Hampton Roads Area Base Guides
About hampton Roads
If you are in the Navy, there are good odds that you will spend a portion of your career in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Naval Station Norfolk is the largest naval station in the world. The “Seven City” area contains an unrivaled concentration of our nation’s military (over 100,000 active duty) and TEN installations across all service branches. Sailors commonly spend more than one tour of duty here—and many make it their last assignment so they can homestead in the area.
Water permeates Hampton Roads. This vast natural harbor in northeastern Virginia is formed by the Elizabeth, James, and Nansemond Rivers (along with several smaller tributaries), which empty into the Chesapeake Bay. This complex system of deep waterways makes it a busy waterway for commercial shipping, military transport, and all manner of leisure boating. The “Tidewater,” or land area, is split by the harbor into two regions: The Peninsula and The Southside.
Beautiful beaches, buzzing urban centers, perfectly preserved historic districts, and expansive wildlife sanctuaries provide something for everyone in Hampton Roads. History buffs enjoy Williamsburg and Yorktown, and the coastal areas are inundated with tourists during the summer months for the food, festivals, and surfing. Yep, the East Coast has surf beaches! Employment opportunities in Norfolk are plentiful for career-minded spouses, and there are several esteemed universities and community colleges for those looking to continue their education.
Positioned on the southern edge of the Mid-Atlantic states, Hampton Roads’ climate borrows from both extremes. Winters can see bone-chilling temps and snowstorms, while summers are hot and sticky (though only three to four months long). We’d be remiss if we didn’t emphasize the heat and humidity in the summer, though. Anyone used to a good old “southern summer” should be unphased. But if you’re unfamiliar—brace yourself. It’s hot and humid, and the mosquitoes can carry off small pets. The region is also flood-prone and seems to have a penchant for natural disasters. Flood insurance is a must, mainly because many areas lie below sea level.
Each city has a distinct personality, so it should be easy to find an area that fits your family’s style. Beach bums, foodies, and families love Virginia Beach. Active, young professionals flock to Norfolk for the downtown and Ghent neighborhoods. Those looking for a quiet pace with a historic flare look to Portsmouth. Those searching for a little more breathing room in the country head to the Western Branch and Deep Creek areas of Chesapeake.
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KEY CONTACTS
Langley Family Housing
1798 First St.
LAFB Virginia, 23665
PH: (888) 468-0035
Airman and Family Readiness Center
45 Nealy Ave.
Wing B Ste. 100
Bldg. 15
LAFB Virginia, 23665
PH: (757) 764-3990
School Liaison
36 Sweeney Blvd.
LAFB Virginia, 23665
(Inside Shellbank Fitness Center—Room 21)
PH: (757) 225-2378
Fort Eustis Family Homes
126 Madison Ave.
Fort Eustis, VA 23604
PH: (757) 369-8335
Army Community Service
705 Washington St.
Bldg. 71
Fort Eustis, VA 23604
PH: (757) 878-4955
School Liaison
650 Monroe Ave.
Fort Eustis, VA 23604
PH: (757) 878-4025
(757) 878-1564
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 Joint Base Langley-Eustis
Two prominent military installations occupy opposite sides of The Peninsula, and their joint name confuses many. In 2010, the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) merged Langley Air Force Base with the Army’s Fort Eustis but didn’t physically move them any closer. The two installations are a 20- to 30-minute drive from each other, and many people consider the “joint base” status to be in name only. They each retain most of their own services, base amenities, and housing. With orders to Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) comes a slight learning curve, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Langley AFB
Langley is home to the 1st Fighter Wing (most notable for their F-22 Raptors) and Air Combat Command (ACC) headquarters. It is also host to the Global Cyberspace Integration Center field operating agency. The F-22 Raptor Demo Team hosts an annual air show to the delight of eardrums far and wide! The 633rd Air Base Wing proudly supports the missions of the Air Force and the Army with operations on both installations.
Adjacent to Hampton, Virginia, Langley AFB is in the heart of the Tidewater region of Hampton Roads. It’s on the southeastern tip of The Peninsula, with easy access to Interstate 64. You can easily travel north to Newport News and Fort Eustis, but going to The Southside means getting through a bridge-tunnel. Base housing is available at Langley or Fort Eustis, so be aware that there is at least a 30-minute commute between bases.
