When preparing to transition from military service to civilian life, service members have a lot of factors to weigh when deciding what the next chapter will look like. This includes everything from what type of career to pursue to what sort of lifestyle to embrace. Many of these considerations revolve around one important question: where to live after military retirement.
Here are a few tips for choosing the best city or region to live in after completing your service in the military.
“The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”Establish career goals
One of the most important considerations in deciding your next step will be your career prospects. Spend some time assessing how your skills and experiences can translate into the civilian workforce, and consider what sort of roles or industries interest you. If you have specific ideas, look for cities with an abundance of job openings in those areas. If you’re not sure, living in proximity to a large metro area with a diverse range of opportunities may be a smart choice.
Consider educational opportunities
Academic goals can help inform your options for where to live after military retirement, as you’ll most likely want to settle down near a school of choice. You might be considering bolstering your education with an advanced degree or professional certification program after concluding your military service. Or, someone in your immediate family, such as a spouse or child, might be exploring colleges and universities. You may also want to find a new home within a good school district for younger children.
Identify your ideal lifestyle
Major changes like military retirement allow you to redefine your lifestyle. Consider your values and what you’re looking for in the next chapter. It might be that you want to find somewhere that allows you to explore your favorite outdoor hobbies — or you may choose somewhere with an affordable cost of living so you can have a bigger travel budget. There may be a certain climate or community atmosphere you’re looking for, or a specific type of housing. It might also be important for you to reside near a military installation for easier access to benefits and health care facilities. Either way, these personal preferences should play a part in your decision-making process.
Think about family
For many service members, the question of where to live after military retirement is a conversation shared with other family members. Military spouses and children often have input on where they might like to set down roots. You may also want to consider how close you’d like to be to extended family members. Moving back to your hometown or choosing a new city to call your own both have their advantages.
Take advantage of available resources
It might seem like you have an endless list of choices for where to live after military retirement. To help make the search and decision-making process easier, utilize the resources available to you. There are plenty of resources online to help you visualize what life might be like in different parts of the country. You can also explore the VA’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and connect with military installations in your current and future locations to learn more about relocation support.
