PCS Moving Advice

Hi Friends,

As you know, I am a military wife.  With that title normally there are military moves also known as PCS moves.  If you are new to the military the acronyms can be a little confusing so here is what PCS means. PCS = Permanent Change of Station.  PCS moves can be overwhelming for so many reasons.  You may be dreading your spouse going away as soon as you arrive.  You may dread going far away from your family and friends.  You may dread finding new schools, doctors, and jobs.  It could be the move itself causing you sleepless nights.  Perhaps you are moving cross country and there’s a big road trip to plan with several children, pets, and vehicles to manage.  It could be that the packing and unpacking frustrates you.  No matter what it is that has you fretting you are not alone.  There are so many people doing the exact same thing and worrying just as much.

Stop! Take a deep breath.  The good news is that it will all work out because it has to.  It might be a bumpy ride but I assure you it will be okay.  I managed to make it through seven moves with the Coast Guard and you can too.  Here are a few things I did to make the moves easier for my family.  Some of these are things I learned along the way and some are tips I got from other people with PCS moves under their belt.  I hope that you will find some of them helpful.

Before you go:

1. Get copies of your medical records, school records, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, letters of reference, birth certificates, passports, social security cards, and any other paperwork you might need when you get to your new destination. We have had our things in storage for a long time and I was very thankful that I carried these items with me.  Especially if you are planning to find a new job or buy a house when you arrive in your new area.
2. Plan your trip, especially if you are moving across country with pets.  I always planned out my trips with pet friendly hotels and fun stops along the way.  Some people rush across the country, but for me it was the perfect opportunity to see some of the sites I would otherwise have missed.  My kids have seen so many cool things and it was all thanks to those PCS moves.  I turned them from a dreaded drive to an EPIC adventure filled with awesome memories and fantastic photos.
3. Pack your clothing for the family by day, not by person.  This was a huge time saver during our multiple trips across county.  My kids each had several backpacks.  I used one bag for everyone’s toiletries and one bag per days worth of clothing for the entire family.  That way when we arrived at the hotel after driving for hours we just grabbed two or three backpacks instead of five suitcases.  It also made it super easy for keeping dirty clothes separated from the clean ones.  You just wash each backpack and pack the clothes right back in.  It is more work before the trip but it is so worth it!
4. Beware of the movers packing trash. I have had movers move trash a few times.  They don’t always use common sense when packing.  Wash out your garbage cans really well before you have them packed.  Especially the really icky ones.  That brings me to the toilet brushes.  Just toss them and get new ones!
5. Don’t be afraid to let go of unused items.  Sort through your stuff and donate it or sell it before you tote things you don’t need or use across country.  Trust me.  I have been there done that only to get rid of those items later.
6. Visit a few of cool places you didn’t see before you leave.  Part of this wonderful journey you are on is about experiencing new place, people, things to do, food, ect.  Before you leave try a few new things.  Afterall, you are going to need a break from all the worrying once in while.

During the trip:

1. Bring some cash for the road!  Once we stopped in Las Vegas with our kids and we stayed at Circus Circus.  We only had $40 in cash with us and for some reason the ATM wouldn’t talk to our bank.  We had to use our emergency credit card to pay for everything.  Thank Goodness that worked!  Our kids got to spend the $40 at the arcade.  We had a blast.
2. Bring EXTRA WATER and snacks for the road trip.  Once on a road trip we had just ran out of water and weren’t too concerned because we were close to a town.  As it happened my husband wanted to stop to see the Hoover Dam.  We had a cooler full of dirty ice and one juice box left.  I stayed in our truck with the dog and I heard a knock on the window.  It was a group of women who were riding their motor cycles and one was feeling the beginning of heat stroke.  They asked if I had any water.  I did not, but I did have one juice box and some dirty ice.  They cooled her off with the ice and she happily drank the cold juice box.  They all safely made it to Sonic in the next small town a few miles away.  I learned that day.  ALWAYS BRING EXTRA WATER!

After the trip:

1. When unpacking, you can list your boxes and moving paper for sale on marketplace and other people will be happy to come take them off your hands.  We always wound up just giving them away, but if you list it for free sometimes you get no response.  We have also driven them to recycling centers and been paid for them if there is a recycling facility close by.
2. If you aren’t planning to live on base have plenty of money ready for a deposit/down payment.  Seems like this would be something you would already be planning but sometimes things are way more expensive than you realize.
3. Don’t be afraid to stay in a hotel for a while until you find a house.  Homewood Suites is the best!  The rooms are big enough for the whole family and you have a nice kitchenette so you can eat at home.  The breakfast is usually pretty good.  They have grills you can use and outside tables.  Most of them have a pool and a gym.  By far the best long term hotel with a family.
4. If you are feeling lonely at your new home get a job if you can.  I had another wife give me this tip and it really did help me a ton!
5. Volunteer at your kids school.  You will make friends pretty quickly this way.

I know that was a lot of information to take in.  I hope you found at least one of these tips super helpful in your next moving adventure!

Remember, if you are moving into the Baltimore/Fort Meade area and you need some help finding a place to live give me a call.  I would be happy to help!

Safe Travels!

Liz