Although moving is a standard part of life in the military, finding the right apartment near a military base and settling into your new area can often feel like an uphill task. So what can you do to get prepared when you receive your PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders?
One of the best things you can do to help ease the transition for both yourself and your family is to get to know your new base before you even leave your old one. Learning what’s available on your base, as well as more about the community that surrounds it, can help you start feeling at home before you even move. For a great resource, Visit MilitaryInstallation’s site, which can tell you everything you need to know from basic installation facts to local area school information.
If this is your first move or PCS, or you’re not too familiar with what’s available, the Relocation Assistance Program can provide you with tons of helpful information. By visiting your installation’s Military and Family Support Center, they will be able to help you with:
One of the things that the Relocation Assistance Program can do for you is assign a sponsor to help you adjust to your new base and surroundings. The Relocation Assistance Program Sponsorship Program will typically pair you with an individual or family that most closely matches your family status and rank. This individual can help welcome you to the area, answer any questions you might have and assisting you through in-processing when you arrive.
The sooner you can start planning your move, the easier it will be. Fortunately, there are several tools that can help you get prepared to go. Start with Plan My Move, a handy online resource for the military that can help you create a custom plan and calendar along with specific information about using the DOD’s DPS shipping system and base information. ApartmentGuide.com also offers a military-specific search portal, making it easy for you to look for apartments near military bases throughout the country.
With all the tools and services available to you, planning a move to your new military installation doesn’t have to be tough. If you’re looking for an apartment while you’re in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines or any other branch, we can help!