Military housing falls into two basic categories. These are on-base and off-base. While living on base is a given, so, too, is renting off-base. Depending upon your and your family’s requirements and situation, it may be the better choice.
Why Off-Base Housing?
On-base may offer some advantages but so, too, does off-base living. Living away from your place of “business” may be preferable and beneficial for any of the reasons listed below:
• Basic Allowance Housing (BAH): No matter what your rank, the BAH is the same. It covers the entire amount of your on-base costs. However, moving off-base, depending upon your choice of accommodations, may leave you with a little bit of BAH money.
• Variety: You have more options for the type and style of housing. Of-base military housing is less cookie-cutter.
• Schooling: More options are available from which to choose.
• Work/Home Separation: Living off-base allows for the separation of home and work which may be a healthy step for a family.
• Updates: Base residences can be outdated in terms of amenities. This is less true with off-base options.
• Privacy and Quiet: Many base residences are built so close together they deny privacy and quiet.
On- or Off-Base
Whether you decide to live on- or off-base comes down to one or more factors. It may be the base is too noisy or crowded. It may be you prefer being part of a local community. In the end, it is a matter of personal preference as to what military housing option you choose.
