im moving from california to fort drum..... (New York, York: pre-school, living)

[koren09]

i need help.....my husband recently joined the army in october and in june we're going to be moving to fort drum where he got stationed. now, in from california, and have been in the same small town for all of the 24 years of my life. im sure the fort drum area is in so many ways different from ANY part of cali. if there is anyone that can help me out on what to expect as far as weather (im used to HOT weather! lol), jobs (hard to find???), housing (the cost of living??), or even schools (i have a 2 and almost 4 year old who will be starting pre-school soon).....anything whould help, i would greatly apreciated it. i really have no idea what to expect!!! thanks so much in advance......

[MovesAlot]

Originally Posted by koren09

i need help.....my husband recently joined the army in october and in june we're going to be moving to fort drum where he got stationed. now, in from california, and have been in the same small town for all of the 24 years of my life. im sure the fort drum area is in so many ways different from ANY part of cali. if there is anyone that can help me out on what to expect as far as weather (im used to HOT weather! lol), jobs (hard to find???), housing (the cost of living??), or even schools (i have a 2 and almost 4 year old who will be starting pre-school soon).....anything whould help, i would greatly apreciated it. i really have no idea what to expect!!! thanks so much in advance......

Do a search on the NY boards here for "Fort Drum"....there is a lot of information in different threads throughout these forums.

I am also an army wife, so I completely understand what you are going through.....Fort Drum is going to be a lot different than what you are used to in California. Having never lived anywhere else in your life, it will be a big adjustment for you.

As an army wife, you MUST learn asap, to "go with the flow" as far as moving is concerned. This is your life now, and your children's lives. It will be difficult at times, but trust me when I say this....you will meet friends that will become like your family in an instant. Being in the army and being an army wife is a bond that doesn't break. Everything will work out, it always does. Please don't worry too much and "Welcome to the Army Family....Hooah!"

[koren09]

anyone in the military or married to a soldier........i need some honest imput on how fort drum is???? again, i'll be moving there in june from cali.......how is the whole moving situation worked out???.......is my families air fare gonna be paid for, all the way from cali to ny????.......how bout out furniture?? our car???.....im so new to this, i just need imput from people who have been through this.....and please, no suger coating...lol...thanks a bunch

[MovesAlot]

Originally Posted by koren09

anyone in the military or married to a soldier........i need some honest imput on how fort drum is???? again, i'll be moving there in june from cali.......how is the whole moving situation worked out???.......is my families air fare gonna be paid for, all the way from cali to ny????.......how bout out furniture?? our car???.....im so new to this, i just need imput from people who have been through this.....and please, no suger coating...lol...thanks a bunch

You NEED to get your hands on a few books.

One example is:

The Army Wife Handbook by Anne Crossley

another is

Married to the Military by [SIZE=-1]Meredith Leyva

As far as your moving expenses, you usually get reimbursed your expenses when you get to your new post. Your husband can ask for an advance in his pay I believe. HE needs to be the one to find this information out. Is he on a post right now? The military will move your household contents up to a certain weight depending on your husband's rank. I would definitely start to clear out some clutter and unnecessary stuff right now if I were you.

I'm sure you've seen this but here it is anyways:

Fort Drum, New York • Home

go to the Newcomers tab and click on that and read up on it.

I am sure you have your ID cards and that you are in the "Deers" system correct?

So much to do, but you have to get it all done.

If you want to direct message me with any questions please feel free to do that!


[/SIZE]

[CGravlee]

I am an Army wife work at the Army Community Service / Community Life Office on Fort Drum. Come by & we will get you all the info that you need. The Army life can take time to get used to, but with the right attitude, it can be fun & exciting.