Moving to Coast Guard Training Center Cape May
TRACEN Cape May is the Coast Guard's only enlisted recruit boot camp, and it also hosts Company Commander, recruiter and other specialty training. Permanent-party families live in a small seaside community at the southern tip of New Jersey, where summer tourism swells the population and winters are quiet. Most staff are drill-instructor-style training cadre, so schedules can be demanding, but the base has its own housing area, child care and Work-Life office.
| Branch | Coast Guard |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Cape May, NJ |
| Airports | Atlantic City International (ACY); Philadelphia International (PHL) is the larger option |
| Climate | Coastal mid-Atlantic: humid summers, cold windy winters, and hurricane or nor'easter flooding risk |
| Cost of living | Shore towns run higher than the rest of the state in summer, with seasonal rental swings |
| On-base housing | Coast Guard-owned government housing (about 172 units) managed by the TRACEN Housing Office |
| Medical care | Samuel J. Call Health Services Center (clinic; not the primary care manager for most TRICARE Prime family members) |
| Family support center | TRACEN Cape May Work-Life Office (Ida Lewis Building) |
Where families live
TRACEN government housing
Coast Guard-owned units assigned to members with dependents under the Coast Guard housing manual; apply with a DD 1746 to the Housing Office. Quiet, with a posted 25 mph speed limit and school buses running through.
Cape May (city)
Historic Victorian resort town with a walkable center, many seasonal rentals and some year-round housing. Charming but pricey in summer.
Lower Township / North Cape May
Suburban-style neighborhoods and shopping strips surrounding the base, with more year-round rental stock than the resort towns.
Cape May Court House (Middle Township)
County seat with more affordable homes and everyday services; popular with families who want yard space.
Wildwood area
Boardwalk towns including Wildwood, North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest, with a mix of condos and rentals that shift with the tourist season.
Schools
There are no DoDEA schools; families use New Jersey public districts on the Cape May peninsula, and the official welcome guide gives no school list. Contact the TRACEN Family Resource Specialist or the Housing Office for zoning guidance before choosing a home.
- Lower Cape May Regional School District — Regional high school district serving the southern end of the peninsula (confirm zoning for your address).
- Middle Township Public Schools — Serves the Cape May Court House area (confirm zoning for your address).
Ask the TRACEN Work-Life Family Resource Specialist, (609) 898-6885, who is the base point of contact for school and family questions.
Things to do near Coast Guard Training Center Cape May
- Cape May Victorian historic districtfamilyStroll the walkable town of preserved Victorian homes, shops and restaurants.
- Wildwood boardwalk and Morey's PiersfamilyAmusement piers and waterparks; the base ticket office sells discounted tickets to Morey's Pier, Splash Zone and Six Flags.
- TRACEN jetty fishingoutdoorsFish from the base jetty with a pass from the Main Gate, subject to restrictions.
- Base campground and archery rangeoutdoorsMWR runs a tent-only campground, picnic pavilion and archery range.
- Beaches along the Jersey ShoreoutdoorsAvalon, Stone Harbor, Sea Isle City and Ocean City are all within a short drive up the coast.
- Cape May-area bird watchingoutdoorsThe peninsula is a well-known migration stop for birds and hawks in spring and fall.
- Ida Lewis Auditorium movie nightsfamilyFree films about once a month from October through May.
- Day trip to Philadelphia or Atlantic Cityday-tripBoth are reachable by car for museums, dining and shows.
Realtors & local services
Want a realtor who knows Coast Guard Training Center Cape May?
Tell us your report date, budget and whether you're buying or renting. We'll connect you with an agent who works with military families here.
Get matchedListings come from public sources and are not endorsed or vetted. Own a business that serves families at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May? Claim or add a listing.
Local programs & support
- CG SUPRTCoast Guard 24/7 support line for members and families, listed in the TRACEN family-support guide.
- TRACEN Ombudsman and Mutual AssistanceBase ombudsman and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance help new families settle in and handle financial emergencies.
PCS tips for Coast Guard Training Center Cape May
- Housing assignment is mandatory for members with dependents when units are available, so send your DD 1746 to the TRACEN Housing Office (Ida Lewis Building) as soon as you have orders.
- The clinic is generally not the primary care manager for TRICARE Prime family members, so plan on civilian network providers and call Humana Military early.
- There is no commissary listed in the base guide; the Coast Guard Exchange Marketplace on base covers basics, so budget time for off-base grocery runs.
- Shore rentals jump in price and shrink in supply during summer; look for year-round leases and ask about winter-only offers.
- Review the base hurricane and evacuation guide on arrival; low-lying shore communities flood during storms.
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.