⚓ Military Spouse

PCS like a pro.

Moving to a new base is overwhelming — especially when you don't know anyone. I've been there. This is the guide I wish I had: where to eat, where to get your hair done, where to shop, and how to actually feel at home fast.

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Currently Living Here

Japan — Yokosuka & Yokota

I'm here right now — these are my actual real-life finds. Updated regularly as I discover more. Living in Japan as a military spouse is the adventure of a lifetime once you know where to go.

🍜 Food & Restaurants
Local Ramen Spots
Skip the chains — find a mom-and-pop ramen shop near base. Ask locals, not Google.
Yokosuka fave
Izakayas for Groups
Great for nights out with other spouses. Order everything and share — that's the vibe.
Convini Culture
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson are not like US convenience stores. The food is genuinely good. Try the onigiri and egg salad sandwiches.
Must try
Sunday Farmers Markets
Fresh produce, local snacks, and a great way to connect with the community.
💅 Beauty & Self-Care
Hair Salons (Curly/Black Hair)
This one takes research. Join the spouse Facebook groups and ask for recommendations — there are stylists who specialize in natural and curly hair.
Ask in groups
Japanese Nail Salons
Nail art in Japan is a whole experience. More affordable than the US and incredibly detailed. Book in advance.
Affordable
Skincare Shopping
Matsumoto Kiyoshi and drug stores carry amazing Japanese skincare at fraction of US prices. Stock up on sheet masks and sunscreen.
Best skincare
🛍️ Shopping & Errands
AEON Mall
Your one-stop shop for clothing, groceries, household goods, and entertainment. Most have a food court worth exploring.
Essential
Daiso (¥100 Store)
Japan's dollar store is genuinely amazing. Organization, kitchen items, beauty tools — all ¥100. Go often.
Amazon Japan
Set up an account early. Delivery is fast and the selection is massive. Use Google Translate for product descriptions.
Base Exchange (NEX)
For US products you can't find locally. But push yourself to shop off base — you'll find better stuff and better prices.
🌸 Things to Do
Kamakura Day Trip
Giant Buddha, bamboo forest, coastal views. An easy train ride and an absolute must. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Day trip
Tokyo Day Trips
Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Akihabara — each neighborhood is its own world. The train system is intimidating at first but you'll get it.
Cherry Blossom Season
Late March to early April. Plan ahead — it's worth every bit of the crowds. Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen are stunning.
Bucket list
🏠 Housing & Settling In
On vs Off Base Housing
Both have pros and cons. Off base immerses you in culture and is often larger. On base is convenient but can feel like a bubble. I recommend trying off base if possible.
Join the Spouse Groups
Facebook groups for military spouses at your base are the single most useful resource you have. Join immediately and ask everything.
Do this first
Get a Japanese Cell Plan
Rakuten Mobile or IIJmio are affordable options. Having a local number makes everyday life significantly easier.
💬 Community & Connection
Spouse Clubs
Most bases have active spouse clubs with events, support groups, and coffee meetups. Show up even when you don't feel like it.
Language Learning
Even 50 basic Japanese phrases will change your experience dramatically. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort. Try Duolingo or a local class.
Game changer
Find Your People Early
Loneliness is real in a PCS. Be proactive about building community — it won't come to you. A text and a coffee invite goes a long way.

📌 From Marissa — Living It Right Now

I am actively updating this section as I discover new places and things. Follow me on Instagram at @rissa.george for real-time Japan content, and DM me with questions — I genuinely love helping other spouses navigate this.

West Coast Base

San Diego, California

One of the most popular military destinations in the country. Naval Base San Diego, NAS North Island, MCAS Miramar — here's how to settle in fast and actually enjoy it.

🌮Food & Restaurants
Taco Shops (Not Taco Bell)
San Diego has the best Mexican food in the country. Find a local taco shop near your neighborhood. California burritos are life-changing.
Essential
Little Italy Food Scene
Amazing brunch spots, farmers market on Saturdays, upscale dinner options. Worth the drive from any base.
Gaslamp Quarter
Great for nights out, dining, and entertainment. Easy walkable area for group dinners.
💅Beauty & Hair
Natural Hair Salons
San Diego has a solid community of stylists who specialize in natural, curly, and textured hair. Check Black-owned business directories and Yelp for reviews.
Research first
Sephora & Ulta
Multiple locations throughout the county. Mission Valley and Fashion Valley malls have both.
Korean Spas
Wi Spa and similar spots offer affordable full spa days. Great self-care on a budget.
Hidden gem
🏖️Things to Do
Beaches
Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, Coronado — all different vibes. Coronado is the most beautiful and closest to Naval Base.
Free
Balboa Park
Free museums on Tuesdays, beautiful architecture, and great walking trails. One of the best parks in the US.
Day Trips
LA (2 hrs), Joshua Tree (2.5 hrs), Tijuana (30 min), Big Bear (2 hrs). San Diego's location is unbeatable for day trips.

