PCS Naval Air Station
Welcome to your comprehensive guide on PCSing to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. It’s one of the key naval base nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Washington State. Yet, before PCSing you need of know a lot more about the base than its natural beauty. This article is designed to ease your transition and help you and your family settle into your new home with confidence.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island serves as a crucial military aviation hub in the Pacific Northwest. Established during World War II, it has grown into a large, versatile installation supporting maritime patrol, electronic warfare, and carrier-based aircraft.
Whidbey Island is the largest island in Washington state and is located in Island County, Washington, in the United States. It is about 30 miles north of Seattle and lies between the Olympic Peninsula and the I-5 corridor of western Washington.
The island forms the northern boundary of Puget Sound and is approximately 37 miles from north to south, and 1.5 to 10 miles wide, with a total land area of 168.67 square miles.
NAS Whidbey Island is the largest naval installation in the Pacific Northwest and serves as the premier naval aviation installation in the region.
Whidbey Island offers a wide range of outdoor activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The island is in close proximity to the San Juan Islands, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountains. Fishing, hunting, hiking, sailing, canoeing, camping, and bike riding are all popular activities in this rural area with its rocky beaches and rolling hills.
If you are interested in events and activities on Whidbey Island, Whidbey Island PCS Pay-it-Forward® has information on programs, facilities, and special discounts for military members and their families. There are also many clubs and organizations on the island that provide opportunities to get involved and explore the Pacific Northwest.
There are pros and cons to living in base housing while stationed at Whidbey. Due to limited housing options on the island, we highly recommend joining base housing waitlists as soon as you are eligible.
Experiences in base housing at Whidbey are divided. Some say they have had a wonderful experience while others were frustrated by the condition of the homes and slow repair response times. Here are just a couple of candid reviews of military tenants who have recently lived on base at Whidbey.
"They do the bare minimum. House is literally falling apart and they will do the cheapest/fastest fix possible which leads to me having to keep calling back for same issues, amongst other things we've had to deal with here with housing."
"How much they charge you upon move out. For the most ridiculous things too."
"Maintenance gets there when it gets there."
"We lived in crescent harbor for 5 years and loved it. We had friends in Maylor point and victory Terrace and they never had issues either."
Join Whidbey Island PCS Pay-it-Forward® for candid feedback and reviews from military members who are currently in base housing.
Renting on the island can be expensive and due to a lack of inventory, landlords have their pick of top tenants to choose from.
In most recent years, military members have found Whidbey Island landlords requiring 3x the income, 640 credit score, 3 months deposit on rental applications.
While this isn’t always the case we highly recommend being proactive in your rental search to increase the likelihood of finding an affordable and suitable home.
If you’re considering buying a home on Whidbey Island, there are several resources available to help you with your search.
Savvy Whidbey Homebuyers ® offers members a variety of educational resources on how to buy a home at Whidbey Island.
The program includes neighborhood rundowns, home tours, negotiating tips, and information on using your VA home loan to buy a house on Whidbey Island.
In March 2024, Whidbey Island home prices were down 16.3% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $525K.
Whidbey Island has unique characteristics and different neighborhoods. To be successful in this unique real estate market it will require the support of a local market expert who also specializes in relocating the military.
There are only a couple of school districts available on the Island. The majority of military families enroll in:
This school district operates on the “Southend” of Whidbey Island and consists of four schools. The district offices are located in Langley.
The Coupeville School District is located on the central portion of Whidbey Island. It serves over 1,000 students on four campuses, including the High School, Middle School, and Elementary School.
NAS Whidbey Island is equipped with resources designed to support families. They provide various services, including the Fleet and Family Support Center. It offers counseling, educational workshops, and career assistance. It can be helpful for you, your spouse and kids to settle and go forward in regular pace.
Moving to NAS Whidbey Island represents not just a change of station but a new chapter in life. With the right preparation and support, your transition can be a smooth and positive experience, filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Welcome to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, where your new adventure begins!
Join our FREE homebuyer education program to unlock LIVE tours of homes available to buy now!
Need help organizing your move? Check out these resources for a stress-free PCS!
Military families are used to being on the move. Unfortunately, due to our military lifestyle we are constantly having to update our mailing addresses and announce our pending move to our friends and family. Sometimes it feels like once we FINALLY get settled in at our new base it is time to pack our lives up again.
You have heard the term PCS Binder and you think it might be something you need as you prepare for your upcoming PCS, but you still don’t know what it is. This post will tell you everything you need to know about a PCS Binder and how to build the perfect binder for your move!
PCSing isn’t a fun task to begin with, but when you add kids, pets, or both to the mix, things can get even more complicated. But good luck with your human children, because today we’re going to focus on our furry friends and making the transition from old place to new as safe and smooth
