Located on the picturesque Puget Sound in Northwestern Washington, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is the product of BRAC realignment that joined Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. JBLM is a perennial favorite among service members and touted as one of the most requested duty stations by military families, thanks to its location near idyllic mountain ranges and Pacific Ocean destinations.
JBLM’s convenient location sits between Olympia and Tacoma and is about one hour from Seattle, leaving endless opportunities for city exploration.
Getting to Joint Base Lewis-McChord
SeaTac International Airport, about 40 minutes away, is the best way to enter Washington and tour your latest PCS adventure. Before arriving, you may want to look into base lodging at one of several IHG Military Hotels for a comfortable stay while house hunting.
With this much access to world-class attractions and a thriving military base in the area, you can also expect to find the dreaded traffic congestion. Interstate 5 near JBLM all the way up to Seattle is synonymous with tie-ups, snarls, and accidents. Military families heavily consider their commute times from cities off post when scouting for new homes to avoid interstate problems.
Location, Location, Location
When researching JBLM real estate, you’ll quickly learn that housing affordability is challenging when buying and renting in the area. Military families often adjust housing priorities to find the type of home they need. For example, you might prefer a short commute to JBLM, but you’ll pay a premium for smaller housing in those locations. However, a 20- to 30-minute commute offers more space and relatively less expensive sale prices.
Researching available JBLM homes on MilitaryByOwner will help you understand the housing crunch and create a budget your family can embrace.
Popular Cities Near JBLM
Popular cities for military families to consider when making a military move to JBLM include Lakewood, Puyallup, Spanaway, and University Place. They are nearest to the northern end of the base on former McChord AFB. On the southern end, where Fort Lewis was located, the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Dupont are nearest. Most of the Fort Lewis area is south of I-5, but a small portion, Lewis North, is north of the interstate, where it is helpful to understand which gate to use for the right direction.
The Olympia, Lacey, and Dupont areas are about a 20-minute drive (without traffic) north of JBLM. They provide the comforts of suburbia, with easy access to large chain stores and restaurants and plenty of outdoor recreational options. The area also offers enough higher-rated schools to make it worth investigating. Remember, these cities are accessible via I-5, and traffic issues should be considered. Dupont can access a closer, non-main entrance gate to JBLM for better commuting.
Residents of the cities north and south of the base cite lower crime rates and smaller population sizes than the Tacoma area. Also popular are the cities of Steilacoom and Lakewood, both located on the northern end of JBLM. Steilacoom is known for its views of the water, charming older homes, and lush farmers’ markets, while Lakewood offers plentiful shopping.
Military Town Advisor provides reviews from military families about education opportunities, neighborhoods, things to do, and more.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Military Housing and Amenities
JBLM has privatized military housing managed by Liberty Military Housing. Many of the housing options have either been renovated or are new builds. Within the housing communities and throughout the base, there is an enviable park system with baseball and soccer fields, a football and track stadium, and many smaller playgrounds.
Because of the base's branch duality, families have unusual access to multiple childcare centers, commissaries, and fitness centers. The Exchange is large, with smaller stores and an adjacent food court. The commissary is also large but serves many military families, so consider shopping mid-week when it’s less crowded.
JBLM also provides the standard recreational options you might find at other installations, such as bowling, a movie theater, playgrounds, golfing, and a thrift store. Madigan Army Medical Center is an expansive facility with specialty clinics, numerous pharmacy outlets, and even a Level II trauma center. Although expansive, the typical complaint of long wait times seems common.
Access to Space-A travel provided by McChord Airfield is an interesting and cost-effective amenity. Daily flights to various locales are available. Part of the hassle of Space-A flying is finding close lodging if you don’t make a flight, but this is much more manageable when living so close to the base.
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Public Schools near JBLM
The Clover Park School District operates the schools serving JBLM students and offers pre-K through 12th grade classes for students living in JBLM and Lakewood. Almost one-third of the CPSD population is military connected, so the district embraces its Purple Star Award designation. Purple Star schools have programs to help military kids transition into new schools, thrive during deployments, and integrate into their new hometowns.
As with all PCS transitions, researching schools from a distance can be challenging. To help you decide which schools are a good fit, reach out to your network, friends of friends, and the local Student Liaison Officer.
The JBLM Lifestyle
There’s no getting around it. The JBLM’s weather is regularly wet and damp, but life goes on and the community embraces the climate and doesn’t let the need for wet weather gear hamper their adventures. Keep in mind, just when you think the endless dreary days will never end, they eventually give way to perfect sunshine-filled months in July, August, and September.
Now for the fun stuff! Many military families adore this area because of its overwhelming natural beauty and mild climate year-round. Hiking, camping, kayaking, and boating are just a few of the outings they can do in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier.
Because major cities surround the base, there is a wide range of urban activities. Museums, dining and shopping, and kid-oriented places such as zoos and libraries are also available. Of course, all major professional sports teams are located in nearby Seattle.
11 Military Family-Friendly Outings Near Joint Base Lewis-McChord is full of ideas for embracing your new hometown.
Outings near JBLM
A day trip to Seattle is in order when arriving at JBLM. Hopefully, you made time during your house hunting to take a quick peek through the biggest city nearest your new home. Although touristy, the Space Needle and Pike’s Place Market are iconic and must be seen at least once. Oh yes, what about a quick trip to the flagship Nordstrom?
The Pacific Ocean and destinations along the coastline are synonymous with the region. Note that the beaches are not warm, and the water is generally not swimmable due to cold temperatures and dangerous surf. Bring coats for beach combing. Some of the beaches even allow you to drive on them.
You won’t be able to ignore the day trip possibilities to explore the mountains in the area. Mount Rainier is close and lets those interested take in the views and hike at all ability levels. Mount Saint Helens, the site of the 1980 eruption, is open for visitors to explore. The remains, destruction, and new formations from the volcano are visible. Not to be outdone, the North Cascades and Olympic Mountains are waiting for your visit.
Washington’s southerly neighbor, Oregon, specifically Portland, is a two-hour journey away with an enviable food and beverage scene. Canada’s proximity begs to be traveled during the weekends and holidays. Be sure to have your passport in hand to make the customs stop move more quickly and efficiently. Victoria and Vancouver are regular destinations for military families to enjoy.
However you feel about the weather in the Pacific Northwest, there are limitless experiences to be had while stationed at JBLM, so get your waterproof gear and make it a PCS to remember!
