When it comes to an OCONUS (outside of the Continental United States) move to Germany, there are so many more moving parts than even a move across the country. Going through an overseas Permanent Change of Station (PCS) requires finding military housing in Germany, which can be a challenge in itself.
This may be another added stressor to your extensive moving list. You’ll discover that, once you find your military housing in Wiesbaden, many of the other tasks involved with moving across seas easily fall into place.
Let’s learn more about what to expect from moving to Germany military logistics! After all, understanding these intricacies will significantly help you organize a successful OCONUS move.
About the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden (USAG Wiesbaden) covers 17 installations and has four military housing areas. These housing sections include Clay Kaserne & Newman Village, Hainerberg Housing Area, Crestview Housing Area and Aukamm Housing Area.
The majority of families in Wiesbaden live in on-base stairwell housing. Stairwell housing includes private, lockable storage rooms and shared yard areas. While this means fewer private areas for individual families, many people enjoy the community formed in these military housing areas.
No matter your family’s size or your soldier’s rank, there’s a good chance you’ll live in an apartment on post. Some higher-ranking senior NCOs, field grade officers and their families live in townhomes, but far more families live in apartments. Families who live in German homes are in the minority in Wiesbaden.
PCSing to Germany
As you prepare for your PCS, you may have questions about what to pack and what to leave behind in the United States. Once you have your military housing established, you’ll know the dimensions of your home and which furniture would be appropriate to bring.
Housing in Germany, on and off post, typically comes with smaller rooms than properties in the United States. For instance, if you have a king-sized bed with a large headboard and footboard, you may want to trade in for a queen before heading overseas. The same goes for large sectional sofas or other oversized furniture.
Your PCSing to Germany Checklist should include a few transformers to ensure you don’t damage electronics with motors. This is especially important if you have off-base housing. Purchasing a transformer for each of your major electronic items makes more sense than replacing pricier electronics when you get to Germany.
Most electronics, on the other hand, are usable in Germany. Conveniently, the on-base units are dual-voltage which means you’ll find both 110 and 220 outlets. Thanks to the dual-voltage wiring in installation housing, you’ll be able to use your mixer, coffee pot, television, X-Box, etc., just like you would in the United States.
More Like This: Weighing your options? Trying to choose the best selections for your next overseas PCS? Here’s more information about what PCSing in Italy is like!
Germany Military Housing
Since you’re more likely to live on base than off, knowing more about each of Wiesbaden’s four military housing areas is beneficial; each location has its own set of unique pros and cons. Furthermore, the individual housing areas are designated for certain members of the military and their families.
Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden
Clay Kaserne is where the airfield is located, and it is the post where the majority of the garrison’s soldiers work. It’s also where the Welcome Center, Fitness Center and Post Office are housed. Although Clay Kaserne has both stairwell housing and single-family homes, most families live in one of the three other housing areas.
Hainerberg, Wiesbaden
This military housing area is, for all practical purposes, the center of the USAG Wiesbaden community. The army lodge, entertainment center, Army Community Services, the PX, the movie theater and the commissary are all on Hainerberg. One of the two Wiesbaden elementary schools is on Hainerberg, along with the community’s middle school and high school.
Aukamm and Crestview, Wiesbaden
The Aukamm and Crestview Housing Areas are both quite a bit quieter than Hainerberg or Clay. While stairwell housing makes up the majority of the housing in Aukamm and Clay, there are a few townhomes as well. Aukamm also has its own small elementary school. No matter where you live in Wiesbaden, you’ll have access to amazing travel and cultural opportunities.
PCSing to Germany Checklist
Have you received orders for an OCONUS PCS?
You don’t want to try and execute your international move without a solid plan. Create your PCSing to Germany checklist using our Complete PCS Guide. To make your move even more stress-free, consider setting a clear moving budget to ensure the cost of your move doesn’t place unnecessary strain on you and your family.
Although much of the United States military housing in Germany is on-base, there are still some opportunities to live outside of the installation. Sign up at AHRN to begin your home search or discover how you can list your United States home for rent or sale.