HOUSING RELOCATION GUIDE Housing Management Office 3131 Coney St (Bldg 320) Moody Air Force Base Georgia (229) 257-4417 FUN FACTS ABOUT GEORGIA Savor the Flavors Good southern food reigns throughout Georgia. The tea is sweet and iced, the grits buttery and salted. Fried tomatoes, fried chicken, and fried okra hold places of honor on many tables. But it’s not all fried, and much of it is quite healthy. Just be sure to try Georgia’s specialties--- you’ll be hard pressed to find better peaches anywhere else! A tlanta is home to COCA COLA (inv ented 1886), the best selling (and Georgia State Motto – mi ght I add--the best tasting) soft Georgia is “Wisdom, Justice, and drink in the whole world. If you ever 1st in the Moderation” get to Atlanta, visit the COCA COLA MUSEUM production of peanuts Name of the State Song is Atlanta is also home to "Georgia on My Mind" the words television networks TBS and of the song are by Stuart Turner South Gorrell and music composed by Hoagy Carmichael State Nickname The Peach Sta te State Insect State Flower State Reptile Emblem - Honeybee Cherokee Rose Gopher Tortoise & Wild Azalea 2 MEMORANDUM FOR INCOMING PERSONNEL FROM: 23 CES/CEIH SUBJECT: Housing Relocation Assistance 1. One of the primary concerns of all personnel is to find adequate and comfortable housing. The Housing Management Office, located at 3131 Coney Street (Bldg 320), is committed to providing you maximum assistance in locating suitable housing. Our DSN is 460-4417 or commercial (229) 257-4417 and our duty hours are from 0800-1600, Monday through Friday. AFI 32-6001 requires you to report to the Housing Management Office before entering into any lease, contract, or rental agreement. We look forward to serving your housing needs. 2. Family Housing at Moody AFB is privatized and has two private owners. One of Moody’s privatized housing areas includes 30 officer and 347 enlisted two, three, and four bedroom units. The other privatized housing area is approximately 15 miles from the base and includes 21 officer and 69 enlisted three and four bedroom units. Personnel who wish to reside in privatized housing should report to the Housing Management Office, 3131 Coney Street (Bldg 320) to fill out an application. Bring your orders that assigned you to Moody AFB with you. The waiting time is approximately 0 – 14 months, depending on the type of unit. For information regarding these homes contact Moody Family Housing at (229) 333- 0539 or visit their website: www.moody-family-housing.com or Balfour Beatty Communities at (229) 242-7805. A website will be available at a later date. 3. Off-base housing in the Moody area is readily available. We maintain a list of available rentals and sales units in the surrounding communities of Moody Air Force Base. Rentals and sales in the smaller communities are usually at a lower price range when available. Most of the new housing construction off base can be purchased under VA, FHA, or with conventional loans with prices ranging from $120,000 to over $500,000. In any case, it may take a few days to find the type of home you desire in any of the local communities. 4. The Moody Inn, (Bldg. 201, phone (229) 257-3893 or DSN 460-3893) where military personnel may house their families and guests temporarily, has limited facilities; therefore advance reservations are highly recommended. Once orders are received, reservations can be made up to a year in advance. Pet friendly rooms may be available. After duty hours, a list of names, locations, and phone numbers of temporary housing accommodations can be obtained from the Moody Inn (Billeting). 5. This Relocation Guide contains information on leases, as well as lists of hotels and motels, real estate agencies, schools, and day care centers in the community. It also contains general information that we hope will be of assistance in helping you to get settled in the Moody area. To help make the transition easier, check out local information at www.housing.af.mil. This site provides information on housing options, support services available, details on the local communities, school district information, local weather and other useful resources. We are proud to have you as part of Team Moody - welcome to your new home! Naomi M Hendricks NAOMI M. HENDRICKS, Civ, USAF Housing Manager 23d Civil Engineer Squadron 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Information about Moody AFB and Valdosta ........................................................................................... 5 Surrounding Communities ......................................................................................................................... 6 Miscellaneous Information ........................................................................................................................ 7 Child Care Centers ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Area Hotels and Motels ............................................................................................................................. 9 Lowndes County and Valdosta School Information .................................................................................. 10 List of Schools ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Kennels/Stables .......................................................................................................................................... 