Military Moving Made Easier: What To Know Before Moving To DC

Moving because of a military assignment comes with a lot of considerations. Moving to Washington, DC, because of a military assignment adds a whole layer of new complexity. The city offers amazing cultural, educational, and civic attractions and monuments within walking distance of wonderful neighborhoods. But it’s also a high-cost destination where housing, traffic, and logistics can shape your entire PCS experience. For service members making a military family move, the relocation can feel like a job in and of itself. To help you work through all the details, our guide is a good place to start. Here’s what you should know about military moving to DC.

Washington, DC, military housing runs the gamut from on-base barracks and apartments to off-site historic townhouses and single-family homes.

5 Things To Think About as You Plan Your Military Move to DC

1. There Are Two Types of Military Moving To Consider

After you’ve completed all the steps on your military moving checklist, there’s one final thing to decide: What kind of military moving are you going to choose? You have two options: First is letting the government take care of everything with a contracted military moving company that packs, transports, and delivers your belongings. This option lets you focus on other matters while movers handle everything, which can be a relief. It doesn’t give you a whole lot of agency, however, around scheduling and delivery windows that can be especially tricky in a busy metro area like DC. Many service members who prefer to be more hands-on opt for a personally procured move (PPM) with PODS, which gives you greater flexibility and the ability to keep a closer eye on your stuff while you’re moving to DC.

2. Your Commute May Be Challenging (at First)

Depending on where you’ve been stationed before, you may find after moving to DC that the simple act of getting to work is a daunting prospect. In fact, DC just unseated Los Angeles for the title of Worst Traffic in the Nation. Our best advice? Reach out to someone in DC who’s experienced in military PCS moves and has some commuting secrets. The good news is that moving to DC has a public transportation system ranked below only New York City. Make it your friend.

3. Prepare for a High Cost of Living in DC

Expensive: That’s the word most often used when talking about moving to DC — even when the topic is Washington, DC, military housing. Everyday costs are also high — tuition, kids’ activities, commuting — and that doesn’t even include basic needs like groceries and gas. In fact, the cost of living here is about 52 percent higher than the national average. With some smart budgeting, though, moving to DC doesn’t have to break the bank. For starters, take a look at some nearby suburbs that are commuter-friendly. Here are just a few favorites:

Springfield, VA

• Cost of living index: 149.7
• Average home price: $690,600
• Average rent (one bedroom): $2,025
• Closest base: Fort Belvoir Army Base (11 miles)

Woodbridge, VA

• Cost of living index: 128
• Average home price: $493,900
• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,875
• Closest base: Marine Corps Base Quantico (14 miles)

Silver Spring, MD

• Cost of living index: 148

• Average home price: $534,900
• Average rent (one bedroom): $1,775
• Closest base: Joint Base Andrews (26 miles)

After moving to DC, be sure to take advantage of all the city has to offer, from museums and historical sites to beautiful parks and cultural activities.

4. There’s a Lot Going on in DC!

Historical monuments, museums, and places to visit are around every corner. And the best part? Pretty much every destination and event in the area has a special welcome for military spouses, kids, and members, so you’ll feel right at home when you start getting out and about in your community. As soon as possible after moving to DC, baseball fans should check out Nats on Base, a year-round program for veterans and active-duty service members. The MLB program offers leadership training, intramural sports leagues, and more. (Bonus: Military discount for Nationals’ games.)

5. DC Has Built-in Support Networks & Resources

One major advantage of moving to DC is access to an extensive network of resources. The metro area offers more military-focused support than probably any other duty station in the country — which is a comfort to families who might not have relatives or close friends in the area at first. Among the options: spouse employment assistance, transition services, healthcare, and the MIC3, the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission, which offers terrific resources to help kids make the move to a new city and school a bit easier.

Military moving to DC often involves a post at the Pentagon, one of the largest office buildings in the world.

Military Moving to DC — FAQs

Q: What is military moving called?
A: A military move is called a PCS — a permanent change of station. Service members can either use a military moving company or opt for a DIY move (do-it-yourself move), also called PPM (personally procured move) with PODS to save time and hassle.

Q: What is the military term for relocating?
A: There are several terms associated with military moving. Here are just a few — complete with common acronyms:

• PCS - Permanent change of station
• PPM - Personally procured move
• HHG - Household goods move
• Partial PPM - combo DIY and government-contracted move
• PCA - Permanent change of assignment
• TDY - Temporary duty

Q: How much does the military pay for moving?
A: The military will pay for 100 percent of service members’ moving expenses.

Q: Where should I live to commute to DC?
A: When it comes to moving to DC, the DMV stands for the District, Maryland, and Virginia. A large number of DC workers commute from Maryland and Northern Virginia, seeking more space and more affordable housing prices — though home values in the nearest suburbs may still give you a bit of sticker shock. But overall, for government & military moving, DC is affordable and, on balance, a vibrant destination.

Q: What military bases are in Washington, DC?
A: There are 10 Washington, DC, military bases — at least one for each branch of the armed services:

• Air Force - Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling
• Army - Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Pentagon
• Marines - Marine Barracks
• Navy - Washington Navy Yard, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
• Coast Guard - Headquarters, National Response Center, Marine Safety Center 

Make your military moving experience convenient and flexible with PODS portable storage containers.

PODS Has Moving and Storage Solutions for Military Moves

Finding a place to store your items if you are moving in, moving out, or being deployed is essential. And as we know, there is one constant about military moving: You’ll probably PCS again — and again and again. Having a great option in moving and storage containers will help make this process smoother, more cost-effective, and safer for everyone involved.

Taking part of the load in military moving is what consultants at PODS are all about, and they will work with your family or spouse to make your military move the best it can possibly be. Want short-term storage? Take advantage of a PODS portable moving and storage container — delivered directly to you and moved to your new location for unloading when you’re ready. Need long-term storage? A secure PODS Storage Center will take care of your loaded moving and storage container, and you can schedule an appointment to access your things any time. Bottom line: PPM with PODS and save more time, money, and hassle.

Visit PODS online to get a free moving quote for your local military move or call 866-556-9574 for long-distance moving to DC.

Karen Dybis is a freelance journalist and a frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. Her work has appeared in Time magazine, U.S. News and World Report, The Detroit News, and more.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}