What are your thoughts on on-post and off-post housing?

My experience was living off base all the time with the exception of Adak (duh!). Out there people tended to be more of a slob, not getting everything into the dumpster. They didn't care if they dinged up the homes. I didn't like living in a fish bowl, but that's what you have anywhere in the middle of nowhere regardless.

You can come out better off base if you invest your BAH into a mortgage in a home value growth environment. I know a number of military who would rent out the home, get another at the next duty station and by the end of their career had a number of properties to flip, retain, rent, or whatever. That does require a lot of work and discipline.

Off post housing is 98% of the time better. Been there, done that. Not only the lack of privacy on post, but no chance to truly "get away from work" and relax!

Both lists can be applied to both living situations. Example, if you are not acting mature and cops have to be called, your chain of command/support will be notified, even if you are living off base. Whatever bills you have while living in base housing, see how fast you get noticed when you don't pay any bills you may have. You have to be financially responsible no matter where you live. If you live off base, and happen to miss your alarm and miss PT and not answer your phone, I would be up in your business and knocking in your door.

Basically, both have good points and bad.