I am moving to Jacksonville in a few months. I need to find an apartment that will provide me with flexibility (in case I have to relocate) but will also accommodate my busy lifestyle since I’m in the military. Can you help?

Let’s start off with what you’ve mentioned so far: you want a place that’s both accommodating and flexible. You’re on the go a lot so you will want to find military housing that is close to base and understanding if you end up having to end your lease early. If you are hesitating to make a year or two-year commitment to an apartment, Rent Jax features an interactive search tool that allows you to filter your apartment search and find communities offering shorter, or negotiable, rental agreements.

Our website also includes another neat search feature: scroll down to “Distance from my location” and enter in the address of your military base and the maximum distance you’re willing to commute each day in order to find a list of communities close to work.

Another factor to consider is whether or not you’re interested in renting a fully furnished apartment. Traveling frequently and having to pack up tons of furniture each time can be costly and stressful. Search for communities featuring fully furnished apartments; you’ll have plenty of room for pictures and posters to personalize your military home.

Since you are new to the area, many communities offer free roommate matching services to help eliminate the stress of finding roommates on your own. You’ll have to honestly answer a series of questions to help the community gather information regarding your social habits, sleep schedule and tidiness. You will then be paired up with other candidates who share similar interests and lifestyles. Living with roommates reduces the cost of rent, as prices generally decrease as the number of bedrooms goes up.

When searching for military housing off-base, you should also keep in mind what community features you’re looking for. Apartments may come with community swimming pools and recreational facilities, whether you’re interested in working out or just enjoying a casual swim. If you have a pet, then you should contact the leasing agent for more details as each apartment community has a different policy on animals and there may be additional fees.

While you’re in Jacksonville take the opportunity to explore the city and its surroundings! Enjoy the gorgeous beaches and watch the Jacksonville Jaguars play a game at EverBank Field. The historic Riverside District is worth a visit too, with lots of shops, restaurants and bars to scope out.

We understand that moving can be a stressful process and we’re here to provide you with the tips and resources to make your transition as smooth as possible. Begin your apartment search at Rent Jax today and find the perfect apartment to fit your active lifestyle.

These are the opinions of writers and not the opinions of RentJax.com or any of our advertising partners.