PCSing to Fort Stewart: What Soldiers & Families Need to Know Before Moving to Coastal Georgia

If you’re PCSing to Fort Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield, this video is for you. In this episode, Patrick Donovan sits down with Jamie Phillips — a retired Army First Sergeant and local real estate agent — to talk through what soldiers and military families should expect when PCSing to the Fort Stewart area. We cover real-world insights you don’t always get in a welcome brief, including what it’s like to relocate here, what surprises families the most, housing considerations on and off post, quality of life, and how to prepare for a smoother transition. Whether you’re coming from your first duty station or your fifth PCS, this conversation is designed to help you and your family make informed decisions before arriving at Fort Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield. If you’re considering buying or renting near Fort Stewart, or just want an honest perspective from someone who’s worn the uniform and now helps military families relocate, this is a must-watch. Patrick Donovan is a Savannah-area real estate agent who works closely with military families PCSing to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. Jamie Phillips is a retired Army First Sergeant with firsthand PCS experience and local market knowledge. If you have questions about PCSing to Fort Stewart, drop them in the comments — we’d love to help. MRC Website: https://home.army.mil/stewart/about/G... 🤔 Thinking About Moving to Savannah, GA? 🤝 Let Us Help 🤝 Patrick Donovan - Savannah Georgia Real Estate Expert 📱 Call or Text: 912-657-3544 📨 Email: [email protected] 🌐 https://patrick.johnsongroupga.com Each week we tour new construction homes for sale in the Savannah Georgia suburbs and showcase the newest model homes, communities, and home builders. New Construction Video Tours Landmark 24:    • New Construction Homes by Landmark 24 Homes   Smith Family Homes:    • New Construction Home by Smith Family Homes   Beacon New Homes:    • New Construction Home by Beacon New Homes   DR Horton Homes:    • New Construction Homes by DR Horton   If this is your first time to this channel, and you want to know everything about living, eating, working, playing, and the pros and cons of living in Savannah GA, then make sure you subscribe to our channel ▶ and tap the bell 🛎 for notifications when we drop new videos like this one about living in Savannah, GA. #savannahgeorgia #savannahga #savannahrealestate #SavannahRealtor #poolerga #haaf #fortstewart 00:00 Introduction 00:36 What did Jaime do in the Army? 01:40 Patrick Donovan's military service 02:08 What to expect at Marne Reception Center? 03:38 Inprocessing schedule 04:50 When should you reach out to your sponsor? 05:36 When do you have to report and where? 06:17 What do you need to bring? 06:28 When and how do I get a barracks room? 07:15 What if I need a ride from the airport? 07:45 What if my orders say HAAF? 08:10 What should a soldier expect on day one after arriving at Hunter AAF or Fort Stewart? 09:45 What are the pros and cons of living on-base vs off-base when PCSing here? 12:46 Which neighborhoods or towns do military families usually gravitate toward — and why? 16:16 How does the local housing market treat military families using VA loans or BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing)? 19:03 What are your favorite local “off-duty” or “off-post” things to do around Savannah and Coastal Georgia? 23:34 What challenges or surprises have you seen among soldiers and families after a PCS here? 26:19 From a real-estate perspective: for military families who PCS every few years, when does it make sense to buy instead of rent here — and when might it not be worth it? 31:36 When are you eligible to use your VA Loan? 32:52 We are here to educate! Watch our channels 34:41    / @jaimephillips1