Fort Eustis
Any aficionado of history will love Fort Eustis. The base is nearing its centennial year, and you can trace its history even further back to the arrival of the first colonists in 1607. Today, Fort Eustis is the home of The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) headquarters and the 7th Transportation Brigade. Fort Eustis occupies most of what used to be known as Mulberry Island—even though it’s technically a peninsula. This low-lying area just east of the James River is in Newport News and sits roughly 18 miles south of Williamsburg. Base housing is available, but most people head off base searching for desirable schools.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services
Navy Housing Service Center
1596 Tomcat Blvd., Bldg. #280
Virginia Beach, VA 23460
PH: (757) 433-3268/3368
Fleet & Family Support Center
11896 Laser Rd., Ste. 120
Virginia Beach, VA 23460-2281
PH: FFSC (757) 433-2912
School Liaison Officer
875 D Ave.
Building 531
Virginia Beach, VA 23460
PH: (757) 433-2496
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 Air Station Oceana
Do you know what freedom sounds like? Anyone residing near Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana can undoubtedly tell you. NAS Oceana is the Navy’s East Coast “Master Jet Base” and a hive for F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets with eighteen Hornet squadrons. Over seven miles of runways are utilized by nearly 15,000 military personnel to support Strike Fighter Aircraft Joint/Inter-Agency Operations.
The prime Virginia Beach coastline that NAS Oceana lies on was once a dismal, swampy marshland. The base began as an auxiliary airfield for the Norfolk area installations, but after World War II, the small field expanded. In 1952, NAS Oceana was commissioned and had seen many improvements—notably the arrival of jets in 1954.
Today, NAS Oceana occupies almost 6,000 acres and has 250 aircraft. Base housing is available, but you’ll likely be on a waitlist. Many privatized housing communities are located throughout The Southside cities, and a high inventory of homes is usually available for rent or sale. Virginia Beach is a desirable locale, and military families flock from all over The Southside to live here. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a massive help in this region.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services
Lincoln Military Housing
Stanley Court District Office
16 Debra Ln.
Portsmouth, VA 23702
PH: (757) 598-7266
New Gosport District Office
313 Green Point Ln.
Portsmouth, VA 23702
PH: (757) 673-0082
Fleet & Family Support Center
620 John Paul Jones Cir.
Portsmouth, VA 23708
PH: FFSC (757) 953-7801
School Liaison Officer
1099 Holcomb Rd.
Bldg. 272, Rm. 105
Portsmouth, VA 23708
PH: (757) 921-5876
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 Medical Center Portsmouth
In keeping with the superlative nature of most military installations in Hampton Roads, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) is the oldest continuously operating hospital in the Navy. The beautiful domed building with its regal columns is a local treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Construction began on Building Number One in 1827 with the help of over half a million bricks from the Revolutionary-era Fort Nelson, which previously stood on that spot. The hospital saw its first patients in 1830, and construction officially wrapped up in 1833.
Today, NMCP has expanded to include its current state-of-the-art facility on the banks of the Elizabeth River, nine branch clinics dispersed throughout the Hampton Roads area, and an array of teaching and research facilities. The “First and Finest” is charged with the health and well-being of over 420,000 active duty members, their families, and retirees in the region. The base consists of the hospital complex, some barracks, a small base housing area, a “mini-exchange,” and an ID card facility (that is much more convenient and less crowded than Naval Station Norfolk). You’ll need to travel to nearby Naval Station Norfolk for more robust base amenities and services. Privatized housing is available in many of the Hampton Roads cities, but many families skip the waitlist and look for homes in a Southside community. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a huge help in this region.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services Office
1970 Von Steuben Dr.
Newport News, VA 23603
PH: (757) 847-7806
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Email: YorktownHousing@navy.mil
Fleet & Family Support Center
1949 Von Steuben Dr.
Newport News, VA 23603
PH: FFSC (757) 887-4606
School Liaison Officer
2101 Von Steuben Dr.
Newport News, VA 23603
PH: (757) 887-7311
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 Weapons Station Yorktown
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, one of the Navy’s major East Coast ordinance facilities, lies on the northeastern shore of the Virginia Peninsula. This “explosive corridor” to the Atlantic sees a lot of naval activity, be it supply ships or combatant vessels. In 1918, the Navy acquired twenty square miles of land on the York River and created the Navy Mine Depot. Forty years later, it was redesignated as Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown and still provides “critical fleet ordnance support for the Navy.” Thirty-seven tenant commands call NSW home, including the Navy Munitions Command Atlantic, the Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity, and the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment.
