I'm moving my spouse up to my duty station. What are the pros and cons to living on or off post?

2020-05-15T16:06:45-04:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 4:27 PM

2020-05-15T16:27:04-04:00

That depends on the post. Where are you stationed?

Response by SSG Steven Borders made May 15 at 2020 4:37 PM

2020-05-15T16:37:39-04:00

With my family, we always lived on post. Having my wife and three girls, it was just easier living on post. And we liked the schools, that was unit they started going to middle school and high school then they had to go to school off post. Downfall, you may not get the house you want living on post. Having four dependents helped with what housing section we lived in, though.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 15 at 2020 4:42 PM

2020-05-15T16:42:37-04:00

You usually will not be given an option, unless you have some waiverabke conditions. If on post quarters are available that is the priority. You should contact the housing office to see if quarters are available. If they are not, they will be able to provide you with off post options. Aside from that you need to look at lifestyle requirements and do some research in your area.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 15 at 2020 4:47 PM

2020-05-15T16:47:38-04:00

When I was at Ft Bliss, we lived on-post, and liked it; of course it helped we got a nice location, which isn't a guarantee, so choice can be an issue. Often you are closer to work; though that isn't guarantee, as I had some buddies who lived off post and made it to work a lot faster that I did. Sometimes on-post has closer amenities that you'd want to make use of; in my case, we had our own park, a salt pool/rec center, and was a 5 minute walk to the Army hospital (which, as it turned out, came in handy a few times).

When it comes to deciding which is better, maybe its six of one, half a dozen of the other. I don't know, but I liked our on post home.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 6:02 PM

2020-05-15T18:02:32-04:00

PRO to living on base: convenience-close to work and commissary, don't have to worry about bills (rent, water, electric, and trash are covered), technically safe as you are in a gated/secured area

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 9:45 PM

2020-05-15T21:45:11-04:00

Alaska is considered an overseas tour so you’ll have to apply for command sponsorship prior to moving your wife to your location. Get with your NCO or your S1 to get the process started. Without an approved command sponsorship, you won’t receive the entitlements for your spouse. Good luck to you...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2020 9:54 PM

2020-05-15T21:54:52-04:00

Pros: shorter commute, possibly even drive home to shower after PT and drive home for the occasional lunch, less bills, shorter drive to cheaper gas stations, PX, commissary, free gyms, etc, always a safe neighborhood for running, or walking the dog anytime day or night.

Cons: the notices to mow your lawn, (probably only one month a year in Alaska) living around the Army 24/7 i.e sometimes you just don't want to see Army after 5 or on the weekend, longer drives to anywhere you would go in town, line at the gate to get back home, having Joe as a neighbor, sometimes just as bad as the Joe you wanted to get away from in the barracks.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 16 at 2020 1:32 PM

2020-05-16T13:32:15-04:00

I personally like living on posts. They are cleaner and safer than off post to include closer to work.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 16 at 2020 9:37 PM

2020-05-16T21:37:37-04:00

You have to take a hard look of the dollars involved. Yes if you live off post you draw BAH at the with dependent rate provided you are officially married in DEERS. BAH is only designed to cover 80% of rent and utilities. Then there is the difference based on the economy. You also draw BAS. But you need to cover rent/mortgage, gas, water, electric, cable, etc.

I always recommend for E4 and below to try to get on post housing.

Response by SSG Jim Whitt made Jun 22 at 2022 12:50 AM

2022-06-22T00:50:13-04:00

I am going to have to focus on the common bills associated with living in base housing vs off-post housing. At the time I had 5 dependants and the money saved from electricity alone gave us the ability to live a normal (as normal is for a soldier) life.