Moving to COLORADO!

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Originally Posted by jsmorphs2

That's very helpful. I bet its the same as the Army. I just need to find out if there is a way to be approved the quantity of 4-legged friends we have (5 :tears:). If we are allowed to live off base then it would just be a matter of finding a landlord that is ok with them all. Also, if we are off base maybe the breeding rules wont apply? I'm trying to avoid downsizing our collection but I would be ok with holding off breeding for a few years *shrugs reluctantly*. I told the hubby I would agree on him joining the Army as long as we could continue with the hobby.

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I honestly can't say if the housing rules for the Army are similar to the Air Force, but if you're married, I can't imagine them not allowing you to live off base. The only people I know of that are forced to live in base/post housing are single E-1's (and maybe E-2's...not sure about them) and a few essential command personnel. Everyone else has the option of living off base/post if they wish....and as often as not, you don't have a choice because the housing lists are full.

If you DO live off, then they have no say and don't care how many critters you have....that will be strictly between you and your future landlord. I can say though, that having just finished house-hunting with just ONE dog, it can be challenging. Having five furry critters might make it especially difficult to get the house you want. There are a lot of rental properties on the market though, so hopefully your options won't be too limited.

As for the snakes...I've only got four myself, so they are very easy to transport and I don't bother explaining them to landlords because they'll never know they're there. Being discreet with 40+ snakes AND rodent breeding projects might be a lot harder to pull off.

The number of pets you have and breeding projects have to be very carefully considered when taking on a military lifestyle. My husband has been in for 20 years, and still has many years to go. With just one dog and a scant handful of reptiles, our moves and house-hunting ventures are always a challenge. In the past, we've moved with two cats...also very challenging. And once we moved with one gerbil, which turned out to be one of the craziest moves yet. Each individual animal adds its own challenges, and the more you multiply those, the more difficulties you add and the greater risks you take on.

Sorry for the lecture....just something to think about!

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Knowing my luck, I will plan on moving there, have sources for pet food lined up, a good vet located, a moving plan in place, people lined up to help move the critters, have a house leased, and a job lined up and THEN his orders will change. Such is life :rolleyes:!

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LOL...it could happen. I've learned to never count on anything from the Air Force until the "wheels are actually off the ground." However, if orders have actually been cut, then the likelihood of them being changed is very slim. If orders have NOT been cut and it's just guys going, "Oh yeah, we've got a job for you out here and we'll get it all lined up"......then I wouldn't sign any leases until they chisel it in stone. :P

Well here is an early welcome to Colorado Springs and Fort Carson. My husband is in the Army and we have been stationed here since Jan 1 2009. We live on post here and it is decent. I don't mind it at all! It is convenient and decently cheap for the area. There are lots of resources here...I was in the Army 7 yrs and been an Army wife for almost 4 now. If it is ok I will send you a private message with my email in it so that we will have a more streamlined means of communication so that I can help you make your move as smooth as possible. Depending on what you are looking for a decent house here to rent is gonna run you about $1000....you will make $1065 a month in BAH or Basic Allowance for Housing...the money the Army gives you to live. That is just the tip of the iceburg....there is so much you need to know about actually getting here cause this being your first Army move you will lose alot of money on the move if you don't know what you are doing.... My email address is waiting in a private message...I am a stay at home mom so feel free to hit me up at will. Hope to hear from you soon!!!

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Originally Posted by JLC

I honestly can't say if the housing rules for the Army are similar to the Air Force, but if you're married, I can't imagine them not allowing you to live off base. The only people I know of that are forced to live in base/post housing are single E-1's (and maybe E-2's...not sure about them) and a few essential command personnel. Everyone else has the option of living off base/post if they wish....and as often as not, you don't have a choice because the housing lists are full.

If you DO live off, then they have no say and don't care how many critters you have....that will be strictly between you and your future landlord. I can say though, that having just finished house-hunting with just ONE dog, it can be challenging. Having five furry critters might make it especially difficult to get the house you want. There are a lot of rental properties on the market though, so hopefully your options won't be too limited.