13 Mini Storage Warehouse Spaces................................................................................................................ 13 RENTING IN THE COMMUNITY Should You Rent or Buy a Home .............................................................................................................. 15 Budget Worksheet ...................................................................................................................................... 17 General Information ................................................................................................................................... 19 Utilities ....................................................................................................................................................... 21 Residential Real Estate Agencies & Property Managers ........................................................................... 22 Real Estate Websites .................................................................................................................................. 22 Standards of Conduct ................................................................................................................................. 23 SAMPLE FORMS Military Clause........................................................................................................................................... 25 Landlord/Tenant Occupancy Inspection Checklist .................................................................................... 27 Request for Repairs .................................................................................................................................... 29 Termination Notice .................................................................................................................................... 31 4 INFORMATION ABOUT MOODY AFB, VALDOSTA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES Moody is a well-situated ACC installation. It is located approximately 9 miles northeast of Valdosta on Georgia Hwy 125, (Bemiss Rd). It is 20 miles from Florida and 250 miles from Atlanta. The nearest large cities are Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. Moody is surrounded by low, flat coastal plains and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico produces a humid, relatively mild climate. The average summer maximum temperature is 90 degrees, with the high reading of 105 degrees. The average winter maximum is 63 degrees. Minimum readings average 72 degrees in the summer and 43 degrees in the winter. Average rainfall is 53 inches annually. Valdosta is a city covering approximately 30 square miles and is 220 feet above sea level. A city of some 56,481 people, ranked 14th largest city in Georgia, Valdosta is the county seat for Lowndes County with the population of more than 109,233. In 2000 Valdosta was designated a Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes four counties with a population of 140,000. Educational facilities in the City of Valdosta and in Lowndes County offer educational opportunities from nursery school through college. Valdosta is located on Interstate 75 and US Hwy 41, 221 and 84 in the extreme southern section of Middle Georgia, 20 miles from Florida. The city is 1.5 hours from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Diversified manufacturing activities are located in Valdosta, whereas the economy of Lowndes County and the surrounding counties is predominately agricultural. It is the largest city in an intermediate trade area made up of 13 South Georgia counties and three North Florida counties. The city is also recognized as the trading, shipping and business center of a ten county area (eight Georgia and two Florida) comprising its immediate trade area. In 2008, Valdosta was voted ESPN’s “Title Town USA” by fans across America. Valdosta is the only city in the world so named and dates back to 1859 when it moved four miles to its present site to locate on the area's first railroad. It is named in honor of Val D'Aosta (vale of beauty) the Italian estate of former Georgia Governor, George M. Troupe. Green pine forests surround the area on all sides and 75% of the nation's naval stores (turpentine and rosin products) come from this area of Georgia. Cultural and civic advantages are many and varied. The South Georgia Regional Library is located in Valdosta. There are more than 168 civic, service, veteran and fraternal organizations represented in the city. The area supports 200+ restaurants, 45+ motels, five golf courses and over 200 churches or houses of worship. The South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) offers “Professional Care with Personal Service.” SGMC houses 335 beds and includes the Pearlman Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Greenleaf Center (psychiatric & substance abuse), Langdale Place (senior living facility), the Wound Care Center, Cardiology Center, Hospice of South Georgia, Rehabilitation Services, Women & Children Services, Dasher Heart Center, and Emergency Care Services. With the acquisition of Smith Northview Hospital on N. Valdosta Road and Berrien County Hospital, SGMC is now the 16th largest hospital in Georgia and was Hospital of the Year in 2013. Valdosta, often called the "Azalea City”, attracts many visitors in the spring with its beautiful gardens. Dozens of garden clubs gather at the Crescent, a restored white-columned mansion. Tours are conducted regularly through this historical turn-of-the-century building. The city has also been selected as a Tree City USA community for 29 consecutive years. 