You know how it is with the military.  Rumors always precede your actually orders.  When my husband finished pilot training and made his request for the type of aircraft he wanted to fly we had no idea what might happen next.  On the day that the first step of orders arrived the flight instructors decided to make a game out of it.  As officers opened their envelopes they discovered a puzzle.  The type of aircraft they had been assigned with their first duty station written on it.  We watched as our friends were headed to Williams AFB (now closed), Arizona or Minot AFB, South Dakota.  When it came to our turn we noticed the instructors all shaking their heads.  My husband was thrilled to learn he had gotten his first choice of aircraft, an HC-130 (Air Rescue and Recovery) to be stationed in….ahhh where the heck is Kadena AFB?  We are moving to Okinawa Japan?  After the shock of learning we were going to be move 12,000 miles away from home the fun of learning about military moves began.

Many years and many moves later there were a few important things we discovered about military moves.  What to pack, what NOT to pack and how to quickly learn our way around a new area.   It doesn’t matter whether this is your first move, your fifth or your twenty-fifth remembering to create a moving checklist is always important.  Here are a few reminders to help you start your checklist for you move to Northern Virginia. 

• Organize and secure personal records, such as birth certificates, Social Security Numbers and Insurance papers.
• Execute a power of attorney for either spouse to handle moving paperwork.
• Use your existing supply of canned foods and other perishables, as well as cleaning supplies and paints.  Properly dispose of any flammables!
• Return library books
• Remove stickers on furniture from previous moves. (I still find stickers on some of my furniture from moves 25 years ago)
• Pick up school records or have them sent to new schools.
• Make sure you have updated any prescriptions you may need until you are able to get settled and find a new physician.
• Gather auto insurance quotes for your new location
• Notify utilities/services of disconnect dates
  • Gas/electric
  • Phone (home and cellular)
  • Trash collection
  • Water
  • Cable/satellite television
  • Internet service providers
    
• Update Pet Vacations
  
  

USAA provides a full week by week checklist for you to print and follow with loads of details to consider.

No matter whether you are headed to an assignment at the Military District of Washington, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir or Quantico finding your next home doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare. If you have orders and are looking for an agent experienced with  and who will go the extra mile with your move to Northern Virginia give me a call at 703-346-2213.

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Related Posts:
Welcome to the Pentagon
Tour of Northern Virginia Neighborhoods
Welcome to Fort Bevoir
Military Relocation to Northern Virginia
Should I Buy a Northern Virginia Home in 2008
Military Spouse Apprecation Day
What I'm Passionate About

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As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

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