PCS to Fort Lee: A 2026 Guide for Military Families

If you have orders for a PCS to Fort Lee, welcome to central Virginia. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military term for moving from one duty station to another. Fort Lee sits near Petersburg in Prince George County, in the Tri-Cities region just south of Richmond. You may have seen this post called Fort Gregg-Adams. It carried that name from 2023 to 2025, and in June 2025 the Army restored the name Fort Lee. The current name honors Private Fitz Lee, a Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor recipient from nearby Dinwiddie County, not the Confederate general the post was first named for, according to the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee. This 2026 guide walks you through what to expect when you move here, including where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, and daily life in the area.

A move is a lot to manage at once. Our goal is to make the Fort Lee part feel clearer. We will cover where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, the local climate, and a few things to do once you are settled.

What and Where Is Fort Lee?

Fort Lee sits in Prince George County, Virginia, next to the city of Petersburg and near Hopewell and Colonial Heights. These three cities make up what locals call the Tri-Cities, just south of Richmond.

According to the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Lee, the post is the home of the Combined Arms Support Command, known as CASCOM. CASCOM is the Army organization that trains and develops the soldiers who keep the Army supplied, fueled, fed, and moving. The post is also home to the Army Sustainment University and the Quartermaster, Ordnance, and Transportation schools. In plain terms, this is where the Army teaches much of its logistics and support work, so it is a busy training post with a strong community.

Where to Live When PCSing to Fort Lee

Some families who move to Fort Lee live in on-post housing, while others settle in one of the nearby Tri-Cities communities or farther out toward Richmond. On-post housing may have wait lists, so ask your sponsor and the housing office about current options early. For off-post living, your choice usually comes down to commute, schools, and budget.

Approximate one-way drive times to Fort Lee. Times vary with traffic and which gate you use.

Petersburg

Petersburg is the closest city to the main gate, often less than 10 minutes away. It is a historic city with older neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, and some of the most affordable home prices in the area. Many families pick Petersburg for the short commute and the lower cost of living.

Hopewell

Hopewell sits just east of the post, roughly 15 minutes from the gate depending on traffic. It is a small city along the James and Appomattox rivers, with established neighborhoods and a quiet pace. It is a solid middle-ground choice for families watching their budget.

Colonial Heights

Colonial Heights lies just north of Petersburg, about 15 minutes from the gate with normal traffic. It is known for its well-regarded schools, shopping, and family-friendly neighborhoods. Housing costs run a bit higher here than in Petersburg, but many families feel the schools are worth it.

Prince George

Prince George is the county that surrounds the post, with neighborhoods just a short drive from the gate, often around 15 minutes. It offers a more rural, spread-out feel, larger lots, and the school district that serves the on-post housing. Families often look here for more space close to the base.

Chester

Chester sits north of the post toward Richmond, about 20 minutes from the gate when traffic cooperates. It has grown with newer neighborhoods, shopping, and easy access to Interstate 95. Families often look here for a suburban feel with a manageable commute.

Richmond

Richmond, the state capital, sits to the north, roughly 25 to 30 minutes from the gate without heavy traffic. It offers the most variety in homes, jobs, and things to do, from city neighborhoods to suburbs. Weigh the longer commute against the wider choice of housing and amenities.

Fort Lee BAH and the Cost of Living

If you live off post, the military helps cover your housing through BAH, which stands for Basic Allowance for Housing. BAH is a monthly, tax-free payment. The amount depends on three things: your rank, whether you have dependents, and your duty station's Military Housing Area, or MHA. An MHA is the geographic zone the Defense Department uses to set local housing pay. Fort Lee falls within the Richmond, Virginia Military Housing Area.

Because rates change each year and vary by rank and dependent status, we do not publish a rate table here. To find your exact figure, use the official DoD calculator: travel.dod.mil BAH Rate Lookup. Enter your rank and ZIP code to see the current rate. Exact BAH rates are verified separately, so always confirm yours before signing a lease or making an offer.

Central Virginia is a more affordable housing market than many duty stations, which is good news for families on a budget. The typical home value in Petersburg was about $245,000 in June 2026, according to Zillow. That is a typical value, not a median sale price. As of the week of June 18, 2026, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 6.47 percent. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on how long you expect to be stationed here, so run the numbers for your own situation.

