If you can’t find military rentals that fit your budget, timeline, or family needs, you’re far from alone. Homes are moving fast, rental competition is intense, and the pressure to find the "right" place before your report date can take precedence when coordinating your military move.
Military families often navigate tight housing markets, long waitlists, and quick turnaround times during PCS season. The good news? There are always options, and a flexible game plan can save you when you’re shifting from plan A to B or C.
Keep an Open Mind During Your Home Search
Renting a house is the most viable solution when you aren't quite ready to buy, but it isn’t one-dimensional. Short-term rentals are especially helpful if you’re eager to buy a home, you're waiting for base housing, or you're living in the area temporarily. There are multiple ways to embrace renting that might better suit your needs than committing to a long lease.
Month-to-Month
A month-to-month rental property is a perfect solution if you need a place to call home in the short term. It requires far less commitment, and it allows you to jump ship if you find a home to purchase or need to make a quick move.
Room for Rent
While a room for rent may spark thoughts of a college kid or a recent grad, renting a room is a viable option for many, specifically those looking for a short-term rental. It’s also a great way to save a little money while you focus on working toward a down payment or looking to live elsewhere. As with any short-term rental, it makes for an easy transition.
Three things to keep in mind as you shift your search:
1. Furnishings: If you’re moving with household goods from a single-family home, you probably won’t be able to fit all your belongings in a room for rent. While a month-to-month lease on a single-family home might allow you the space to stretch out and unpack, if the ultimate goal is to move again, how settled do you really want to be?
Remember, the military will only fund one move in the area. Consider leaving your belongings in a storage facility until you have a more permanent address to provide to the movers. Searching for a fully or partially furnished rental may be the best option for you.
2. Storage: If the rental doesn’t offer adequate storage, look for a safe facility nearby to house your extras.
3. Amenities: While amenities are always a plus, when looking at temporary housing solutions, a pool, golf course, and luxury finishes probably don’t belong at the top of your priority list. However, when it comes to a room for rent where you have less control over the space, it’s important to determine which utilities are included in the rent.
Send the Active-Duty Spouse First
Sending the active-duty family member ahead to a short-term rental so they can establish themselves at work and find a suitable living situation for the rest of the family might be the perfect solution for navigating a military move. A less conventional PCS approach allows more flexibility when the kids have a month or two left of school, the civilian spouse has a valued job, or when the housing market is tough to get into (or out of).
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Live on Base
You might run into a long waitlist for on-base housing, but it can offer the lowest risk in certain markets. While there are both pros and cons to living on base, the perks can be appealing.
For example, you may wonder, "How does base housing work?" Rent is covered by BAH. No need to budget for a house hunt, as many military housing communities take your housing allowance. While it doesn’t allow you to pocket much, if any, of your housing allowance, it alleviates the stress of wondering whether or not your BAH will cover your rental expenses.
There's often a tight-knit military community. Living in base housing can help ease some of the loneliness that comes with settling in after a PCS move or coping when the service member is away.
You're close to base amenities. You can’t get much closer to the service member’s work, commissary, exchange, and more than by living on base. Many find that they appreciate these conveniences. Plus, privatized housing communities make it as fun as possible for families living in military housing. With playgrounds, pools, splash pads, community centers, and events, living on base can be a special time for you and your family.
What to do if base housing is full? Read on for more ideas.
Expand Your Search Criteria
If finding a home within your typical parameters seems impossible, then expand them. While you can’t compromise on everything, you can look further out from the base. Extend the radius setting in your home search, and see what properties populate just a few miles farther out.
Or, instead of limiting your search to a single-family home, look into condo or townhome military rentals. While it may not be what you initially had in mind, it might end up being a good option for your family.
Ask the Military Community
If the question How do I find off base housing? is at the top of your PCS to-do list, MilitaryByOwner is one of the best ways to search for rental homes, as the home listings are all located near a military base. Social media groups can be helpful, too. Keep an eye on the online community and refresh your search often, as properties come and go quickly.
Finding housing at a new duty station isn’t always easy, but you’re not the only military family facing these challenges. Whether you’re hunting for a home to buy, considering renting a house, or just looking for a little guidance and encouragement, we’re here to help make the transition easier.
