Houses for Sale Near Camp Blanding Army Base | Florida

The camp serves as a training ground for the Florida Army National Guard and the Florida National Guard. Additionally, the Florida Air National Guard uses it for training and exercises that don't include flying.

Numerous weather squadrons and the Air Force civil and regular Army support teams train at the camp too. It also serves as a training facility for numerous Florida law enforcement agencies.

Each year, the NROTC teams from the University of South Florida and Jacksonville University visit the camp for a week of training.

History

The history of Camp Blanding is fascinating. Due to its location on Lake Kingsley, it was first classified as a naval base in the 1930s.

The Navy wanted a location along the St. James River in Jacksonville, but the area had already been earmarked for use by the State National Guard. Talks between both parties resulted in the arrangement of a land transfer.

The National Guard Officers Association of Florida proposed naming the camp after Lieutenant General Albert H. Blanding. The Florida native was the commander of the 2nd Florida Brigade in the Mexican Border War from 1916 to 1917.

He's often regarded as one of Florida's most illustrious military leaders and has received the Distinguished Service Medal.

During WWII, the camp grew to be the size of the 4th largest city in the state and a primary training site for the United States Army.

The army leased the camp as a training facility in 1940. It was converted into a training facility for army replacements, a place for troop inductions, and, for a little while, a camp for 2000 German POWs.

Following the war, it was shrunk, and the site was returned to the state. Camp Blanding saw little use after the war ended until renovations to the post got underway in 1970.

It received a Class A military station designation from the Department of Defense in 1981, and since then, it has continued to expand.

Camp Blanding contains several live-fire facilities for practice with all different types of ammunition, including explosive mortars. There are numerous small arms ranges where soldiers can obtain pistol certification. There's also a squad combat range that can hold a complete platoon while simulating combat conditions.

The camp also features three significant maneuver areas to model other kinds of combat scenarios.

The construction of a tunnel, a bridge, and several buildings has allowed foot soldiers to experience battle in a tiny city. There's also a target at the southern section of the camp that has been constructed as a good place for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps to practice strafing and bombing.

Amenities

At any given moment, Camp Blanding can house 3,000 military personnel. It offers an authentic field experience. Tents and barracks-style buildings are used as accommodations because the camp is designed as temporary training grounds. The troops eat in a mess hall while post-exchange transactions are done online.

The training camp is surrounded by the city of Starke, which has around 5700 people. In addition to its metropolitan advantages, the city has plenty of housing options. Other locations close to the camp include Waldo, Keystone Heights, Middleburg, Orange Park, and Lakeside.

What it's like to live off the base

Living off-site while still being a Camp Blanding Army Base member is a beautiful experience. The environment, base activities, and educational system are all excellent. It's challenging to get bored because there are many things to do here.

Daytimes are usually warm, while nights are cool. You won't need too much gear when it gets chilly outside.

Things to do near Camp Blanding Army Base

Everyone can find something to do at Camp Blanding. This military facility is an excellent choice for a camping trip or a family getaway. There are also plenty of attractions nearby to explore with family and friends.

Some of the top attractions and activities near Camp Blanding include:

Hiking and biking trails

Biking and hiking are among the most sought-after activities close to the army base. The Magnolia Lake Trail and the Florida Trail - Camp Blanding Loop are two of the most popular trails in the area. Both are accessible on foot or by bike.

Camp Blanding Loop is a stretch of the Florida Trail. It'll take you through Camp Blanding and onto the State Road 21 bike trail, returning you to your starting position.

Sandhill landscapes, hardwood forests, and scrub habitats line the trails. Additionally, the route goes by the historic but abandoned vestiges of Magnolia Lake State Park.

On the other hand, the Magnolia Lake Path is a serene and beautiful path that leads to the lake and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding woodlands and water.

There aren't usually many other hikers or walkers along this trail, making it a terrific place to explore. Numerous wildlife species are frequently seen along this path; therefore, keeping a safe distance is recommended.

Various horse race tracks are near the camp, including the Peninsula Racing Centre and Kounty Line Kartway.

Golf course

Magnolia Point Golf & Country Club is an 18-hole course. It offers excellent weather, beautiful scenery, and a wide variety of local wildlife. There is a junior Olympic-sized pool, seven clay tennis courts, and a clubhouse with dining and drinking options. Throughout the year, notably on St. Patrick's Day and throughout the holidays, golf instruction is provided by costumed interpreters.

Other popular golf courses near the camp include Starke Golf & Country Club, Cecil Field Golf Club, Eagle Golf Club, and Fleming Island Golf Club.

Museums

The Camp Blanding Museum is a fantastic choice if you want to enjoy some cultural activities. You'll find one-of-a-kind artifacts from the Second World War and the Vietnam Conflict, along with tour guides who are incredibly knowledgeable.

Daily hours for the museum are noon to 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, group tours are possible with some planning. You are entitled to the accessible entrance if you are an active or retired military member.

Orange County Choppers Road House & Museum

For motorcyclists in the state, this location is the top destination. It has a restaurant, a music venue, and a museum dedicated to motorcycles. Even unique choppers seen in the popular TV program American Choppers are available.

The place also has one of the most prominent restaurants in Florida. Live music, pool, darts, and football are all available.

Arcade Bar

Gainesville's Arcade Bar is the place to go if you enjoy arcade games. It's ideal for an evening out with friends. There is an 80s-style outdoor disco with a deejay. Its drawcards include Pacman, Galaga, and Pinball.

Kingsley Lake

The camp is situated on the eastern side of Kingsley Lake, home to various activities, including camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking. The lake, thought to have sprung from a sinkhole, seems circular from above. Pilots call it Silver Dollar Lake.

