Top 5 Advantages of Off-Base Housing in San Diego

Living off base has some wonderful advantages! True, you’ll be farther away from the military community on-base, but some of things you can gain include building equity, avoiding training noise, and being able to choose your child’s school district.

Here are the top 5 advantages of off-base housing in San Diego and why your family might benefit!

Credit: Ed Philbrick

1) Building Equity

By owning your own property, you’ll start building equity. Even if your next PCS takes you out of San Diego, you can choose to rent out your property while you’re away. Our Relobase agents would be happy to speak with you about your options for purchasing in San Diego!

2) Rent Costs

There isn’t any question that most on-base living has major restrictions. Some of them don’t allow pets and rent is usually set at exactly the military BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) rate. If you decide to rent off-base rather than purchase a property, San Diego has an abundance of rentals to fit all budgets. You may find a rental at a better rate than you would get on a military base. Some military families have even found special rental deals for military members!

3) Luxury of Choice

While most on-base communities provide plenty of activities for families, you have to live with what’s available. Living off-base gives you the luxury of choice. Whether you want to be walking distance to shopping and dining or closer to the beach, San Diego’s varied communities offer just what you’re looking for!

4) Peace and Quiet

It’s true. Living on-base means you’ll hear the “Sound of Freedom” on a regular basis. The boom of artillery and the chatter of gunfire may be a very typical part of your day. If you prefer peace and quiet, you might want to consider off-base housing. This is also an important consideration if you have pets. Loud noises can cause them anxiety.

5) Choice of School Districts

Determining the best school district for the kids is nearly always a consideration when PCSing. By living off-base you can choose the school district you want to be in rather than going with the one the base is located in.

Not sure where to start? Our Relobase agents would be happy to speak with you about your specific situation!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

Stationed in San Diego? Let’s Talk Housing!

You know that “dream sheet” you filled out? Well, you just hit the U.S. military’s version of the lottery. You’ve been assigned to San Diego!

Let’s get your boots on the ground and talk about things to consider for San Diego housing!

San Diego and San Diego County: San Diego is the second largest city in California, second only to Los Angeles and is home to 28 zip codes. It stretches from the U.S. southern border to Escondido, its most northeastern point.

San Diego Bases: Click the links below for more information about each of the military installations in San Diego.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO

NAVAL BASE CORONADO

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO

US COAST GUARD STATION SAN DIEGO

Off-Base Housing: Off-base housing in San Diego isn’t cheap. The average two-bedroom apartment is San Diego rents for $1,823, depending on the location. Buying vs. renting in San Diego could save you about 15% over time.

On-Base Housing: If you need base housing as an option, apply through Housing Early Application Tool (HEAT) now, if you haven’t already done so! It’s not the waiting list for housing, but it gets you on the contracts you need to get on that waiting list the moment you’re eligible. Dependents or active duty members can fill it out and you can get it going even before you have your orders in hand.

Weighing Whether to Buy or Rent?

If you’re an active-duty military service member, you have even more to consider than the average American when considering whether to buy or rent. Here are just a few of the things you need to think about:

-The base you’re stationed at

-The specific needs of your family, including school districts for the kids

-The housing wait-list, if on-base housing is your preference

-Your budget

-Credit score and ability to qualify for a loan, including the military’s special programs, VA and Cal-Vet loans!

Need help sorting out whether it makes sense to buy or rent a home in San Diego? Talk to one of our qualified Relobase agents in San Diego!

Once you get your housing settled, and you can finally take a deep breath, it’s time to start enjoying all San Diego has to offer!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

The 5 Top Trip Planning Apps for Your PCS

Constantly moving around the United States and in some cases, the world, is a part of life for military families. As they develop and grow in their careers, service members fulfill their duties in a variety of ways. These can include serving aboard in different installations, in small towns for recruitment, or in joint commands. Fortunately, modern technology has provided us with many ways to plan our trips to and from installations. Here are 5 trip planning apps that will not only help you move to your next installation, but also help you plan a memorable trip along the way!

