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

2015-11-07T19:58:14-05:00

I am making the move to Watertown, NY to join 10th Mountain in January. I'll be unaccompanied (family can't come with due to state laws concerning joint custody), and I'll be looking to live cheaply but safely. Any recommendations for places to check out? Please be specific.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Nov 7 at 2015 8:05 PM

2015-11-07T20:05:34-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member have not been there in years, but here is a POC for you.
https://www.housing.army.mil/Default.aspx#!pg=post&sp=welcome

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Nov 7 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-11-07T20:45:23-05:00

I currently live here (until January) and the best place to stay is in Carthage, NY (very nice, safe, small town). You can also check Evans Mills, Felts Mills, Calcium and any where north-east of Watertown.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Nov 8 at 2015 12:20 AM

2015-11-08T00:20:07-05:00

Cheaply but safely. If you don't mind the 30 minute commute (think snow), check out Alexandria Bay.

Response by SPC Mathew Brady made Nov 8 at 2015 6:07 AM

2015-11-08T06:07:39-05:00

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.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Nov 8 at 2015 6:40 AM

2015-11-08T06:40:45-05:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member when considering a place number 1 is location or distance from post. As most have stated. If you are interested in an apartment Woodcreek and The Ledges are close to post.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 8 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-11-08T15:29:45-05:00

I can't believe I am saying this, but try to get on post. The last thing you want are $600 monthly utility bills when the temp gets -50* and you drive 3 hours to get to work thru 18" of fresh 'lake effect' snow. I had soldiers that wrecked one car a year trying to drive in from Govenour every year. (This intel is 20 years old).

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Nov 9 at 2015 8:39 AM

2015-11-09T08:39:12-05:00

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

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 9:29 AM

2015-11-09T09:29:37-05:00

I am no longer stationed at Fort Drum but spent 8 yrs there. I would suggest you get onpost do to the heating bills you will be paying. If you get a cheap appartment trust me you will pay for it in the winter. If you get an expensive appartment the heat bills will not be so bad but still can put a hurt on you. If you have joint custody you should still be able to get onpost housing. If you do decide to live off post I would sugguest Carthage NOT WATERTOWN. They do have some old governement housing right outuside post at least they did when I left there in 2012.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 6:08 PM

2015-11-09T18:08:43-05:00

I live in Lowville it's about 30-35 mins away but I only pay around 900 but that's cause I have pets and renting the washer and dryer

Response by SPC Joshua Leuck made Nov 10 at 2015 9:58 AM

2015-11-10T09:58:23-05:00

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.

Response by SPC Daniel Bowen made Nov 11 at 2015 7:23 AM

2015-11-11T07:23:05-05:00

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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-11-11T13:28:16-05:00

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.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Nov 11 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-11-11T14:01:18-05:00

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.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-11-13T22:24:39-05:00

I'm from the area, just south from Watertown in sandy creek. I moved closer to Watertown since I was working out there & lived in Sackets Harbor. I know you said inexpensive, but it's probably one of the safest areas in the vicinity. My bf at the time, now husband was in the army then & would make the drive. The winters there suck, regardless of where you live. It's just something you have to embrace being at Drum. I lived both at Madison Barracks & Fort Pike Commons. If I remember correctly Fort Pike started at $750. I think Madison Barracks starts around the same but the one I rented was $1000 but it was 2 stories & 3 bedrooms.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2015 8:13 AM

2015-11-14T08:13:20-05:00

I own a home in Theresa NY and renting it for $1650 a month. It is a 4br and 2.5 ba it is not the cheapest but is safe and available now for rental. Feel free to take a look at my home at this link http://www.militarybyowner.com/search.aspx?Keyword=MBO272887

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Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 10:39 AM

2015-11-30T10:39:23-05:00

I would look into getting a place on post, they have deals where you can a portion of your BAH back and still have all utilities covered. If you do decide to get a place off post, stay away from the Woodcliff apartments. I went to look at their units and the display model had dead roaches that they didn't even bother picking up.