Naval Postgraduate School & Presidio of Monterey
KEY CONTACTS
Monterey Bay Housing Services Office:
4250 General Jim Moore Blvd
Seaside, CA 93955
PH: (831) 242-7979
The Parks at Monterey Bay (Privatized Housing)
La Mesa Village Office
1200 Fechteler Drive
Monterey, CA 93940
PH: (831) 644-0400 ext. 2
Ord Military Community
4291 Normandy Road
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 644-0400 ext. 5
School Liaison:
4260 Gigling Road
Seaside, CA 93955
PH: (831) 242-6904
Army Community Service:
4260 Gigling Road
Seaside, CA 93955
PH: (831) 242-7660
Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time
About Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School was established in 1910 in Annapolis, Maryland, as a marine engineering school. The program evolved over time, and in 1951, the school moved across the country to Monterey, California. Since then, the Naval Postgraduate School has grown to nearly 1,500 students from all military branches, as well as DoD civilians and international partners. The Naval Postgraduate School has about 580 civilian and 40 military faculty members. The school offers approximately 70 programs of study, from engineering and physical science to homeland security and space science.
About Presidio of Monterey
The Presidio of Monterey was established on June 3, 1770, by Captain Don Gaspar de Portola when a Spanish expedition colonized the Monterey Bay area. Presidio means “garrisoned fort,” and the Presidio of Monterey has played a part in history from the U.S.-Mexico War through World War 2. In 1946, the Army moved its language school from San Francisco to Monterey. Today, the Presidio of Monterey is the home of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), the DoD’s premier school for culturally based foreign language education and training.
In addition to the DLIFLC, the Presidio of Monterey is also home to the 229th Military Intelligence Battalion, the Criminal Investigation Command, and the Information Warfare Training Command. The installation currently serves 9,692 active-duty service members and more than 27,000 retirees.
About Monterey County
Location
The Naval Postgraduate School and the Presidio of Monterey are located in Monterey, California, on the Pacific Coast, approximately 120 miles south of San Francisco. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is the closest airport, which has flights to several major west coast cities, Denver and Dallas. You will find more flight options out of San Jose International Airport (SJC) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which are between an hour and a half and two hours away. Traveling by train is also popular in California, and you can get from Los Angeles to Monterey in about 9 hours on Amtrak.
Attractions
Monterey is famous for its scenic coastal views. Driving 45 minutes down State Route 1 to Big Sur is sure to take your breath away. Yosemite National Park and the state capitol, San Francisco, are about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from the city. However, you don’t need to leave the city to have a great time. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is on the water and houses penguins, sea otters, sharks, turtles, and more. Also along the waterfront are Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, which are filled with shops and restaurants. Just 15 minutes south, in the town of Carmel, you will find Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, with hiking trails and tidal pools full of marine life.
Weather
Monterey’s location on the Pacific coast makes the climate very mild year-round. The temperature dips into the mid-40s in the winter and rarely gets above 75°F in the summer. The area receives an average of 18 inches of rain a year. It will occasionally snow in the mountains that overlook Monterey but rarely ever snows at lower elevations. The ocean is often colder than most people expect for California because the current travels south down the coast from Canada. If you plan to take up surfing, you may need a wetsuit!
Helpful Hints
The cost of living in Monterey is about 46% higher than the national average. People love living here for the temperate climate, low traffic levels, above-average schools, and abundance of seafood restaurants. Commute times, schools, and accessibility of restaurants and shopping should be considered when choosing a neighborhood and its proximity to the Presidio of Monterey or the Naval Postgraduate School.
County Website: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/
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Nearby Neighborhoods
ON-BASE HOUSING
The Parks at Monterey Bay offers privatized housing managed by the Michaels Organization. There are over 2,200 2- to 5-bedroom homes between La Mesa Village and Ord Military Community housing communities. La Mesa Village is within walking distance of the Naval Postgraduate School and contains an elementary school and a community center with an indoor pool and fitness center. Ord Military Community offers easy access to the Presidio of Monterey and the Naval Postgraduate School. It has a commissary, PX, Child Development Center, chapel, community center, and an elementary, middle, and high school located within the community. Additionally, Presidio Park offers 37 historic homes on the Presidio of Monterey for key and essential personnel. All incoming personnel are required to contact the Housing Services Office before renting, leasing, or buying a home.
The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District serves all military housing areas and the surrounding cities. There are ten elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools. Students must live in the attendance zone or be approved for an inter-district transfer.
OFF-BASE HOUSING
In addition to the on-base options, there are several off-post communities where many service families choose to reside.
Carmel-by-the-Sea and Salinas both have their own school districts.
Monterey
Monterey is known for its abundance of marine wildlife and fresh seafood.
