If you’re new to living in the South, you’ll get a heaping dose of Southern culture near Fort Moore, Georgia (formerly Fort Benning). Small-town charm mixed with a strong military vibe creates a unique experience.
Don’t worry; this hybrid culture is easy to get used to, particularly if you jump into the food and culture scene! Friendly locals are common, but so is the transient nature of the area’s military families.
Getting to Know Fort Moore
Fort Moore is just south of Columbus, Georgia, on U.S. Highway 27. The post covers nearly 182,000 acres of land, with 93% of the area in Georgia and 7% in Alabama. Newcomers are often unaware that Fort Moore straddles the Georgia and Alabama border. For this reason, Fort Moore; Columbus, Georgia; and Phenix City, Alabama, are known as the “Tri-Community.”
Incoming families find that Fort Moore offers plenty to do, especially outside. Some favorites are the Chattahoochee River Walk and outdoor markets on the weekends. Festivals are popular most of the year and honor everything from heritage to innovation. Columbus boasts a robust cultural scene for a small city, including an opera house and amphitheater.
Fort Moore is a TRADOC installation (Training & Doctrine Command), so there’s a good chance that if a service member is stationed at Fort Moore, they’ll attend Basic Training, Airborne School, or be assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Fort Moore is also home to the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, including the U.S. Army Infantry and Armor Schools. Don’t stress if you don’t see your unit listed; there are many more work and training opportunities for the more than 70,000 active duty soldiers stationed here.
Limited duty tours, coupled with the short time spent at school programs such as basic training and Airborne school, regularly bring service members in and out.
Military Installations Around Fort Moore
Fort Moore’s military base neighbors include Robins AFB, MCLB Albany, Dobbins ARB, Fort Gillem, and Moody AFB. These installations are all located in Georgia but are a hefty distance away. The closest installations, MCLB Albany and Robins AFB are about a two-hour drive from Fort Moore. Dobbins AFB is slightly farther away in Atlanta, just over a two-hour drive.
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School and Places to Live On or Off Fort Moore
Fort Moore offers on-base housing through The Villages at Fort Moore. Military housing is available in various configurations throughout seven different communities.
Fort Moore is one of the few remaining CONUS bases under DODEA jurisdiction. There are five elementary schools and one middle school on Fort Moore. Children residing on base attend school on Fort Moore for Pre-K through the 8th grade. After, they move on to local county schools.
Because the base encompasses counties in Georgia and Alabama, four school districts are options for high school: Muscogee County Schools, Chattahoochee County Schools, Russell County Schools, and Lee County Schools. This is valuable information when searching for Fort Moore homes for sale because sellers often include school districts in their listings. The area also offers multiple choices for private or homeschool education resources, including parochial affiliations.
Off base, you can find Fort Moore homes for rent or sale in several neighborhoods that current military families enjoy. These tend to be a 20 to 30-minute drive from Fort Moore, and the commute usually begins or ends with backups at Moore’s gates.
To help you find the best Fort Moore housing for your needs, keep in mind that Phenix City, Fort Mitchell, Salem, and Smith's Station are all on the Alabama side of the post, while Columbus, Fortson, and Cusseta are on the Georgia side. Home searchers will also see mentions of neighborhoods such as Wrenwood, Bradley Park, Midland Springs, and North Columbus.
Are you looking for a real estate agent near Fort Moore? Take a look at our Fort Moore real estate professionals directory.
Fort Moore Life
Fort Moore is vast and offers many services that are often overlooked on a small base, starting with Army Community Service’s Newcomers Orientation. The program provides resources, activities, and organizations on base and in the local communities to help your family take advantage of all the opportunities the Chattahoochee Valley offers.
To start a new routine at Fort Moore, take a look at the Child & Youth Services and the sports and fitness offerings. Seasonal programming, in addition to scheduled care and classes, is available.
The Outdoor Recreation Center offers many opportunities to enjoy Fort Moore’s year-round activities, including hunting, fishing, parks, ponds, trails, swimming, and a shooting complex.
Fort Moore Military Spouse and Family Support
Due to its size, Fort Moore has many avenues for spouses to engage. Higher education is offered through college campuses on base and outside the gates. Community colleges offer both degrees and classes for personal development or fun.
Job searches are limited by industry, and growth remains slow. Fort Moore and local school districts are two major employers, followed by healthcare and local government. Spouses can spend free time volunteering, as there are always organizations in need, such as the Ronald McDonald House. Civic clubs and spouse organizations round out opportunities beyond work and home life.
Check out some of these groups and resources:
- Fort Moore Army Community Services
- Fort Moore MWR
- Fort Moore Spouses’ Club
- Team RWB Fort Moore
- Warrior Outreach
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Things to Do Around Fort Moore
Thanks to Fort Moore’s Central Georgia location, the Panhandle region of Florida (Panama City and Pensacola) and Jacksonville, Florida, are popular destinations because of the military-affiliated installations in the region and as vacation destinations.
Atlanta, Savannah, and Montgomery, Alabama, are all within a few hours’ drive of Fort Moore. Residents typically visit these cities on day trips or weekends.
Downtown Columbus also offers much to see and do. It has undergone a significant transformation over the last several years, enticing developers and small business owners to set up shop. Expect to find unique stores and lively restaurants and bars. The Chattahoochee River Walk is a popular gathering spot for enjoying river views, restaurants, and nightlife options.If your memories of Fort Moore and Columbus are from years past, you have some catching up to do!
A PCS move to Fort Moore will look much different with the ongoing revitalization projects and the improved amenities on base. Now, military families are better suited to enjoy the area while stationed here.
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