Living on or off-post? Your decision and why?

SSG Lisa Rendina — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:11:36 -0500

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Nov 10 at 2013 11:34 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:34:21 -0500

It was off post for me, my decision, I can stay closer to family.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2013 12:24 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:24:38 -0500

I live off post, but that's because I have to. I don't think I would like to live on post anyways.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2013 2:41 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 02:41:58 -0500

Living on post has been better for my family. When I first came into the Army as private we lived off post and really struggled to make ends meet for a while. I don't ever want to go through that again. Not having to worry about rent or all the other bills that come along with owning/renting a home makes it easier for me until we find a place where we would like to settle down. On the plus and down side, I live literally 2 minutes away from work. The BAH we receive wouldn't cover a house in a neighborhood that I would want my kids to live on either. We only needed a 3 bedroom home and we were given a 4 bedroom in an older neighborhood; receive 10% back on our BAH and it covers our cable bill. Our neighborhood is pretty quiet and no one bothers us. It's been a real blessing.

Response by SSG Lisa Rendina made Nov 11 at 2013 2:06 PM

SSG Lisa Rendina — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:06:06 -0500

We have done both. On post certainly has it's advantages in convenience to work, the PX, Commissary, etc. It is also nice to not have a utilities bill. However, I think our next PCS move will have us living off post again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2013 2:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 14:15:07 -0500

I have always lived OFF post thinking to myself "I wanna be away from green suiters after hours, No HOOAHs", but when you live in a military town, that's like impossible! lol. But this year after redeploying I wanted to NOT have he house hunting hassle, yard work hassle, maintenance, etc and opted for ON post. Best decision EVER!! So convenient, in a matter of minutes I could be anywhere on post not to mention my teenager could walk to his youth center, neighborhood ctr and the shopette within a matter of minutes. And seeing my fellow green suiters after hours was actually pretty darn neat.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2013 9:51 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 09:51:27 -0500

Off post. I like the feeling of leaving post after I get off work. I also like that you can't hear cadence being called or artillery fired when my kids are sleeping in. Lastly, I like owning my own place. I feel it's a better investment for my BAH.

Response by LtCol David Gran made Jan 22 at 2014 5:10 PM

LtCol David Gran — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:10:38 -0500

I have always preferred to live off base. I liked being part of the local community. Our neighbors were military for the most part, but it was different atmosphere. If it made sense we would consider a home purchase, especially if we thought we might come back to that base someday. However, if I was going to deploy a lot we would try to live on base. There was always more support on base and many of the families were in the same situation so there was built-in support network.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2014 5:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:21:39 -0500

"if" I had to ever choose, I'd pick on post, kind of gives me the sense of security.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Jan 22 at 2014 6:31 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 18:31:40 -0500

SSG Rendina; I currently live on base at Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Although, certain positions make it mandatory to live on base, in my current assignment it is voluntary. The reason I chose to live on base is because when I first arrived, my job required me to work midnight shifts (2200 to 0600hrs or sometimes 1800 to 0600hrs) in the NORAD-USNORTHCOM Command Center. My wife told me she felt more secure/safe living on base while I did my mid shifts.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2014 7:10 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:10:36 -0500

I lived off-base while stationed at Scott AFB because I was single at the time.
Out here in Hawaii, I live on-base because of the cost-of-living and because of the traffic situation.

It really varies greatly depending on the location for me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2014 7:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 19:12:24 -0500

I would have to be forced on base at most locations. After beeing an MP there is too much drama in Housing.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Jan 26 at 2014 8:37 AM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 08:37:26 -0500

On.

I love having a 5 minute commute to work.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 9:14 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 09:14:36 -0500

In 18 years of service I have only lived on post once and although I won't argue the fast commute factor, I just couldn't get over paying all of my housing allowance while the E4 living a few houses down from me was paying much less. The other factor I didn't like about living on post was my chain of command knew it and they sure would call me to pick people up from the MP station or check the barracks all the time. I don't mind checking on my soldiers or picking someone up from the MP station that were in my platoon but others in my company or other companies in the battalion, that's too much.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jan 26 at 2014 9:35 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 09:35:03 -0500

