Pensacola, Florida area. (Panhandle area of Florida near the Alabama border & close to the most beautiful beaches in the US if you prefer pure white sand as most do. Both the Florida & Alabama beaches are spectacular.)
Savannah, Georgia.
Jacksonville, Florida.
Not sure, but I think that all offer access to military bases as well as, of course, ocean access.
Can you tolerate humidity or do you have a strong preference for an arid climate ?
@Publisher
I would prefer to not be in a super humid location, as I have always found it harder to breathe in, but I also realize that would remove almost everywhere that’s affordable, so I would suck it up to be nearer to the water.
Since a few people mentioned me I will elaborate on Italy. Sorta joking but sorta not. Went there prior to kids 25 years ago with wife
3 weeks started at Milan and ended at Almafi Coast.Took the trains etc. Still use our Invicta back pack that all the Children /Students were wearing… Loved the food, people, scenery, culture etc.
So just searching the internet last year or so I see this https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/one-dollar-home-sambuca-sicily-italy/index.html
Hmmm… Now not expecting to get anything for a dollar but after looking interesting things for $25,000 and up. Hmmm. I have fixed up property like my house. This would be a fun project but not exactly close to a home depot or Chicago…
Then I looked at Tuscany, Florence, Cinque Terra etc and see very affordable places in the hills, farm land etc. Friends tell me they split a farm house and it was lovely on a recent trip (like a nice house not a barn… Lol.)
Then started looking at Expat sites and see its maybe not so unrealistic… Hmmm… Then I have a plate of pasta. Hmmm… ?️?.
Talked to my soon to be graduate daughter about it for fun. My wife has traveled with her solo and I would love to. Hmm…
So it’s fun to research right now. ?.
Have to figure out the 90 day visa thing. Maybe start looking for travel specials to get this out of my system… Lol…
@milgymfam - great options listed! I’ll echo @ChaosParent23 that there are some good options in NC. We moved here from Boston about 3ish years ago and also chose to live in a higher cost area for the great schools. However, once that is no longer an issue, I can still see living around here because of the reasonable cost of living, weather, medical care and quality of life. Have you considered trying some places out before committing? Maybe spend a few months while transitioning into your next phase of life to spend a few weeks to a month in a short term rental in a few ‘finalist’ locations?
Another option I haven’t seen is further down the Florida gulf coast for places like Naples or Fort Myers. Of course, there are some shockingly expensive areas around there, but also some very affordable areas. Perhaps the one concern would be the huge population growth.
Naples, Florida is very expensive, although some nearby communities are affordable.
Also, I do not know of any DOD employment opportunities in the area, but I could be wrong.
Providence, RI
@Publisher - I forgot about the DoD requirement…I don’t think there is much there in that regards.
@chaphillmom there is no DoD requirement.
OP’s post #60 indicates a preference for DoD employment opportunities, but apparently it is not a requirement.
@Publisher, in an ideal world he would be able to slot into a civilian DoD job, but that’s not necessary, and the 6 months required wait time makes it fairly unlikely anyway.
Naples, Florida is beautiful, on the water, elegant, and expensive. If this area in SW Florida appeals to you, then consider nearby Bonita Springs for more affordable options.
I’d agree with @Publisher on Bonita Springs- this would have you withing 15-30 minutes drive of the beaches. Traffic getting to the beaches can be a bother during the high season, but not too bad for large parts of the year. My perception from the many times I have gone there with my family is that there are quite a few retired military families in the area, good medical care, and lots to do (fishing etc.). The Fort Myers airport is pretty decent, but on the small side. It gets service from a number of low cost carriers (Spirit etc.), as well as the bigger carriers.
Triangle area of NC (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) has much to offer. My D and her H lived in Chapel Hill while H was in grad school. They now live in Indianapolis (great job opportunity) and miss Chapel Hill. Not sure if the Triangle area meets an hour from the ocean requirement.
Thanks @BunsenBurner for directing me to this thread.
You might want to check out some of the islands north of Seattle, such as Camano, Whidbey, or Fidalgo. Or the city of Bellingham, which isn’t on an island but might have rents above your target. We live on Camano Island and have 2 decent airports within an hour drive (Bellingham and Everett) plus a major airport (SeaTac) about 75 minutes away. Rents in the Seattle area are outrageous, as is the traffic, but things are slower and cheaper here.
To put things in perspective, our island is about 20 miles long and has only four stoplights and no 4 lane roads. But the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so there’s no need for a ferry.
There are two state parks here with plenty of beach trails. The water’s cold, so forget about swimming in it.
The area where @sherpa lives if is stunning! 
More urban areas here along the coast include Mukilteo, Everett, Bellingham. Or south of Seattle there is Olympia.
I have friends who live up in that area- one in Bellingham and one in Monroe, and it is very beautiful up there.
What are the rents like in that area?
Bellingham, Washington is fairly expensive now. Asking prices for homes have doubled, or nearly doubled, in just 4 years.
Bellingham is home to the beautiful campus of Western Washington University.
Other financial considerations besides rent - Will the location allow you to give up one of your cars? Is the airport well suited for flights you’ll take often (to visit kids etc)?
Also helpful for general comparison is Cost of Living calculators- for example https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator
According to Zillow, apartments and even some houses are within the OP’s target on Whidbey Island, in Bellingham, and in Stanwood, just east of Camano Island. Camano doesn’t have many apartments, but I’m sure that they’re affordable when the become available.
The key is accessibility to employment, as convenience to Seattle goes up, so do rents.