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Comparing On- & Off-Base Living by Laura Marcus
The moment you find out where your next duty station will be is an exciting one. There’s the feeling of upcoming change, the promise of new adventures — and then the ensuing rush for the computer to start Googling your future hometown. There are so many factors to consider when preparing for the move — where to send your children to school, where to go shopping, where to worship — and most importantly, where to live. The important question of whether or not you should live on-post is often difficult to answer, and your conclusion may change according to exactly where you’re being sent. While every military family has their own reasons for preferring on-post or off-post living, there are some clear advantages to each that can be considered no matter what situation you’re in. Living off-post, you get a monthly housing stipend (BAH), which is given on a sliding scale according to the area of the world in which you’re stationed. Since it’s a flat payment, this can either cover your rent/mortgage and utility bills or not – and in some situations, it can even surpass the amount you spend on your home, meaning that you get to keep the extra money for whatever you want (even living in the pricey Baltimore-Washington metro area for our first duty station, my husband and I were able to pocket about $200 a month thanks to our choice to rent a onebedroom apartment off-post). When living on-post, on the other hand, your full BAH is fed directly to the housing office — so no matter what type of home you get on-base or how many people you have living there, you won’t ever see leftover money coming your way. This system can be a boon for families with children who would otherwise have to pay higher prices for a large home or apartment offpost, but it can be frustrating for others who don’t need as much space, and would prefer to be able to shop around for less expensive housing options. Aside from the initial question of whether or not where you live can leave you extra BAH money, there are many other economic factors to consider. In addition to saving money when the off-post housing options are limited, costly, or not convenient for military timelines, living on-post can help cut costs that you might otherwise pay for amenities like gym membership, discounted shopping, access to pools and playgrounds, and 24-hour security. According to the RAND Corporation and their article “Why Do Military Families Live in On-Base Housing?”, service members who decide to live on-base usually do so for financial reasons — they feel that there is a considerable difference between the offered BAH and the cost of off-post living. The writer of the article also
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remarks that the other potential benefits to living onpost — the community, for example — do not seem to be as strong of a draw. In fact, sometimes the atmosphere of living on-post can actually be a deterrent for those deciding where to live. While residing in a neighborhood of co-workers can be a supportive and warm experience for some, it can also create a cramped, claustrophobic feeling for those who prefer to feel a little removed from the military lifestyle during their non-working hours. So, after reviewing all of the pros and cons – which option is best for you?
You might want to live on-post if… …you have children. Most of the housing options obtainable on-post are homes with multiple bedrooms, which are offered at prices that are comparatively lower than similarly sized residences off-post. In addition, living on-post gives you and your family access to kid-friendly spots like pools, playgrounds, and bowling alleys. It also provides the comfort of knowing that security is never very far away, and that almost everyone in your neighborhood has been vetted by the government — making it akin to the ultimate “gated community”.
…the town surrounding the base is expensive. Bases in states like Hawaii and Alaska are notorious for being surrounded by towns that charge high prices for rent and food, or else offer very little in the way of choice between accommodations of varying costs.
…you anticipate being at this duty station for a year or less. Buying a house for under a year of residence doesn’t usually make financial sense, and leases for less than 12 months can be hard to find, or charge significantly higher monthly fees.
…you would like to be able to attend a lot of activities on-base. Aside from easy access to the PX, commissary, and schools, bases often organize a large assortment of events geared
specifically towards the families of their military residents. When service members live off-post, they are less likely to take advantage of the financial savings and bonding experiences that the base can offer.
…you would prefer to live in a neighborhood of like-minded individuals. In a community where everyone is in the same boat, there is an instant support system right in the house next door, making military-specific challenges, like deployments, slightly easier to handle.
a family’s decision about where to live, since many bases currently have waiting lists that stretch for up to two years long. If this is the case, you’ll be forced to look for housing off-post anyway — at least temporarily. In the end, the decision to live on- or off-post is a personal one, and will likely be affected by many different factors. If you
still need help determining which option is right for you, set up an appointment at your post’s housing referral office — they’re trained in the different military housing policies, they’re knowledgeable about all of your choices for where to reside, and they’re set up specifically to help you. Laura Marcus is a military spouse and freelance writer who lives in Maryland.
You might want to live off-post if… …you don’t have any children. If your family consists of just you and your spouse, you’re the most likely candidates to save money by living off-post, since you can rent a simple onebedroom apartment (something that isn’t usually available onbase).
…the town surrounding the base is affordable. Military stations in southern states, like North Carolina and Georgia, tend to have off-post living facilities nearby that charge little for monthly rent.
…you like the freedom that comes with living in the “real world.” For some, the feeling of being surrounded only by other military personnel and given little choice in what sort of home you’ll be staying in can be restrictive. Aside from providing you with a respite from the lifestyle, living off-post can also help you save money by allowing you to pick and choose your utility providers and housing complex.
…there is a waiting list for on-post housing. This can be a deal-breaker in terms of www.AmeriForce.net
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