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11 Things You Must Know About Living In Washington DC as a Military Family

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So you’re about to be living in Washington DC as a military family. You’ve done your research. Stalked Zillow.com and GreatSchools.org. And now the movers have deposited your HHGs into the hub of military life. Welcome to the nation’s capital where the tap of military plastic dress shoes on marble floors can be heard for miles around. Here’s the real scoop on life inside the beltway:

1. Live Close. Spend More. Save Sanity.

We get it. You’ve lived apart for many months for training, deployments, and geo-separation, and now you want to live in a spot that doesn’t mean an hour long commute so you can spend time with the fam. Get out your wallet (and savings) because the BAH for DC is going to leave a hurting on your wallet for anything with a decent (less than 45 minute commute). Add in the cost of deposits and utilities, and the average military family is spending WAY more than most of us make to afford an easier commute to downtown.

2. Live Far. Save More. Lose Sanity.

There will always be a friend who feels compelled to tell you about their beautiful, big home when they lived in DC. Or the money they saved by living on Fort Belvoir and commuting in to the Pentagon. It’s a glorious picture that they paint but ask their service member spouse about the commute and it may not be all rosy. Depending on the job, family time may become commuting time but the $$$ you may save could be worth the sanity you may lose.

3. Road Rage. It’s Real.

Everyone is in a rush and they expect that you will sit one inch off of the bumper in front of you and not hesitate for one second when a light turns green. And, if you don’t get that, you will get the fan favorite finger along with some nice curse words. Add into the picture the longest lights on the face of the earth (we’re looking at you Northern Virginia) that will test your patience beyond what any human being should be tested. Move on to number 4 on this list.

4. What’s that under the windshield wiper?

Speaking of money, save some of it for the parking and speeding tickets you will get while living in our nation’s capital. From police cameras in the downtown tunnels, to the oddly facing street signs, chances are: you’re going to get a traffic or parking ticket during your stay. Budget it in.

5. Military Mothership.

My husband works at the Pentagon. Yeah, mom and dad might be impressed but not so much your neighbors. Why? Because some of them work at the White House. Or FBI HQ. Or the CIA. Or one of the major universities in the area. But, don’t worry. They give an awesome tour at the Pentagon where you can take a cool picture in front of a fake podium that you can post to Facebook. And out of town friends and family won’t have to know that life at the Pentagon is just another day at work for most people.

6. $$$. And more $$$.

Go back to number 1, number 4, and forward to number 8 and number 9 on this list. Add in kid’s activities that cost 2xs more than most any other place you’ll live and the expectation that your child will be involved in a zillion of them, plus the PTO wants you to pay for a new playground. Oh, and the food! Don’t forget the awesome food! And the gas for commuting. And the cost of those uniforms for work that they don’t normally wear… You get the picture.

7. Type Triple A.

Washington, D.C. and its surrounding area attracts high achievers. They want to do great things and live in the place where big things happen. So if you like to swim in the fast lane, you’ll find people around you who are movers and shakers, and get-it-done yesterday type of people. Rejoice Type-A personalities! 

8. …sign here. And here.

And here. Rental contracts are unlike any other that you have experienced. You will have to agree to first, last and a deposit. Have a pet? Add in at least a couple more hundred. Plus, you’ll have to agree to keep their nails trimmed to a certain length (you laugh). From weird requirements to expensive upfront costs, landlords have their pick of renters so you’ll find yourself agreeing to almost anything to close the deal.

9. Yes, they’ve got that.

In fact, they have four of them. You were just looking for a soccer team for your kid. Well, there are four levels and five towns that he can play in. School? You’ll have to test into a level for that too and there are four levels and two schools to figure out. Sometimes the amount and specificity of options can become incredibly overwhelming. But all of this “stuff” can also mean your kids have their choice of sports, you have your choice of jobs, and you all can enjoy dinner out at your choice of restaurants! How often does that happen in military living?

10. It’s monumental.

Washington, D.C. is beautiful. The list of things you can do and see, and experience is long. And being in D.C. is especially wonderful because you get to visit locations that are meaningful to your life as a military family. Be sure to make a list of the sites you want to see and experiences you want to have during your stay. And take a moment to appreciate how your military family is a part of this nation’s great history. Go military families!

11. All access pass.

From the egg roll on the White House lawn to tickets to special events, military families are often invited to attend activities in the Capitol Region. There are frequently celebrations for service members and their families in the DC area along with conferences for military spouses, and the chance to join in non-profit activities. With so many military families in the area, there is access to many opportunities you might not otherwise experience so be sure to take time to do them. Living in Washington, D.C. can truly be a wonderful experience as a military family so try to look past the long housing search and focus on the great opportunities you and your family can have – – can anyone say National Cherry Blossom Festival?!?!

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The post 11 Things You Must Know About Living In Washington DC as a Military Family appeared first on Military Spouse.


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