PCS to NAS JRB New Orleans: a relocation guide for military families
Where the base is, where families live, how housing and schools work, and how to plan a rent-or-buy decision before your orders date.
I wrote this guide because I have made the same calls you are about to make: orders in hand, a report date, a family to move and a short window to decide where to live. Everything here is general. Your installation’s housing office, your sponsor and your chain of command are the authority for your specific situation.
The base at a glance
Belle Chasse, LA
Plaquemines Parish, on the west bank of the Mississippi, about 12 to 15 miles south of downtown New Orleans.
Every branch
A joint reserve base supporting active duty, Reserve and National Guard units from several services, including the Louisiana Air National Guard.
Official resources
Military OneSource keeps the installation’s housing, relocation and contact pages: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.
Bring your orders
Plan to check in with the housing office with a copy of your orders. Apply for family housing early; offers come after you check in to your command.
Where military families live
Most families choose between staying close to the gate on the West Bank and living on the East Bank or the Northshore with a longer drive. Commute time across the river matters more than miles, so drive it at rush hour before you decide.
| Area | Why families pick it | Things to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Belle Chasse | Closest to the gate; small-town feel. | Check flood zone and insurance on every address. |
| Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero | West Bank suburbs with a range of prices; short drive to base. | Compare neighborhoods street by street. |
| Algiers (New Orleans) | City living on the West Bank; The Village at Federal City is here. | Ferry and bridge options to the East Bank. |
| Metairie and Kenner | Established East Bank suburbs. | Crossing the river daily adds time. |
| Northshore (Mandeville, Covington, Slidell) | Larger lots and a quieter pace. | Longest commute; the Causeway is a 24-mile bridge. |
Before you fall in love with a house, run the address through our free Flood Zone and School Zone research tools, and read our flood zone guide.
On-base housing
Family housing for NAS JRB New Orleans is privatized (public-private venture) and offered in two places: on the installation in Belle Chasse and at The Village at Federal City in Algiers, the former Naval Support Activity site. Leases are with the private housing partner, so read them like any other lease. Use the installation’s Housing Service Center for availability, waitlists and referrals before you sign anything off base.
Schools
Belle Chasse Academy, a K–8 public charter school, sits on the installation and serves families in base housing first, with space for families living off base as available. Off base, attendance zones are set by each parish school system. Contact the base School Liaison Officer and verify enrollment with the district for any address you are considering.
Your PCS housing plan, step by step
- Know your numbers. Look up your BAH rate on the Defense Travel Management Office calculator and set a payment ceiling below it, not at it.
- Decide rent or buy on paper. Use our free payment and investor calculators to compare renting, buying, and keeping the home as a rental after your next PCS.
- Get pre-approved early. If you plan to buy with a VA loan, a pre-approval from a VA-approved lender lets you write an offer the week you arrive.
- Shortlist by commute and flood risk. Pick two or three areas, then check each address for flood zone, insurance cost and school zone.
- Tour virtually, then in person. Live video tours can narrow the list before house-hunting leave or your report date.
- Plan your exit on day one. Know what you will do with the home at your next PCS: sell, rent it out, or lease it through a brokerage.
Frequently asked questions
Where is NAS JRB New Orleans?
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans is in Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, roughly 12 to 15 miles south of downtown New Orleans.
Is there on-base housing at NAS JRB New Orleans?
Yes. Privatized family housing is offered on the base in Belle Chasse and at The Village at Federal City in Algiers. Check availability and eligibility with the installation Housing Service Center before you sign a lease or buy.
Is there a school on base?
Belle Chasse Academy, a public charter school serving kindergarten through 8th grade, is located on the installation. Military families living off base may enroll as space allows; confirm with the School Liaison Officer.
Can I use a VA loan to buy near the base?
Eligible service members and veterans can use a VA-guaranteed loan to buy a primary residence. A VA-approved lender can confirm eligibility and how much you qualify for.
Should I rent or buy for a 2 to 3 year tour?
It depends on your timeline, BAH, the home and your plans after the tour. Many families buy and keep the home as a rental after PCS. Run both scenarios with the payment and investor calculators, then talk them through with a Military Relocation Professional.
Orders to New Orleans? Let’s build your plan.
A free consultation with an active-duty NCO and Military Relocation Professional who knows the area and the PCS clock. Office (985) 250-0071.
Free to share. Lenders, insurance agents, relocation offices, bloggers and community groups are welcome to link to this guide: melrosegrouprealty.com/nas-jrb-new-orleans-relocation-guide/. Last reviewed October 2026.
1 St. Ann Drive Suite #92, Mandeville, LA 70471 • Office (985) 250-0071
Licensed in Louisiana • Broker: Ulysses A. Barnes, Jr. • LREC License BROK.995713916-CORP
Equal Housing Opportunity. This guide is general information, not legal, insurance, tax or engineering advice. Verify every property-specific fact with the official source named and the appropriate licensed professional.