Did both throughout mny 26 year career; both have had their advantages and disadvantages. Being on-post allowed me to "beat the traffic rush" in the morning and the evening to get home, but I paid ALL of my BAH for sometimes less than stellar housing due to age, and being next door to lower ranking Soldiers who paid far less than I for the same housing. Being off-post allowed me to be away from post, but I had to deal with traffic and my last off-post housing at Ft. Knox, we decided to buy and ended up having to do a Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure due to the housing market and the lack of influx of personnel that the BRAC of '05 promised. Soooo, you sometimes roll the dice with either decision.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 9:45 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 09:45:16 -0500

Most of the time we choose to live on-post. My wife enjoys the sense of community with our neighbors and we enjoy being closer to the PX and Commissary. We lived on-post at Fort Shafter and Fort Gordon and both times we were in a new house. The downside is that you give up all of your BAH and sometimes have to pay part of the electric bill out of pocket, but being close to work and close to the commissary usually offset that negative.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 10:46 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:46:30 -0500

I was offered brand new housing here on Fort Sill, but turned it down for various reasons. For one thing, I have 3 kids in my household (the girls are 10 and 11, and my son is 5). A 3-bed would suffice, so long as the rooms were big enough to support two beds. The house we were offered was a 4 bedroom, but its floor plan was about 1400 sq ft. My small 3-bed I own in Texas is almost 1600, and the current 3-bed I rent is almost 2700 sq ft, with an in-ground pool and cabana...and I make 200 bucks off the difference in rent and BAH. To me, it just didn't make sense to live on post. That isn't to say I will never consider it, but it just wasn't a good idea in this particular case.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2014 12:20 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:20:26 -0500

Living on-post means I don't have to worry about the lines at the gate(s) to get to PT or work. I can go home after PT and for lunch.

Also, I don't have to worry about SWAT teams breaking in my door because they got the wrong house, or because I have grow-lights for our indoor garden.

Yes there are some downsides, like poor insulation in the houses, and having irresponsible neighbors who, for lack of a better term, are trash. But you get that off-post too. At least on the posts where I have been, there have been no drug-dealers living nearby.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 12:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:44:58 -0500

I believe it depends on the situation. I lived on post once and hated it. I told myself I would never do it again just because of the headache. Even though getting to work was a breeze, I dont think it was worth the sacrifice of losing all my BAH for a old run down house that didn't accommodate the needs of my household. However, here in Alaska, one could save a lot of money on heating and electrical cost in the winter with temperatures getting down to -60. When I get newly married Soldiers I always recommend on post housing to them as a first resort because of these issues especially with all the traffic and accidents that happen in the winter months. However if they choose not to live on post I simple make sure they have a well written and thought out budget plan for their family to accommodate the cost of living on the local town. If you live in a town where you can get a better house than offered on post cheaper than your BAH, than by all means that's your decision. At the end of the day I'll say the decision is really up to balancing your wants vs your needs for your family and seeking out the best possible solution financially. For me my next step is to buy a house at my next duty station.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 12:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:52:51 -0500

My first duty station as a soldier with dependents I will live on post to try it out for sure. Just to clarify, Does BAH cover all utilities in addition to the cost of the housing? I mean Electricity, heat, water and such. I know cable/internet/phone are not covered.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 3:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 03:30:12 -0500

Lived in base housing a couple times as a married junior...it was worth it then, but with what I make now...? Nah. Besides, the whole list of stuff they give you when it's time to clear? Has to be designed to make you want to choose to pay the cleaning crew instead. >_< Plus, I do enjoy the Army, but it's nice to immersed in the local civilian community in my off-time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 7:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 07:40:18 -0500

Good luck to you all living off post when they change the BAH rules. Eventually they are going to change to where they only give you 80% of the average rent in any given location.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2014 1:21 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:21:37 -0500

Off-post. I've been in the Army 17 years and have lived in Army housing twice. I can't see myself giving up full BAH for substandard housing. I arrived at Ft. Hood in July with every intention on moving on post. I saw the house I was offered and thought to myself why pay full BAH for some old run down everyone on top of eachother housing, when there are people who recieve less BAH and getting better living conditions. It's convenient, easy to get to and from but when I leave work I like to go to a home I enjoy living in.

