Is Social Media Still a Good Resource for Your Next PCS?
by Julie Provost - August 10th, 2022
As soon as you know where you are going to PCS next, you will quickly begin the research and planning mode.
Where will you live? What will it be like to live in your new state? How are the schools? One of the best ways to get this type of information is through social media. There are so many resources out there today to help you plan your next PCS. PCSgrades is here to help!
Is Facebook still the best choice?
One of the first things you can do when you find out where you will be moving is to look for a Facebook group based on your new location. You can try the Facebook search for “Fort Gordon Spouses” or something like Pentagon PCS.
You can find groups for moms, wives, book lovers, nature lovers, runners, etc. In these types of groups, you can find more information about the area and activities that interest you from the people who currently live there and share your interests.
Another option is finding a Facebook group for the branch you are in, then you can ask about your new duty station and will have a higher chance of finding people who live there or who used to. They might also be able to direct you to a more local group or spouse page.
If you intend to rent or buy a home off base, you will need to research some real estate agents or property management companies. For this, you may not want to post a generic question on social media, because you will get a long list of options and they may start messaging you. But you could ask specific people for recommendations.
Search first, ask questions later
Look through your friend list and see if anyone is stationed at your new place. If not, you can share on your status that you are looking for information on that installation, and the military spouse six degrees of separation will find someone to help very quickly.
Before you ask a question like, “What middle schools are best for a special needs child?” in a Facebook group, please search to see if that question has been asked – it probably has – and how recent the answers are. You may be able to compile useful information from previous post answers, without having to post anything yourself! No one wants to scroll through 10 posts all asking for daycare or coffee shop recommendations.
Photo research on Instagram
One of the best ways to view pictures of your new location is to check on Instagram, the social media photo site. Look up tags based on the post or base and the city or state where you will be moving. Doing so will give you an idea of what everything looks like and even what people who live there do for fun. You can learn a lot about the area by looking at people’s photos.
Using social media for your job search
If you are planning on finding a new job in your new city, start on LinkedIn. You'll want to build a profile with some basic resume info there, and mark yourself as "looking for work." Then connect with friends, family members, fellow college grads, and military spouses in your field of interest.
find some Facebook groups specific to jobs in your area. In these groups, people will post about job openings, and you can see if they are a good fit. You might even be able to post about what you are looking for in a job and what you need.
PCSgrades Area Guides
Planning a PCS is never easy, but the more resources you have, the better the process is going to go. In addition to base housing, neighborhood, real estate, and mortgage company reviews, PCSGrades offers comprehensive Area Guides for many duty stations. Military spouses and local real estate agents have contributed information used in these area guides, so they are full of firsthand knowledge of the area. You can learn what neighborhoods are convenient for service members commuting to base, the local school districts, things to do in the area, what weather to expect, where to eat, and more!
In today’s world, social media can be just what you need to use to find the right resources for your next PCS move. There is so much information out there, and plenty of people are willing to share what they know. As you learn about your new duty station, consider helping another family as they move to your current duty station as well.
Julie Provost is the freelance blogger behind Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life. She enjoys life in Tennessee with her husband, a National Guard soldier, and their three boys. Julie enjoys blogging, reading, photography and a good cup of coffee. You can follow her on Twitter @SoldiersWifeCL.
