Receiving PCS orders means there’s a lot to do—and if those orders are bringing you to Naval Support Activity Mid-South (NSA Mid-South) in Millington, Tennessee, figuring out where to live is probably near the top of your list.
The good news? You have options.
Whether you’re considering Millington, Atoka, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland or another community in the greater Memphis area, each offers different housing options, price points and commutes to NSA Mid-South.
At the Moving Memphis Group, we’ve helped Veterans, active-duty service members and military families navigate relocations and VA home purchases throughout the Memphis area for over 13 years.
If you’re PCSing to NSA Mid-South, here’s what you should know before starting your home search.
First: Where Is NSA Mid-South?
NSA Mid-South is located in Millington, Tennessee, just north of Memphis.
The installation serves as the Navy’s Human Resources Center of Excellence and is home to commands including Navy Personnel Command and Navy Recruiting Command.
That location gives military families several different directions to consider when deciding where to live.
Some buyers want to be as close to the installation as possible. Others are comfortable with a longer commute in exchange for a particular home, community or location.
There’s no single area that’s right for everyone.
The key is understanding your options before you start falling in love with houses.
Living in Millington
For buyers who place a high priority on proximity to NSA Mid-South, Millington is an obvious place to begin the search.
Living in Millington can put you close to the installation while still providing access to the greater Memphis area.
Housing options can range from established homes to newer construction and properties with more land, depending on location and availability.
For someone arriving from another duty station, Millington is often the first community they know by name simply because that’s where the base is located.
But it shouldn’t necessarily be the only community you consider.
Living in Atoka
Atoka is another area we frequently discuss with military buyers relocating to NSA Mid-South.
Located north of Millington in Tipton County, Atoka offers another option for buyers who want reasonable access to the installation while exploring housing outside Shelby County.
Depending on your budget, desired home style, lot size and other priorities, it’s worth comparing available homes in Atoka with those in Millington and surrounding communities.
We regularly help buyers look at multiple areas before deciding which one makes the most sense for their particular move.
Bartlett, Arlington & Lakeland
If you’re willing to consider a different commute, Bartlett, Arlington and Lakeland may also be worth exploring.
These communities provide additional housing choices east and southeast of Millington and can also offer convenient access to other parts of the Memphis metropolitan area.
Rather than deciding where you should live based solely on a map, we recommend looking at the entire picture:
- Your anticipated commute
- Your home-buying budget
- Property taxes
- Type and age of homes available
- Lot size
- New construction versus established neighborhoods
- Access to the places you expect to visit regularly
- Your expected length of time in the area
- Potential resale considerations
Those factors can help narrow the search considerably.
Using Your VA Loan to Buy a Home Near NSA Mid-South
If you’re eligible for a VA home loan, your VA benefit may provide an excellent opportunity to purchase a home during your move.
But VA transactions have some considerations that buyers don’t always encounter with conventional financing.
We’ve helped many VA buyers navigate issues involving VA appraisals, Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs), VA assumptions, entitlement and seller questions about VA financing.
One of the biggest misconceptions we still encounter is that a VA-financed offer is somehow a weak offer.
A VA offer can
be a very strong offer when it’s structured appropriately and supported by an experienced VA lender and real estate agent.
Before beginning your search, we recommend speaking with a lender who has substantial experience originating VA loans—not simply a lender who occasionally offers them.
Understanding your eligibility, entitlement, estimated payment and buying power before you start looking can make the entire process easier.
Can You Buy a Home Before You Arrive in Tennessee?
Absolutely.
Military families frequently need to begin the home-buying process before they can physically be in the Memphis area.
That’s where having an experienced local real estate team becomes especially valuable.
We can help you:
- Explore communities before you arrive
- Set up a customized home search
- Evaluate new listings as they become available
- Provide additional photographs or video when appropriate
- Tour properties with you remotely
- Research comparable sales and market activity
- Help you understand the property’s location and surroundings
- Coordinate inspections and other parts of the transaction locally
- Communicate with your lender and the other professionals involved in the purchase
We understand that when you’re hundreds—or thousands—of miles away, you need someone here who can be your eyes and ears on the ground.
Don’t Wait Until Your PCS Date to Start Planning
You don’t necessarily need to start touring houses months before your move, but it can be helpful to start the conversation early.
We can talk about your expected timeline, financing, budget and the communities you’re considering before you’re ready to make an offer.
That gives you time to learn the Memphis-area market and understand what your budget may buy in Millington, Atoka, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland and other nearby communities.
Then, when the timing is right, you’re prepared.
Official NSA Mid-South Housing & Relocation Resources
Military families relocating to NSA Mid-South also have official resources available through the installation.
The NSA Mid-South Housing Service Center provides housing support for service members and their families, including information about military and community housing.
The Fleet & Family Support Center also provides relocation assistance for incoming military personnel and families.
We encourage our military clients to take advantage of the resources available through the installation in addition to working with their lender and real estate professionals.
PCSing to NSA Mid-South? We’d Love to Help.
The Moving Memphis Group at Emmett Baird Realty has extensive experience helping Veterans, active-duty service members and military families buy homes throughout Memphis and the Mid-South.
Led by Tracie Benetz, a full-time Tennessee REALTOR® since 2013 with more than $187 million in career real estate sales, our team understands both the local real estate market and the additional considerations that can come with a military move and VA-financed purchase.
Whether you’re considering Millington, Atoka, Bartlett, Arlington, Lakeland or another Memphis-area community, we’ll help you understand your options and find the location and home that work for your individual needs.
And if you’re still stationed somewhere else, that’s okay.
We’ll be your eyes and ears in Memphis until you get here.
Moving Memphis Group at Emmett Baird Realty
Service You Deserve – People You Trust.
Contact us to start planning your move to the Memphis area.