Starting residency and moving...

[Averyw21]

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Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of any websites that gave the basics on what we need to do to get ready to move. I'm starting a gen surg residency at Madigan in June. We already received our contract and at the end of the contract there was a link to access some kind of moving information, however when I tried to log on, the login failed. So Im currently in the process of getting logged on but wanted to see if anyone had some tips or helpful hints as to what needs to get done prior to moving and moving in general. Thanks for you help.

 

[bustbones26]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of any websites that gave the basics on what we need to do to get ready to move. I'm starting a gen surg residency at Madigan in June. We already received our contract and at the end of the contract there was a link to access some kind of moving information, however when I tried to log on, the login failed. So Im currently in the process of getting logged on but wanted to see if anyone had some tips or helpful hints as to what needs to get done prior to moving and moving in general. Thanks for you help.

Try this website:

www.geocities.com/mamcinterns

At least back in the day when I was an intern, there was some useful stuff there. I cannot guarantee that will be the case at this time.

There is no one website that will tell you everything you need to know all at once.

If you have orders, contact the JPPSO at your nearest military base. You don't actually have to travel to the nearest military base, give them a call for arrangments. Do this ASAP!! If you wait too late, they will move your household goods later than you really want them to, don't delay!!

As for as buying, renting, etc. Check out the fortlewis.com and play around the website for a bit. You can find recommendations for off post housing at that site and I highly recommend that you allow them to help you find a reputable real estate agent etc. ALL agents will claim that they are familiar with helping relocating military people. This is simply not true and I can tell you horror stories if you like. Another option is to contact the GME office and ask them if there are any graduating residents that have houses for rent or are planning to sell (I can tell you that I am but have not gone to the length of telling GME to tell this to anybody yet. If for some reason you are interested in viewing my house, PM me). As for on post housing, not impossible to do but back in my day, there was a wait list.

Whenever you arrive at MAMC for your orientation, the very first day they usually give you a big checklist of items to take care of and a schedule to things that you must do: computer training, etc. So, you will receive further instructions at that time. No need to worry.

If there are any military bases near where you are currently living, go there now and get all of your uniforms together because I can guarantee you that the first month at Fort Lewis, as you and a bazillion other captains inprocess, you will not be able to find anything you need. The store will just be sold out.

Any other advice, just PM me.

 

[NateintheED]

Agree with everything bustbones said. I'll add a couple things. I'll be leaving Ft. Lewis in June as well. My advice would be to not bother with trying for on-post housing. You didn't mention if you're single or have a family. There is NO on-post housing for single officers. Period. And there's a waiting list for on-post family housing. I know of one resident in the entire hospital who lives on post.

As far as buying/renting goes, if you're considering buying and you aren't a member of USAA, join now. They have a realtor referral service that is excellent. And they give you a several hundred dollar kickback if you use the agent they refer you to from the start to closing. Same for if you get a mortgage through them - another kickback. I'll also have a house for sale, but haven't officially put it up yet.

For the move itself, you have 3 options - you can do it all yourself (DITY) and be reimbursed, have the Army move all your stuff at their expense, or do a partial DITY where you weigh your car before and after you load it and they pay you for the amount of weight of the stuff you move, and have professional movers do the rest. You have to drive from wherever you are anyway, so if you don't want to do it all yourself, partial DITY will get you some extra $$$ for moving you'd do anyway.

And I know everyone hates recruiters, but you can call your local recruiter as well, and they can give you the number to your local military transportation office/JPPSO and you can take it from there. When I did it, it was actually pretty painless. Definitely schedule early, since summer is prime moving season.

Feel free to PM me with any other questions.

 

[bustbones26]

I must emphasize what Nate said above to anybody who reads this post. Joining USAA is a MUST!!

Back in my day as an intern, I was a broke med student and had some debt. I know others too who often noted that trying to buy a house was difficult given the high debt to income ratio most of us have. Providing evidence that you will be gainfully employed as an active duty captain doesn't seem to matter. Since I am about to put my house on the market, I have been talking to a real estate agent. She had commented that given the situation I was in back then, and given the current market, if I was in that same boat today, no agent would want to touch me.

Okay, I am not trying to be negative or make this sound hopeless to anybody but joining USAA will be the way that you get a mortgage, insurance, and all of your needs EASILY met! It is a must do!

Enough said.

 

[Averyw21]

Thanks for all the good advice. Ive PM'ed a couple of folks. I have been a member of USAA since I was in highschool which at that time of course I was under my parents insurance but never left. I have them for car, home, personal property, computer damage, and soon a mortgage. We have been in contact and am currently in the process of setting up a real estate agent. I just set up a checking account with them as well. Thanks again for all your advice!