Washington State Has a lot of Navy Bases, When I retired from the Navy I retired to Oak Harbor WA on Whidbey Island. I have always tried to stay near a Navy base or any Military base. The Exchange and Commisaries can be great places to shop. Though the exchanges the only real savings you are going to get are in sales tax (there are none) Sailors make some good people (usually) The nearest military base to me now is a Coast Guard Station 30 miles away.