Moving to Fort Hamilton
Fort Hamilton is the only active-duty Army post in New York City, tucked into the Bay Ridge corner of Brooklyn at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It supports recruiting, the Corps of Engineers' North Atlantic Division, the military entrance station and Reserve units, so families get big-city living on a small, historic post.
| Branch | Army |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Brooklyn, NY |
| Airports | JFK and LaGuardia (NYC); Newark also within reach |
| Climate | Four seasons: hot, humid summers, cold winters with some snow |
| Cost of living | Among the highest in the country, especially housing and parking |
| On-base housing | Balfour Beatty Communities (privatized on-post housing) |
| Medical care | On-post Army health clinic; confirm current services via Military OneSource |
| Family support center | Military and Family Support Center (MFSC) / Directorate of Family and MWR |
Where families live
On-post housing
Historic Colonel's Row, townhouses and apartments; waitlists are common.
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Residential neighborhood with a mix of cultures, parks and R-train service.
Dyker Heights
Quiet residential area adjacent to the post, famous for holiday lights.
Staten Island (across the bridge)
More space and parking, with bridge tolls to consider.
Sunset Park / Bensonhurst
Dense, diverse neighborhoods with food and transit.
Schools
On-post families attend NYC public schools, including P.S./I.S. 104 The Fort Hamilton School and Fort Hamilton High School. NYC offers zoned and choice-based options, so research admissions rules early. The School Liaison Office can help with enrollment and transitions.
- NYC Department of Education — Serves all Brooklyn and Staten Island neighborhoods.
Fort Hamilton School Liaison Office, via the Military and Family Support Center
Things to do near Fort Hamilton
- Harbor Defense MuseummuseumMuseum in the fort's historic caponier.
- American Veterans Memorial Pieroutdoors69th Street Pier in Bay Ridge with views and fishing.
- Shore Road ParkoutdoorsWaterfront park and running path.
- Owl's Head Parkfamily24-acre park with playgrounds and dog run.
- Third and Fifth Avenue diningfoodEthnic restaurants along Bay Ridge's main strips.
- Manhattan museums and Broadwayday-tripSubway or express bus access to the rest of NYC.
- NYC FerryfamilyWaterfront ferry service from Bay Ridge.
Realtors & local services
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Local programs & support
- Fort Hamilton Military and Family Support CenterRelocation assistance, employment help and a loan closet.
PCS tips for Fort Hamilton
- On-post housing is scarce and off-post rents are high, so apply as soon as you have orders.
- A car is optional in many parts of Brooklyn; check parking costs and transit before committing.
- Research NYC school admissions rules before choosing a home.
- Bring proof of residency and plan time for vehicle registration and NY driver license changes.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the Northeast
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.