Naval Base Kitsap Relocation

I promised this week to write an article about the different neighborhoods located around Naval Base Kitsap. There are so many different places to live it is hard to pick just a few. Here is just a partial list of the neighborhoods:

I have chosen four very diverse neighborhoods to inform you about. Blueberry Meadows in East Bremerton, Manette just over the bridge from downtown Bremerton, Charleston in the heart of Bremerton and a huge area of Silverdale called Ridgetop. I have included pictures of homes that represent the styles of the area without invading anyone’s privacy. I have also included a few aerial shots so that you can see the lay of the land of the neighborhoods. These “eye in the sky” shots really show the difference from the older and newer neighborhoods. As always if you would like any more detailed information about any neighborhood just send me an email for a hassle free response.

BREMERTON

Affordable living describes life in East Bremerton. Quick access to parks and recreation, friendly safe neighborhoods and a large selection of places to live makes East Bremerton one of the most popular areas in the Naval Base Kitsap region.

Search Bremerton WA Homes for Sale HERE

Blueberry Meadows is a very desirable community. Currently there are six homes on the market in the price range of $249,500 to $302,000. Most of the homes in this planned community were built in the early 2000′s. Here you will find 3 and 4 bedroom homes situated on nice sized lots in the Central Kitsap School District area. There are community play areas and some homes have the pleasure of being up against a greenbelt. Close to shopping, bases and transportation, Blueberry Meadows is a great place to live. If you would like to see the actual listings for these 6 homes please contact me via email and I will be glad to send the information to you without hassle.

Crossing over the Port Washington Narrows on the Manette Bridge is the electric, artsy community called Manette. Here you will find a neighborhood that has amazing views of Mt Rainer, Port Orchard and boat and ferry traffic.

There are currently 34 homes on the market in the price range of $189,000 – $695,000. The majority of the homes built in Manette were built during the 1930′s and 1940′s. Many have views and there are several waterfront properties, some with low bank.

Many of these homes are the styles of yesteryear with coved ceilings, original natural wood floors, glass door knobs and angles and spaces that add so much character to a home. There are several “spots” in Manette that you must visit.

One of my favorite is the BoatShed Bar and Grill. This is a family style restaurant located just over the Manette Bridge on Shore Drive – well unless you pull up to the dock from the water. My husband took me there on our first Valentine’s Day date. The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is very quaint.

If you would like to see the actual listings for the homes in Manette, please just send me an email and I will send them off to you. No hassle – hassle free!

In the Heart of Bremerton you will find the area called Charleston.

A neighborhood filled with craftsman charm to new age modern. Most homes were built in the 1920′s, 1930′s, 1940′s and 1950′s, however with the boom in the area a couple of builders found some lots and built some new construction homes.

There are currently 15 homes on the market in the price range of $125,000 to $299,500. Some of these homes have terrific mountain and water views. Several homes have been remodeled/restored so offer old world charm with a taste of the future. You will find homes with large room sizes, built-ins, walk-ins, original hardwood floors, fabulous craftsman fireplaces and mature landscaping.

SILVERDALE

The Silverdale area of West Puget Sound is home to some of the new home communities. Over the last several years there have been many “developments” built to include the Ridgetop area, Summerwind, Ridgeview, The Glenn at Quail Ridge and several others. There are also several newer townhouse communities such as SilverRidge and Breckenridge. Choices of home styles and neighborhoods abound in the Silverdale area.

Search Silverdale WA Homes for Sale HERE

During the 1980′s though the 1990′s the developments in the area that is called Rigetop were built. Most of these homes are the traditional Northwest two-story design with some splits and multi-level to keep some balance. Here you will find the neighborhoods of Ridgetop, RidgeView, SilverRidge, RidgeView II, The Highlands @ Ridgetop, Glen at Quail Ridge, VistaRidge and several others. In the Pacific Northwest we love to name our neighborhoods!!

Currently on the market are 20 homes in the price range from $250,000 to $515,000 (this one brand new). These homes feature 3,4 and 5 bedrooms, usually a bonus/family-room and at least 2 baths. The size varies by plan and builder but the norm is 2,000-2,400 sq ft. The neighborhoods and homes are well cared for with up-grades added as the years gone by. You will find extensive landscaping and some real garden paradise. We love to BBQ here and so you will be thrilled to see different types of BBQ areas, some on decks, some on patios and some built into a gazebo in the yard.

Hope you enjoyed all the articles for week two. If you have missed any articles you can check out the article that introduced the Naval Base Kitsap Online Relocation Package by clicking on this link Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS which is updated after every new article.

Next week – Week Three – Let’s Have Some Fun | Out & About Area Attractions

Week three you will spend reading about the new area you will be calling home, the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula on West Puget Sound. During this week I will be writing about local attractions, the local art scene, the parks and what there is to do around town and local.

