I really liked whiting. I didn't have to move again, so that was awesome. And I liked the Pensacola area a lot (if you are about to hate on Pensacola and you have been to a grand total of 2 duty stations, save it). There is actually a pretty good amount of stuff to do, and most of it on the cheap. They totally allow drinking on the beach for Christ sake. And you know what THAT leads to....cause you can also stay on the beach all night. But I digress...
The only reason I can think of NOT to stay in whiting is addressed in the BOQ thread.
And I am not a surfer, but East Coast surfing? I'll probably learn in Cherry Point, but it is like snowboarding in Nebraska. It ain't the real deal.