5 SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES Lake Park/Twin Lakes are small communities located ten miles south of Valdosta on US Hwy 41. A summer recreation center, their communities surround a 350 acre lake which is popular with sports enthusiasts. In one important way, Hahira is different from the average community with a population of approximately 2,830. Smith Northview Hospital (now a campus of SGMC) located at 4280 N. Valdosta Road off I-75, Exit 22 is a modern 45-bed hospital that serves Hahira and Valdosta residents, as well as people from many nearby cities and towns. One of the seven Lowndes County elementary schools and one of the two middle schools are located in Hahira. The town is a 15-minute drive from Moody. Lakeland, population 3,398, is 6 air-miles from Moody but is a 10-mile drive because the road must detour around 12,000-acre Banks Lake. The lure of front-yard water sports and hunting draws many Moody personnel to Lakeland as residents and visitors. Four small towns, Nashville, Enigma, Alapaha, and Ray City, are encompassed by Berrien County. Berrien County is a rich agricultural region and industry is also important to the county. Berrien County has the population of more than 19,048. Nashville is the county seat for Berrien County and is located 17 miles north of Moody on Georgia Hwy 125. Nashville includes many churches, a first through twelfth-grade school system and a nearby country club and golf course. Adel, population 5,319, is the county seat of Cook County and is located 22 miles northwest of Moody. The community's economy in based on trade and service activities with major payrolls provided by diversified manufacturing operations. Tourist traffic and seasonal tobacco auctions are also important to Adel and Cook County. Residents of Cook and Berrien Counties share a country club and golf course. Valdosta and surrounding communities offer the following: In the Valdosta area cultural and civic advantages are many and varied. There are more than 100 civic, service, veteran and fraternal organizations represented in the City. Other groups represent special interests, such as professional clubs and sportsman's organizations. The Valdosta Entertainment Association brings nationally known artists, symphonies and outstanding plays to the city each season. Valdosta State University occupies an important place in the cultural life of the community by offering annual concerts and plays sponsored by such groups as the drama club, which presents annual formal concerts in addition to a number of informal appearances throughout the state. The J.E. Mathis Auditorium (city Municipal Auditorium) seats 1,200 people for concerts, plays, conventions, and other large groups. An adjoining 5,000 square foot multi-purpose convention room can be used for large or small meetings, banquets, dances, and other social functions. Call (229) 333-1816 for more information or to reserve an event. The James H. Rainwater Conference Center is a perfect event location for conferences or conventions in Valdosta. The 47,000 square foot facility has a 4,000 square foot conference room, multiple meeting rooms, a patio, free parking, and a 11,000 square foot exhibit hall overlooking a beautiful South Georgia cypress pond. The address is at One Meeting Place, phone (229) 245-0513 or (800) 569-8687. The Valdosta Lowndes County Recreation Parks and Community was created in January 1972 in order to provide a year round program to help meet leisure and recreation interests. The program includes athletics, arts and crafts, music, dramatics, dance, nature and outdoor recreation, and social recreation 6 such as bridge, table games and many more choices. For further information call (229) 259-3507 or www.valdostacity.com. A number of private and public facilities offer outdoor and indoor recreational activities. There are park, tennis courts, picnic areas, lighted fields and gymnasiums available for use. The Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta Inc. offers sports, Red Cross swimming instructions, library, game rooms and vocational arts. For further information call (229) 242-0676. The YMCA has many varied, planned exercise programs for men and women, etc. For more information, call (229) 244-4646. A golf course open to the public is located at Francis Lake, 12 miles south of Valdosta on 1-75, call (229) 559-7961. Other facilities in the area include lakes with boating, skiing, and public beaches; lakes reserved for fishing; hunting areas for quail, wild turkey and deer; movie theaters, bowling alley, children’s recreational facilities, etc. Reed Bingham State Park near Adel, Georgia, (229) 896-3551 offers good family recreation including camping and water skiing. Reed Bingham is located approximately 40 minutes from Moody. Wild Adventures theme park is located 5 miles from Valdosta, Georgia. The park consists of seven different themed areas featuring over 100 rides and attractions, including 9 coasters, hundreds of exotic animals, shows, Splash Island Water Park and numerous concerts featuring country, pop, rock, Christian, and oldie superstars. All of the rides and attractions, concerts, daily shows, special events and the water park are included with park admission. Go to www.wildadventures.com