Moving on PCS orders can feel like a race against the calendar, especially when you are trying to line up housing, temporary lodging, utilities, school paperwork, and base access all at once. If you are moving to Clovis for an assignment at Cannon AFB, a clear plan can save you time, stress, and expensive missteps. This checklist walks you through what to do before you leave, what to handle in your first few days, and how to settle in with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Start With Housing Plans
One of the most important first steps is confirming where you will live and how that choice fits your timeline. If you are considering on-base housing, renting in Clovis, or buying soon after arrival, it helps to start early and keep your documents organized.
According to the Cannon AFB Housing Office, inbound members must visit the Military Housing Office before signing any written lease or rental or sales contract. The same page notes that the Air Force uses HEAT as its advance housing contact tool for PCS moves, which makes it a smart early stop as you prepare.
If you want to live on base, Cannon Family Homes says active-duty applicants should be ready with orders, an LES, and any housing paperwork requested by the leasing office. The community also notes that HEAT does not place members on the housing waitlist, so you will want to complete the actual application steps directly.
Gather These Housing Documents
Before departure, keep digital and printed copies of:
- PCS orders
- Current LES
- Driver’s license or government ID
- Pet records, if applicable
- Any housing office paperwork requested for on-base housing
- Lease documents or purchase paperwork, if you are moving off base
Having these ready can make your arrival smoother, especially if you need to compare options quickly.
Plan Temporary Lodging Early
Even with good planning, you may need a short-term place to stay while your permanent housing is finalized. That is especially true if you are waiting on a move-in date, inspecting a rental, or closing on a home.
Caprock Inn on Cannon AFB offers temporary lodging, including pet-friendly rooms. For many military families, that can be a practical bridge between arrival and move-in.
Your PCS benefits may also help with that transition. The Department of Defense announced that for CONUS PCS moves, Temporary Lodging Expense increased from 14 to 21 days effective November 27, 2024. The same update notes that Dislocation Allowance is based on grade and dependency status on the PCS effective date.
Temporary Lodging Checklist
- Confirm whether you need short-term lodging before arrival
- Ask about pet-friendly availability if you are traveling with animals
- Track receipts and PCS-related lodging records
- Review your TLE timeline so you know how long your benefit may apply
Coordinate Base Access Before Move-In
Base access can affect your schedule more than many families expect. If someone needs to meet you for a walkthrough, help with a delivery, or attend a move-in appointment on base, access should be handled ahead of time.
Cannon AFB is a closed installation. The Visitor Control Center is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and advance access requests for unofficial visitors should be submitted at least five days ahead.
That matters if you are coordinating with family, a moving helper, or anyone else who needs to join you on base during arrival. A little planning here can prevent delays on an already busy week.
Handle Utilities In Your First 72 Hours
Once you arrive in Clovis, utility setup becomes a top priority. It affects your daily comfort, your move-in readiness, and often your next steps for school enrollment and other paperwork.
The City of Clovis utility information says City Finance handles sewer and garbage service. The city also directs water leak issues to EPCOR, electricity outages to Xcel Energy, and gas service to New Mexico Gas Company.
The city’s Public Works Department also oversees refuse, sewer, landfill, and street issues. That page notes that residents can use the landfill free of charge for yard and tree debris from a primary residence with proof of residency, and recycling containers are available at public locations around the city.
Utility Setup Checklist
- Contact City Finance for sewer and garbage service
- Confirm gas service through New Mexico Gas Company
- Confirm electric service details through Xcel Energy
- Keep your lease or closing documents handy
- Save your first utility bill for proof-of-residency needs
Get School Paperwork Ready
If you have school-age children, it helps to think about enrollment before you arrive and finish the final steps as soon as your housing is confirmed. In Clovis, proof of residency can overlap with your utility setup timeline.
Clovis Municipal Schools registration allows new students to enroll online and upload documents such as a birth certificate, proof of residency, immunization records, and a Social Security card. The district also states that in-person help is available at zoned schools.
A district notice also says families may use a current utility bill or lease statement as proof of residency for enrollment-related needs. That is one reason to set up utilities quickly after arrival.
The district has also maintained a military-families presence on its website, which is a helpful sign for PCS families learning the local process.
School Enrollment Documents to Gather
- Birth certificate
- Immunization records
- Social Security card
- Current lease statement or proof of home purchase
- Current utility bill when available
If you are arriving close to the school year, check the current district calendar before finalizing your timeline. The latest posted Clovis Municipal Schools calendar update says the 2025 to 2026 school year began August 11, 2025 for grades 1 through 12 and August 13, 2025 for Pre-K and kindergarten, with the year ending in May 2026.
Connect With Medical And Newcomer Resources
Getting settled is about more than housing. It also helps to know where to turn for healthcare information, newcomer support, and basic local orientation.
