Moving to larger quarters based on an additional dependent--what's your opinion of this?

Question

We all know soldier pay isn't the greatest. In s. germany we have been on the waiting list since feb. for a 4 bdrm. apt. unit on post. Finally got the "good news" call along w/ something unexpected (i.e., just b.c. wifey is having a 3rd child does not entitle one to move up from a 3 bdrm. to a 4 bdrm. on the neighboring post at government cost). So my husband viewed the apt. today, was informed he had until 3 pm to decide yay/nay (after seeing the quarters at 11 am), has to fund the move himself (w/ the euro the move will be anywhere between $2k-$4k) + only has 3 days to do it. We would love to do it (however, I am nearing 8 mos. preg. at the end of this month and have to also care for my hyperactive 3 year old son and thankfully "normal" 5 year old daughter--plus I have some issues w/ organization + am very small so can't lift heavy things, not to mention the pregnancy. Always been between 98lbs-102lbs when not pregnant and have sticks for arms) on our own, but he had to fight

...fight tooth and nail to just get an ok to possibly start the move after returning from the field on 1jul (he is going to the field this sunday). 6 days could prob. get it done since it took two super burly german men 2 days (one for loading and one for unloading 4000 lbs of household goods) for a 3rd floor move. So 2 days for one man to do that and only one to clean up the place would call for super powers many prob. don't have. We're also in a unit that doesn't give a f%#k about its soldiers along w/ a FRG that's a joke, so forget the support there.
-WHAT IF his original deployment date remained (i would be close to 8 mos pg by myself + 2 kids to move this stuff/come up w/ a couple thousand to make the move happen immediately)?
-Yes, it's not the militarys fault/need to pay b.c. someone populates, but for ALL the b.s. he puts up w/ as well as us can't there be a bit of flexibility in the # of days allowed for a move? Just 3 more days and it could happen. what do u think?

Answer 1

I agree with what is being said. Is that extra bedroom really worth it. Is it more space or just extra room, same space?

It also depends on the base you are living at. My neighbor here at STewart just moved 2 weeks ago to another house down the street, yep down the street same amount of bedrooms and is still clearing the house next to me.

In germany we qualified for a 4 bedroom with only 3 girls who were all under 12 years old when we got there. Again depends on the post or base you are at.

Answer 2

This is a tough one. My husband is in the Army and we too were stationed in Germany a couple years ago. Living on the third floor while being pregnant and with younger children is rough. We also lived on the third floor and I dreaded the days I had to go to the commissary or do laundry.

Any move is stressful and hard and I know you face different challenges there. It is not like you can just take a ride over to your local U-Haul pick up a moving truck and the supplies needed to make the move as easy as possible. I don't think that I would want to spend the money on having a moving company come and move you either. Instead, I would get some people from your husband's unit to help. Make a day out of. Although your husband's chain of command and the FRG are not very good, that does not mean that all of the soldiers in the unit follow that lead.

I would try to make arrangements with the housing office under the circumstances as well. Are you at a large post where they are in need of your 3 bedroom apartment? Make them understand that you need just a little extra time to make the move, especially since your husband is in the field. Ask if they would be willing to give you the keys to the new place early so that you can move what little stuff you can move yourself and keep the larger items until your husband returns. If you don't get the answers that you want from the person you speak to at housing, ask to speak to a supervisor and explain you situation to them. There are exceptions to every rule and it would not be fair of them to expect you, under your current circumstances, to give up the quarters you have been waiting so long for. Especially since you did your part right and got on the list as soon as you could. Don't let them walk all over you, put your foot down!!!

If that works and you still plan to make the move, it is important that you use the time your husband is in the field to really buckle down and get your current quarters organized. Start by putting aside items you know you don't want in the new place. You could also start grouping things together that you don't have to use all the time.

As I mentioned, every move is hard and stressful, but military wives are the best ones for the job, even if pregnant. Everything will work out, just be persistent with housing and keep going up their "chain of command" until you get the answer you want. They have to offer some flexibility. Good luck to you!!!

Answer 3

Same way here in the states, I was pregnant offered a 3 bedroom, however we had to pay our own expense to move and had 3 days to move from one house on post to another and those 3 days include clearing and re entering..it wasnt worth it to us

Answer 4

Maybe you should wait until it's more convenient for you and your family. If the circumstances of the move are impossible, it wouldn't kill you to have the 3 and 5 year olds share a room for a bit until a larger place becomes more feasible. Sharing a room is good for young children, anyway...It teaches them how to share.

Answer 5

have him get his shop to help( when we moved my mother a few months ago, we had about 8 people vol. to help and moved a HUGE storage unit in about 45 min!!) organize the move for Saturday and buy pizza and beer. get some trucks and dollies and you should be set.

is the house bigger by a lot? (worth the move??) or just an extra bedroom with the same space??

Answer 6

one, 4BRd are at a premium, and if you won't take it immediately, the next guy on the list WILL.

OCONUS housing restrictions are stricter and they tend to follow them to the letter.. children under 6 share a room regardless of gender, same sex 6-12 share and over 12 gets their own room.

this falls under the umbrella of: you chose to have more children, now deal with the consequences.

Answer 7

I would not move. You do not need the additional stress with a child on the way. I know your husband is stressed out too. Guess what...before you know it....it's time to PCS to another location.

Stay put and prepare for the baby (stability).