How hard is it to afford living off post as a single soldier with a girlfriend?

2020-11-11T18:45:14-05:00

E-4 here, I want to get my girl to move in with me but we aren't ready to get married yet. Is it hard to pay for an apartment near post without bah?

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 11 at 2020 7:45 PM

2020-11-11T19:45:18-05:00

Not as affordable as you might think. Unless BAH is authorized by your CoC (doubt it), you will be stuck to barracks. Then, if you decide to live off post, it will be on your dime and your CoC can tell you at any moment to get your happy but back to your room; regardless your rental contract. You might wonder why? Because in the past, many junior single junior enlisted screwed it for you. So, careful what you wish for.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Nov 11 at 2020 8:06 PM

2020-11-11T20:06:04-05:00

Tell her to get a job, then between the two of you. then you should be able to

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2020 8:45 PM

2020-11-11T20:45:35-05:00

Which is the typo? E-4 or the SGT stripes?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 11 at 2020 9:00 PM

2020-11-11T21:00:28-05:00

Damn tough unless she is working and can keep/find a job near base. Units do not just give out BAH, cause they have to answer to higher.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2020 9:33 PM

2020-11-11T21:33:30-05:00

Are you a E-5 or E-4? Regardless, most places won't give a single enlisted soldier BAH unless they hit SSG, and even then it can be unit specific.

If y'all aren't getting married right now and you're that good with your finances to afford you two spending your own dime to have an apartment, go for it. But don't expect to draw BAH so you can live off post with your girlfriend.

Now as for the cost, it can vary by post but generally most places know soldiers that are looking to rent gets BAH so that plays a factor in their pricing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2020 11:49 PM

2020-11-11T23:49:07-05:00

How hard is it to afford??

I can say with complete certaint that if you are not capable of looking up the price of apartments in your area and figuring out if your budget can handle the impact of rent, then you are not ready to adult and it is too hard for you to pay for.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 11 at 2020 11:57 PM

2020-11-11T23:57:26-05:00

How hard is it? Well, that depends on you. Plenty of folks have done it before you with varied results. You need to take a look in the mirror and your finances to sort out whether you can afford it or not. The fact you are asking a group of strangers if you can afford it does not look promising. You are jumping into a financial pickle with no reserve shute or backup. Plus getting into a lease with girlfriends goes bad at the cyclic rate. I would use caution if I were you

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 8:27 AM

2020-11-12T08:27:59-05:00

Slow down, sparky. You're putting the cart before the horse. Have you an assigned barracks room? Have you reached out to your Commander to get permission for getting a place off post? Until you get permission to move off post, you aren't sharing any apartment.

But to answer your question, it can be difficult to pay for an apartment without BAH if yours will be the only income. If your GF gets/has a job, it's gonna be easier on both of you.

Response by SFC Carlos Gamino made Nov 12 at 2020 9:15 AM

2020-11-12T09:15:32-05:00

It shouldn’t be hard to figure out, look at the base pay. Then look around for apartment near base. Come up with a budget. If it is feasible then it is not hard. Common sense for any adult, civilian or military.

Response by 1SG Brian Adams made Nov 12 at 2020 10:41 AM

2020-11-12T10:41:40-05:00

depends on your rank. Used to be if you were under the rank of E-5 you had to live in the barracks if single. If your a SGT, it should not be that difficult at all. Perhaps your girlfriend can help with the rent/bills etc. Be advised that you have to drive to PT at O dark thirty and driving back home to take a shower etc...sometimes the gates can be jammed. So prepare to drive off and on post, but other than that, have fun!!!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 5:26 PM

2020-11-12T17:26:40-05:00

You didn't provide enough information to make an intelligent, logical, and thoughtful response. Talk to your 1st Sgt.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2020 6:53 PM

2020-11-12T18:53:41-05:00

You did not prepare your question well. It is often that a question, especially those involving money, require that you bring a recommended course of action and most of the pertinent information already in hand before someone can give an effective answer. This is also something you need to learn as an NCO.

For example, it would have been more appropriate to say: I am looking at an apartment that costs this much and I make this much. Given my other estimates for a budget ,that leaves me at about this much left over for things outside bills. Are my numbers are off? What else should I consider? Anyone else tried to do this? Any advice is appreciated.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2020 4:50 PM

2020-11-14T16:50:02-05:00

E-5 ** it was 3am when I posted.
Update, since I can't edit my post, I just wanted tonknkw if anybkdh else has had experie ce with doing something like this.