What advice do you have to facilitate a smooth transition for a family about to PCS to JBLM?

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You will be close to Mt. Rainer National Park and The Museum of Flight in Seattle. Both of these attractions are some of the best that you will find. Good Luck.

Start putting yourself on the housing list now, if possible. Traffic getting on to main post can be difficult, but not so bad with North Fort Lewis (it's on the other side of I5 from the main installation). If your wife is looking for a federal position, start checking out USAJobs.gov now. In terms of things to do as a family, you're only about 45 minutes south of Seattle, and there you have the Rock and Roll Museum, Sci-Fi Museum, the Space Needle, the Mariners, the Seahawks, and Pikes Place can be pretty interesting to, along with Mt. Ranier. The cost of living up there is high, but it isn't too bad at all.

Try to get ahold of the unit, your going to for ideas. Many options for JBLM, driving on and off post Monday or Friday mornings also afternoon sucks. The I5 is jammed packed. Best commute is to stay on post. Many activities near JBLM, depends on interests.