PCSing to Jacksonville? What Military Families Should Know Before You Move

Orders to NAS Jacksonville or Naval Station Mayport? Before you start saving houses on Zillow, figure out which side of Jacksonville you actually want to live on.

Jacksonville is HUGE—and choosing the wrong area can turn what looks like a great house into a commute you hate.

As a retired Navy Chief who served 21 years and went through multiple PCS moves with my own family, I know how difficult it can be to choose a home from hundreds or thousands of miles away. Now, as a REALTOR® and Mortgage Loan Officer in Northeast Florida, I help military families make that move easier.

NAS Jax vs. Mayport: Location Matters

If you're PCSing to NAS Jacksonville, military families commonly explore areas like Orange Park, Fleming Island, Oakleaf, Mandarin, Green Cove Springs and parts of St. Johns County.

If you're PCSing to Naval Station Mayport, your search will usually shift east toward Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Intracoastal and surrounding East Jacksonville communities.

The biggest advice I can give you?

Don't choose the house first. Choose the area first.

Consider your commute, budget, schools, lifestyle and how long you expect to be stationed here.

Why Military Families Like Northeast Florida

One of the best things about being stationed in Jacksonville is how many different lifestyles you can choose from.

Want to live near the beach? You can.

Want newer construction and master-planned communities? Look toward St. Johns County and growing areas around St. Augustine.

Want to stay closer to NAS Jax? Orange Park, Fleming Island and surrounding communities may make more sense.

Add in beaches, boating, fishing, golf, historic St. Augustine, year-round outdoor activities and plenty of military resources, and it's easy to understand why some military families decide to stay in Northeast Florida after retirement.

My family did.

Buying With a VA Loan in Northeast Florida?

If you're planning to buy during your PCS, don't look only at the home's purchase price.

Florida property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA/CDD fees and possible flood insurance can all affect your actual monthly payment.

And if you're using your VA loan benefit, working with people who understand VA financing and PCS timelines can make a major difference.

That's also where my dual role helps. I'm both a REALTOR® and Mortgage Loan Officer, so I understand the home search and financing side of a military move.

Moving to Jacksonville? You Don't Have to Figure It Out Alone.

If you're Googling “PCS to NAS Jacksonville,” “PCS to Mayport,” “best places to live near NAS Jax,” or “moving to Northeast Florida,” start with one question:

Where do you want your family to live—not just where do you want to buy a house?

Tell me where you're reporting, your budget, your timeline and what's important to your family. I can help you narrow down the areas that actually make sense.

I've been through the PCS moves, deployments and military lifestyle myself. After 21 years in the Navy, my family chose St. Augustine as home.

Now I help other military families find theirs.

-Travis