Who has a recommendation for specific places to rent/not to rent in Watertown, NY?

Carthage was always really nice while I was there. My older sister lives in Clayton just a bit north of the base and that's a very nice area. I always preferred the town of Copenhagen because it was mostly countryside and farmland surrounding us so peaceful.

I grew up in Watertown.

My parents moved last year and they told me and it looks like it is getting a LOT more places to rent. I wouldn't buy a house. My parents had a tough time selling theirs - only one person was serious, bought it and made the process a nightmare and my uncle has had a VERY tough time selling his. At one point there was very little places to rent that soldiers were buying houses all over the place.

Before you look anywhere, talk to housing. They housing office here is really good and keeps a constantly updated list on available places with rent specials, utilities covered, problems with landlords, etc. Also, as has been repeatedly stated in the replies, on post housing covers all of your utilities and those get very high in the winter. Plus, talking to housing first is on your orders.

Carthage isn't bad, but as other have shared I'd suggest living on post.I was there from 04-2010 and they have built a bunch of new barracks. Living on post would save you money and save you the hassle of being late or not making it to work due to the winter weather. Also we weren't approved all too often to live off post unless we were married or had family. Not sure if that has changed since then.

I know it's not ideal, but the barracks there are not bad. While I was there, the policy was if you were a enlisted soldier, and unmarried and did not have a child living with you full time you were required to live in the barracks until you were married or a SSG or above.

I was in Watertown back in 89-91, been so long ago I can't even say.