Do you prefer on or off-post houses at Fort Bliss? What are the areas to avoid?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 09:30:22 -0400

Fort Bliss Family Housing is trying to tell me E-6 is not authorized to live in the not crappy houses even though their website states E1-E6. Obviously it is a "business model" to sap the most BAH money out of the soldiers as possible. I just submitted their "exception to policy" letter but I have this feeling they are too shady to adhere to their advertised website. Suggestions for other homes?

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 11 at 2017 9:48 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 09:48:13 -0400

I lived on-post and loved it. Lived in Upper Beaumont by the hospital and the house was great. Hell, I had a view of all of the post AND Mexico! Most on-post housing is either new or rehabilitated, but there might be a waiting list if they are still backlogged with people looking for on-post housing, and a supply that hasn't yet caught up. Balfour Beatty was in charge of housing when I was there, and I had no issues with them, but that was almost 5 years ago so I wouldn't venture a guess about housing management there now.

Off post housing though is plentiful and generally cheep; just be careful where you choose to live (Central and North East El Paso have..."issues"). Either way, you have good options.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Apr 11 at 2017 9:58 AM

SFC Andrew Miller — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 09:58:21 -0400

While there are a lot of decent areas to live off post, even the older homes on Bliss aren't bad. While the cinder block style isn't aesthetically pleasing, it is definitely an advantage in the heat. If you have children the convenience of parks and pool and other MWR activities on post definitely helps. It has been a long time since I was there, but I lived 2 years on post and 1 off, and after the experience would have stayed on post the entire time. Of course about 1/3 of the government quarters are now off-post, maybe more.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 10:22 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 10:22:41 -0400

Stay out of lower Logan. Other than that the other off post houses are nice. George Morgan and hayes park are ok. Not new houses but nice. If you live on post try to get a house near the air assault course or by the USASMA.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 11:13 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:13:44 -0400

I really can't speak to the house on the enlisted side, because as a dual military couple, LTCs, with my wife in battalion command, we ended up in one of the big historical homes on Pershing Heights, but I can tell you that so far Balfour Beatty has been awesome, the convienece of everything on post is great and the amenities are amazing. This is the first time we have ever lived in post and we're loving it. And, if you have kids, there is a great sense of security, as well as an actual level of security, that you just would not get outside the gates. My vote is for on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2017 12:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 12:29:15 -0400

I used to live off post on Viscount Blvd in the apartment complex there. Not bad housing, but pricey on Electricity as it is not pay for what you used, rather communal electric bill!

Response by SSG Patrick Williams made Apr 13 at 2017 2:51 PM

SSG Patrick Williams — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:51:40 -0400

I thought on base housing was great. I moved into the northeast and it was really bad.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 2:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 14:26:31 -0400

I spent almost 5 years at Fort Bliss, and lived on the far east side for all of them, in 3 different houses (deployment as a single LT meant I could get out of a lease easy). I really liked it, although traffic was really bad frequently. As far as places to avoid, like others said, avoid the Northeast, and anything south of I-10. West side is more expensive than east and a longer commute. East side is definitely newer homes and quieter than the west side, being further away from the University. I cannot speak much to the on post homes, since I really didn't spend any time in them.

Response by SSG William Staneck made May 16 at 2017 5:55 PM

SSG William Staneck — Tue, 16 May 2017 17:55:31 -0400

I've been stationed at Fort Bliss from 2013- present. I've love in the NE vicinity Sean Haggerty and 54. The "new" NE is north of 54 is is populated by many field grade officer, senior Ncos, police officers and a few lower enlisted Soldiers. There has been a lot of development in the area over the past 2 years. The NE people speak I'll of is full of ranch style homes that have been occupied by local civilians for 20+ years and others that have residents occupy them for months u til they get evicted. In the past there was a strong stigma due to high crime and gang activity in the area, but, time has gradually decreased the levels of both. And on post housing has the exact same problems as off post.

Response by SSG Anthony Blake made May 25 at 2019 8:09 PM

SSG Anthony Blake — Sat, 25 May 2019 20:09:00 -0400

Worst housing I've ever experienced. There is nearly no way to contact maintenance, or manager's. They still offer/ peddle 1950s houses at full price without any intention of maintaining it appropriately. The garbage and recycling service is hit or miss. Power is unstable. And for a desert climate you would think they would keep up on the weatherproofing and air conditioning. Trash blows through all parts of housing. MPs are nowhere to be found when people want to do 40+ in a 25. Drugs are readily available, most anywhere. The gates are nearly open to anyone. Stray animals roam the streets. Stay away. Please rent something else, anything else, and have some control over your comfort and your finances.