PCS Move to Corpus Christi TX and What You Should Expect

Your Corpus Christi PCS move is one of the best assignments you can get!

Have you received a PCS move to Corpus Christi TX? One thing constant in military life is PCS move and looking for homes for sale is quite difficult. If you’re new to the military moving game, you might not know what to expect.  If you’ve been in the service for more than ten years, you’ve probably expected this to happen.

Most military personnel make PCS moves about every two to four years. So if you’ve been in a station for more than two years, you should start anticipating a move. However, no matter how well prepared you are, a PCS move is always stressful.

One of the major benefits of military life is the unique opportunity to travel to many places and experience life in various parts of the country and sometimes, the world. If you are a military, a permanent change of station or PCS is a fact of life that you cannot avoid. Receiving PCS orders to move transfer to a new duty station will happen at some point during your military career, so you must always be ready.

Basically, a PCS move is like an invitation to a new adventure, where you will have the opportunity to experience different cultures and environments. Unlike temporary assignments, a PCS move is a longer-term assignment that generally lasts for two to four years. While the military can assist you in managing your household goods move through teams of packers and movers, you need to know how to do things yourself, too.

What is a PCS Move?

If you are have received Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, you need to know what transportation allowances you are entitled to receive. A PCS move is basically a move from one duty station to another. It can also be a move from your final duty station to your home of record upon retirement or discharge.

There are several types of PCS orders and each of them is bound by their own special rules and regulations. These rules include the following:

• accompanied or unaccompanied PCS overseas
• PCS to same geographic area
• change of a ship’s homeport or unit’s location
• PCS with temporary duty en route, etc.

Usually, it is the government that covers for most of the costs associated with a PCS move. Should there be any costs not reimbursed, can still claim them on your taxes. As a military officer, you will receive many of these travel allowances before your move or you may be issued a travel card to help keep you from paying the high cost of moving out-of-pocket.

Here are some of the most commonly reimbursed travel allowances:

Personal & dependent travel – If you are moving with your dependents, expect the government to provide you and your family transportation from one duty station to another. If you want to use your privately owned vehicle (POV), the government will normally hand you a ticket for a common carrier. There are also times when the government pays per diem, which includes allowances for your meals and lodging, as well as for the number of authorized travel days between your locations.

Household goods and vehicle shipment – As a military officer, you are allowed to move your personal belongings from one duty station to another. Your weight limit will be based on your rank and family status, so the higher your rank, the bigger your weight limit. You may also be authorized to ship or store your personal vehicle depending on where your orders are to.

Dislocation allowance – This allowance will reimburse part of the expenses which you have incurred in your relocation.

Temporary lodging reimbursement – There are cases when the government partially reimburses you for the extra costs you incur while searching for a new house or living in temporary quarters in conjunction with a move.

There are many things to consider in a move, especially if you’re moving with your loved ones. One of them is the community you will be moving into and what it can offer.  Finding a new home is also a huge consideration.

However, if you’ve been assigned a PCS move in Corpus Christi TX, good for you!

Corpus Christi TX is on the list of U.S. News Best Place to Live in the USA 2018. Dubbed as the Florida of Texas, it offers the charm of a coastal lifestyle with its small town feel. With its beautiful views, friendly people, and diverse culture, you’ll find that living in a home in Corpus Christi is truly enjoyable.

What to expect in Corpus Christi TX

Corpus Christi is located in South Texas, 130 miles southeast of San Antonio. This city is different from what many people expect of the Lone Star State. Almost two-thirds of its 452.2 square miles are covered by water, so you’re more likely to find surfers and outdoor enthusiasts rather than cowboys.

In 2014, the population of the city was around 320,434, making it the eighth-most populous city in Texas. The Corpus Christi metropolitan area had an estimated population of 442,600.^[1] It is also the where you can find the six-county Corpus Christi-Kingsville-Alice Combined Statistical Area, which has an estimated population of 516,793 as of 2013.

In Latin, the name Corpus Christi means “Body of Christ.” This name was originally given to the settlement and surrounding bay by Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda in 1519, after discovering the verdant semitropical bay on the day of the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi^] The nickname of the city is “Sparkling City by the Sea”, particularly featured in tourist literature.

When it comes to economy, Corpus Christi TX has one of the best in Texas. Most of the people here are employed in the services, wholesale and retail trades, as well as government sectors.

The Port of Corpus Christi, which is the fifth-largest port in the U.S. and is the deepest inshore port of Gulf of Mexico, deals with mostly oil and agricultural products. Tourism and the oil and petrochemicals industry drive most of its local economy.

Corpus Christi TX weather is also perfect. This city has eleven beaches, two marinas, and approximately 255 days of sunshine, which gives you plenty of reason to be enjoying the waters on your free time. It also has the Padre Island National Seashore, the longest stretch of barrier island in the world, a great place to explore on your leisure time.