1. TripIt

Out of the five apps listed here, TripIt is the one of the most well-known apps and boasts a number of features. Its main functions include combining all itineraries, tickets, hotel bookings, rental car reservations and flights onto one simple screen. The entire trip can be managed from the app dashboard and you’ll know exactly where and when to do things. It does not provide recommendations though, which is seen as one of its chief deficiencies.

2. TouristEye

TouristEye is a great companion to TripIt. TouristEye helps you find out the most interesting, fun, educational and insightful things to do in each location. Plan your trip with TripIt and then allow a little extra time to make memories with TouristEye!

3. TripCase

This app is much like TripIt in that it helps organize all of your travel bookings and schedule. However, this app has a much more integrated mapping function which allows you to plan out your driving in a much more concrete way. TripCase also identifies places along your journey that you may be interested in. You can highlight these and stop when necessary. TripCase integrates with Google Maps and all of the amazing functionalities of that service.

4. WorldMate

WorldMate is used frequently by business and world travelers, but can also be used for families. It has a particular focus on loyalty programs and gaining the most benefits from your stay. It highlights discounts, special bonuses and secrets of traveling. Experienced travelers love this app because it takes the heavy lifting out of finding the best deals and loyalty points programs.

5. TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is one of the oldest and most well-known travel sites on the web. Although not particularly focused on military families, the user base and the site offers a global perspective with reviews of restaurants, hotels and hostels all around the world. Because of its enormous user base, it provides excellent reviews and recommendations for places across the US as well. With plenty of family friendly recommendations, helpful hints, and advice on fun things to do wherever you are, the site is a veritable gold mine.

Approach your next PCS with confidence knowing that not only will you arrive at your next PCS on time, you’ll also have made new memories with family along the way. Make sure to also download our Relobase app before you PCS!

Ready to get started looking for housing in San Diego? Our Relobase Realtors are happy to assist you!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

5 Tips for Making Military Friends in a New Town

Making friends can be tough, especially when constantly on the move. Fortunately you are moving among many other military spouses who understand moving to a new place and starting fresh! Here are 5 powerful ways to diminish that loneliness and build a network of military friends in your new town!

1. Volunteer

Why not help yourself while helping others? Getting out of the house and assisting your new community will allow you to gain access to information about upcoming events and ultimately lead you towards getting to know other people. Check out your community service building to find a particular place or project that sparks your interest and hop on board!

2. Create a Meet up Event

Perhaps you’re a book lover? Or maybe you’re extremely talented in the arts? Have you considered creating connections by simply engaging in the activities you love? Try setting up a local book club or even a painting class! If you’re having trouble finding interested people, try joining a site like meetup.com, where you can find people near you with similar interests.

3. Join Facebook Groups

Ditch the fan pages for a while and browse through some of the private group recommendations. When you find one that seems like you can fit right in with, send an invite to join the group. Once you’re accepted, introduce yourself on the dashboard, interact on previous posts, and maybe even become acquainted with someone in your area! Either way, you’ll have someone new to talk to, even if it’s not face to face.

4. Set Up a Play Group

If you’re out and about with your little one and happen to notice another parent with a child about the same age as yours, try striking up a conversation to see what the chances are of setting up a playdate. With luck, you might just hit it off with the parent and can bond over similar interests while the kids play. This is the perfect way to ensure that both of you experience the joys of friendship.

5. Use Your Connections

Take advantage of your surroundings and daily encounters. The neighbor you bump into every morning could be a potential best friend. While working out at the gym take a look at the boards and see if anyone is seeking a gym buddy. Have an at-home business? Observe your business connections to see who you share interests with and invite them out for coffee. Maybe your spouse knows of someone who is in the same position you are friend-wise. Opening your eyes to the daily opportunities you have to make friends will increase your chances of creating solid friendships.