Response by MAJ Dick Blair made Jan 27 at 2014 1:41 PM

MAJ Dick Blair — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:41:19 -0500

When I had the choice, I lived off post. On CONUS assignments, I would buy a small duplex with my VA loan benefit, and the guy renting the other side would pay the mortgage. When I moved out, I would use the income from both sides to pay down the mortgage early. Sometimes people gave me grief for living in little duplexes, but I left active duty with 3 houses and very little debt. I don't recommend it for everyone though. The more moderately or higher priced homes are subject to the housing bubble and there is risk involved. But, you can minimize your risk by living in cheap, easily rented places.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Jan 27 at 2014 1:51 PM

CPT Mike M. — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 13:51:23 -0500

I've always been big on living off post because when I'm off work, I want to be away from work. However, I'm almost definitely living on post for my next assignment (Fort Benning). I've heard good things about their housing and am going there to be an MCCC instructor. I know from going through the course that they work less than predictable hours, sometimes getting off early, sometimes late so being able to travel just a few minutes back home for lunch or an early class release day would be good. That and being more budget conscious, it'll be better on my truck's gas tank or better yet, will be close enough that I could bike to work.

Response by 1SG Johnny Carter made Jan 28 at 2014 6:19 PM

1SG Johnny Carter — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 18:19:26 -0500

I have always lived off post. Love being able to get home and not be woken up by Chinooks or Blackhawks flying nap of the earth over my house or hear night fire ranges going on. Plus I live in a quite neigborhood and lets be honest, I see the blotter report everyday and lets say it's like gangland on post at times. I like having the freedom to do whatever I want with my yard and not have rules to abide by makes my sacrifices I do worth it to me.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jan 28 at 2014 7:07 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 19:07:34 -0500

Depends on the post and the quality of housing there.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2014 7:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 19:29:23 -0500

Off post. If I went on post I would get a three bedroom house. For us we chose to keep our family to just the two of us and therefore do not require such a large home. That being said I spoke to Corvias here on Fort Rucker and recommended that if someone would like a smaller home could they make back some of their BAH. If that were a possibility I might consider it. They said they would pitch the idea. Since it hasn't been a reality then I would much rather get a place off post that fits us better and bank the difference.

However, if someone is in Germany, Japan, Korea or some other area where off post housing is much smaller and it is OHA instead of BAH then on post makes sense. We were considering putting our items in storage and getting a place on the economy to better experience the culture when we found out storage is not climate controlled. I am not putting my books out to rot in the humidity that would be local storage and that means taking it all with us. In that case on post is to be preferred.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Jan 28 at 2014 10:30 PM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 22:30:43 -0500

As a single E4, staying in the barracks was alright. No overhead or responsibilities regarding maintenance. As an E6 with a family, off base was much better for everybody.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 9:09 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 09:09:38 -0500

off post because you have more freedoms

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 11:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 May 2014 11:06:50 -0400

To me living on Post seems like a waste of money. I do not feel that I should have all my BAH taken away to live in a house when the people around me may be of lesser rank and essentially pay less for the same house. I do feel that on post housing is good for certain people depending on their family size and how much it costs to live off post. I have only been stationed at two posts and in both situations i have made a profit by living off post. Also at one post i purchased a house so at least i have something to show for my money, if I live on post for 20 years I get nothing to show for it but if i pay my mortgage for 20 years I have almost paid off a house.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 11 at 2014 5:53 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sun, 11 May 2014 17:53:22 -0400

As retired / veteran its a bit of a moot point, but on active duty it depended on my location. It also depended on the "nosey factor" of my chain of command.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2014 4:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 May 2014 16:07:01 -0400

I perfer to Live Off Post. After my work day is over I enjoy being away from work, and I feel like living on post I would never fully get to leave work. Plus because I am only an E-4, and my husband an E-5, with no kids; the housing that we would recieve on post isn't worth the BAH that we receive.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2014 3:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 15:49:52 -0400

They each have their own pros and cons.
Living on post you don't have to worry (generally) about paying any kind of rent. They simply take your BAH and call it a day. It also keeps you close to work, making your morning commute that much easier.

However...they are taking your BAH and you are close to work...so....yeah.

Living off post can sometimes allow you make money if your rent is lower than that of your BAH rate. But at the same time, you could be farther from work.

Personally, I have enjoyed both but prefer to be off post. When I leave work, I like to not be surrounded by co workers.