Joint Base Lewis-McChord

A publication of

1. Welcome to JBLM

2. Area Military Installations

3. What to Expect

4. Weather & Climate

5. Area Attractions

6. Neighborhoods

7. Schools & Education

8. Military Spouse Information

9. Helpful Links

Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) is the product of the BRAC realignment that culminated in the joining of Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. Located on the picturesque Puget Sound in Northwestern , JBLM is touted as the most requested Army installation by the base’s MWR.

The base is located near Joint Base idyllic mountain ranges and Pacific Ocean destinations. Lewis-McChord As well, JBLM is found between Olympia and Tacoma and about one hour from , leaving endless opportunities for city exploration.

In the year-round mild climate, hiking, camping, kayaking, and boating are just a few of the outings Via af.mil done in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier! JBLM is truly a joint area, with Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases. With easy access to Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) and Space A Travel, it’s recommended to have a passport updated and ready to go. Even our friendly Canadian neighbors to the north require proper documentation. Vancouver and Whistler in British Columbia are popular treks, especially for skiing in the winter. Tropical beach lovers, don’t forget that Hawaii and the Pacific Islands are closer than ever while stationed at JBLM.

Life in the Pacific Northwest brings with it predictable temperate and damp weather. The common piece of wisdom is to embrace the rain and make a checklist of must-do options before the next set of orders comes around. It’s likely that previous to your assignment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, riding on and parking a car in a at JBLM ferry wasn’t part of your daily routine. Here, the chances of doing just that are high, depending on where you live and how much you like to explore and travel. Commuting without a ferry is doable, but some folks enjoy being a bit off the grid which requires ferry rides to get around the area.

If there is a defined rainy season for JBLM, it’s October through Spring. Just expect some sort of precipitation every day and you’ll be prepared! Downpours aren’t the regular forecast; fine misting and drizzle are more the norm. JBLM Area All this hydration equals representation of every shade of green throughout the landscape, which is why Seattle is known as the Emerald City.

The area gets about 40 inches of rain per year and about three inches of snow. July is the warmest month with about 75 degrees as a high temperature, and January is the coldest at 35 degrees for a low.

Once you’re settled in, prioritize your JBLM must-see list because if you check off most of these attractions, your time in the Pacific Northwest is going to fly by! ● Day trips to Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia ● Visit Point Defiance Park with a zoo and Area aquarium for the kids. ● Children’s Museum of Attractions Tacoma and Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia ● Museum of Flight in Seattle ● Weekend trips to Washington’s coastal towns ● ● National Parks: Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Olympic ● 20 local breweries to try near JBLM ● Portland, Oregon, is two hours away.

There are several popular cities that families enjoy near the base, but each has its own personality. Affordability and larger yard space require a longer commute to JBLM. On the northern end of the base you’ll find Lakewood, Puyallup, Spanaway, University Place, and Steilacoom. Steilacoom is known for its views of the water, charming older homes, and lush farmers’ markets. Lakewood JBLM offers plentiful shopping. The southern end is closest to Olympia, Lacey, and Neighborhoods Dupont. Without traffic, a good commute time is 20 minutes. These cities provide the comforts of suburbia with easy access to large chain stores and restaurants. Military Town Advisor features reviews from military families who’ve lived and worked where you’re headed!

Here are just a few JBLM area neighborhood reviews--be sure to visit Military Town Advisor for even more information.

Gem Heights, Puyallup “Great place to raise kids.”

“Gem Heights is an established neighborhood on South Hill Puyallup. Home prices range from the low $200k's to $400k+. There is a neighborhood clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. There is a big apartment complex (500+ units) being constructed as of this post. The Puyallup School district is always a top 5 school district in the state. Gem Heights is a great place to raise your kids.” - Larry B.

Avonlea, Lacey “Sweet, established neighborhood.”

“We really enjoyed living in the Avonlea neighborhood. People were friendly, it was close proximity to most of what we needed, quiet area, and we always felt safe. At the time my son was around 1 and I always felt safe taking him for stroller walks all throughout the neighborhood. The park/rec area was nice to have and was just a block over from the street we lived on. If we were to ever move back, we would love to live in this neighborhood again. For the most part, houses and yards were well maintained and we never had issues with parking when guests came to visit.” - tlyn30

Woodsmuir, Olympia “Quiet, older neighborhood with large lots.”

“This is a great neighborhood if you are looking for a quiet, peaceful area where the houses are not on top of each other. Easy access to the Chehalis Western trail.” -Cara

McCormick Woods, Port Stadium District, Tacoma Orchard “Cosmopolitan living.” “Trails and parks.” An awesome area for singles or young

married folks who want the amenities of “McCormick Woods area of Port Orchard is living in a city without making the ridiculous very nice and I have lots of friends who live drive to Seattle. Tacoma is an awesome there. There are trails, parks, and a golf town and has everything to offer, plus course. Some people think Port Orchard is a cheaper prices and a much shorter commute bit of a drive but it hasn’t bothered them.” to McChord!” -MTA reviewer -MTA Reviewer

Clocktower, Dupont Lost Creek, Graham

“Family friendly and “Family friendly professional residence.” neighborhood.”

“If you have the patience to wait on the list “Very clean and safe family friendly you'll soon see that it was worth it. The neighborhood. Most families around here condos are spacious and the buildings have a have kids ranging from infant to high school. comfortable distance between them with Kids are always playing out in the streets and only six units per building. My dog begs to go yards. Great neighborhood watch system in inside the office- even after hours to get one place and several police officers live in the of their giant treats they have on hand for the neighborhood. Houses are somewhat close pups. They do have a long list of restricted but not too close. Good sized front and back breeds and the pup needs to be at least a year yards. Pet friendly area. Neighborhood park old to live here... This is a fantastic rental! and big public park right down the street.” -azia211 -cynkay218 There are 20 schools that serve JBLM. The Clover Park School District administers to the students there. Off base, residents will be served by one of the 19 school districts surrounding the base. Each district uniquely administers grading scales, sports, dress code, and school lunch programs. JBLM It’s important to make contact with the Student Liaison Officer to ensure the right educational track for your child, whether public or private. The SLO answers questions about transfer credits, curriculums, and specialty programs. Washington regulates homeschooling. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has more information (see links at the end of this section). JBLM School District Map

Clover Park School District Map via Clover Park School District. Visit the website for the most current data. There are many schooling options for your military family! Following are some helpful links with more information.

Clover Park School District

Off Base School District List

JBLM School Liaison Office

Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Private School Review

Washington Homeschool Organization

Washington State Charter Schools Association

School Digger (school ratings)

School Quest (find and compare schools)

Military Child Education Coalition

A perk of living near JBLM is the programs spouses benefit from, whether they’re recreational or educational.

The MWR Employment Readiness Program offers resources that include all Military components of employment readiness, including job Spouses searches.

The Armed Forces Community Service office provides a Newcomers Toolkit session.

JBLM is connected with these colleges: Central Texas College, , , Saint Martin's University, University of Maryland University College, City University of Seattle, and University.

Enjoy JBLM!

We wish your military family all the best during your time at Joint Base Lewis-McChord!

Of course, there’s nothing like connecting with others in the area. Check out some of the groups below.

JBLM Military Spouses Connect

HOH Military Spouse Professional Network JBLM

JBLM Families

JBLM Spouse Network

JBLM Outdoor Recreation Program

JBLM Tacoma Veterans Center

Lewis Community Spouses Club

All links are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement.

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