Moody Air Force Base
Key Contacts
Housing Management Office
3131 Coney Street
Moody AFB, GA 3169
PH: (229) 257-4417
Moody Family Housing
Hunt Military Communities
3131 Coney Street
Moody AFB, GA 31699
PH: (229) 992-2029
School Liaison
5091 Gardner Street
Bldg 400
Moody AFB, GA 31699
PH: (229) 257-4380
Airman and Family Readiness Center
4851 Burrell Street
Bldg 404
Moody AFB, GA 31699
PH: (229) 257-3333
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 frame.
About Moody Air Force Base
Moody Air Force Base is home to the 23d Wing and 93d Air Ground Operations Wing. During World War II, Moody Field was a training base for pilots in the Army Air Corps and was named after the U.S. Army Major George Putnam Moody. From 1940 to 1945, Moody Field was a training base for Army Air Corps cadets. Moody Field was inactive from 1946-1951. Since 1951, Moody Air Force Base has hosted pilot training on various aircraft, keeping up with the growing needs of the Air Force.
Tenant units at Moody Air Force Base are the Avon Park Air Force Range, 476th Fighter Group, 372nd Training Squadron Detachment 9, 336th Recruiting Squadron, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), and the Air Defense Council.
Moody Air Force Base is in south-central Georgia, just north of Valdosta. Locally there are 9,394 military personnel, 3,000 Civilians, and 15,000 retirees.
About Lowndes County
LOCATION
Moody AFB is located in northeastern Lowndes County. It is 90 miles northeast of Tallahassee, FL, and 130 miles northwest of Jacksonville, FL. For those traveling in and out of Moody AFB by air, the most popular airports are Tallahassee International Airport (TLH), 100 miles from the installation, and Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), 125 miles from the installation.
WEATHER
The summer months, May through September, at Moody AFB are hot and muggy. July tends to be the hottest, with an average daily high of 92 degrees Fahrenheit. July is also the rainiest month, with an average monthly rainfall of 4.8 inches. Winters are sunny and mild, with an average low temperature of 43 degrees Fahrenheit in January. Located only 30 miles from the Florida border, those stationed at Moody AFB must also be prepared for hurricane season, which lasts from June through November.
ATTRACTIONS
Being stationed at Moody AFB comes with an opportunity to travel. Many beaches, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and art museums are just a two-hour drive away in either Jacksonville or Tallahassee, FL. Those who love their time at Moody AFB spend their weekends and holidays exploring Florida and northern Georgia. During the work week, slow down and embrace the laid-back simplicity of living in “the South.”
HELPFUL HINTS
Moody AFB is considered a low-cost-of-living area compared to the rest of the United States. Commute times, schools, and accessibility of restaurants and shopping should be considered when choosing a neighborhood and its proximity to Moody AFB.
County Website: https://www.lowndescounty.com/
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Nearby Neighborhoods
HOUSING
Moody Air Force Base offers privatized housing managed by Hunt Military Community. Housing options include two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes in 2 different neighborhoods, Quiet Pines or Magnolia Grove. Homes feature 24-hour maintenance, an attached carport or garage, and central A/C. Neighborhood amenities include walking access to parks and playgrounds, landscaping services, a golf course, and monthly resident events. No schools are located on Moody Air Force Base so that students will attend school in the Lowndes County School System or Valdosta City Schools.
In addition to the on-base options, many service families reside in several off-base communities. Valdosta is the nearest city to Moody AFB, but families also choose to live in the smaller towns located north of Moody AFB, such as Lakeland or Ray City.
Valdosta
ABOUT
Many consider Valdosta a small city. However, compared to the surrounding towns, it has much to offer regarding amenities, shopping, restaurants, and career opportunities for spouses.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Grove Point
- Pebblewood
- The Vineyard
Nearby Attractions
- Wild Adventures Theme Park
- Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts
- Epic Escape Rooms
- Recoil Trampoline Park
By the Numbers
- Population 55,400
- Household Income $35,200
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Easy access to restaurants, shopping, and entertainment
- Career opportunities for spouses in the medical field, education, and retail
- Variety of school options nearby
Things to Consider
- Make sure the home you are considering has a reliable A/C. You’ll need it for the hot and muggy summer months.
- A 20-minute commute to Moody AFB
Lakeland
ABOUT
Those looking for a small-town, rural feel will want to check out homes in this area.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Banks Lake Pointe
- Westwind Farms Estates
Nearby Attractions
- Mooooody Haunted Trail
- Banks Lake
- Robert Simpson Nature Trail
By the Numbers
- Population 2,900
- Household Income $25,100
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- Those looking for land will find acreage and lake-front properties just outside the city limits
- A 15-minute commute to Moody AFB
- Quaint small-town feel
Things to Consider
- Box stores, restaurants, and entertainment are a bit of a drive from Lakeland.
- Although Lakeland will be a short commute for the service member, spouses seeking employment will likely have a longer commute to Valdosta, with more career opportunities.
Ray City
ABOUT
For those looking for proximity to the base with a small-town feel, Ray City is the perfect location to begin house-hunting.
Popular Neighborhoods
- Beaver Ridge
- Palmetto Pine
Nearby Attractions
- Possum Creek Off-Road Park
- Little Duck Farms
- Ray’s Millpond Café
By the Numbers
- Population 3,300
- Household Income $57,700
- Home values vary widely in this area. Ask your real estate agent for local market analysis.
Big Plus
- A short 10-minute commute to Moody AFB
- The quiet, small-town feel
- There are a variety of home styles to choose from in Ray City
Things to Consider
- Spouses seeking employment will likely have a longer commute to Valdosta, where there are more career opportunities.
- Few options for shopping, dining, and entertainment
*Population and annual household income data retrieved from data.census.gov/cedsci February 2023.
*The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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.
