Post-Academy Housing Question

[TushingPin]

It’s smart once he finds out he better have like 10k saved if he gets Oakland.

Or find a roommate and tell his gf they can't move in until whenever..... Hundreds of people have done it before without having 10k saves

 

[GMX]

ZOA son. Who's still listening in 2020?

 

[XM]

Lol, some of y'alls responses crack me up ?

I am only looking for how everyone else did their process when they went through. I'm well aware that I have a LONG time before I get there, even longer if I don't get picked up in this bid. Nice to know Oakland would be best if you have 10k saved, one thing I didn't know 😉

I have an Excel spreadsheet; my gf and I went through the list of Enroute Facilities to decide what places we would prefer to live and in what order, if I were to get them on my list at academy. In the case I get Tower/TRACON, then we have a list of ideal states as well. With me being 21, I expect to have a few years before I get in but it's been my dream job since I can remember and I can only cross my fingers and hope for the best. I did not know they try to give a list a week before finals so you can kinda do some research.

Thanks for all your responses, they've be very informative!

 

[tacoking]

I’m a trainee at a Z. Right after placing, I found the closest hotel/extended stay and booked for a week. After graduating, I took a few days to go back home and pack my basic belongings and then did the whole orientation thing. Lots of people at the facility to talk to about good neighborhoods, prices, etc. After work, look for apartments and hopefully there will be vacancies that you can sign for and move in quickly. I did about two weeks in a hotel waiting for my move in date. Wasn’t ideal but it worked.

 

[XM]

I’m a trainee at a Z. Right after placing, I found the closest hotel/extended stay and booked for a week. After graduating, I took a few days to go back home and pack my basic belongings and then did the whole orientation thing. Lots of people at the facility to talk to about good neighborhoods, prices, etc. After work, look for apartments and hopefully there will be vacancies that you can sign for and move in quickly. I did about two weeks in a hotel waiting for my move in date. Wasn’t ideal but it worked.

This is great info! Thank you, WBC! This is pretty much what I was expecting to do. You didn't happen to call the facility during your travel days to ask about good places to look into, did you? Just curious 🙂

 

[AnyTrafficPleaseAdvise]

This is great info! Thank you, WBC! This is pretty much what I was expecting to do. You didn't happen to call the facility during your travel days to ask about good places to look into, did you? Just curious 🙂

You have to call the training manager to set up a start date after selecting the facility so generally they’ll point you in the right direction if you ask.

 

[denver0739]

On that note, I was lucky enough to go back home after graduating, so I hung out at my parents place for about week and then used that time to find a place of my own.

 

[tacoking]

This is great info! Thank you, WBC! This is pretty much what I was expecting to do. You didn't happen to call the facility during your travel days to ask about good places to look into, did you? Just curious 🙂

No I didn’t. But chances are, you won’t be the only trainee at your facility and once you’re introduced in the training department, ask around. The best advice will probably come from fellow trainees in your position more than people that are probably making more money than you anyways.

 

[Southern]

Lol, some of y'alls responses crack me up ?

I am only looking for how everyone else did their process when they went through. I'm well aware that I have a LONG time before I get there, even longer if I don't get picked up in this bid. Nice to know Oakland would be best if you have 10k saved, one thing I didn't know 😉

I have an Excel spreadsheet; my gf and I went through the list of Enroute Facilities to decide what places we would prefer to live and in what order, if I were to get them on my list at academy. In the case I get Tower/TRACON, then we have a list of ideal states as well. With me being 21, I expect to have a few years before I get in but it's been my dream job since I can remember and I can only cross my fingers and hope for the best. I did not know they try to give a list a week before finals so you can kinda do some research.

Thanks for all your responses, they've be very informative!

Once you are finished with evals, you’re going to know exactly what facility you’re getting. For me, I knew I was going to ZKC so I spoke with the other classmates who were going there, we got an extended stay about 20 minutes from work and started researching places to live around the center. Took maybe 1 week before I found the place for me, my wife and 2 kids. You have plenty of time once you graduate to find a place to live. I moved in the high season for renting and still had zero issues finding a place to live.

