Moving OCONUS???

Question

My husband and I are PCSing to Germany in a couple of months. We have heard from his sponsor that we will be in unti in Landstuhl. Will we be living in landstuhl or will we be living somewhere near. Like Ramstein or will we be forced to live off the economy in Landstuhl? Are there any good websites for a PCS OCONUS? Any Advice?! If it is just my husband and i how many bedrooms are you usually entitled to if you live on base?

Answer 1

i had friends that were stationed in landstuhl..they were in housing..it was just the 2 of them and they recieved a 2bdrm housing unit...when they were there they said there was plenty of housing units and actually only a few people chose to live on the economy...

germany is a blast...i'm pretty jealous that you can go..lol...i lived in germany from 93-96

here's a couple of sites..hopefully they help

Answer 2

way too many variables when it comes to Germany. usually they show up and then are told where exactly they will be stationed and if housing is available. usually, family members may not go over until housing is secured. waiting lists are generally about 6 months long, but can be longer or shorter depending on paygrade and BR entitlement as well as availability of housing. In many cases, you are not permitted to live onthe economy at all.

no children means you only rate a 2 BR apartment, usually a walk up( no elevators, and they can be as high as 5 stories)

all you can do is get the paperwork for your overseas screening done and if you don't already have one, get your tourist passport. You will get the No fee one when you have passed the screening and have obtained Command Sponsorship.

Answer 3

We have friends at Ramstien and Landstuhl. Both had to live on the economy prior to getting housing (the most recent was to Ramstein last November). Housing at that time was tight...he was an E7 and they had only one child, but all they were able to get was a two bedroom. Your husband should have his sponser check on the housing issue. If you will be off base for any amount of time it is going to change how you may pack and what furniture you may want to bring. European homes are smaller as a whole with very, very little closet space. However, there is so much to do in that area...jousts, castles, festivals and faires. Plus it is a great leaping off point to see other places in the EU.

Your husband needs to use his sponser as much as possible to get the information you will need. You should also be able to get contact numbers from the PCS co-ordinator your working with on organizing the move. Your husband should be able to call them from work using the DSN numbers, but with the time difference may have to go in the middle of the night to do so. A quick call to the housing office will tell you what the housing situation is, what you should be entitled to in base housing and how long the waiting list may be. You should also get a packet of info from your sponser that will give you some general info like average rent costs, utilities, things you will need to bring and the like. You can go to the military pay sites to check on what your housing and COLA should be for the general area..just remember that if looking at German sites, costs may be listed in EU or German curency and that you will need to convert it to get the dollar cost (which will work out to be almost double depending on the exchange rate). The key to any PCS is information and prep..the more info you have, the better you can plan, pack and be prepared. Ask lots of questions, read guidebooks for the area (good places to get info on things to see and maps of larger cities), go to the base website and contact family support to see if they have any information they can send. When it comes time to pack, do it with a critical eye. Weight limits can be tough, but you won't need to bring any of your large appliances. Large furniture (sectionals especially) often don't fit in off base housing and waterbeds are generally not even allowed. Look at personal items...any that you are not willing to run the risk of having damaged (and it really doesn't happen often) I would plan to leave behind. Be sure you have copies of both your birth certificates and marriage license...order extras if you only have one of each..as well as copies of any professional training certificates, resumes or college transcripts. If you have two cars, plan on selling one...the military generally will only pay to transport one vehicle (and that can depend on many factors). If you have pets, now is the time to find out what you will need to do to bring them along. It can be tough to co-ordinate moving animals and tough on the pets. Smaller pets...rats, ferrets, snakes, birds...are generally not allowed on planes and may not be able to go with you. Find out so that if you need to find a new home you have time. You will have a wonderful time in Germany...I am jealous!!

Answer 4

Go to afcrossroads.com You'll have to register, they clear you through DEERS, so it's a safe site.

Not only is there information (weather reports, pictures) about bases, but there is a forum too.

Even if you do have to live off base, you'll receive extra money for that.

We may be moving to Germany soon too (special assignment, out of cycle orders.)

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

It depends on many variables - rank, seniority, timing, prevailing economic/political/security conditions, etc. These are all questions your husband should ask his sponsor - that is the whole purpose of the sponsorship program.