or call (229) 219-7080. Miscellaneous Information Shopping Areas: The following is a list of shopping areas in Valdosta. There are also good shopping areas in Hahira, Nashville, Adel and Lakeland. Additional information can be obtained at the Valdosta Chamber of Commerce, 416 N. Ashley St., and (229) 247-8100. Valdosta Mall, Hwy 94 at I-75, 1700 Norman Drive Downtown area on Valdosta, Patterson and Central Streets Summit Pointe, Inner Perimeter Road and Country Club Road Religious Services: Protestant and Catholic services are held regularly at the Base Chapel. Practically all faiths will find the church of their choice in the nearby communities. This includes Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Episcopalian, and other religious faiths. Public Transportation: Local transportation in Lowndes County is available through Lowndes Transit System (MIDS) at (229) 316-2153 Monday thru Friday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm. Call by 1:00 pm the day prior to schedule your pickup. The cost will be $3 up to 10 miles and over 10 miles varies by address in Lowndes County. Transportation to surrounding counties is available at various rates Transportation is available from Valdosta to neighboring cities through the service of Greyhound Bus Lines, 200 N Oak St, (229) 242-8575; ASA Airways, Valdosta Regional Airport, (229) 333-1833. There is no passenger rail or bus service in Valdosta. Transportation to various airports and cities is available through Kelly Shuttle, (800) 243-2050, kshuttle.com. Check the yellow pages or internet for more options. Driver’s License and Automobile License Plates: Driver's license and license plates from the state of your permanent residence are valid for military personnel. For Georgia State Patrol Office regarding 7 driver’s license information call (229) 333-5385, 371 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd. Office hours are 8-6 Tuesday-Friday and 8-12 on Saturday. The requirements for applying or renewing your driver’s license can be found online at www.dds.ga.gov or call (229) 333-5385 for information and customer service hours. The following documents are needed to renew or apply for a GA license: at least one original or certified document to prove your Primary Identity; at least one document to prove your Social Security Number; at least two documents to prove your Residential Address; and appropriate Name Change documents, if needed. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for license plates is located at 300 N. Patterson St, (229) 671-2579. Hours are 8-5 Monday thru Friday. Georgia doesn’t require safety inspection stickers on automobiles. Social Security Administration: Office is located at 3149 Perimeter Park Lane, toll free 1-866-829-2617, and office hours are 8:30 am - 3 pm Monday thru Friday except federal holidays. Sales Tax: Valdosta levies a sales tax of seven percent on the dollar; prescription drugs and prescription glasses and contact lenses are exempt. Property Tax: City, state and county property taxes are based on the value of the real and personal property owned as of January 1. Bills are usually mailed in September and are due on November 15th. Returns should be filed at the Tax Commissioner's Office. For more information, call (229) 671-2579. Homestead Exemption: In Georgia, $6,000 is exempt from real estate taxes. Applications for Homestead Exemption must be made by April 1 at the Tax Commissioner's office. For more information, call (229) 671-2579. Child Restraints: Georgia law requires that children under 4’ 10” be properly secured in an approved car seat or booster seat while riding in vehicles. A child under age 8 and weighing at 40 pounds is not exempt from the law. They may use a lap belt only instead of a car seat or booster seat when the vehicle isn’t equipped with lap and shoulder belts. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for providing and using these safety seats. The driver receives a citation if children are not properly secured. Child Care: You may reach the Moody Child Development Center at (229) 257-9220. The base also offers the Family Child Care & Affiliate Homes program (FCC). You may contact the Family Child Coordinator at (229) 257-3907 for additional information. Below is a list of local child care centers. FOR INFO ONLY - MOODY AFB OR THE USAF DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY OF THE LISTED CHILD CARE CENTERS Kat’s Happy Time Preschool Jesus Loves Me Day Care Precious Treasures 104 Kelly Dr. 517 Pauline Ave 409 Connell Rd (229) 242-0232 (229) 455-3333 (229) 244-4672 Valdosta, GA Ray City, GA Valdosta, GA Children’s Friend Learning Center Bemiss Academy Kiddie Korral 469 Lakes Blvd, Lake Park, GA 5921 Bemiss Rd. 1611 N Slater St. (229) 559-8880 (229) 247-2705 (229) 244-7101 1902 N Forrest St, Valdosta, GA Valdosta, GA Valdosta, GA (229) 242-7130 8 AREA MOTELS (Within 15 miles of Moody AFB) Contact the facility for current prices and ask about military discounts, weekly rates, and if pets are allowed. Moody AFB or the USAF does not endorse any of the listed facilities. Best Western Plus Quality Inn South Baymont Inn & Suites 4025 Northlake Dr 1902 W. Hill Ave 1725 Gornto Rd 1-866-667-6048 1-800-228-5160 1-800-526-3766 (229) 241-9221 (229) 244-4520 (229) 253-0009 www.bestwesternvaldosta.com www.qualityinn.com www.baymontinns.com Clarion Inn Holiday Inn Days Inn 2101 W. Hill 1805 W. Hill Ave 