Don’t let the friendships of others discourage you, let them inspire you! Take action and put yourself out there. Don’t dwell on what you might have missed out on, but take it into your own hands to create something new and everlasting in your new town!

Ready to get started looking for housing in San Diego? Our Relobase Realtors are happy to assist you!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

 

16 Organizational Strategies for Military Families

The phrase “military relocation” is simply a part of military life. Military families typically move ten times more frequently than civilian families. Because military families have to move often, it make sense for them to use portable storage and organizational strategies for their belongings. Take a look at our list of 16 functional and transportable ideas for home storage and organization!

Storage Solutions for Kitchen Items

-Portable kitchen pantries come in a wide range of options and are ideal for military families on the move. Consider how easy it is to store canned goods that you can take with you when it’s time to relocate when you have a portable pantry!

-Why not store silverware in plastic, lidded containers instead of the usual way of tossing flatware into kitchen drawers? You could also store silverware in a regular flatware box.

-Use rolling kitchen carts that include baskets for storage.

Storing Toys

-Stacking baskets work very well for toy storage. These can be color coordinated as an added layer or categorization.

-Plastic crates can hold toys and be easily transported from one home to the next one.

-Larger wicker baskets with lids can also be used for storing toys. What’s more, you can also use them in your living rooms or bedrooms as they’re useful for storing various types of items such as blankets!

Clothing Storage Ideas

-Adjustable garment racks can be an effective way to store and transport clothing when you have to move to a new house.

-Use heavy duty cardboard dressers to store clothing items, such as tops, pants, underwear and other types of smaller clothing. They’re also great for storing linens, towels and other bedding, as well as bathroom belongings.

-Many have discovered the convenience of using hanging shoe sorters for storing and moving their shoes when it’s time to move on to a new location.

Storing Small Items

-Invest in several sizes of Ziploc bags for storing smaller items.

-A plastic storage cabinet with many containers is commonly used for storing screws, nuts, bolts and other tiny hardware items. You can also use these to organize jewelry, sewing things, office supplies, school supplies, and others odds and ends your family needs.

-Ottomans are not only designed for resting feet. They also work exceptionally well for storing items, such as magazines, craft supplies or just about anything you need near you when relaxing in your living room.

Other Storage Ideas

-If you have a considerable amount of craft items, a good storage solution is to use peg boards. They are especially suited for storing and transporting sewing items and needlework items, such as embroidery floss.

-Consider what things you need to take with you and which ones that you can store, especially when your new home doesn’t have a lot of square footage.

-Before you move, do as much decluttering as possible. Make a daily routine of going through all the rooms of your house, selecting those items that you want to donate or discard.

-Buy only what you need to feed your family for a few months. In other words, don’t invest in huge boxes of staples such a rice or pasta. This not only saves room in your kitchen cupboards but lessens the clear out during a PCS.

Ready to get started looking for housing in San Diego? Our Relobase Realtors are happy to assist you!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

5 Items to Keep With You During a PCS

While the moving company can take care of most things, there are a number of items we recommend military families keep close at hand while PCSing.

Those who’ve experienced a PCS move know that while moving companies can accomplish a great deal, they do operate off the instructions of the military family. If there are particular items or boxes you don’t want on the truck, be sure to let the movers know upon their arrival.

Bearing all this in mind, what belongs in the car and under your care during the trip to the new duty station?

Important Documents

Invest in both an accordion file and a lock box. Essential documents, both civilian and military, should be kept in the car and under your supervision at all times. Social Security Cards, birth certificates, financial records, Divorce Decrees, Marriage Licenses, deeds and certificates of ownership, copies of car registrations and proof of insurance, adoption records and any documents that may be specific to the individual circumstances of your family.

