Posted on Jan 22, 2016
4 Things To Consider When Relocating After The Military
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RP Members do you agree with these (4) or are there more that are just as important?
Transition can mean relocation, whether it’s for a new job to be closer to family and friends.
When looking for a job, too many job seekers ignore the importance of location. Among transitioning service members especially, too many relocate to where they grew up or hang around their last duty station. Unfortunately, this can be detrimental to your next career.
With some exception, there aren’t a lot of great civilian jobs near military bases. Depending on where you are from, the same could be true about moving back home.
Here are a number of considerations to think about when choosing where to relocate your family.
Transition can mean relocation, whether it’s for a new job to be closer to family and friends.
When looking for a job, too many job seekers ignore the importance of location. Among transitioning service members especially, too many relocate to where they grew up or hang around their last duty station. Unfortunately, this can be detrimental to your next career.
With some exception, there aren’t a lot of great civilian jobs near military bases. Depending on where you are from, the same could be true about moving back home.
Here are a number of considerations to think about when choosing where to relocate your family.
4 Things To Consider When Relocating After The Military
Posted from taskandpurpose.com
Transition
Retirement
Force Reduction
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 4
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One thing to consider that wasn't highlighted too much was family. After being separated from ones family for so long, don't underestimate the importance of being close to family. Otherwise, travel costs can be fairly high.
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I didn't think this list was TOO bad...but there are some other things to consider (or specifics that were not highlighted).
1 Taxes: Yes. There are states that do not have income taxes or do not tax military retirement. Something I have learned tho, the Government WILL get their money....maybe State Sales Tax, higher vehicle registration costs....look at EVERYTHING.
2. Benefits: If you are retiring, keep this in mind.... due to newer rules, you must live within the catchment area of an active duty installation to qualify for Tricare Prime. Think this range is within 50 miles of the base, but not 100% sure on this..... Tricare Prime costs a family about 530-550$.... Tricare Standard is FREE (and meets all the requirements for the Affordable Care Act/ObamaCare for health insurance), but there are Co-pays, deductibles, and other costs that you will be responsible for up to the first $3k per year per family member.....
3. Employment: they state that there are often no jobs close to the base..... while this may be true, think about this statement for a moment.... Where are most bases located? Close proximity to a city....there are exceptions to this, so don't blow me up on this.... :-) I relocated to the Spokane WA area..... We have Fairchild AFB. But the city/Metropolitan area is somewhere in the area of 500k people...... there are jobs, just have to look! My guess would be that in a city of 200k or more, there will be more job availability then if you move back home to Podunk....population 3842 and one old grump.....unless your family OWNS the business that is going to hire you....
These are just a few of my observations based on my recent retirement, including taxes/benefits looking, relocation, and the job search.
1 Taxes: Yes. There are states that do not have income taxes or do not tax military retirement. Something I have learned tho, the Government WILL get their money....maybe State Sales Tax, higher vehicle registration costs....look at EVERYTHING.
2. Benefits: If you are retiring, keep this in mind.... due to newer rules, you must live within the catchment area of an active duty installation to qualify for Tricare Prime. Think this range is within 50 miles of the base, but not 100% sure on this..... Tricare Prime costs a family about 530-550$.... Tricare Standard is FREE (and meets all the requirements for the Affordable Care Act/ObamaCare for health insurance), but there are Co-pays, deductibles, and other costs that you will be responsible for up to the first $3k per year per family member.....
3. Employment: they state that there are often no jobs close to the base..... while this may be true, think about this statement for a moment.... Where are most bases located? Close proximity to a city....there are exceptions to this, so don't blow me up on this.... :-) I relocated to the Spokane WA area..... We have Fairchild AFB. But the city/Metropolitan area is somewhere in the area of 500k people...... there are jobs, just have to look! My guess would be that in a city of 200k or more, there will be more job availability then if you move back home to Podunk....population 3842 and one old grump.....unless your family OWNS the business that is going to hire you....
These are just a few of my observations based on my recent retirement, including taxes/benefits looking, relocation, and the job search.
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SMSgt Thor Merich
Great answers Major.
A few things about taxes. You are correct that its important to look at all taxes. I have several friends that retired from California and moved to Texas due to no income tax in Texas. However, they found out while Texas has no income tax, the property taxes were high and seemed to increase every year. So at the end of the day, their total tax liability wasn't too much different than California. They just took it out in different ways.
As far as living near military bases. Its important to determine what type of base you are looking at. For example, Edwards AFB in California has a 75% civilian workforce. So it has a higher number of available civilian jobs compared to other bases.
A few things about taxes. You are correct that its important to look at all taxes. I have several friends that retired from California and moved to Texas due to no income tax in Texas. However, they found out while Texas has no income tax, the property taxes were high and seemed to increase every year. So at the end of the day, their total tax liability wasn't too much different than California. They just took it out in different ways.
As far as living near military bases. Its important to determine what type of base you are looking at. For example, Edwards AFB in California has a 75% civilian workforce. So it has a higher number of available civilian jobs compared to other bases.
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