What are your top concerns when finding a new place to live during a PCS move?

LtCol David Gran — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 08:49:24 -0500

We move a lot during a military career. Most of the time we have a choice between Base Housing, Privatized Housing, Buying, or Renting. I don't want to through out examples of concerns because I would really like to hear some unique answers. I will share what mine where in a latter comment.

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 15 at 2014 11:00 AM

SFC James Baber — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 11:00:41 -0500

Quality neighborhood 1st and foremost, that being safe and family friendly. My next concern was quality for the money spent, I did both the renting and buying, while buying was always cheaper, depending on when you PCS'd and the market it could be financially burdensome at times. Also did the base housing and privatizes as well, and they both have their plusses and headaches, it is all what you want or are willing to put up with will decide what you do.

There are many options, it just depended on the needs at the time for family and length of assignment that was the determining factor for me and I would assume many others as well.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2014 11:20 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 11:20:48 -0500

Sir,

I am going through this now So I am going with best schools.

V/r

1SG Haro

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2014 1:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 13:41:01 -0500

Traffic

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 15 at 2014 9:38 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 21:38:25 -0500

1. Quality of neighborhood (safety, schools, neighbors, etc.)

2. Distance to work

3. Distance to non-work locations (parks, gym, etc.)

4. Home value stability / future rentability

5. Homeowners Association restrictions (if any)

The above is just about the general location. The actual house itself will also have factors of course like price, size, age of the home, maintenance, aesthetics, etc.

Response by SSgt George Brown made Feb 15 at 2014 9:51 PM

SSgt George Brown — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 21:51:33 -0500

I am a realtor, if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them as best as I can. Differing states have differing laws, but, I will do the best I can to help.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2014 12:13 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:13:54 -0500

1. Location

How close am I to work, shopping, recreation, crime, and possible friends?

2. Will all my stuff fit?
There's an official across the board policy on how much floor-space each paygrade gets, but States/posts differ on their heartbeats-per-bedroom policy. I learned the hard way to put off buying furniture until I got there.

3. How much will it cost me in money and opportunity?
I can save $300-$400 a month living off post in an apartment complex and pay for it through a long commute and the inability to come home for lunch. I can pay extra to live close in civilian housing with the space I want. I can live on post and focus on living bundled up by candlelight to make cash off the on-post energy metering. And so on.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2014 8:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 May 2014 20:04:45 -0400

1. Education system for my kids
2. Sexual predators in the area
3. Crime and drugs in the area
4. Cost of Rent, or house prices
5. How big the lot is (Don't care about shopping, the further away from people the happier I am)
6. How close is the nearest lake for fishing

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 15 at 2014 11:02 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 15 May 2014 23:02:03 -0400

Sir,

Clean and safe neighborhood. I don't want my kids growing up around people whose lifestyles are a big negative influence. Distance is always a factor since I like living closer to post. Traffic access because I don't want too drive on congested roads.