NWS is located in Yorktown, Virginia, adjacent to Newport News, Virginia. It occupies one-fifth of the land in York County and shares 14 miles of York River shoreline with the Colonial National Historical Park. You would be hard-pressed to serve in a locale with a more storied past. The cities of Yorktown, Jamestown, and Williamsburg make up “America’s Historic Triangle.” Each strives to preserve a living history of the first permanent English settlements in the New World. There is even a building on NWS that dates back to 1650. From the American Revolution to the Civil War, Yorktown has played a role in some of our country’s most significant military conflicts.
Lengthy wait lists for housing and child care are a couple of reasons families might seek off-base housing. Housing options are available on NWS or Joint Base Langley-Eustis, and there is privatized housing throughout The Peninsula. There are some fantastic neighborhoods worth exploring in Yorktown and nearby Williamsburg.
Take advantage of all the water and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Tidewater! Attractions in this area are numerous. Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Virginia Air and Space Center are popular outing destinations. If you want to head inland, Richmond is only an hour away. A trip to Washington, D.C., takes around 2.5 hours (depending, of course, on that infamous traffic). There’s no need to travel far in search of activities, though.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services
Navy Housing Service Center
2600 Tarawa Ct., Bldg. 1602, Ste. 105
Virginia Beach, VA 23459
PH: (757) 462-8939
Email: LittleCreekHousing@navy.mil
Fleet and Family Support Center
1450 D St.
Virginia Beach, VA 23459
PH: (757) 462-7563
School Liaison Office
3364 A St.
Bldg. 3016
Virginia Beach, VA 23459
PH: (757) 462-7951
Housing Services
Navy Housing Service Center
2600 Tarawa Ct., Bldg. 1602, Ste. 105
Virginia Beach, VA 23459
PH: (757) 462-8939
Email: LittleCreekHousing@navy.mil
Fleet and Family Support Center
517 Solomons Rd.
Bldg. 3129
Virginia Beach, VA 23459
PH: (757) 422-7311
School Liaison Office
300 Guadalcanal Rd.
Ste. 112
Bldg. 300
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
PH: (757) 422-7166
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 Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS) comprises the former Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and the Army's Fort Story. In October 2009, it became the first joint base in Hampton Roads. JEBLCFS has one command with two separate properties. JEB Little Creek and JEB Fort Story are located a little over ten miles apart and tasked with training our nation's Expeditionary Forces. The joint base sits on approximately 2,120 acres of land in the northwest corner of Virginia Beach and portions of Norfolk, Virginia.
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek
JEB Little Creek is the Navy's hot spot for Amphibious Forces in the Atlantic Fleet. The 4,000-plus acres of swamp and farmland and the almost eight miles of beach surrounding Little Creek afforded the perfect mix of terrain for training in the art of amphibious assault. During World War II, strategies for landing masses of fighters on European beaches prompted the need for sufficient training space. In 1942, there were four military camps established in the area. After WWII, they were merged into one permanent installation and renamed Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.
Today, JEB Little Creek is home to almost 15,000 personnel and 132 resident commands, and it is one of the fastest-growing bases in Hampton Roads. The MWR facilities are robust and military families from all over the Tidewater come here to take advantage of the offerings. Base housing is available, but most families wait for space in a privatized housing community (there are several scattered throughout the nearby cities) or try to find a private home.
Calm waters, great beaches, proximity to downtown Norfolk, and convenient access to the bridge-tunnels benefit living near JEB Little Creek. There is also a high likelihood of receiving follow-on orders to Naval Station Norfolk (or the other way around) because of the synergy of the two installations—hooray for geographic stability!
Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story
JEB Fort Story sits perched on an outcrop on the northeastern tip of Virginia Beach. This historically significant and militarily strategic post at Cape Henry guards the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. This spot is where the original European settlers landed in 1607 before continuing into the harbor and up the James River to Jamestown. At its inception in 1914, it was an integral part of the harbor's defense. In the 1940s, its focus changed to caring for wounded soldiers returning from the European Theater. During its two years in operation, the hospital at Fort Story treated more than 13,000 patients. In 1946, the mission shifted to transportation, and Fort Story became a training ground for Logistics-Over-The-Shore (LOTS) and Army amphibious operations.
Virginia Beach is an idyllic place to call home. This small installation has a few homes available on the base, but most families try to live nearby. The oceanfront is a favorite of locals and tourists alike. Take note: Fort Story's major command is at Fort Eustis (50 miles away and over a bridge-tunnel). It is possible that assignments could be altered from Fort Story to Fort Eustis after in-processing. Be sure you know exactly where you or your spouse will report before choosing a home!
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services
Navy Housing Service Center
800 E Ave. Bldg. 536
Virginia Beach, VA 23460
PH: (757) 433-3268
(757) 433-3368
Fleet and Family Support Center
2073 Tartar Avenue, Bldg 585
Virginia Beach, VA 23461
PH: (757) 492-6342
School Liaison Officer
875 D Ave.
Bldg. 531
Virginia Beach, VA 23460
PH: (757) 433-2496
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.
NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex
What do the infamous pirate Blackbeard and SEAL Team 6 have in common? They are both local celebrities in the coastal resort town of Virginia Beach. Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana’s Dam Neck Annex lies five miles south of downtown Virginia Beach. It covers 1,100 acres of diverse terrain, including 3.2 miles of private, pristine beaches on the Atlantic coastline. This small installation’s primary purpose is to support the Navy’s residents and famous SEAL teams.
Dam Neck is a small installation with most basics, but if you’re looking for more robust military amenities, you can easily find them at NAS Oceana. Some of the calmest—least touristy—beaches are inside Dam Neck’s gate, and many military families take advantage of them. Most of The Southside is also at your fingertips from here. Base housing is available, but you’ll likely be on a waitlist. Many privatized housing communities are located throughout The Southside cities, and a high inventory of homes is usually available for rent or sale. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a massive help in this region. Virginia Beach is a popular choice for many military families because of the beautiful neighborhoods and desirable schools, but Norfolk, south Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake are also popular.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services Office
NAVSTA – Norfolk Housing Service Center
7924 14th St.
Norfolk, VA 23505-1217
PH: (757) 445-2753
Email: NorfolkHousing@navy.mil
Fleet and Family Support Center
7928 14th St., Ste. 102
Norfolk, VA 23505-1219
PH: (757) 444-2102
School Liaison Officer
9475 Bacon Ave.
Bldg. C-9, Rm. 129B
Norfolk, VA 23511
PH: (757) 445-0350
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 Station Norfolk
Ever wonder where the largest naval station in the world is? Naval Station Norfolk is it! Naval Station Norfolk is also home to the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces. Its 14 piers and 11 aircraft hangars house 75 ships and 134 aircraft in support of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Essentially, Naval Station Norfolk manages just about anything happening on or over the Atlantic—from here to Africa and between the North and South Poles. Naval Station Norfolk hosts personnel from every branch of service and supports vital Joint missions.
Sewells Point in Norfolk had already earned a spot in Civil War history because of its strategic importance. The point overlooks most of the Hampton Roads waterways and is near the site of the epic clash between the Monitor and the Merrimack warships. The U.S. Navy established Naval Operating Base (NOB) Norfolk in 1917 at the start of America’s entry into World War I. The base has seen considerable expansion over the last century. Dredging of the Elizabeth River to accommodate large ships moved the shoreline farther out and provided more land to build piers, hangars, buildings, and ramps. In 1953, “NOB Norfolk” became “Naval Station Norfolk,” even though most locals still refer to it as “NOB.” In 1999, it absorbed the nearby Naval Air Station Norfolk, adding an airfield (renamed Chambers Field) to this massive complex.
