Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst (JB MDL)
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is in south central New Jersey. Perfectly positioned between Philadelphia, Newark, and the Jersey Shore, it's a more suburban location than you may expect within the state of New Jersey. Commonly called Fort Dix or McGuire-Dix, it was established in 1917 and in 2009 became a joint base, combining with naval and air force facilities nearby.
Off-Base Neighborhoods
Contrary to popular belief, New Jersey is not just a suburb of New York City or Philadelphia. The traffic stays close to the big cities, and most of the rest of the state consists of small towns and main streets. Since there aren't many options in the immediate area off base, many people choose to live in Medford or Mount Holly because they are small, cute areas.
Mount Laurel, Brown Mills, Bordentown, and Marlton are other popular areas. Cherry Hill is another option, about 45 minutes from base and 15 minutes from Philadelphia. Check where your service member will be working because Lakehurst isn't part of the main base.
On Base Housing
Living on base at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) is a great financial option for those who many are not willing to shell out rental payments over their BAH. United Communities has the contract for privatized housing on Dix and McGuire, and they have six neighborhoods between them.
Falcon Courts East and North and Starlifter are on McGuire. Garden Terrance, Laurel Hills, Holly Crest, and Grove Park are on Dix. Their facilities include swimming pools and splash pads, fitness classes, community centers, natural trails and grilling stations, sports fields, and 46 playgrounds. Several floor plans are available to meet your family's needs, and they all contribute to the small-town feel base housing brings.
Balfour Beatty manages the housing on Lakehurst, and they have homes with 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedrooms. The two neighborhoods, Pinehurst Estates (also called South Village) and On Base, have access to all the facilities on base, including playgrounds, a pool, and a dog park.
Schools
The joint installation includes a few school districts. The school districts in the area are North Hanover Township, Northern Burlington, Pemberton, and Lakehurst. Fort Dix Elementary School is located on base and serves students through fourth grade. There are two upper elementary schools for 5th and 6th graders. Older children will attend Helen A. Fort Middle School and Pemberton Township High School. You can choose which school district you'd like your children to attend when you register them.
Cost of Living and BAH
The cost of living in south-central New Jersey is moderate, less than the big cities but more than the suburbs in the south. JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst has the sixth-highest BAH rate for a joint base in the country.
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst BAH ranges from $1,581 to $2,679 for enlisted. BAH at McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst begins at $2,148 for O1 without dependents and goes up to $2,994 for O7 with dependents.
Housing Costs
The median sales price home in Trenton, New Jersey, is $200,000, at about $132 per square foot. Many towns in the area, including Mount Laurel, Brown Mills, Cherry Hill, and Bordentown – all have homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. The Medford and Freehold areas are more expensive, in the $400,000 to $500,000 range.
Weather
New Jersey is the typical four-season kind of state. Winter can bring freezing temperatures and snow, spring brings rain, summers can be hot, and the fall leaves are pretty to look at. In 2012, the shore got slammed by Hurricane Sandy, but it's not typical for late-season hurricanes to impact the state.
Base Amenities
JB MDL has a commissary that's open seven days a week, located on the McGuire section of the base. The Exchange has a lot of extra services, including a GNC, Firestone, GameStop, and UPS store.
MWR services are robust, with four gyms – including one on Lakehurst – two bowling alleys, an arts and crafts center, and two golf courses. Batting cages, putt-putt golf, go-karts, and a movie theater create even more options for families. Between MRW and the housing communities, there are many free events for families each year.
Area Attractions
One of the best things about New Jersey is its proximity to everything. The Jersey Shore has a Coast Guard Base and military-only beach called Sea Grit about an hour away. You can enjoy quick trips to Philadelphia for your history or sports fix. You can hop a train and be in New York City within two hours. Washington, DC is just a few hours down I-95.
A few hidden gems in the area are Diggerland – a construction-themed ride and water park – about an hour away. You also have the weekly Cowtown Rodeo, Freehold Raceway, and Buttermilk Falls. Farmers' markets and local farms are plentiful, where you can pick your fruits and vegetables. A favorite among locals is Delicious Orchards, the best place to pick apples and eat freshly-made apple cider donuts.
Food and Drink
When you're planning a date night out, make sure to keep in mind there are a lot of dry towns in South Jersey. For drinks, consider the seasonal options at Spellbound Brewery in Mount Holly, the vibes at Flying Fish Brewery in Somerdale, and check out Double Nickle in Pennsauken Township for a large group gathering.
Restaurants in Collingswood and Haddonfield are popular "foodie destinations" but about 50 minutes from base. Papa's Tomato Pies is one of the best pizza spots in the state, and Pop Shop is an excellent place for kids. You may also want to try a fancy night out at Café Aldo Lamberti.
Research Your Area Before Your Move
Discover area guides and trusted reviews by and for the military and veteran community for local neighborhoods, base housing, moving companies, lenders, schools, and more.
Access Review