PCSing to Central PA? Why It Helps to Have a Veteran in Your Corner

If you've ever gone through a PCS, you already know that moving isn't as simple as packing a few boxes and changing your address.

There are orders, timelines, household goods, travel arrangements, schools, spouses, kids, and countless other details to figure out.

And somewhere in the middle of all that, you have to answer one of the biggest questions:

Where are we going to live?

If you're PCSing to Central Pennsylvania—whether you're headed toward Carlisle, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, New Cumberland or somewhere in between—that decision can feel especially difficult if you've never lived here.

I know because I've been there.

I've Been the Person Looking at Homes From Thousands of Miles Away

In 2019, I came to Central Pennsylvania from overseas on military orders.

And then COVID happened.

Like many people during that time, my plans—and the way I had to approach everyday life—changed pretty quickly. In my case, it meant purchasing a home in Central Pennsylvania without ever seeing it in person.

I couldn't spend a weekend touring houses. I had to rely on information, people I trusted, technology, and a whole lot of faith that I was making the right decision.

And I remember the pressure of making a major financial decision about a place I had never physically visited.

That's a perspective I bring with me when I work with military clients today.

A PCS Is Different From a Normal Move

For most people, moving is a choice.

For military families, often, it's an order.

You may have only a limited amount of time to figure out where you're going to live. You might be coming from another state—or another country—and trying to understand an unfamiliar area while simultaneously preparing for your next assignment.

So when I work with military clients, I don't think the conversation should start and end with, "What's your budget?"

We also need to ask:

• How important is your commute?
• How close do you want to be to the installation?
• Are you planning to stay here long-term?
• What does your family need?
• What happens if another PCS comes along?

Those questions can be just as important as the number of bedrooms or the size of the garage.

Central PA Is More Than Just Harrisburg or Carlisle

One thing I quickly learned after moving here is that "Central PA" isn't one neighborhood.

Depending on your situation, you might be considering Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, New Cumberland, Hershey, Dillsburg, Harrisburg, York or one of the many communities surrounding them.

Each has its own character, commute, housing options, and lifestyle.

Maybe being close to Carlisle Barracks or Fort Indiantowngap is your priority. Maybe you'd rather have more space and don't mind a longer commute. Maybe you're looking for somewhere you could eventually settle after leaving the military.

That's where local knowledge becomes important.

A website can show you a house.

A map can show you a distance.

But someone who knows the area can help you understand what living there might actually be like.

Buying Isn't Always the Answer

Here's something you probably won't hear in every article aimed at military homebuyers:

Buying a house isn't always the right answer.

Maybe you're only going to be here for a couple of years. Maybe you're unsure about your next assignment. Maybe you're transitioning out of the military and aren't sure where you'll ultimately settle.

Renting for a while might make sense.

And that's okay.

My goal isn't to convince every servicemember moving to Central PA that they need to buy a home. It's to help you understand your options and make the decision that's right for your situation.

Yes, VA loans are an incredibly valuable resource for eligible servicemembers and veterans. But knowing you can use a VA loan doesn't necessarily answer the more important question:

Where should you live?

That's where local experience can make a difference.

I've Been in Your Shoes

In 2019, I was the person on the other end of this process.

I had military orders bringing me to Central Pennsylvania. I was coming from overseas. I didn't know the area the way I do today.

And because of COVID, I ended up purchasing my home without ever seeing it in person.

Today, I have the benefit of knowing this area and having experienced that transition firsthand.

So if you're a servicemember, veteran, or military family preparing for a move to Central Pennsylvania, I'd be happy to be a resource.

Whether you're looking for a home near Carlisle, considering the Harrisburg area, exploring Mechanicsburg, or simply trying to figure out where you should start, the first conversation doesn't have to be about making an offer.

It can just be about getting oriented.

Because I've been there.

I know what it's like to make a major housing decision from thousands of miles away, with military orders in hand, COVID restrictions changing the rules, and an unfamiliar community waiting on the other side.

And if I can make that experience a little less uncertain for the next servicemember making the move, that's something I'm proud to do.

Below is the PA State of Liberty! She was placed there back in 1986 as sort of a college prank and has been standing there since! She can be found in the Susquehenna River in between Duncannon and Marysville.

Photo Credit: Unknown