📌 More San Diego Recs Coming

I'm building this section out with more specific recommendations. Follow on Instagram and DM me your questions about San Diego — I've got you.

Pacific Northwest

Everett, Washington

Naval Station Everett is small but the Pacific Northwest is gorgeous. Proximity to Seattle makes this base way more exciting than it sounds.

☕Food & Coffee
Local Coffee Shops
This is the Pacific Northwest — skip Starbucks (even though it started here) and find an indie shop. Every neighborhood has a gem.
PNW culture
Everett Food Scene
The city has grown a lot. Check the waterfront area for dining with views.
Seattle (30 min away)
Pike Place Market, Capitol Hill, Ballard — Seattle is your backyard. Use it.
Day trip easy
🌲Outdoors & Things To Do
Cascade Mountains
Hiking, skiing, snowshoeing — all within 1–2 hours. Snoqualmie Pass for winter sports.
Must explore
Lake Stevens & Fishing
Beautiful lake 20 min from base. Great for kayaking and summer days.
Olympic Peninsula Day Trip
One of the most beautiful places in America. Rain forest, ocean, mountains. Take the ferry for the full experience.
Worth it
💅Beauty & Hair
Seattle for Hair
For natural/textured/curly hair, go to Seattle rather than Everett. Better selection of stylists who specialize in our hair types.
Go to Seattle
Ulta in Everett
Multiple locations including Everett Mall area. Your go-to for products.

📌 More Everett Recs Coming

DM me on Instagram if you're headed to Everett — happy to share what I know and connect you with people there.

Universal Wisdom

General PCS Tips

No matter where you're going — these are the things I wish someone had told me before every single move.

Before You Move

  • Start a PCS binder with all your documents — orders, medical records, school records, everything
  • Join Facebook groups for spouses at your new base immediately — before you arrive
  • Research housing options (on vs off base) before you get there — don't decide under pressure
  • Ship a "first night" box to yourself with essentials so you're not living out of a suitcase in chaos
  • Update your DEERS information as soon as orders are official
  • Take photos/video inventory of all your belongings before movers arrive

First Week Priorities

  • Get your military ID and spouse ID updated if name changed
  • Find the commissary and exchange — these are your best friends for the first month
  • Locate the nearest urgent care and emergency room before you need them
  • Get your car registered in the new state (usually 30-day window)
  • Set up utilities and internet immediately — don't wait
  • Introduce yourself to neighbors — even just a wave

Finding Your Community

  • Show up to one spouse club event even if it's awkward — it usually is, and that's okay
  • Be the one who sends the first text — nobody is waiting for you to reach out, they're all just as nervous
  • Find a church, gym, workout class, or hobby group within the first month
  • Connect with other spouses who have been at the base longer — they know everything
  • Give yourself 6 months before deciding if you like a new place

Managing the Emotional Side

  • Grief about leaving a place you loved is valid — let yourself feel it
  • PTSD (PCS Transition Stress Disorder) is real — the constant new-ness is exhausting
  • Talk to a therapist if you need one — Military OneSource offers free sessions
  • Stay connected to friends from past bases — distance doesn't have to mean losing people
  • Your identity is not the base you live on — build a life that travels with you
  • It gets easier every time. I promise.

Resources I Actually Use

  • Military OneSource — free counseling, financial advice, moving help
  • SECO (Spouse Education & Career Opportunities) — career support for spouses
  • Blue Star Families — community and advocacy resources
  • USAA — banking and insurance that understands military life
  • MilSpouse Facebook groups — the most real, honest, helpful resource there is
  • Installation Family Welcome Centers — your first stop after check-in

Beauty & Self-Care on the Move

  • Before you move, get enough product to last 3–6 months (especially curly/natural hair products)
  • Research Black hair salons and natural hair stylists BEFORE you arrive — don't wait until you need one
  • Amazon Prime is your best friend for maintaining your routine anywhere
  • Keep your skincare and hair routine consistent during transitions — it's one thing you can control
  • Self-care is not a luxury during a PCS — it's survival

You're Not Alone

We move together.

PCS season is hard. Whether you're nervous, excited, grieving, or all three at once — DM me on Instagram. I read everything and I genuinely love connecting with other military spouses.

DM @rissa.george Read the Blog →