Home Sweet Home: The Housing Process in Sasebo

Let me just begin by saying that my housing process will look nothing like anyone else's housing process in Sasebo. If I have learned one thing during this whole process, it's that Sasebo is known for its hectic housing situation. I came into this process hearing that some families lived at the Navy Lodge for 90+ days waiting on housing....so when I tell you it varies, it varies by a lot!

So now my story!

As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, when we found out we were coming to Sasebo, I immediately reached out to the Sasebo Navy Lodge and made arrangements for our stay. Sasebo's Navy Lodge automatically made our reservation for 30 days...confirming the crazy housing situation that was to come!

Prior to arriving, I had to complete a housing package, which included a housing application, the government-funded courtesy moves policy letter, a TLA worksheet, information about Hugo and Reynolds, and signing a school bus commuting area memo (even though it didn't apply to us.) Then I was put in contact with Lauren, my housing rep, who allowed me to send her additional documents to speed up the process once I arrived. In total, I sent her a copy of Bryan's PCS orders, his detaching endorsement, a copy of Bryan's Page 2, my DEA (dependent entry approval), copies of the dog's pet customs forms, and our flight itinerary. Long story short, my goal was to get everything turned in before arriving in Sasebo to hopefully speed up the housing process once we got there. Once all these forms were turned in, Lauren said there was nothing more to do until I met with her in person at the housing office.

So on the first full day I was in Sasebo, I went straight to the housing office to check in and begin the process. I met with Lauren and was told that since Bryan hadn't officially checked in with the ship yet, that I was stuck in limbo with housing. Remember, back in Atsugi they changed Bryan's route. Originally he was supposed to arrive with me, but since he was flown straight to the ship I had to wait for his arrival confirmation before the housing office would begin processing my arrival and add me to "the list." She told me to go and enjoy a week at the Lodge and to send her a copy of Bryan's stamped orders once he checked in with the USS America. During this meeting, she also told me that the rules had recently changed and, based on our family size and Bryan's rank, we only qualified for a two-bedroom home. During my earlier research, I had seen that Bryan's rank qualified us for a three-bedroom, so this news was disheartening and gave us an even less likelihood of getting a first-floor apartment with a yard.

The following Monday, I made the hot, humid trek back to the housing office for another appointment with Lauren, where she told me to sit back and enjoy another week at the Lodge while I completed the AOB/ICR course. She explained that there was a housing option available, but she wanted to wait and see if something that would meet our needs better came open. By reading between the lines, it sounded like there was a two-bedroom option available, but it wasn't an ideal choice for me- probably meaning it was located in one of the towers. By this point, I felt like I was just sitting and twiddling my thumbs...but I was hopeful that another week would open up more options and hopefully get us a townhouse with a yard for the dogs.

A week later, Lauren emailed me saying she had a housing option for us. On Wednesday, July 7th, I was told that the unit they had available was a second-floor garden-style apartment in Hario, meaning we wouldn't have a yard and we would be living at the base housing area located about 20 minutes from the main base. Since this was the only option available, I had to accept the apartment or pay out of pocket to stay at the Navy Lodge and then begin an entirely different process to find housing off base. Finding off-base housing that would allow two dogs would be very difficult, so I agreed to the apartment assignment.

Truthfully, I was disappointed to get assigned a second-floor apartment. We were spoiled in California with a small yard that the pups and I thoroughly enjoyed, and I dreaded having to go back to leashed potty breaks. Reynolds LOVES the sun and chasing all types of shadows, so I hate that she won't have that here in Japan. Luckily I had met a few fellow officer spouses on July 4th whose husbands' are on the ship with Bryan, and they all live in Hario. While it will be inconvenient for Bryan to get to work every day, he has already talked with some of his friends on the ship about carpooling to work when they are back in port! Being in Hario will make it easier to hang out with friends too because 90% of Sasebo's on-base housing is in Hario. Another plus is that we aren't in one of the towers. From what I've heard, the towers can't control their own AC and heat, and it tends to be louder and busier than the apartments. So I'm already trying to think positively and find the good in our new housing situation!

After leaving the housing office, I scheduled for FMAT to meet me at the Navy Lodge on Friday, July 9 at noon to pick up all our luggage, groceries, and the dogs, and take them to our new apartment in Hario. Then I headed over to the Base Communications Office to get a DSN phone number. DSN numbers work like traditional home phone numbers that allow you to call other Japanese military numbers for free, and, more importantly, it will allow Bryan to call me directly from the ship! My final office visit of the day was to Americable to set up internet services for our new home. We opted out of the additional cable option, but they do offer all kinds of TV packages.

completing paperwork at the BCO to get a DSN phone line!

Friday morning, the pups were stressed and up under my feet the entire time I finished packing! At noon I headed down with a cart full of our stuff. Our driver ran late from his earlier transport, and he arrived closer to 12:35. After two more trips to the room with a luggage cart, the pups were put in their kennel and we headed off to Hario! The van led the way and I followed behind, as I ventured out for my first drive off base to my new home!

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the Hario housing office. The housing inspector had me sign some forms and then she turned over two sets of house keys! After getting some directions to my new place, the van and I were off! Thankfully, the driver helped me tote all my luggage up to the apartment, and then he left me with a "hospitality kit," that included two pots, three frying pans, and some basic silverware to use until my HHG shipment arrives.

Housing Office at Hario

selfie at our new home!

As the van driver was leaving, another truck arrived with some basic loaner furniture. They brought in a queen-sized bed, a dresser, and a bedside table for the bedroom; a dining room table with 4 chairs; and a couch, two chairs, an end table, one lamp, and a coffee table for the living room. This loaner furniture, in addition to the hospitality kit from FMAT, will get me by until our stuff arrives from California! After seeing how empty our new apartment looks, I am eager to get our things and make this place feel homier!

Enjoy the pups modeling our new home below:

living room

patio

dining room

kitchen

office

bathroom

master bedroom

AC unit remote

living room light & fan remote

About 2pm that day, the inspector came by and did a move-in inspection. She showed me how to adjust the apartment's LED lights (that come with a Japanese remote), how to work the 4 different AC units in the apartment (that come with Japanese remotes), the functions of the two dehumidifiers assigned to the apartment (that have Japanese buttons) and she explained the base's trash program and some other household things to know. The inspector was extremely friendly and welcoming! She definitely made this move-in process as easy as possible, even if I did feel a little overwhelmed with all the Japanese remotes I now had to learn to work!

Now my time is dedicated to unpacking, arranging, and organizing the things we brought with us in our luggage, and patiently waiting for our HHG shipment to arrive from California so I can really get this place set up like a new home! The pups have adjusted quickly and are currently passed out on the couch. After 34 days in various hotels in Japan, they must know they are finally home!