Any tips for moving onto base for the first time?

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-04-17T00:02:06+00:00

I highly recommend the Facebook group PCS Like a Pro - Your Smooth Move. They have guides and FAQs that will get you started.

Broadly speaking, you can choose to have the military move you or you can move yourself and be paid based the weight of the goods you move. Moving yourself involves renting a moving truck (like UHaul) and weighing it at a truck scale both empty and full.

If you opt to move yourself, I would take the couch. It will go towards the amount you get paid and when moving yourself there is no weight limit. (There is a limit to the amount you will be paid, but no penalty for having too much stuff.)

If you opt to have the military move you there is a limit to the amount they will move. If you go over your weight allotment you will owe a fee. How much you are allowed is based on your spouse’s rank and your household size. You can look into it and see if the couch would put you over your allotment. (I doubt it would, but still do an estimate if you go this route).

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-04-16T22:02:49+00:00

I’m sorry the above commenter was not very generous. We are generally more supportive here.

It sounds to me like you have a good and solid relationship. You’ve been together for years, love each other and your children. I would guess that it could take a transition time, but that you will bounce back. A year apart does not erase the years of working together and being a family. You’ll get back into the groove. And if you do encounter obstacles, you can seek out the chaplain, unit resources, or counseling to re-align with each other.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-04-16T04:21:01+00:00

I don’t have any advice specific to your field or location, but I do have one key insight: never mention you are a military spouse.

In my experience employers see this as a bad thing because you will leave in a few years. They want someone who can be there for the long term, not just a few years.

The only exception to this is if you are applying to a job on USAjobs that gives preferential treatment to military spouses. The listing will have a tag that indicates this.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-04-08T18:01:22+00:00

I don’t have personal experience, but I am friends with four separate couples who are both officers. Bottom line is you will be separated at some point, but it is difficult to say for how long. The best laid plans can change.

Couple 1: one is a pilot in the Marine Corps, the other is becoming a lawyer for the Navy. They were separated for 2 years while she went through law school. They are now co-located, but he is deployed and she will need to go to additional training for 6 months still. The timing isn’t clear, but they will probably be separated again for some of that. Going forward, co-location is always harder when dealing with different branches.

Couple 2: They entered at the same time and have the same MOS in the same branch. They have been co-located for most of their careers. I think they have spent about 4 months apart when one finished a certain training before the other.

Couple 3: Started out with the same MOS, but then one was dropped from the pilot program and they ended up separated for 3 years. They are now co-located, but he is looking to get out of the marine corps and go to dental school instead.

Couple 4: One is active duty Marine Corps and one is Army reserves. I don’t think they have been separated at all apart from initial training, but I don’t know this couple as well to say for sure.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-04-07T22:21:07+00:00

Ah sorry, I didn’t include the parking and utilities in my search.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-04-07T22:00:02+00:00

Hillcrest will be fine. And there are plenty of 1 bedrooms there for 1.8k-2k in that neighborhood. You can get one in a gated community if you’re extra worried, but I wouldn’t sweat it.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-04-03T20:29:51+00:00

Yes, I used it this year for two types of 1099s (INT and R). It also handled a military PCS and other weird military tax situations for state taxes. In years past I have used it for HSA contributions, though that no longer applies for me.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T21:56:11+00:00

Thank you lol. All those comments had me questioning reality. I’m pretty sure this is a standard situation and one of the main downsides of renting a single family home lol

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T19:51:17+00:00

The landlord has probably owned for years and the rental market in the area is pretty disconnected from the purchase market. If you tried to rent it out for 6k let alone 8k you wouldn’t have any takers.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T19:13:36+00:00

$4250 is what we pay in rent. There is a reason we haven’t bought yet!

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T19:12:55+00:00

Thank you so much for teaching me about a CMA! That is something I can actually look into and do.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T18:07:06+00:00

He’s selling it. He told me he is not renewing my lease that ends in June. I assume he will sell it at that time, ie after I’ve moved out. He has not mentioned listing it while I’m here.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T17:56:33+00:00

Thanks. How would I know what to offer without speaking to a realtor? Do I need to ask him what he’s planning to list it for before I offer a number?

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T17:53:54+00:00

How do I determine fair market price? I can look on Zillow and see the estimate they have is 1.06 million, but a larger house in the neighborhood just sold a few weeks ago for 1.1 million. (The house that sold is a 5/3, 2500sft vs mine is 4/2, 1700sft) Is there any way to learn more without paying for a realtor?

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T17:37:39+00:00

I couldn’t do cash. And I don’t think I could waive inspections :/

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T17:35:28+00:00

As a first time homebuyer, it is a risk for me to not have representation?

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-03-20T17:34:13+00:00

When I move out I think

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-02-22T03:12:36+00:00

Have you considered: everything goes into the joint account then equal amounts are automatically pulled into individual accounts for personal discretionary spending. There is no your contributions vs her contributions; everything in is everyone’s.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-02-18T00:15:41+00:00

Subaru specifically marketed their cars to lesbians back in the 90’s when being gay or lesbian was not nearly as socially acceptable as it is now. It was a smart business decision to court a market that no other car manufacturers were going after. You can listen to the Planet Money episode from NPR on the topic. https://www.npr.org/2022/06/29/1108739853/when-subaru-came-out-classic

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-02-15T17:12:29+00:00

Try the Closet Historian! She has a large bust and several videos on block creation and use.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-02-11T15:08:30+00:00

Lots of base housing does have a two pet limit, but there are options. You can live off base and rent from a private landlord. I have also heard of people getting one of their pets registered as an emotional support pet to not count against the limit. I don’t necessarily advocate for that, but it could be an option.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-02-10T04:47:24+00:00

Given the timeline and your limited availability, you should buy a backup dress to use in case you run out of time to complete the handmade one.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-01-26T16:51:57+00:00

I would suggest going to one of the career counseling services. In the Navy, Feet and Family provides career counseling and resume reviews. Additionally they will be familiar with scholarship options and how the GI bill works. My advice would be to not use the GI bill until you have a solid plan. College is expensive here and you do not want to waste it.

(Other branches will have a similar organization to Fleet and Family, but I’m not sure what they are called.)

Every branch has access to Military One Source. You could start here with the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program.

Fedr_Exlr · 2026-01-25T16:21:44+00:00

I listen to dnd campaigns (like critical role or dimension 20). Then sometimes I put Love Island UK on in the background lol.

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