Now That's the Home for You

Completing a military move requires a lot of preparation and planning with your household and the transportation office. When you start early and stay on top of the important details, your move will be less stressful and be less likely to have problems arise. Here are some recommendations to help you be successful through your upcoming military relocation.

Start Planning With Your Orders

Once you get your PCS orders with details of your next duty station, you can start planning for your move to the new area. Do some research to check out the new area, its local features, and the real estate market if you plan to buy a home. Contact a real estate agent in your new area and get started on the home search as soon as possible.

You may also want to look into the housing at your next duty station to see what type of on-base housing is available and if there is a wait list. If you want to live on-base, you may need to get your name on the waitlist, if there is one, so you can move into your preferred housing as soon as possible. 

If on-base housing is not available right away, add your name to the waitlist and then look into an off-base housing option, either with an apartment community or a rental house. The local transportation office should be able to provide you with an estimate of the wait for on-base housing so you know how long you will need to secure alternate housing.

Keep a Moving Folder

When you are planning a PCS (permanent change of station) move, it is good to keep all your important documents with you and all in the same place. For this reason, a PCS folder is a good resource to compile all your documents in one place and makes it easy to transport with you when you move, whether it is by vehicle or plane. 

Some items you can put into this folder should include your PCS orders, birth certificates of family members, marriage certificate, ID cards, passports, vehicle document information, social security cards, important medical records, housing information, and a copy of your household goods inventory sheets once all your possessions are packed up for the move.

Be sure you keep your moving folder with you when you are moving to your next duty station. Don't pack it in your unaccompanied baggage or any bags that are not to be with you at all times. If you are traveling by plane, take the files with you in your carry-on baggage.

For more information about military relocation, contact a military relocation or real estate specialist.