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Fort Moore Army Base is formally known as Fort Benning and is home to many of our nation's finest soldiers and is a great place to be stationed. But if you want to live off base with your family, you have many great options from which to choose. The following four cities are among the most popular destinations for soldiers and military personnel near Fort Moore. Each has many advantages that make them a great place to raise your children.

Great Neighborhoods Near Fort Moore

• Columbus
• Bibb City
• Phenix City
• Cusseta

Celebrate Military Tradition in Columbus

This city is often the most popular destination for Fort Moore soldiers and military personnel. Once ranked the fourth best place to live by Best Life Magazine, Columbus celebrates its military tradition. It hosts the National Infantry Museum and consistently welcomes area soldiers with open arms. Expect rent for two-bedroom homes to be around $640 to $700 per month with homes costing about $135,000 to buy.

And families looking to shop have many fun opportunities. Places like the Peachtree Mall and The Landings have clothes, toys, and much more available for your family. You also get access to multiple educational opportunities, including Forrest Road Elementary School, Muscogee County Schools, and Shaw High School. Therefore, you can pick and choose where you want to send your children.

However, residents need to be careful because Columbus has a surprisingly high crime rate in some areas. Around 1,310 violent crimes occurred last year and approximately 8,887 property crimes. Try to move to these neighborhoods for safety: Sand Hill, Green Island Hills, Midland, Flat Rock, Battle Park, or Custer Road Terrace. These areas have much lower crime occurrences than other areas of Columbus and are an excellent place to raise a family.

Suburban Living in Bibb City

Bibb City is a Columbus suburb with a low-key personality. As a tranquil neighborhood, it is home to less than 600 people. Though it is near Columbus, there is a small-town sense of connection that makes it a comfortable place to integrate a new family. Parks and other play areas are a frequent destination for many in the area.

When you live here, you can send your children to the nearby Bibb County School. This K-12 facility is consistently highly rated by those who live there. You can also take advantage of Columbus' many shopping districts, as you are not too far from the city. Expect rent of around $570 for a two-bedroom house and up to $800 for a three-bedroom home. You can also pay approximately $96,000 to $125,000 for a home.

Unfortunately, Bibb City has a relatively high crime rate due to its proximity to Columbus. In 2018, violent crimes increased by nearly six percent. Robbery did decrease by 14 percent, though, and burglary went down a further three percent. These rates are for Bibb County specifically, though, and aren't all centered in this otherwise beautiful city.

Experience Nature in Phenix City

If you want to live a little further from Fort Moore, Phenix City is a good choice. It is located about 10 miles from the base or about a 20-30 minute drive, depending on traffic. You're also around an hour and a half from Montgomery, Alabama. As a result, you can take the family to this city and check out various shopping districts and historical features related to the Civil Rights movement.

You'll also be located near the beautiful Chattahoochee River, which brings a touch of nature to the area. However, this river drives up the prices of real estate a little. Expect to pay between $229,000 to $400,000 for a home. Renting is your best option here. Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $600 or so for two- and three-bedroom apartments. This rent is worth it when you get access to space-oriented destinations that your kids will love.

Sadly, Phenix City is similar to the previous two residents due to a very high crime rate. Your chance of becoming a victim of crime is one in 21. This rate varies depending on where you live in the city, however. Nearby Smith's Station may be a better choice for some families due to a lower crime rate.

Small Town Living in Cusseta

Last on our list is Cusseta. This sleepy city has a population of around 12,000, making it a low-key town for the Fort Moore family. Currently, it hosts several different festivals, such as the Labor Day Fiddlers' Contest. This fun activity includes music, poetry, blacksmithing, cooking, and wagon rides. And if you love relaxing on a golf course, you have many options in this area.

Rent here is typical for the area: around $585 to $720 for two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes. Real estate costs around $104,000 to $138,000, as well, making this a very affordable place to live. School options include multiple elementary options and a middle and high school. Though you'll lack the educational opportunities common in Columbus, you'll also be in a smaller and friendlier community.

And if the relatively high crime rates of other neighborhoods concern you, move to Cusseta instead. This lovely suburb has a crime rate of just 1 in every 225 people. This rate makes it one of the safest places to live near Fort Moore. Even better, it is not only one of the safest places in Georgia but the entire nation. That makes this neighborhood a perfect destination for the family-oriented military person.

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