Schools Near Fort Lee

The schools your children attend depend on where you live. Several districts serve the Fort Lee area.

Prince George County Public Schools serves the county that surrounds the post, including the on-post housing, and it offers resources for military families. Families in Petersburg fall under Petersburg City Public Schools. Families in Colonial Heights look at Colonial Heights Public Schools, and families in Hopewell fall under Hopewell City Public Schools. To the north, the larger Chesterfield County Public Schools serves Chester and the southern Richmond suburbs.

Boundaries and attendance zones can shift, so confirm the assigned school for any specific address before you commit.

Healthcare: Kenner Army Health Clinic

On-post medical care for the Fort Lee community runs through Kenner Army Health Clinic, which provides primary care and a range of services for eligible patients. You can review what is offered on its Health Services page. For care that the clinic does not provide, such as some specialty and emergency services, you may be referred to hospitals and providers in the larger Richmond area.

Your military health coverage runs through TRICARE, the military health program. Set up your TRICARE plan early in your PCS. Update your information in DEERS, choose or transfer your plan, and request any referrals before you arrive so there is no gap in care. DEERS stands for the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, the database that confirms who is eligible for military benefits. Getting this squared away early is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress after you land.

Climate and Things to Do

Central Virginia has a humid subtropical climate, with four clear seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters are mild, and spring and fall are pleasant. The National Weather Service office in Wakefield, Virginia, which serves the Tri-Cities and Richmond corridor, issues the local forecasts. Keep an eye on its updates for summer heat and the occasional severe storm.

The area offers plenty to do close to home. Petersburg National Battlefield preserves the sites of the long Civil War siege of Petersburg, with driving tours, trails, and history programs. Near Chesterfield, Pocahontas State Park is Virginia's largest state park, with miles of trails, camping, and an aquatic center. A short drive north, the James River and the city of Richmond add more parks, museums, and outdoor recreation. For a family that likes history and the outdoors, this region has a lot to offer.

Plan Your PCS to Fort Lee

A smooth move comes down to good information and the right people. If you are still mapping out the basics, start with our overview of what military bases are in Virginia. To keep your timeline on track, use the ultimate PCS checklist and timeline for active-duty military personnel. When you are ready to choose your team, read how to choose the right real estate agent for your military PCS move. And if you are thinking about buying, read our complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan and what are the benefits of a VA loan.

When you want a local read on a specific Petersburg or Colonial Heights neighborhood and its Fort Lee commute, you can ask Stephanie Taylor, a VeteranPCS agent in Petersburg, for current listings and prices. If you plan to use your VA loan (a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs), you can also connect with a VeteranPCS lender.

Stephanie Taylor
Petersburg, VA
Veteran
Century 21 Lifestyle

Get in Touch

Know another family with orders to Fort Lee? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too.

For agents and lenders across the state, connect with our VeteranPCS network in Virginia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fort Lee the same as Fort Gregg-Adams?

Yes. This is the same post in Prince George County, Virginia. It was named Fort Lee, then Fort Gregg-Adams from 2023 to 2025, and the Army restored the name Fort Lee in June 2025. The current name honors Private Fitz Lee, a Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor recipient, not the Confederate general the post was first named for. The location and mission did not change, only the name.

What MHA or area is Fort Lee in for BAH?

Fort Lee falls within the Richmond, Virginia Military Housing Area for BAH purposes. Your rate depends on your rank and whether you have dependents. Look up your exact figure with the official DoD BAH calculator using your rank and ZIP code.

Where do military families live near Fort Lee?

Common choices include Petersburg, which is closest to the main gate; Hopewell and Prince George for value and space; and Colonial Heights for its schools. Some families choose Chester or Richmond to the north, though those mean a longer commute. On-post housing is also an option, so ask your sponsor and the housing office.

Where do I get healthcare at Fort Lee?

On-post care runs through Kenner Army Health Clinic, which provides primary care and a range of services. Some specialty and emergency care may be referred to providers in the larger Richmond area. Set up your TRICARE plan early, update DEERS, and arrange referrals before you arrive so your care continues without a gap.

What is the weather like at Fort Lee?

Central Virginia has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, winters are mild, and spring and fall are comfortable. The National Weather Service office in Wakefield, Virginia issues the local forecasts for the Tri-Cities and Richmond area.

This content is for informational purposes. Consult a professional for personal financial decisions.