Military Uniforms and Civilian Clothes

As an active duty service member, ensure one serviceable uniform of each type required within the first month at the new duty station is kept easily available. While many PCS moves go smoothly, it’s always a possibility that the household goods following a military family may be delayed or lost. Most cars have ample room to transport clothing. Ensure the necessary uniforms ride in the vehicle along with enough civilian clothing for at lease one week. Housing isn’t always ready when families arrive and military families are no strangers to hotel rooms.

Managing Medications During PCS

Realizing a specific medication has run out during the PCS process could end up involving last-second phone calls to your doctor or pharmacy. Sometimes unusual or high demand medications aren’t immediately available. Make sure you have enough of your medications to cover the PCS period. The National Military Family Association notes that TRICARE recently enacted a new prescription transfer policy. This can help you transfer your prescription from one military pharmacy to another.

Sentimental Items

Any and all items with strong sentimental value should ride along in the car. Photographs, personal mementos, and heirlooms are irreplaceable. Either place them in a lock box along with the essential documents or in their own traveling container. The number of sentimental items you have may be surprising. Ensure their travel boxes or containers are portable so they don’t have to be left in the car during overnight stays.

Transporting Pets

In the case of an overseas PCS the Department of Defense allows up to two pets per family to travel on Air Mobility Command flights. During a CONUS PCS and when traveling by car or air, pet transport falls on you. All pet documentation including health and rabies certifications should travel with your essential documents.

For the safety of your pet it’s always a good idea to have them wear an ID collar. We also recommend microchipping your pets just in case they ever slip out unnoticed. Also, if you have to stay in a hotel for a few weeks, it pays to investigate which hotels accept pets to avoid last-minute hassles.

Ready to get started looking for housing in San Diego? Our Relobase Realtors are happy to assist you!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

16 Things to Take Care of Before Your Next PCS

In many families, summer is the time to relax and catch up with friends and loved ones you may not see during the school year. However, in many military families, summer is also the season of moving. If you are PCSing, are all the bits and pieces covered? Here 16 things you shouldn’t forget when preparing for your PCS.

Details for the Little People

Here are the small bits that you need to take care of to ensure your children have the smoothest transition possible.

1. Make sure you have a copy of their school records to register them at the new base.
2. Make copies of all transcripts in case something gets lost in the move.
3. Make sure you have all medical records to present to your next family doctor, whether on base or off.
4. If the children are involved in sports, research the same sport on your new base. Find out if there are registration deadlines you need to meet before you arrive and check the age requirements as some may change.
5. Collect mailing addresses as well as electronic contact information for your children’s friends and their families. Moving is a difficult process for your child. Make sure they understand that while they need to move because your sponsor has orders, they do not need to lose their friendships. No matter if they attend school on base or off, alert their current school if you need to take them out before the final day of classes. This will give them time to take any state required tests as well as give the teachers a chance for a proper goodbye.
6. Talk to your children and give them a timeline of the coming changes so they have time to take care of all their own small bits and pieces.

Details for the Big People

1. Before moving, research the steps in registering your car in the new state.
2. Update your voter registration.
3. If you are a young parent, reach out to others at your new base. Having friends waiting for you will make the transition easier.
4. If you live off base, contact all current utility providers including TV and internet and give them your leave date. If you are going to live off bae at your new location, call for hook up appointments as soon as possible.
5. If you’re still going to school, transfer college credits or look into taking online courses at your current school.
6. Fill out the appropriate forms with the post office to make sure your mail follows you. As you change your address, also contact any credit card and subscription companies.
7. Update your banking information.
8. Make time for you during the move. It is a very important to take time for yourself so that you do not get stressed or burned out from the process.
9. Ask for help! This is an often overlooked step that can make a huge difference in the process.
10. Arrange for work in your new town. Try to get as many phone interviews as possible in before arriving. If you have a new job to look forward to, this can negate a lot of stress. This goes for all members of the family who are working on or off base.

These are just a few of the small bits and pieces to consider before your next PCS. Research, plan, and prepare to ensure the transition is smooth for everyone!