Residents are very friendly, and all amenities are close together and easily accessible.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Del Monte
- Sand City
- Del Rey Oaks
Nearby Attractions
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Cannery Row
- Old Fisherman’s Wharf
By the Numbers
- 30,218
- $80,694
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Abundant dining and shopping options
- Close to hiking trails, beaches, and parks
- Within 10 minutes of Presidio of Monterey and Naval Postgraduate School
Things to Consider
- Monterey does draw a large tourist crowd, especially in the summer months
- There is not much nightlife in the area
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea has been voted one of the best places to live in California. It offers residents a sparse suburban feel with plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Carmel Meadows
- Pebble Beach
- Carmel Highlands
Nearby Attractions
- Carmel Mission Basilica Museum
- Point Lobos State Marine Reserve
- Carmel River State Beach
By the Numbers
- 3,220
- $98,188
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- A 15-minute commute to Presidio of Monterey and Naval Postgraduate School
- Well-developed downtown with many restaurants, galleries, and boutique shops
- Right on the coast with scenic views of the beach
Things to Consider
- Most shops and restaurants tend to close by 8 pm
- Many tourists visit the area
Salinas
Salinas is known as the Salad Bowl Capital of the World due to its vibrant agricultural industry. It was the hometown of writer John Steinbeck and was the setting of many of his stories.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Spreckels
- Boronda
- Gabilan Acres
Nearby Attractions
- National Steinbeck Center
- Laguna Seca Raceway
- Toro County Park
By the Numbers
- 163,542
- $69,117
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- A 10-minute commute to Presidio of Monterey and Naval Postgraduate School
- Extensive city amenities with a smaller town feel
- Closer to San Jose and San Francisco than Monterey
Things to Consider
- 30-35 minute commute to the Presidio of Monterey and Naval Postgraduate School
- Further inland from the coast, within 15-20 minutes of the beach
7 Reasons You Should Consider Buying a Home
1. TAX ADVANTAGES
To encourage homeownership, the IRS has provided many tax breaks for owning a home. Credits may be available for specific home improvements, such as using clean energy or for qualified first-time home buyers. The way most homeowners see those advantages is through income tax itemization and deductions like mortgage interest and real estate taxes.
2. STABALIZE MONTHLY HOME COSTS
Owning your own house is one of the safest bets on stabilizing your monthly home costs. There’s no worry of rent getting increased significantly after each year of living in someone else’s home. Additionally, when you answer to yourself, there is no worry of landlord changes or unexpected lease termination.
3. HOUSE HACKING
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
4. Increased Privacy
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
5. Pets Are Welcome!
For those who choose to rent instead of buying, it can be extremely difficult to find rentals who allow for your
four-legged, furry friends. Landlords often require hefty pet deposits or place heavy restrictions on the number of pets and breeds they allow—if they will even allow pets. When considering quality of life, including beloved pets and the indoor and outdoor space available to them matters. Having the flexibility to include ALL members of your family as a homeowner is priceless!
6. Pride of Ownership
One of the greatest benefits of owning your own home is the pride of ownership that comes along with it. Not only are homeowners more inclined to take good care of their investment with routine maintenance and cleaning, but also they are free to make design choices ranging from hanging artwork on the walls, to paint colors, to customization of closets, electronics, and more. As military families who relocate frequently, having your home reflect who you really are feels important.
7. Safe and Stable Long Term Investment + Forced Savings
Owning a home has historically been one of the safest, lowest risk financial investments that tends to have long-term stability and success. As your home value appreciates and your mortgage balance decreases, what’s left is growing equity with an eventual paid off home. Making a monthly house payment is akin to setting aside a specific amount each month into a savings account—it’s a little difficult to access in the moment, but over time it can build into something significant in the form of equity.
FIVE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN YOUR RELOCATION PROCESS
Your PCS is underway!
The home buying and moving transition process has begun. Now what? If it feels like there are a million things to do, don’t fret because you don’t have to do them all yourself. During the relocation process, there are many service providers that can assist you in making your move a smooth one.
Consider these five resources to help you in the process
1. MOVING COMPANIES
Sure, the military offers transportation and relocation services, but many service members decide to coordinate the transfer of household goods themselves. Not only can you often earn money on the difference between moving costs and weight allowances, but you can be assured that you have more control over your belongings. Services that moving companies offer can range from delivery of boxes and pods for the “you-pack” model all the way to full-service logistics companies that will do all of the packing, loading, driving, and unpacking for you.
2. STORAGE
Whether you need to store your household goods for a few weeks until you close on your home or you decide that you have more stuff than square footage, storage companies abound. Sizes, conditions, and contracts vary widely so be sure to do your homework before you commit. Particularly in climates with extreme cold, heat, or humidity, it is important to consider using only climate-controlled storage to ensure the protection of your furniture and temporarily unused items.
3. TEMPORARY HOUSING
It is not uncommon for there to be a short gap of time during a military move between when you arrive at your new duty station and your new home being available to inhabit. No longer are hotels the only option for sticking out a few days or weeks during the wait. Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) and Airbnb are great options to make you feel more at home while you wait for your home. In fact, why not take advantage of seeing your new city through the eyes of a tourist? Find a location near new local attractions and dining and enjoy a few days of getting to know the lay of the land.
4. USPS/IRS
Once you get settled in at your new home, it’s important that you alert agencies that will make sure your current and up-to-date address is on file. The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are two of the most important and by doing so, any important mail or documents in your name should be forwarded or sent along to your new address. It’s also a good idea to notify banks, credit card companies, and other debt collectors of a change of address. These days nearly all of these transactions can be handled online.
5. DISCARD & DONATE SERVICES
No matter how much you purge, toss, organize, minimize, or donate before you pack up the moving truck, it never fails that after you get unpacked on the other side there seems to be more stuff to declutter. Discard and donate services can help with this. Many are a phone call away and will happily come to your residence for a pickup. Others are structured where you simply drop off at a store. A lot of these services are charitable organizations and will offer you documentation for your own taxes based on your donation. It’s a win-win: you downsize by donating, and someone else benefits from your use of your items.
