LIVING ON OR OFF BASE- THE PROS AND CONS OF MILITARY HOUSING

Living in military family housing has its incredible pros and cons. Military members who have dependents most often have the option of living on-base in military family housing for free. Of course you must be living in the home with your dependents. There are a few exceptions for those who are deployed, or for others serving special remote overseas tours. If you are serving, your family will not be kicked out of the housing and can continue to love in the family housing while the service member is away. 

Military family dependents can also live off base, and will receive a monthly housing allowance. Once again, if you are deployed temporarily where your dependents can not follow they will be able to continue to receive the housing allowance. Commonly members will choose to live off base so as not to lose the monthly allowance, instead they can put it toward buying a home. This is actually advised against for as long as you are in active duty. Members will find that to buy a house will only be a problem when you go through re-assignment, and as can happen in the current housing market, you may not be able to sell your house and will find yourself paying rent and the mortgage at your old location.  

Truthfully, on base housing is a gamble. Some bases have stupendous family housing. Large homes, and plenty of living space. Others will be in bad shape desperately needing a renovation or replacements. There are many bases that have civilian owned housing. Where civilian companies are commissioned to build and maintain the housing for military families. In these cases the housing allowance is paid to these companies and the families "rent" from the company. Rarely do on base housing have inspections, you can live in your home as though it belongs to you, unless there is a complaint. There can be housing covenants though, rules that you agree too. For example, some bases will require that you cut your grass weekly, and if it is noted that you haven't cut your grass you will receive a ticket. Too many tickets and you will be forced to move out of on-base housing and will be sent off base. Off base you will simply have to deal with landlords and their picky or hands off attitudes toward their house. 

Because there are many service members out there you may run into waiting lists for on base housing. And you may have to live off base while you wait. The military will move your property into the off base location, and will later move your belongings on base when a space is made available. But if you choose to leave on base housing for off-base housing you will have to move yourself, since it is a voluntary move. The best thing to do is do your research before each move. Options may change, conditions will differ, and your family may have different needs with each assignment you receive. Look out for your best interests and be aware of the benefits alloted to you by the government, which respects the freedom of its service men and women.