Corpus Christi TX has a humid subtropical climate, which is characterized by hot, very humid summers and very short, mild winters. The weather in this part of Texas is the coolest between November and February, while the noticeably warming trend happens between March and April. The warmest part of the year is between June and September, with August being the peak of summer. While October in the city is very warm, this month is not as hot as the summer. Corpus Christi is also very windy.

Corpus Christi is not just a coastal city. It is also known for its great history and educational system. Corpus Christi TX is home to some of the best schools in Texas, including the Faye Webb Elementary School, Calallen Wood River Elementary School, West Oso Independent School, Tuloso-Midway Independent School, Mary Grett School, London Middle School, Flour Bluff Intermediate School, Trinity Charter School and a lot more.

It also boasts of many wonderful attractions like The Blue Ghost USS Lexington — the massive aircraft carrier now turned naval museum and the Texas State Aquarium which provides comprehensive information about the aquatic life of The Gulf of Mexico.

Since the city of Corpus Christi is located on an inlet to the north of Brownsville, it has grown in popularity over the years for its widely visited tourist destinations. Much of its draw is because of its picturesque coastal setting, with long miles of beaches, its conservation areas and abundant flora and fauna. These days, this attractive city is fondly called the Texas Riviera due to its numerous fine hotels and resorts and exciting coastal attractions.

Here you can find the Padre Island, the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world that stretches some 70 miles from end-to-end. This island covers 130,000 acres of beach, dunes and grassland habitats and is definitely a birder’s paradise because of the 350 different species of birds that consider it their home. In fact, around half of all North American migratory bird species visit this island throughout the year. It’s also a haven for marine life such as sea turtles and other endangered species.

If you enjoy museums, there’s the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, the Art Museum of South Texas, and the Selena Museum. The Art Museum of Texas is one of the newest cultural attractions in Corpus Christi. This museum is housed in a magnificent modern facility on the waterfront of the city and offers a broad range of exhibitions and educational programs that focus on the region’s multicultural heritage. This facility also hosts numerous lectures and workshops, as well as theatrical and musical performances. The Art Center of Corpus Christi, also located inside the same facility, is home to seven galleries, local artists’ studios and features an on-site dining area.

When you want to enjoy fishing but don’t want to get on a boat, you can do so on Bob Hall Pier, a pier which extends 1,240 feet into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Located on Padre Island in Padre Balli Park, this pier can be used for a small fee. You can stroll around this attraction and take in the view and fresh ocean air, or join the fishermen in the area as they catch fish from the sea. Because of its extreme length, fishermen who fish off this pier are able to chance upon deep-water fish without setting foot in a boat, so tourists get to see a lot of people angling for the catch of the day here. There are also plenty of vendors who sell tackle and bait in this area.

You’ll never get bored in this city. Once you’re there, you should prepare a list of ‘Corpus Christi Things To Do.” For your shopping and entertainment, you’ll find great options at downtown Corpus Christi and La Palmera, a million square foot mall with more than a 100 stores and restaurants.

The Neighborhood in Corpus Christi TX

Corpus Christi has several established neighborhoods for you to choose from.

South Side is the business district and has a good number of shopping and restaurant options. It is located close to the South Texas Botanical and Nature Garden.

The Central area has the best shopping options and has several residential neighborhoods. It is also the location of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Calallen offers affordable homes and is a great choice for young families. It is also home to Calallen High School, one of the top high schools in the Corpus Christi area.

If you want a home close to amenities, the Bay neighborhood is perfect for you. It has a lot of restaurant options, as well as beach getaways, tourist attractions, and historical sites.

Mustang-Padre Island is the most livable neighborhood in Corpus Christi. It is also the number one tourist destination with its gorgeous beaches and stunning views.

Flour Bluff is a peninsular neighborhood. It is surrounded by Oso Bay, the Barney M. Davis Reservoir, and the Corpus Christi Bay. This community is well-placed as it allows you to be close to both the Mustang-Padre Island while still enjoying the amenities and convenience of being close to the Bay area.

Northwest is sandwiched between Central area and Calallen. It has plenty of residential areas and offers different home styles for its residents.

Real Estate in Corpus Christi TX

Whether you are you looking for a single-detached home, a townhouse, a duplex, or a condo, there are plenty of homes for sale in Corpus Christi to choose from.

No matter what your preferences are, whether you prefer a home on the bay, on the island, or on a quiet residential area close to amenities, we’ll help you find the right home.

Visit http://www.AllAmericanHomeSourceRealty.com/about/ to know more about us and how we can assist you with your military move.

Are you ready to buy a home in Corpus Christi? Get expert help when you call us, Elizabeth Straessle and the All American Home Source Realty team at 361- 444-3908. Our goal is to provide you with the best real estate service you deserve.

In case you cannot view this video here, please click the link below to view What to Expect with Your PCS Move to Corpus Christi TX? on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/WC_pALPEl1o?list=PLS20G4p5u18kCACCr-zu2zrBmMKxNX1gG