What Should Military Families Know Before PCS’ing to the Pentagon?
I have personally completed two PCS moves to Arlington, so I understand how difficult it can be to choose a home and neighborhood before you really know the area. As a military spouse who moved 12 times, I also understand the pressure—and uncertainty—of relocating on a deadline.
For families PCSing to the Pentagon, Arlington is a natural place to begin a home search. The Pentagon is located in Arlington, and living nearby can offer a shorter commute, Metro and bus access, and more time at home. Arlington has everything from condos and townhomes near the Metro to established neighborhoods with single-family homes. The trade-off is price, and buyers may need to compromise on space, lot size, condition or parking.
Commute decisions should be based on more than mileage. Report time, Metro access, bus routes, HOV options, parking and a spouse’s commute can all affect which location makes sense.
Ideally, military families should begin planning 90 to 120 days before their PCS. That gives us time to discuss neighborhoods, market conditions, buying versus renting, VA loan preapproval and what their BAH realistically supports.
Many of my military clients begin their Arlington home search remotely, and some purchase sight unseen. I use detailed video consultations, virtual tours, floor plans, 3D tours, neighborhood videos and electronic documents to help them make informed decisions. During virtual tours, I point out condition issues, noise, traffic, storage, layout and details that listing photos may not show.
The goal is not simply to find a house quickly. It is to balance commute, budget, space and quality of life so the home works throughout the Pentagon assignment.
Heidi Robbins is an Associate Broker with RLAH @properties and an Arlington resident. A Realtor since 2013, she has completed more than 550 transactions and $370 million in career sales. A veteran military spouse with 12 personal moves, she specializes in Arlington, military relocation, VA loans and assumptions, and remote home buying.
Awards & Honors
– In 2026, Heidi was named an Arlington Magazine Top Producer
– Ranked No. 129 among NOVA Real Producers’ 22,000 area Realtors, placing her in the top 2% in 2026
– RealTrends Verified ranked her among America’s top 1.5%
– NVAR awarded her Diamond recognition for 10-plus consecutive years of Top Producer status