Crashpads near Hurlburt Field

Where the crashpads are

Neighborhoods our Hurlburt Field hosts are in

Plan roughly 30 minutes along US-98 from the Palms of Destin to Hurlburt's main gate, with Eglin AFB and Duke Field also in easy reach.

• Mary Esther

  ~5-10 min

  The town at the gate — modest 1970s-90s ranch homes, quiet streets, Florosa and Mary Esther Elementary zoning, and a median price around $323,000, which is why so many junior enlisted and dual-military couples land here.

• Navarre

  ~15-20 min

  The AFSOC family default: the biggest house for your BAH, newer subdivisions off US-98 and FL-87, Santa Rosa County schools, and the quietest beach on the coast, at the cost of being 15 miles from anything else.

• Fort Walton Beach

  ~10-15 min

  The real town with the commissary-run errands, downtown on the sound, older homes in the $335,000 range, Bruner Middle and Fort Walton Beach High, and an easy shot down US-98 to either Hurlburt or Eglin.

• Shalimar and Wright

  ~15-20 min

  Between the two bases on Eglin Parkway — a good pick for dual-base couples or anyone who wants Eglin's hospital close, with a mix of mid-century homes and newer builds and solid Okaloosa schools.