Living off Base
11. What’s the cost of living?
Even if your BAH amply covers your rent, don’t forget to factor in in utilities, commute, and expenses like childcare closer to where you live or shopping off base. If you live in an area that warrants a COLA (Cost of Living Allowance), factor that in too, but expect a little sticker shock if you come from a less expensive area. I’m not your mama (except for you, Airman McDonald), but it would be smart to leave a cushion in your budget and not max out the rent just because you’re allotted that much money.
12. Would buying a home be out of the question?
Short answer: not always. While it may seem crazy to buy a house in an area you know you’ll only be in for a few years, many military families look at owning property as the long term investment it should be and don’t even intend to try and sell it when the next set of orders is handed down. For you, it might make sense to think ahead and buy a home with a view to turn it into a rental down the road.
13. What’s the rental market like?
If you have no intentions of buying a home, thank you very much, start researching possible rentals well before your move if you can. Get a feel for off-base neighborhoods through reviews, base social media, and (hopefully) the sponsor assigned to the active duty member at the receiving location. One piece of advice: even if photos or a virtual tour look great, don’t rent sight unseen! At the least, have an agent FaceTime you while they walk through the home, and don’t forget the outside of the house and the rest of the neighborhood.
14. Would you prefer to have a little distance from the military?
Maybe you’d prefer to keep your home life a little more separate, for whatever reason. Living off base can give you the space that you crave.
15. If you’re waiting for housing on base, will your landlord let you out of your lease?
Find this out upfront, if you’re on the housing waiting list. There’s a lot of confusion over the “military clause” (Military Clause and the Servicemen’s Civil Relief Act), for both tenants and landlords.
First off, make sure there’s a military clause in your lease because state laws vary widely and secondly, make sure you understand what it does and does not mean. For instance, while PCS or deployment orders let you out of your lease based on the military clause, simply getting selected for on base housing usually will not. Now, you may have a kindly landlord who would be open to that, but this is best determined right away so there are no unwelcome surprises later. MilitaryOneSource and your installation’s legal office can give you more information about the military clause.
Will you live on base or off? The answer will differ for each family. But regardless of where you end up, best wishes to you in your new home!