 

[XM]

You have to call the training manager to set up a start date after selecting the facility so generally they’ll point you in the right direction if you ask.

Thank you! I didn't know that trainees called the facility to setup a date, I just thought the academy did that for you and you were expected to arrive unless you called to let them know otherwise, but that's my misunderstanding. I will call the Training Manager to ask when it comes my time!

On that note, I was lucky enough to go back home after graduating, so I hung out at my parents place for about week and then used that time to find a place of my own.

That's exactly what I plan to do, go home, get my things and call around trying to find a place in my new city. Thank you!

No I didn’t. But chances are, you won’t be the only trainee at your facility and once you’re introduced in the training department, ask around. The best advice will probably come from fellow trainees in your position more than people that are probably making more money than you anyways.

That's very true! That's an option too, and it makes better sense to ask the trainee's where they found a place and if they recommend it or not, since CPCs will already have a nice place. Good idea! Thank you!

Once you are finished with evals, you’re going to know exactly what facility you’re getting. For me, I knew I was going to ZKC so I spoke with the other classmates who were going there, we got an extended stay about 20 minutes from work and started researching places to live around the center. Took maybe 1 week before I found the place for me, my wife and 2 kids. You have plenty of time once you graduate to find a place to live. I moved in the high season for renting and still had zero issues finding a place to live.

Another good idea! I totally forgot after reading these forums that sometimes the same facility will be given/chosen by multiple trainees. Speaking of ZKC, where would you recommend? Any areas to stay away from? That's one of my top choices!

 

[denver0739]

I think you misunderstand me, my facility that I chose was in my hometown.

Personally I wouldn’t trust calling around. I’d go to your new city and drive around. I’m pretty sure nobody is going to be honest about their shortcomings as a place to live. All will be awesome and great on the phone! Go see them, make sure it is what YOU want, not just what they say.

 

[Roger_Roger]

Just air bnb. I personally would go straight to new city and begin working (the faa only pays for one way, so either to go home or straight to new city from okc). Use the time off after work and your rdos to apartment search. Once you find a place then use your 8 cos days which could really add up to 12 days if you plan it right with rdos to go home and move.

 

[XM]

I think you misunderstand me, my facility that I chose was in my hometown.

Personally I wouldn’t trust calling around. I’d go to your new city and drive around. I’m pretty sure nobody is going to be honest about their shortcomings as a place to live. All will be awesome and great on the phone! Go see them, make sure it is what YOU want, not just what they say.

Yes, I did misunderstand. I'd like to choose the facility close to me, but I have a strong feeling that it's going to be very difficult. The facility closest to me is ZJX, about 30 minutes out. I know quite a few CPCs there and would love to get in, but with it being Florida and a desired facility because the pay is great with a low COL, I'm hearing it's difficult to get in. Congrats on getting your hometown facility though! Good advice!

Just air bnb. I personally would go straight to new city and begin working (the faa only pays for one way, so either to go home or straight to new city from okc). Use the time off after work and your rdos to apartment search. Once you find a place then use your 8 cos days which could really add up to 12 days if you plan it right with rdos to go home and move.

Never actually used an AirBNB so it would be a little new to me but I'd be open to it 🙂 I will be driving, so I'll go home and gather my belongings from my parents and then be on my way. As I said in a previous post, I can use my RV if the remodeling is finished enough to be livable but in the case it's not, I can put it in storage and use a hotel or AirBNB. Thanks!

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

Another good idea! I totally forgot after reading these forums that sometimes the same facility will be given/chosen by multiple trainees. Speaking of ZKC, where would you recommend? Any areas to stay away from? That's one of my top choices!

Dude, you haven't even taken the ATSA yet. You seriously need to slow you're roll. You are going to drive yourself literally insane. Especially if you don't even get a TOL.

 

[XM]

Dude, you haven't even taken the ATSA yet. You seriously need to slow you're roll. You are going to drive yourself literally insane. Especially if you don't even get a TOL.

