Moving from NY to Ft. Hood Via the Army

[KT27]

This is my 1st move with my hubby and the army is sending movers to pack everything up. Any ideas to help me out & make this go smoothly? Thanks!

 

[poohbear1029]

Any move where you have space ad can, move your own valuables and financial documents. For example, we have always moved CONUS (in the states) and driven so we we have moved photographs, documents, family heirlooms, etc.

As far as the movers...seriously, it is hard to relax about it the first time. Make sure you just keep moving about the house so they know you are there....have extra hands on that day too. Most are reputable and honest, but a few spoil it for everyone.

We have always provided lunch (pizza or subs) and lots of beverages (soda, water, gatorade)...but have never tipped the movers.

Remember that anything you pack that they move, you are liable for, not them - so let them pack it! After they leave and all the boxes are just there, we sometimes make sure that all the boxes are properly labelled and sometimes write our name and job number on sides of the boxes they havent. Also, the little move stickers they put on things either stick forever or fall off...so sometimes we will tape over them once the movers leave, if it is something that the tape wont ruin.

Empty your trashcans, cause they will move trash!!! And, set aside or lock up in one room all the items that you are moving yourself so it doesnt get mixed up in the packing of the day.

Finally...I havent always done this, but glass packs better with glass....so if you have glassware in several rooms and consolidate it to one, it should all get packed together.

DO NOT polish your furniture the week they come to pack you up....the polish can soften the finish and then the moving blankets can leave imprints. Dont go nuts washing everything either....ie, drapes, blankets etc....wash when you get there as it will need to be freshened up anyway.

 

[Alexsma]

Moving from NY to Ft. Hood Via the Army

Never moved cross country with the ARMY, but spent over 3 years at Fort Hood. It isn't too bad as long as you don't mind the heat. Coming from NY you have all 4 seasons. They only seem to have 2! Although the flowers in the spring are wonderful, the blue bonnets and indian paintbrushes! I do miss those, but it was 1998 when my then husband and I left. There was a long wait for housing then I doubt that changed. Also if you know what unit yours will be in that will help to make off base housing choices.

1st Cav is on the west side of base, you want to look at either Killeen or Coperass Cove, 4th ID is on the east side of base so look for either Killeen or Harker Heights, or Nolanville. When we lived off base we were living in Nolanville, it was very small at the time. Best know as a speed trap on 190 ha ha. Word of the wise, there are some fairly bad areas of Killeen. Like I said it's been awhile since we have been there lots may have changed. Don't expect lots of help from their housing office, at least back then.

Good luck!!! Be sure to visit Austin and San Antoinio while you are there!!

 

[dbarker]

Welcome to the neighborhood.

 

[KT27]

Thanks everyone. My dh already is there & got on post housing for now till my condo here in NY is sold. We got housing rather quickly because he was coming off a 1 year unaccompanied tour in Korea. He started with his new unit yesterday & it looks like they are being deployed to Iraq late summer....just when I get him back!!!! At least our wedding will go on as planned at Disney in may.

 

[Kewz1]

We were at Ft. Hood twice. Good times! Lived at West Ft. Hood first time around and then Harker Heights. Lots more restaurants than when we first lived there -- yeah for you!

Enjoy your time. Also, I recommend First Baptist Killeen if you are looking for a church.

Visit the museums too -- I volunteered at 4ID.

Have fun!

Kristen

 

[texasthree]

I agree with poohbear, buy them lunch. I tell them in the morning, lunch is on me so start thinking about what you want and let me know when your hungry.
In 5 military moves, I have never made a claim for anything.

I dont know if its the same for all services (we are navy) but the day of the move you have to have taken down anything hanging on the walls for them to pack. They wont take it down. I wouldnt wash anything either, it will need to be rewashed when it arrives.

Our last move, after 6 months in storage in texas heat, I opened a box and a bag of potatoes were in it! You just have to laugh!

 

[Doodlebug939]

I have made 5 military moves. Some of the things that I have learned and I hope that they help you.

1. If you cant live without it then move it yourself. If it is a favorite picture or photos. What ever it is move it yourself.

2. They will pack dirty dishes from the dishwasher so make sure to take care of that before they come.

3. If you think about getting rid of something and organizing things then do it before the move not after. I moved soooo much stuff this last time when I should have just gotten rid of it beforehand.

4. Ask the movers not to bring backpacks in the house. On one move my husband had hunting clothes and gear stolen and we didnt find out till it was well past the time to file a claim. Since then all of our movers have been really understanding about our No Backpacks in the house.

5. I learned the hard way that it can take looking through 20 kitchen boxes to just need spoons. So I go behind the movers and write on the side of the box what is inside. I dont do this will all the boxes. But in the kitchen it is great to know which box has the silverware and coffee pot.

6. NEVER NEVER let the movers put knicknacks on any box. I have had friends that have had Hummel figures that are costly put down as miscellanous figurines and when they broke it was hard to get the company not assume they were dollar store figurines.

7. Walk around the house and observe while they pack the house. A watchful eye is a great thing. Not that any of our recent movers have seen shady but it is your stuff and you need to watch.

8. Take all pictures off the wall and place them together. It makes the process easier for the movers to do it all at once.

And most of all think of this move as an adventure. I love to move. I dont know what I will do when my husband retires in 4 years. I havent lived in any house longer then 3 years out of our 12 year marriage.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

just a note , my son in law was in Fort Hood for a while. He is now in Iraq, just went back about 2 - 3 weeks ago, so we are hoping he will be home in about 5 mo. ( i think he had 6 mo. left there.) while he was home on leave, my dd gave birth to our 1 st grandchild, my grandson will be a month old this week, im so glad my SIL was home for the birth. It was so hard for them when he left........but my dd thinks he might be back to Fort Hood for maybe 1 - 2 months, and then she thinks they may go to Alabama. of courst she is not sure of anything.........but , im sure they will be moving to either place. i cant even think about that right now, cause i get to see the BABY all the time right now. i pray for him and all the other Army buddies who are there. i hope you guys dont mind me babbling on ..............take care.