The Fort Hood, Texas, area has so much to offer military families in the way of amenities, support, and housing. However, newcomers are sometimes overwhelmed quickly because of the Army post's intimidating population size and expansive geographic borders.
Here’s the beginning of what you need to know before your PCS move to Fort Hood.
Fort Hood ranks among the top five biggest Army posts, thanks to the active-duty service members and families of the 1st Cavalry Division, the III Armored Corps, and numerous other units. Their day-to-day lifestyles require regular access to the amenities that support a strong quality of life.
Check out this snapshot of Fort Hood essentials.
Cavalry Housing and Winn Companies manage Fort Hood Family Housing. The company operates nearly 7,000 housing units offered through one- and two-story floor plans with variations of two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom options.
Cavalry also provides residents with walking trails, parks, and community centers where regular neighborhood activities occur.
Read on to learn about living off post at Fort Hood.
Families arriving at Fort Hood often search for new work opportunities and the possibility of furthering their education. These are a couple of resources to start researching programs that would be a good fit for you.
Visit Fort Hood MWR and Family Employment Readiness for information on:
The Fort Hood Education Services Division is home to programs that could be beneficial for continuing your education.
Residents who choose to live off-post while stationed at Fort Hood appreciate conveniences that most suburban city dwellers find attractive. Killeen Mall, H-E-B stores, Barnes & Noble, Walmart SuperCenter, HomeBase, and most other big box and chain stores are in one of Fort Hood's surrounding cities.
There are many housing options near Fort Hood. Copperas Cove, Harker Heights, and Killeen are popular with military families because of their quick commutes to the base and because they have easy access to desirable retail and entertainment choices.
Residents also enjoy Belton, Temple, and Georgetown because they are a bit further away, about a 20- to 30-minute drive from base, but homes tend to be smaller.
Families have multiple school district options to choose from. Fort Hood residents attend Killeen schools. Some area school districts include:
You probably know Waco, Austin, and Dallas are must-sees, but there are also closer-to-home choices that residents love to explore. Don’t forget to check in with Fort Hood MWR for inexpensive trips and activities all year round. Check out:
After reviewing this information and the Military Family Guide to Fort Hood (above), you'll be prepared for a successful PCS move to Texas.
And if you're looking for a home off-post, be sure to check in with MilitaryByOwner's constantly updated inventory of Fort Hood homes for sale and houses for rent below.