Your final move, on your terms
For years the military chose your address. Now you do. Here's how to pick a place, pay for the move, and arrive with a job and a home lined up.
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Choosing where to settle
Most veterans weigh the same handful of factors: family nearby, jobs in their field, cost of housing, access to a VA medical center, and how a state treats military retirement pay and veteran property taxes. Make a short list of three places and score each one honestly before you fall for a house.
- State taxes on military retirement: many states fully or partly exempt it, and the rules change often. Check the state revenue department for the current year.
- Property tax relief: most states offer an exemption or reduction for veterans with a service-connected disability rating, and some offer it to all veterans. Look up the state's veterans affairs department.
- VA health care access: find the nearest VA medical center and community clinic with the VA facility locator before you choose a town.
- Jobs: metro areas around large installations often have strong defense contractor and federal job markets that value your clearance and experience.
Your last government-paid move
Separating members generally get a move to their home of record or place they entered service; retirees generally get a move to any location in the U.S. within a set window after retirement. Time limits and extensions apply, so meet with your transportation office early, before you sign a lease or contract on a home.
Before you take off the uniform
The Transition Assistance Program is required, and DoD SkillBridge can let eligible members spend their last months training or interning with a civilian employer. Start both early; the best SkillBridge spots fill months ahead.
Programs for transitioning service members and veterans
VA Home Loan Guaranty
The VA guarantees part of a mortgage made by a private lender, which lets most eligible buyers purchase with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. Most borrowers pay a one-time funding fee, which is waived for veterans receiving VA disability compensation and some others. You still need to meet the lender's credit and income standards, and the home must be your primary residence. The benefit can be reused after you sell or pay off a prior VA loan.
DoD SkillBridge
SkillBridge lets service members spend up to their last 180 days of service in civilian job training, apprenticeships or internships with approved industry partners while still receiving military pay and benefits. Participation needs command approval, and partner organizations apply through set enrollment periods. It can lead directly to a job offer near where you plan to settle.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
TAP is mandatory training and counseling for service members leaving active duty. It includes individual counseling, pre-separation briefings, VA benefits and Department of Labor employment workshops, and optional tracks for education, entrepreneurship or vocational paths. Starting at least a year before separation, or two years before retirement, is recommended.
Final Move on Separation or Retirement
Separating members are generally moved to their home of record or place of entry, while retirees can usually move to a home of selection anywhere in the U.S. There are time limits on using the final move, and some members also qualify for temporary storage. The details depend on whether you separate or retire, so confirm your entitlements with the transportation office before signing a lease or buying a home.
Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer to Family
Eligible service members can transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or children, but the transfer must be requested while still serving and usually requires a commitment to additional service. Once approved, you can change how months are divided among dependents. The transfer cannot be made after you leave the military.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31)
VR&E helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs, or live more independently. Support can include career counseling, training or education, job placement help, and help starting a business. It can pay for education and include a monthly subsistence allowance.
VA Benefits When Relocating After Service
When you move after service, update your address with the VA so disability payments and health care follow you, and enroll at the VA medical center near your new home. Many states offer their own veteran benefits, such as property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, tuition waivers, hunting and fishing licenses and hiring preference, and the rules vary widely by state. Comparing state veteran benefits can be part of deciding where to settle.