Camp Blanding owns a portion of the shoreline, while the remaining portion is privately or publicly owned. The Camp Blanding section of the lake includes a dining facility for military retirees, a small exchange, a wedding venue, and a conference center.

Best communities near Camp Blanding Army Base

If you are given PCS orders at Camp Blanding, there are several beautiful communities where you can live.

Starke

Starke is about ten miles from Camp Blanding, on the outskirts of Highway 301. It's a small country town with a lot of commerce. There has been a small but steady influx of newcomers to the little town, but the population hasn't changed much over the last five years.

Indeed, it has grown by only 1.5 % to around 5700 people. Starke is an excellent blend of rural and more enormous suburban vibes.

There are a lot of businesses, but the community still feels close-knit. Out here, you get the most bang for your buck since houses and lots are more significant.

53 % of people in Starke are homeowners, while renters make up the rest. The average price of a single-family property in the town is around $202,000, which is low for Florida and moderate nationwide.

Single-family houses make up most of the properties on the market, although they are larger and surrounded by lots of greenery. The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $760.

The Starke School District runs the schools in this area. It places a priority on academics as well as extracurricular activities like band, art, choir, and theater programs. The school district boasts excellent enrollment rates, student-to-teacher ratios, graduation rates, and extracurricular performance.

Among the best schools are Starke Elementary School, Rainbow Center, Florida Youth Challenge Academy, and Bradford Middle and High Schools. The education system in the district has a "B" rating.

Some of Starke's attractions include superb southern cuisine (try Cedar River Seafood and Gainesville Soulfood Kitchen) and golf at Starke Golf & Country Club. Additionally, you can explore Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park and Kingsley Lake.

Middleburg

Middleburg is located near Jacksonville, just 10 miles from the army camp. Approximately 10,000 people live in the city, renowned for its historic neighborhood and plethora of boutiques and businesses. The town has an old-style feel with big houses and plenty of greenery.

The median listing price of homes in Middleburg has increased 10 % from August last year to $344,950. Most of the properties on the market are single-family residences. The majority of houses are ranch-style, but you can also find gated community properties and homes with pools. Most floor plans have between 1,300 and 4,800 square feet of living space.

It's easy to find newly built properties because the town has a lot of undeveloped lands. However, at least 1 in 10 homes in town require flood insurance.

The Clay County School District runs Middleburg schools. The area's private, public, and charter schools include Tynes Elementary School, Clay Charter Academy, Doctors Inlet Elementary School, Middleburg Middle School, Annunciation Catholic School, Pinewood Christian Academy, and Middleburg High School. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1, and most kids score above proficient in math and reading.

Dining, shopping, and outdoor exploration are just a few activities available to Middleburg's inhabitants. The town borders the Jennings State Forest and also hosts the Omega Sports Park.

There's also the Blackcreek, a 13-mile-long, dark waterway that gets its name from its vegetation. The creek is excellent for swimming, paddle boating, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife sightings. Be careful about the gators, though.

Apart from the museums, surrounding beaches, and professional sporting events, folks can easily travel northeast Highway 215 toward Jacksonville for high-end shopping, fantastic dining options, and a vibrant night scene.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is located 45 miles northeast of Camp Blanding Army Base. This city, which straddles the shores of the St. Johns River, offers a desirable blend of affordable housing, a low cost of living, strong income growth rates, and a wide range of cultural and outdoor adventures.

Jacksonville's housing costs typically range from $160,000 to over $300,000. But outside this price range, you can still find opulent homes in exclusive communities and budget-friendly starter homes in upcoming neighborhoods.

Single-family homes make up most of the properties on the market. They are in planned communities like the Fox Hill Farms community and the RiverTown development.

These communities provide facilities like playgrounds, swimming pools, and green areas. Condos are also available near the beach, downtown, or in the suburbs. Rent in the area starts at $780 for a studio apartment and $930 for a one-bedroom apartment, making renting a more common option for locals who don't want to purchase their own house.

Schools are widely available in Jacksonville. You can check out one of the city's numerous Duval County Public Schools, including Stanton College Preparatory School and the Paxon School for Advanced Studies. Numerous private choices are also available. Higher education institutions include the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Residents in Jacksonville enjoy a variety of entertainment options, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and the Museum of Science and History, among others.

Gainesville

Gainesville lies 35 miles southwest of the army camp. It's long been known as a retirement paradise, but it's also a top college town and attracts folks of all ages.

It's surrounded by various evergreen, deciduous, and coniferous tree species and rural land. The city's metropolitan region is home to nearly 340,000 people, making it the largest city in the north-central region of Florida.

Gainesville's cost of living is 10 % less than the national average per capita. The property market is also relatively inexpensive. Currently, the area's median home cost is $229,700, less than the typical home cost in the state ($295,000) and the nation ($292,000).

The city is the finest spot for pensioners or those wishing to have a family because it has some of the top healthcare institutions in the country.

The city also supports several remarkable educational institutions. Some top schools include Expressions Learning Arts Academy, Hidden Oak Elementary School, P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, and F. W. Buchholz High School.

Additionally, this is where the University of Florida lies. It's one of the top universities in the country. Santa Fe College is another option.

There are 15 community schools, state universities, and private colleges within a 64-kilometer radius of the city.

Residents of Gainesville enjoy long summers with relatively mild winters. The average temperature ranges between 54 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Some of the top activities and attractions in the city include Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly Rainforest, Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation, Gainesville Raceway, and the Historic Thomas Center.

Wrap-up

We have experienced realtors in Florida and will be glad to give you tips if you are looking for houses for sale near Camp Blanding Army Base. There are several communities near Camp Blanding to choose from if your PCS orders bring you here. Don't hesitate to give us a call.