Base housing is available, but you’ll likely be on a waitlist. As expected, the largest naval station in the world has some pretty impressive base services. People come from all over The Southside to take advantage of shopping at the Naval Exchange. There are also many privatized housing communities located throughout The Southside cities, and usually, a high inventory of homes is available for rent or sale. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a huge help in this region.
Norfolk is a vibrant city, replete with the conveniences any urbanite’s little heart might desire. Its moderate size keeps the pace manageable, though, and the proximity to nearby beach towns keeps the vibe a little more mellow. The city has many borough-like neighborhoods, each with its flare. The surrounding communities are also very distinct, so you’re sure to find something that suits your family’s priorities.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services
Navy Housing Welcome Center
7924 14th St.
Norfolk, VA 23505-1217
PH: 757) 445-2721
Email: portsmouthvahousing@navy.mil
Fleet and Family Support Center
620 John Paul Jones Cir.
Portsmouth, VA 23708
PH: (757) 953-7801
School Liaison Officer
New Gosport Youth Center
309 Green Point Lane, Bldg. 1497
Portsmouth, VA 23702
PH: (757) 396-7947
Email: SLO.NNSY.fct@navy.mil
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 Norfolk Naval Shipyard
In keeping with the “largest in the world” standard set by nearby Naval Station Norfolk, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is also one of the biggest shipyards in the world and the largest industrial facility in the Navy. NNSY also boasts the distinction of being the oldest U.S. Navy shipyard, established in 1767. With its dry dock and highly skilled personnel, any ship in the U.S. Fleet can come here for repair or overhaul.
NNSY is located in Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River and a few miles south of Naval Station Norfolk. Security on the base is kept pretty tight, and for the most part, the only base housing available is unaccompanied (bachelor or geo-bachelors). You can apply for any of the area’s privatized housing communities scattered throughout The Southside, but be ready to sit on a waitlist. There are also many privatized housing communities located throughout The Southside cities, and usually, a high inventory of homes is available for rent or sale in the area. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a huge help in this region.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Services
4000 Coast Guard Blvd.
Portsmouth, Virginia 23703
PH: (757) 686-4044
Family Support Programs
PH: (757) 686-4023 or
(757) 686-4025
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 USCG Base Portsmouth
Navigating the waters of Hampton Roads is tricky—even more so in the late nineteenth century. A Lighthouse Depot illuminated the waters on the Elizabeth River until the U.S. Lighthouse Service merged with the Coast Guard in 1939. Several more expansions and mergers led to the present-day U.S. Coast Guard Base Portsmouth or Base Portsmouth for short. Base Portsmouth occupies 187 acres of waterfront property in Portsmouth, Virginia, and is home to 24 commands.
Because there is no housing on Base Portsmouth, Coast Guard families have to live “on the economy” in the surrounding Southside communities. Privatized housing is available through other Hampton Roads military installations or sprinkled throughout Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and others.
KEY CONTACTS
Housing Management Office
7924 14th Street
Norfolk, VA 23505
PH: (757) 445-2832
Lincoln Military Housing
428 Ingram Loop
Norfolk, VA 23505
PH: (757) 447-9025
Military and Family Support
Center
1172 Fechteler Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23515
PH: (757) 445-6875
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 Camp Allen
Tucked into the northeastern corner of Norfolk, bordered by the Elizabeth River, lies the Marine Corps’ Camp Allen. Once known as Camp Elmore, this 15-acre facility is now considered the “south annex” of Naval Station Norfolk. It began as a Seabee training site (Navy builders), was a prisoner of war camp during World War II, and once even housed Army barracks. Today, the Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM) and two Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Teams (FAST) companies call Camp Allen home.
On-base offerings are limited because Camp Allen is so small, but Naval Station Norfolk, the larger base surrounding the Marine annex, provides housing and other resources.
Military of all branches are well-served by NS Norfolk due to its size. It is the largest naval station in the world, after all. Privatized housing communities are located throughout The Southside area cities, and there is usually a waitlist for available homes.
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Enter your information below and we will reach out to help the process.
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.