As for the snakes...I've only got four myself, so they are very easy to transport and I don't bother explaining them to landlords because they'll never know they're there. Being discreet with 40+ snakes AND rodent breeding projects might be a lot harder to pull off.

The number of pets you have and breeding projects have to be very carefully considered when taking on a military lifestyle. My husband has been in for 20 years, and still has many years to go. With just one dog and a scant handful of reptiles, our moves and house-hunting ventures are always a challenge. In the past, we've moved with two cats...also very challenging. And once we moved with one gerbil, which turned out to be one of the craziest moves yet. Each individual animal adds its own challenges, and the more you multiply those, the more difficulties you add and the greater risks you take on.

Sorry for the lecture....just something to think about!




LOL...it could happen. I've learned to never count on anything from the Air Force until the "wheels are actually off the ground." However, if orders have actually been cut, then the likelihood of them being changed is very slim. If orders have NOT been cut and it's just guys going, "Oh yeah, we've got a job for you out here and we'll get it all lined up"......then I wouldn't sign any leases until they chisel it in stone. :P

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Please don't feel like you are lecturing, all the info/advice/others' experiences I can get the better! I can say I'm not looking forward to the difficulties moving the crew, let alone our selves. We moved to Georgia and back to IL and that was just not fun. At that time we had a modest collection (6 or 7 misc. snakes and a few lizards and our cat). I'm not sure if his orders are cut we got an e-mail welcoming us to Ft. Carson and he got his report date. I'm assuming that is the final word? In the mean time I'm looking in to rental properties and probably a new car (4x4) lol.

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Originally Posted by Morph Momma

Well here is an early welcome to Colorado Springs and Fort Carson. My husband is in the Army and we have been stationed here since Jan 1 2009. We live on post here and it is decent. I don't mind it at all! It is convenient and decently cheap for the area. There are lots of resources here...I was in the Army 7 yrs and been an Army wife for almost 4 now. If it is ok I will send you a private message with my email in it so that we will have a more streamlined means of communication so that I can help you make your move as smooth as possible. Depending on what you are looking for a decent house here to rent is gonna run you about $1000....you will make $1065 a month in BAH or Basic Allowance for Housing...the money the Army gives you to live. That is just the tip of the iceburg....there is so much you need to know about actually getting here cause this being your first Army move you will lose alot of money on the move if you don't know what you are doing.... My email address is waiting in a private message...I am a stay at home mom so feel free to hit me up at will. Hope to hear from you soon!!!

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Ha Ha, I read the PM first. I will contact you about moving for sure! Its great to have such an awesome network on BP.net! Seems like we will get more house for the same amount we pay for rent now, which I LOVE!

I loved Visiting Denver. I went there for some wine classes and caught a couple avalanche games. Great city, perfect weather. Not humid like in the south.


Good luck with the move and new home :gj:

Try www.ahrn.com for rentals. You will need your husband's AKO email address to log in, unless he gave you your own. Let me know if you need help with the AKO stuff!

militarybyowner.com is another good site for house hunting. :) No special military contacts needed to access that one either.

I've logged into ahrn with my personal (civilian) e-mail, too. It's also a great resource, as mentioned above.

We're here!!!! Finally got all moved in! We still have tons of work to do around the house but we've cleared the biggest part of the hurtle. All the critters made the move with flying colors. The worst part of moving was that we were not able to find a home that would allow our cats. My dad and sister have graciously taken them in until we are able to buy our first home. I miss them like crazy but they will be spoiled. On the bright side we are able to bring all three of our dogs here.

We found a great place on the north east side of Colorado Springs. Its so incredibly beautiful here and sooooo many fun things to do!! Hope to meet some of you that are in the area and I'm hopping to make it to the November show in Denver.

That's awesome, Jessica! I'll shoot ya a PM with contact info and maybe we can get together sometime!

i grew up in co spring co, my dad spent many years at fort carson. its a great place to be. good luck.