To express gratitude to those who served, the National Park Service is waiving entry fees at national parks this Veteran’s Day (November 11th): an annual tradition that lets visitors enjoy days out at Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Yosemite, and other iconic destinations around LA, California, and beyond. After leaving the military, veterans looking to settle in LA can access a host of benefits designed to make the transition to civilian life as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Employment Opportunities
There’s ample employment opportunities for veterans in LA. California Veterans’ Employment Preference, in particular, is an assistance program for veterans looking for employment with the state. With this program, honorably discharged veterans and their spouses (or veterans with disabilities and their spouses) are automatically moved to the top of the eligibility list after passing a test for state employment. Additionally, honorably discharged veterans who start their own business selling goods from a fixed location may also qualify for a waiver of municipal, county and state business license fees, along with other taxes and fees.
Affordable Housing
LA also offers affordable housing for veterans. In particular, the VA Home Loan program provides eligible veterans and select spouses with the opportunity to purchase a home without the need for a down payment. Additionally, military homeowners can also get cash-back on a VA refinance to cover the cost of things like home improvements and investments. With a streamlined VA loan, veterans can enjoy lower-than-average interest rates and ample savings without any out-of-pocket costs. Moreover, LA is also home to eight veterans homes located in West Los Angeles, Barstow, Lancaster, Chula Vista, Redding, Yountville, Ventura, Fresno, and Redding. Veterans aged 55 and over and discharged from active military service under honorable conditions are welcome to apply for admission (this age limit doesn’t apply to veterans with disabilities or without homes in need of long-term care).
Recreation Benefits
Numerous national parks are within driving distance of LA, making it the perfect location for day trips or weekend camping trips. For example, Joshua Tree is a 2.5 hour drive away. Here, you can enjoy rugged mountains, fascinating boulder and rock formations, and stunning wildflower valleys. Eligible veterans can also obtain a state park and recreation pass, which provides free access to all California state parks (including day use and camping). To qualify for the pass, veterans must be honorably discharged California residents with a 50% or more service-connected disability, Medal of Honor recipient, or former POW. Additionally, any veteran with a 50% (or more) service-related disability may also be eligible for fishing and hunting licenses at reduced annual rates. In fact you don’t even have to be a California resident to take advantage of this discount.
LA is one of the best cities for veterans to move to after military service. Fantastic employment opportunities, affordable housing, and recreation benefits are just some of the things veterans can take advantage of by relocating to LA.