Until next time….Have a Fine Navy Day!

Schedule of Events sounds better than organization – RIGHT!?

For a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation, you have three choices on how to move your household goods: commercial movers hired by the military, a DITY (do-it-yourself) move, or a partial DITY move which is a combination of both. I have never done a full DITY move and don’t think I ever would. However, a partial DITY is a very smart choice if you know you won’t be going over your weight limit when the commercial movers package and load your HHGs. You must have permission for a DITY and a partial DITY so don’t assume you can hire a moving van, pack all of your HHG’s and then after you arrive go to the finance office and request reimbursement. It doesn’t work that way. I am sure you knew that, but every year I hear of someone that didn’t know and they were out a ton of money. The military will pay for your move based on the estimated weight of your household items, not to exceed the weight allowance determined by your pay grade.

This is the website you will want to bookmark. MilitaryHOMEFRONT has an amazing relocation section.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the central, trusted, up-to-date source for Service members and their families to find information about all DoD Quality of Life programs and services. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you’ll find what you need at MilitaryHOMEFRONT.

I am not going to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to a relocation calendar. I have used the calendar at the “Plan my Move” site of MilitaryHOMEFRONT and it is amazing. You can customize it for you and your family’s situation. I have set it up so that all you have to do is click on their logo here and you will be directed to the Plan My Move section in a new browser.

The next installment of Week One’s articles will be information on the Naval Base Kitsap housing market. I want to introduce you to our neighborhoods, our style of homes and what the real estate market is like here in West Puget Sound on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula. Whether you want view, water or a nice townhouse we have just what you are dreaming of.

Until then……Have a Fine Navy Day!

When I say “Take Charge” I mean it. There are so many military members that have no clue on what the move process is even though they have been threw it. A few months down the road they find out from speaking to someone else that they missed out on some huge entitlements. Remember it is your responsibility to request all of your benefits and to receive the full value of your entitlements.

First you want to educate your self about the basic relocation reimbursement programs.

Remember not to listen to rumors when it comes to your allowances. Allowances change from time to time and even if you are doing research on the internet there are a few .dod sites that are not update and do have the incorrect information. You need to physically check with the finance office on your installation for the exact amounts. Just remember that even there you might run into misinformation so book mark this link and read the information prior to your appointment. If you think something is not right then do the research in the Department of Defense, Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance website and the JFTR Portal located there then schedule a follow up appointment. Sometimes those involved either are mislead or don’t know that an article has changed.

Department of Defense | Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance

Dislocation Allowance – DLA

• The DLA is intended to help with miscellaneous moving costs. It is paid once per PCS move.

Per Diem Allowance

• The Per Diem Allowance is to reimburse you and your family for the costs of meals and lodging when you travel to your new duty station.

Temporary Lodging Expense – TLE

• The TLE is to partly reimburse relocating members and families for the cost of meals and lodging incurred when temporary housing is needed

Advance Basic Pay

• This is basically an interest-free loan you can get when you make a permanent change of station move. You normally repay advance basic pay in 12 equal installments. This is not something I would advise.

Monetary Allowance – MALT

• The MALT is the amount paid when a member and/or the member’s family drive to their new duty station, based on the Official Military Table of Distances.

House Hunting Trip Prior to Move

• You may request a permissive TDY for up to 10 days. There is no transportation or per diem paid, members are not charge for leave.

I have left off any type of dollar amounts for a reason. I feel it is the responsibility of the member to do the research and be prepared at the finance office meeting.

Once you have a copy of your official PCS orders you will want to make an appointment with your transportation office. The earlier, the greater your chances of moving on the timetable you desire. At this meeting there will be an explanation of your PCS entitlements. You will have to make some decisions on how and who will move you. Full government move or DITY (which needs approval) or a combination of both. We usually do the combination. We are never over our weight allowance for HHG (household goods) so we file a partial Dity to receive compensation on the weight of goods we haul in our POV (personal vehicle).

You many also qualify to use the online 24/7 Smart Web Move internet site and process the schedule of your HHG’s online. Here you can handle the process at home from your computer. SmartWebMove is currently serving 80% of routine moves from station to station. However, if you don’t qualify or don’t want to participate you can just contact your Personal Property Office.

We have never been eligible for the SmartWebMove probably because we have alwaysbeen transferred from Marine Corps base to Marine Corps base but I know that is now changing and the SWM is handling Marine Corps moves too.

There you have the process. Now it is your responsibility to “Take Charge” and make sure that you and your family receive your full military benefits. The next article this week will address a moving calendar and some time-lines to help you get organized.

Till then…….Have a Fine Navy Day!!