax River--isolated! Most people from Maryland have never even heard of the place unless they live (or have lived) there. You have to drive 45 minutes to get to an okay shopping mall and there really is nothing to do unless you are a boater. It is a pretty place, but I was so happy when we moved.
I agree, Ft. Carson in Col Springs and the Presidio are beautiful. Ft. Stewart in Savannah is OK. Ft. Bragg is nice, but Fayetteville itself is pretty much an armpit.
Unfortunately, a military town seems to cater to the lowest common denomonater. The bigger it is the more poluted it becomes with used car dealers, pawn shops, tattoo parlors and strip joints.
I would have gnawed my arm off if we had been stationed at Edwards AFB in the desert of California. We just drove x-country and I couldn't believe how depressing it was driving through there. Ick!
As an Army mom, I can't say what it's like to live on base but as a frequent visitor to a few.....
I liked Columbus Ga(Benning)
Ft Bragg is ok but the jury is still out on Fayetteville, if you stay off Bragg Blvd it's not TOO bad.
Ft Bliss El Paso...I didn't care for this one and the only reason I could come up with is...I need trees and grass. We went there for a cousin's CSM graduation. Wonderful group of people.
Sheffield Barracks....well it's in Hawaii....nuff said. lol
My favorite so far has been Ft Lewis. Lots of towns to choose from if you don't want to live on base. Stunning scenery close by.
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Clarksville is pretty bad. 
Army Mom