The Cannon AFB newcomers page links families to Clovis Municipal Schools, Portales Municipal Schools, Cannon Clinic, TRICARE, Plains Regional Medical Center, and other resources. It also notes a monthly Medical Right Start briefing for newcomers on the fourth Thursday of the month at 9 a.m. at the Base Theater.
That kind of orientation can help you get answers faster, especially if you are balancing medical enrollment, school transitions, and a compressed move schedule.
Compare Renting And Buying Carefully
For many military families, the biggest housing decision is whether to rent first or buy soon after arrival. The right answer depends on your orders, your comfort with the timeline, and how local pricing compares with your allowance.
The Department of Defense says Basic Allowance for Housing is based on local rental and utility data, and Cannon AFB and Clovis fall under Military Housing Area NM207. That makes it wise to compare likely rent or mortgage costs against your current BAH rather than relying on guesswork.
Recent housing snapshots suggest a moderate-price market, but the numbers vary because they measure different things. The research report cites a March 2026 median sale price of $215,000 from Redfin, a Zillow average home value of $159,650 and February 2026 median sale price of $218,417, and an Apartments.com average rent of $777 in April 2026. Since those figures are not interchangeable, the best approach is to compare actual available homes and rentals in your price range.
When Renting May Make Sense
Renting may be a good fit if you:
- Need flexibility right after arrival
- Want time to learn Clovis neighborhoods and commute patterns
- Prefer a faster move-in while you settle your PCS timeline
When Buying May Make Sense
Buying may be worth exploring if you:
- Expect to stay long enough for the purchase to make sense for your goals
- Want stable monthly housing costs
- Find homes that align well with your BAH and budget
Because Sagebrush Real Estate also offers leasing and property management, you can work with one local team whether you want to rent now, buy later, or think through both options.
Watch Local Tax And Move-In Details
If you are buying in Curry County, it is smart to confirm tax and district details early. Those items can affect affordability, monthly budgeting, and how quickly you are ready to settle into the property.
The Curry County Assessor’s Office says the county is divided into four school and tax districts: Clovis, Texico, Melrose, and Grady. The same office explains that the Treasurer collects property taxes for the county, the City of Clovis, the State of New Mexico, and other taxing agencies, with tax bills mailed by November 1 and split due dates later in the year.
If you are buying, confirm property tax notices, school boundaries, and utility setup requirements early in the process. Those details can influence both your monthly costs and your move-in timing.
Your PCS Checklist For Clovis
Here is a simple way to organize your move:
Before Departure
- Contact the Military Housing Office before signing any housing contract
- Start HEAT and gather housing documents
- Apply directly if pursuing on-base housing
- Reserve temporary lodging if needed
- Review TLE and DLA rules for your PCS
- Plan base access for anyone who may need to help on arrival
First 24 To 72 Hours
- Check into temporary lodging or complete move-in
- Set up sewer and garbage service through the city
- Confirm gas and electric service
- Save your lease and first utility bill
- Verify any needed access arrangements for on-base appointments
First Week
- Complete school enrollment steps
- Use Cannon newcomer resources for medical and local support
- Compare rent or purchase options against your BAH
- Confirm tax, district, and utility details if buying
A military move always comes with a lot of moving parts, but you do not have to figure out Clovis on your own. Whether you are weighing on-base housing, searching for a rental, or deciding if buying makes sense for this assignment, local guidance can make the process simpler and faster. When you are ready for practical help with your move to Clovis, connect with Katharine Fly to schedule a free consultation.
FAQs
What should military families do before signing a lease in Clovis or near Cannon AFB?
- Military families moving to Cannon AFB should visit the Military Housing Office before signing any written lease or rental or sales contract, according to the Cannon AFB Housing Office.
What temporary lodging options are available for a PCS move to Clovis?
- Caprock Inn on Cannon AFB offers temporary lodging, including pet-friendly rooms, which can help bridge the gap between arrival and permanent housing.
How do new residents set up utilities in Clovis, New Mexico?
- New residents can work through City Finance for sewer and garbage service, while the City of Clovis directs water leak issues to EPCOR, electricity outages to Xcel Energy, and gas service to New Mexico Gas Company.
What documents are needed for Clovis Municipal Schools enrollment after a PCS move?
- Clovis Municipal Schools says new students can enroll online and upload a birth certificate, proof of residency, immunization records, and a Social Security card, with in-person help available at zoned schools.
How can military homebuyers compare housing costs in Clovis with BAH?
- Military families can compare local asking rents or expected mortgage payments with their Basic Allowance for Housing, since Cannon AFB and Clovis are part of Military Housing Area NM207 in the DoD BAH system.
