Relocating to Fort Belvoir (2013, military, housing)

[5stones]

from what friends have told me most of the bases Army and Airforce have waiting lists for housing.

When the plans came out for the new hospital etc... my thought was WHERE are all these folks going to live? (who will be working in that big new hosp) The govt needs to put more housing on the posts in the area, the cost of living is wayyy to high for most officers let alone the enlisted that make up the core of the military. With sooo many military jobs in the area it really is a shame.

[justshelly69]

Thank you for your insite...and I really do need to scout these places out before I put in for employment there.

[justshelly69]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

To be honest I don't think you will find anything suitable for a family of five for $200,000 that wouldn't be a miserable (and expensive) commute and leave you house-poor. What other areas would be possibilities for you?

My other possibles are other bases that have Civ Firefighters, and have not or will not have any negative touches from a BRAC list (job security), that was one reason we looked to this base.

[justshelly69]

Originally Posted by Yankeesfan

To be honest I don't think you will find anything suitable for a family of five for $200,000 that wouldn't be a miserable (and expensive) commute and leave you house-poor. What other areas would be possibilities for you?

Originally Posted by LVMYDACH

Are you active duty military? I went on Ft Belvoir yesterday to get a new retiree ID card and was absolutely blown away with the changes that have taken place on the base. I had not been there for over a year. They have torn down all the old base housing and built new houses. They are very impressive for base housing! I couldn't believe I was on a miitary base!! Kudos to the Army for providing really nice housing for it's troops! If you are active duty and plan to move to the area, I certainly would see if base housing is a possibility. A new hospital is being built on the base as well.

No, I sorry but I am a Military brat that has never been in the Service, but have worked almost my entire Career as a DOD Firefighter so I am limited to what bases I can transfer to. It sound wonderful about the base coming alive, and my parents can benifit from the Hospital as well...(My Da is a 27 year SMSgt Retired).

[Fulltilt]

What kind of square footage are you looking for?

[justshelly69]

At least 1500 sq, would be good.

[onevthoki]

Shelly -

There are lots of other military installations in VA to look at. You might want to check AP Hill (Caroline County), Ft. Lee (Petersburg/Colonial Heights area) and Ft. Pickett (Blackstone), although Ft. Pickett was on the BRAC list and transferred over to the VA National Guard. So I am not sure if those firefighters are state or federal, but I do know they are civilian. Any of these would probably be doable in the price range of homes you are looking for, but to keep a good school district, focus on Ft. Lee (Prince George, Dinwiddie, Colonial Heights and parts of Chesterfield) and Pickett (Nottoway County).

There are also tons of installations in the beach area, so you may want to post on the Richmond and general VA sections to, to see what comes up.

Good luck!

[ck12]

Hi, not to jump in and pollute the water with another question, but are there any small, affordable rentals within driving distance of Fort B? I have been a job with the Fed. gov't, and coming from Georgia, I am absolutely mind boggled at the price of housing. I am a single, older adult and could survive with a small one bedroom apt. until I sell my home in Atlanta, but am finding even those are running over a thousand dollars a month. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
ck

[Flamingo13]

That's what they cost in the area (at the least....) - sorry.

[CAVA1990]

You might be able to rent a room in someone's house for less. Check Craigslist.