1383 N. St. Augustine Rd 1-800-221-2222 1-877-410-6667 1-800-329-7466 (229) 242-1212 (229) 244-1111 (229) 244-7600 www.clarionhotel.com www.holidayinn.com www.daysinn.com Country Inn & Suites La Quinta Inn & Suites Econolodge 1308 N St. Augustine Rd 1800 Clubhouse Dr. 3022 James Rd 1-800-596-2375 1-800-531-5900 1-866-899-8039 (229) 245-1700 (229) 247-7755 (229) 671-1511 www.countryinns.com www.lq.com www.econolodge.com Hilton Garden Inn Sleep Inn & Suites Comfort Suites 1702 Gornto Dr 3026 James Rd 1332 N St. Augustine Rd 1-800-560-7843 1-800-753-3746 (229) 249-8880 (229) 219-1011 (229) 671-1111 www.comfortinn.com/valdosta www.hiltongardeninn1.hilton.com www.sleepinn.com/valdosta Holiday Inn Express Hampton Inn & Suites In Town Suites 1330 N St. Augustine Rd 2 Meeting Place 1558 Baytree Rd. 1-877-410-6667 1-800-992-4023 (229) 247-1569 (229) 249-8900 (229) 241-1234 www.intownsuites.com www.hiexpress.com www.hamptoninn1.hilton.com Fairfield Inn & Suites Drury Inn & Suites Quality Inn North 2010 West Hill Ave 1327 N St. Augustine Rd 1705 Gornto Rd (229) 242-1225 (229) 253-0023 (229) 244-8800 www.marriott.com www.druryhotels.com www.qualityinn.com 9 LOWNDES COUNTY AND VALDOSTA SCHOOL INFORMATION 1. The two school systems in Lowndes County are the Valdosta City Schools and the Lowndes County Schools. Students are required to attend the school designated for the district in which they live. A few exceptions are explained later. The website www.education.com has information on many of the schools in the area. A new website http://schoolgrades.georgia.gov/ has reports on all public elementary, middle and high school in the state. 2. Two requirements for entering both of these systems are the same. For kindergarten, first grade and transfer students, the student must provide: (1) official birth certificate and (2) appropriate immunization form (Georgia Public Health Form 3032). Hospital certificates of birth may be used for registration, but a certified copy of the child's official birth certificate must be on file on or before the first day of school. A student, regardless of grade level who has never been in a Georgia public school, must provide certification of eye, ear, and dental exams on the Georgia Department of Human Resources Form 3300. To enter kindergarten, the student must be five years old on or before 1 September of the year entering. Students entering a Georgia school for the first time in all other grades must provide adequate Georgia Public Health Forms as evidence of immunization. These are available at Moody AFB clinic. The previous report card would be helpful but the school will write for the permanent records after registration. A list of schools is included which indicates the ones having kindergarten. 3. In the Valdosta City elementary schools, school assignment is made from designated areas within the city limits according to the family residence. You may go to the Superintendent's office at 1204 Williams Street and view the map which governs assignment; or you may call the office at (229) 333-8500 for assignment. You must have two proofs of residency to determine the school you should attend in the appropriate zone. 4. Both systems have special education programs for exceptional children and operate extensive programs on all grade levels and for all areas of exceptionality. Both systems offer remedial and gifted programs in reading and math through Title I programs. 5. In the Lowndes County Schools, all grades will attend the school designated for their district. For students living on Moody Air Force Base or in the immediate area, the appropriate public schools are Pine Grove Elementary and Middle School, and Lowndes High School. Students living at Azalea Commons on Val Del Road will go to Hahira Elementary School, Hahira Middle School, and Lowndes High School. The county furnishes transportation. 6. Students living in Moody’s Privatized Housing and attending private schools will not have transportation furnished by the Air Force. 7. In both public school systems, a student living more than 1 1/5 mile from the assigned school is eligible for bus transportation provided by the school system of enrollment. You may secure information on bus routes and stops by calling the system director of transportation for Lowndes County at (229) 245- 2257 or City at (229) 245-5640. The week prior to the beginning of school, the Valdosta City School System has a full-page ad in the Valdosta Daily Times giving all city bus routes. 8. If you are temporarily outside a school system, but wish to enroll your child in the system where you expect to be permanently located, you must obtain a transfer approved by both systems. You should first apply to the system in which your residence is located, and they will prepare the request and send it to the other system for their approval. If the waiver is approved, the student must provide his/her own transportation. Lowndes County Public Schools charge tuition per semester for first time students that reside outside of the county. If you are temporarily located in the city awaiting privatized housing and prefer that your child begin in the system where the majority of attendance will be, you may apply for a transfer and pay the tuition. Once the move to privatized housing is complete, the tuition will be prorated and the unused portion returned. Please check with the school to ensure this program is still offered. 10