PCS to Fort Lewis: But where to live?

The military, military personnel and support personnel, are all integral parts of the fabric of our South Puget Sound lifestyle. And this is such a wonderful place to live, that a lot of soldiers choose to stay here, or even return after retirement. But when someone is sent here to find a home, they often have only a Single Day to figure it all out. This makes the moving process a bit more complex than this usually emotional time.

Because of all the water and hills in the area, it can be tough to get a sense of Where you are. (HINT #1: make Mt Rainier a landmark to keep your bearings.) Developing a sense of the geography, the length of time for commutes to either the Main or East gate, how I-5 transects the region- all important things you can learn in a day as you learn your way around. (HINT #2: Interstate 5 travels East/West through Olympia & Lacey, until veering northward at Nisqually.) 
The area surrounding Fort Lewis & McChord AFB is a rather large geographically- Thurston & Pierce County encompass the bases, but many soldiers choose homes north in King County or south into Lewis County. The West is bounded by Puget Sound and the East by the mountains, so knowing the back-routes of the region is a big help. And I am a pretty entertaining guide, with lots of local trivia stuck in my head: the fun diners, the parks and trails and waterways and local festivals.

The South Sound area is an unusual place with a lot of great communities to choose from. And each Community offers different things, so it is important to prioritize What is Important for you and your family:
-What do you do for Entertainment? Golfing, hiking, kayaking?
-Where do you like to shop?
-Are Schools important? Church?
-Do you need to be close to a hospital?
-Do you have a spouse who will be working? Commuting?
-Are you going to keep the house as a rental when you are PCS'd out of the area?
-Do your friends from this area have recommendations?

Here are some of the communities you might choose.
Dupont: This is the closest community to the Main Gate, and is part quaint, old company town plus a larger Planned Community. It has with a wide variety of condos and townhouses plus detached homes.
Lacey: Just south of a wide swath of Fort Lewis forestland that separates Pierce & Thurston Counties, and home to a growing Commercial sector. More suburban feeling, with a variety of housing types and pricing.
Yelm: A rural Thurston County community near the East Gate to Fort Lewis, with access to forest-lands and fishing and a quieter pace. Homes can be less expensive or on larger lots.

I have developed a system to help you PCS to Ft Lewis- it relies on great communication between me and you, my understanding of your lifestyle & housing needs, and helping you develop a real understanding of the area. I have helped many soldiers and their families find a new home here that they have been happy in for years.
Please give me a call or email me to talk about your time-frames, and we can start working together right away.
And while you are getting prepared, please take a look at everything available for sale.