As a Ft. Rucker BOLC/flight school student, where is the ideal place to live?

2015-06-30T00:25:39-04:00

Ft. Rucker: on or off post? Any particular neighborhoods?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 30 at 2015 12:34 AM

2015-06-30T00:34:04-04:00

I know many former former crewdogs who crossed over and they loved on post. Especially for those NVG flights, we have weather/nope,zero visibility, winds over x-knots so standby to standby.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 8:23 AM

2015-06-30T08:23:14-04:00

On post. Without a doubt. Bowden terrace is very nice neighborhood but you have to be married

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 10:11 AM

2015-06-30T10:11:37-04:00

Some of the newer apartments in Enterprise and Daleville are nice. Some of the older ones have mold issues/humidity--Sunday brunch at the Oclub/Community Club used to be great.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-06-30T18:51:41-04:00

I am going to be living in enterprise.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 6:52 PM

2015-06-30T18:52:44-04:00

What is your bolc start date?

Response by Col Kyle Taylor made Jun 30 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-06-30T20:57:29-04:00

I live in Enterprise again. This is my third time living in the area and wouldn't change a thing. If you have kids, schools in base are good as are those in Enterprise. I've known many who lived on base and enjoyed it as well. To me the drive from Dothan isn't worth living there since it is close enough for weekend shopping etc. keeping close makes a big difference when flying daily (and nights) etc.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 2:18 AM

2015-07-02T02:18:04-04:00

I was stationed here as an nco from 2010-2013, and after getting married moved on post early 2012. I lived in one of the houses vs. The duplexes, but I had a very good experience living on post. Before that, lived in enterpise. It wasn't bad, but it was cheaper apartments. Moving back here early 2014 for wocs and flight school, I wanted to live on post, but they didn't have the houses available. The duplexes are not bad, however there's less storage space, which I needed. If you're single, or married with only 1 kid, I'd encourage you to live on post whether house or duplex. The convenience, especially once you start flying is hard to beat. I'm living on the north side of enterprise now, and my commute to the airfield I go to for advanced aiframe is about 30 minutes. As a new Lt, it'd be financially beneficial to live on post, but if you're prior service with a few years in, it might be better to live off post. A small difference. For comparison, when I first moved on post I was an E5, and it saved me money to live on post. When I made E6, it could do either way, depending on the cost of gas ro commute, but for the most part with the housing market around here, it would not be difficult to find a place where I could save a little bit of money as BAH covered both rent and utilities, as well as the extra gas pretty well. Mind you, you won't be here but for a year and a half. As a W1 now, BAH is pretty much the same as an E6, but of course the general up in pay was plenty to cover stuff. I would sincerely encourage you to try living on post. With a wife and two kids I always got a check back from housing from using below average on utilities, even in the summer. Lawn care is taken care of, and if you get another student roommate, they only take half your BAH or something like that. I used considerably less gas than living even close to post. So, I'm pretty much rambling at this point, but what I'm generally saying is, I have a lot of crap, if not for that I would have taken the duplex (which really isn't THAT much smaller, just no garage).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 3:02 PM

2015-07-07T15:02:09-04:00

1LT Private RallyPoint Member Are you married? You won't be able to live on post if you're not married because housing is only for Soldiers with dependents. If you're not married, I would suggest Enterprise...bigger and nicer than Ozark or Daleville. Dothan is too far, but if you don't mind the commute, not a bad place to live.

Having said all that, if you do have dependents, I suggest living on post, in one of the newer single-family homes. On post is convenient to all the airfields in the area that you may frequent, including Cairns.

I lived in Allen Heights in one of the duplexes, which isn't bad. They need some updating but no real issues, i.e. mold.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 5:18 PM

2015-07-07T17:18:42-04:00

I lived on post as a geographical bachelor and continued when my family moved down. Convenient and nice quality housing. There are a bunch of townhouses and apartments on Freedom Drive in Enterprise that are nice and reasonably priced. Daleville is cheaper. Some nice neighborhoods can be found in Daleville. Other than that there isn't much of anything there. I'll be PCSing from Rucker in 9 days.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2015 5:20 PM

2015-07-07T17:20:35-04:00

FYI, single soldiers CAN live on post. You can also request a roommate option.

Response by MSgt Leonard Ziglar made Jul 7 at 2015 9:11 PM

2015-07-07T21:11:06-04:00

I would say on post if you can. Other than that it would depend on just your preferences. Of the four cities Enterprises, Dothan, Ozark, and Daleville, listed in the order of highest cost of living. From a school stand point if you have kids Ozark (Carroll) has the newest school and one of states top 10 STEM programs, School wise would then be Enterprise (Enterprise) (private Enterprise Prepatory Academy), then Dothan (Dothan, Northview,)(private Houston Academy, Provenance Christian), Daleville (Daleville).

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 11:16 AM

2015-07-08T11:16:59-04:00

I reported here in April for BOLC/IERW. I did a lot of research prior to moving here, and found a place off base for $600 a month. It's a town house in the Ft. Rucker Appreciation Park, about 3 miles from the Enterprise Gate. There's so many off post housing options that are great - finding one that fits your budget and location is where the work comes in. I live in a 2 story, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, washer/dryer, powered 1 car garage, kitchen appliances town house for $600. I have heard of people having the same exact layout (all of the town houses in this area are essentially the same floor plan) for as low as $500 (much older townhouse), and as high as $900. Try and steer clear from realty companies and try and find a private party. My landlord in a IP.

I hope this was helpful. Goodluck in your search!

Response by MSG R.J. W. made Jul 11 at 2015 1:43 PM

2015-07-11T13:43:40-04:00

Daleville or Enterprise. I own a home near Cairns Airfield. Let me know if I can assist.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2017 4:15 PM

2017-07-20T16:15:16-04:00

I'll piggyback and watch this thread...I'll be down there mid August