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What Military Families Should Look for When Choosing Temporary Housing

For military families, regular travel and relocation are often part of the mission. Finding the right fit in temporary lodging can make a big difference in comfort and convenience for the whole family, whether you’re transferring to a new military post or participating in extended training away from home.

When seeking temporary housing, military families should consider the location, amenities, and cost of potential properties and how well each fits their needs. Here, we’ll take a look at some top considerations to guide your search for the right spot.

Types of Temporary Military Housing

Especially during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or a Temporary Duty (TDY) assignment, a military stay is often an extended one. Typical hotel accommodations — often consisting of a single room with no kitchen features — can fall short of a military family’s temporary housing needs. Longer stays can get expensive, too.

Fortunately, the military covers both on-base and off-base temporary housing for families when required due to a service member’s duties. For accommodations in the continental United States, the funds are provided in the form of a Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) reimbursement. In many cases, on-base accommodations must be the first choice for TLE-funded stays, but the allowance can also cover off-base housing when government quarters are unavailable.

Military families can use several types of lodging for temporary housing:

  • Temporary Lodging Facilities (TLF): At most installations, the military provides family housing in temporary lodging facilities, or TLFs. These well-furnished, often budget-friendly units are conveniently located on base, but limited availability can make it a challenge for families to find a spot unless timelines allow for early booking.
  • Military Campgrounds and Recreational Lodging: Many installations also offer campgrounds, RV parks, cottages, or cabins that military families can secure at discounted rates.
  • Extended-Stay Hotels: These accommodations are a popular choice with many families, especially during extended stays for military relocation. They often offer discounted rates for long-term stays and provide essential amenities, such as kitchenettes or full-size kitchens. While most are located off base, some extended-stay hotels can be found directly on military bases.

Choosing Temporary Military Housing: Factors Your Family Should Consider

Whether you’re looking for an off-base relocation hotel or a TLF unit, prioritize your family’s needs and preferences when finding the best temporary military housing. Keep these factors in mind: 

Location

Especially when the service member will be working or training on base, temporary military housing near the duty station adds convenience by minimizing the commute. In most cases, on-base housing will be the closest option, but the military does allow off-base temporary housing for families. Off-base options can balance proximity to the service member’s workplace with easy access to other conveniences, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and things to do.

Size

The best choice in temporary lodging depends largely on how many people will be a part of the extended stay. If your entire family needs military housing, prioritize accommodations with enough space and facilities for everyone to be comfortable.

Amenities

Consider each property’s amenities when choosing temporary military housing, as these features can make lodging feel more like home for your family. Units with a kitchenette or full kitchen help reduce expenses by allowing guests to cook in and avoid the high costs of dining out.

Other features to look for include:

  • A separate bedroom and living room
  • On-site laundry and fitness facilities
  • Pet-friendly policies
  • Outdoor courtyards or other comfortable communal spaces

Costs

Finding a budget-friendly fit is crucial when seeking a base relocation hotel or other type of temporary military housing for your family. Look for lodging options that offer weekly or monthly rates and flexible booking policies that allow for changes due to early departures or stay extensions.
Other financial considerations include: 

  • Whether the property requires a security deposit or a lease
  • Cost-of-living factors, including the costs of utilities, laundry, and commuting to and from the base

Choose Temporary Military Housing at an Apartment-Style Hotel

stayAPT Suites offers a better way to stay for military heroes and their families. Families can choose from multiple comfortable and spacious room layouts, with a wide range of amenities and flexible weekly and monthly rates — no lease or security deposit required. 

Our properties provide many comforts of home:

  • A fully furnished, full-size kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, stove, and oven
  • A dedicated living room with a sleeper sofa, lounge chair, and 55-inch smart TV
  • A separate bedroom with one king or two queen beds, a smart TV, a dedicated workspace, and a walk-in closet
  • A pet-friendly policy for all rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • On-site guest laundry and fitness facilities
  • An open-air courtyard with a grill and a built-in fire pit

In addition, many stayAPT Suites are conveniently located near military bases:

Explore all of our locations, then choose stayAPT Suites to meet your temporary military housing needs.

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