I know I haven't just yet. I am just trying to preplan for what's to come. I honestly don't expect getting a TOL because I'm only 21. I fully expect having to wait a few years before I actually get in but we'll see.

 

[kshaky]

I know I haven't just yet. I am just trying to preplan for what's to come. I honestly don't expect getting a TOL because I'm only 21. I fully expect having to wait a few years before I actually get in but we'll see.

It is a long route to the academy but it is good to have a gameplan and gather info as long as you are not driving yourself crazy. I am a planner and looked into all these things before I went to the academy. Hell, if you get Enroute it may not be a bad idea to search on apartments.com and get a rough list of apartments near each of the 22 facilities before you go to the academy. Start saving now for moving costs. Even if you plan on saving some of your per diem for moving, I'd recommend having some extra money put aside just in case you know a once in a lifetime pandemic strikes and you're stuck living on academy pay minus per diem. Maybe I am just not that picky but it is not hard to find a decent apartment to do a 6 month or shorter lease in a few days. People often say how slowly the process moves, but my timeline towards the end of the hiring process went quite quickly and I had 2 weeks to quit my job, get my family settled, cancel vacations and etc. all during the holiday season. But again, it is important to keep in mind you have a small chance of even making it to the academy.

 

[denver0739]

I’m with kshaky on this. If you can look around without driving yourself mad, go for it. What does information hurt? It sounds like you’ve got a realistic view on the hiring process so honestly just do what you’re gonna do. I hope you’re able to get in and get where you’re wanting to go! It’s a wild ride for sure....

 

[XM]

It is a long route to the academy but it is good to have a gameplan and gather info as long as you are not driving yourself crazy. I am a planner and looked into all these things before I went to the academy. Hell, if you get Enroute it may not be a bad idea to search on apartments.com and get a rough list of apartments near each of the 22 facilities before you go to the academy. Start saving now for moving costs. Even if you plan on saving some of your per diem for moving, I'd recommend having some extra money put aside just in case you know a once in a lifetime pandemic strikes and you're stuck living on academy pay minus per diem. Maybe I am just not that picky but it is not hard to find a decent apartment to do a 6 month or shorter lease in a few days. People often say how slowly the process moves, but my timeline towards the end of the hiring process went quite quickly and I had 2 weeks to quit my job, get my family settled, cancel vacations and etc. all during the holiday season. But again, it is important to keep in mind you have a small chance of even making it to the academy.

Wow, this has got to be the most in-depth response so far. I am totally with you on having a game plan, that's all I aimed this question to be actually, haha. I promise everyone here I'm not driving myself crazy. Just gathering as much information as possible so I'm not scrambling last minute wondering WTH to do. In a previous post, I stated that I have an excel spreadsheet with the en route facilities and in a separate workbook, our prioritized list of where we'd want to live, with average apartment and buying a home costs listed to help us plan and know what to expect early on. I, like most everyone in the ALLSRCE-20 bid, received the ATSA email last week, and I'm scheduled to take it Thursday and am honestly looking forward to it. Been practicing with the reviewed softwares on this website and I believe it's helped me. Thank you for sharing! I greatly appreciate it!

I’m with kshaky on this. If you can look around without driving yourself mad, go for it. What does information hurt? It sounds like you’ve got a realistic view on the hiring process so honestly just do what you’re gonna do. I hope you’re able to get in and get where you’re wanting to go! It’s a wild ride for sure....

Thank you! I would say that I have a realistic view on the hiring process, seeing that I've looked at these forums for months and read from the other bids what to expect. Thank you for wishing the best! It's already been a wild ride, and with this COVID-19 situation thrown in, I bet it'll get even wilder ?

 

[MJ]

Lots of people at the facility to talk to about good neighborhoods, prices, etc.

this kinda thing is what the wiki is intended for. Help it fulfill its dream of being filled in

 

[XM]

this kinda thing is what the wiki is intended for. Help it fulfill its dream of being filled in

When I earn enough knowledge, I'll help fill it in! 😀