Ready to get started looking for housing in San Diego? Our Relobase Realtors are happy to assist you!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

6 Things to Consider Before Your PCS With Pets

Many military families have four legged members. Preparation for both national and international travel will make the process as simple as possible. After all, an organized PCS in a smooth(er) PCS. Here are 6 things to consider before you PCS with your pets!

Crate Train: Before moving with a pet, “crate training” is imperative. Cramped quarters are inevitable on a flight or in a car. Familiarity with small spaces and spending some time in them will prevent him or her from defecating and/or urinating in the tight quarters. (Which would make for an unpleasant trip).

Microchip: Have your pet microchipped. This will make them much easier to find should they get lost. Tags and collars can fall or be torn off, but a microchip inserted under the skin is a safe and easy way to ensure your pet can always be identified.

Health Certification: Any travel across international borders requires a health certificate. Some states may also require the health certificate. Following a full physical exam and evaluation, your veterinarian can provide a certificate ensuring that your pet has up-to-date vaccinations, is free of any diseases, and is medically ready for travel. Not only is the document absolutely essential for travel, it must be dated no more than 30 days prior to the expected travel dates. If the 30 day window is passes, the entire process must be repeated.

Service Animal Verification: Service animals require not only all the health certificates and veterinarian exams, but current service papers. In some countries both family pets and service animals may be required to remain in quarantine for a certain amount of time.

Safety Check:  If you’re flying, bear in mind that not all airlines put pet safety at the top of their list. Thoroughly research the airline requirements, and safety protocols before your pet is loaded on the plane. If European travel is on the agenda for your pet, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends traveling with Continental, KLM, British Airways, and/or Lufthansa Airlines (note: most of these are part of the StarOne Alliance), who all have optimal guidelines in place for the four-legged traveler.

European Laws: If you’ll be abroad in Europe for an extended period of time, you may be subject to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 of the European Parliament and of the council. What that means is simple: every European country (with the exception of the UK, Sweden, and Norway) requires your pet to have a microchip and a series of up-to-date vaccines if they are to stay with you for an extended period of time. For dogs, the required vaccines are: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Leptospirosis (DHLPP), and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival. For cats, the required vaccines are: Feline Viral Rhinotrachetis, Calicvirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP), and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival. Finally, but certainly not less importantly, your dog and cat must have a completed EU certificate of veterinary health in order to remain in Europe for an extended period of time. Forms may be downloaded at PetRelocation.com — and brought to your veterinarian for completion. If you’ll be in a non-English speaking country, a list of local, English speaking veterinarians will be a must in case your pet becomes ill.

Ready to get started looking for housing in San Diego? Our Relobase Realtors are happy to assist you!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

6 Moving Tips For Military Service Members

As a member of the military, you understand that moves are part of the lifestyle. Whether you have kids or not, you don’t have time to dwell endlessly on the military relocation process. Instead, you want to get it over with so you can get on with your life in your new home!

Here are 6 moving tips for busy people that can make that process suck a little less!

#1 – Make Sure Your Emergency Binder is Easy to Find and Packed Where It Will Travel With You

This binder should contain all the critical information: access to bank accounts, social security numbers, birth certificates, and everything you’ll need to set up utilities, enroll the kids in school, and transfer your information to new medical providers. Keep this binder up and out of the chaos so that even if it takes you a while to get settled into your new home, you have the papers you really need on hand.

#2 – Let the Kids Help Pack Their Rooms

Allow the little ones to pack either a bag or a couple of boxes each, depending on available space, that will travel with you instead of the moving truck. You might not know all of the items that are utterly precious to your child so let them participate in the process to avoid tears later!

#3 – Pack By Room

This seems like a no-brainer, but it can be tempting to fill boxes as you walk through the house, shoving everything that will fit into them. While there will probably be some boxes that are packed this way at the end of the packing process, make unpacking easier by separating boxes by the rooms they go in and labeling them accordingly. This will make the unpacking process much easier when you get to your new home.

#4 – Use the Move as an Opportunity to Clean Out Clutter

Chances are you’ve accumulated plenty of stuff even if you’ve only been at your current location for a few years. From old electronics that have been upgraded to all the papers that kids come home with, clutter adds up fast. Go ahead and get rid of anything that you won’t be using at your new home.

#5 – Be Prepared For the Movers

If you’re using military movers to help pack and transport your possessions, make sure that you’re prepared for their visit. Military movers are known for their efficiency, not necessarily for their care and attention to detail. Veterans of military moves have experienced plenty of surprises when they reach the other end, from trash that’s packed up in the can instead of being taken out to items that weren’t packed as securely as they should have been. Pack up precious or easily breakable items yourself to ensure that they’re protected properly.

#6 – Pack Bags or Boxes That Will Get You Through a Week or So Even If Your Items Don’t Arrive on Time

This is particularly important for long moves or if you’ve been warned that your possessions are going to take a while to get to you. Pack up enough clothes to last a week or so, add a sleeping bad, pillows, or favorite blankets, and be prepared to wait for your items to arrive if necessary.

Packing for a move is stressful no matter how you do it. Over the course of your military service, you’ll likely hone it down to a fine routine, developing techniques that work for you. Staying organized and taking it one step at a time will get you through this move and all the others in front of you!

Ready to get started looking for housing in San Diego? Our Relobase Realtors are happy to assist you!

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)

PCSing With Kids? 5 Free Apps Designed For Military Kids

A PCS is hard. Packing up, moving across the country, meeting brand new people in a brand new place isn’t easy, no matter what the age. However, PCSing as a kid has its own special challenges. Leaving behind classmates, neighborhood friends, familiar parks and towns, to start over in a strange place can create anxiety. We have pulled together what we consider 5 of the best apps to download for your kids. These apps are geared towards helping your littles better understand and thrive in the military lifestyle. Here are 5 free apps designed to help military kids during this process and beyond!

Sesame Street’s Big Moving Adventure – Geared for younger children, ages 2-5, this app helps frame moving as a grand adventure, rather than something to be feared. Through customizing a Muppet character experiencing a move, they learn what to expect as they help their Muppet pack, prepare and organize a room in a fun, interactive game. This app can help shed some light on the moving experience and make it fun and exciting.

FOCUS on the Go! – A multifaceted app, FOCUS on the Go! teaches relaxation techniques to practice when your kids are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Buddy Bear, a character in the app, has trouble expressing his feelings and sometimes needs a little extra help. This game allows your child to help Buddy express his feelings through finding “feeling” words. They can play games with Buddy, and create their own story in the Comic Creator section (which they can share with family and friends). This app focuses on assisting children to name their emotions, and how to best manage those emotions.

Sesame Street App for Military Families – Rated for children 9 and older, this app is great for the whole family. It addressed topics such as deployment, injuries, grief, reunions, and self-expression. Through the stories of other military families experiencing challenges may be similar to what they’re going through, kids are reassured they are not alone. Guides are available in case you have questions about how to broach certain topics or how to help your child deal with certain issues. The app also connects military families through social media.

Kids In Touch – During deployment remaining connected can be tough. This app helps solve that problem. Kids and their deployed parent can now send texts and pictures back and forth for absolutely free. Though it is never easy being separated from a loved one, with this app, your child and service member can stay as in-touch as possible through the duration of the deployment.

Military Kids Connect – Though not a true app, this website is still a must-have for military kids. They can connect to other kids in their own age range, from 6-8, 9-12, and 13-17. This site allows them to tell their story, read other kids’ stories, play games, and learn how to cope with stress. Not only can they have fun on the site, it can also work as a tool to teach them how best to react to stressful events and to show them how other kids their age have gone through similar experiences. The Youth Resource Guide offers more fun websites for military children. Parent resources include discussion guides to assist sharing various military-related topics with your children.

(Article originally appeared on Relobase.com)