There are plenty of reasons a military family may choose to live off-base. Sometimes, military base housing is not right for your family or situation. Living off-base can be a good option, especially if there is a long waiting list at your base or you need to be closer to your spouse’s work.
However, living off-base has its challenges, too. Be sure to weigh all these pros and cons of military housing options when deciding what will work best for your family.
How Does Off-Base Housing Work?
Military personnel and their families may choose to live off-base when on-base housing is not available, doesn’t meet needs, or the service member chooses to live off-base for personal reasons. This process involves renting or buying a house, condo, townhome, or apartment in the civilian community surrounding the military installation.
The Department of Defense provides Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to service members who opt for off-base housing. BAH is a tax-free monthly allowance designed to help service members cover the cost of housing, including rent, mortgage, and utilities when they choose or are required to live off-base.
Living Off-Base in the U.S.
Most single junior enlisted members are required to live on base, usually in the barracks or dormitories. However, service members with dependents are often given the option of living in base housing, if available, or living off-installation. Enlisted members above a certain rank are also given the option to live off-base.
Members are provided BAH based on their zip code, rank, and whether or not they have dependents. It’s important to calculate the BAH rates for your area beforehand. BAH is designed to cover 95% of the member’s housing costs, but military lobbying organizations and service leaders are working to increase this to 100%.
Service members can use their BAH however they want, including to rent or buy a home. Members can keep any of the allowance that isn’t spent on housing or utilities. However, they must pay out of pocket if they spend more than their allowance.
Some junior members choose to have roommates to save money on housing. Dual-military couples each receive BAH (the higher ranking individual will receive the “with dependents rate” if they also have qualifying dependents, otherwise, both members receive the “without dependents rate”). Earning double the BAH gives members more flexibility in their housing options.
Living Off-Base Overseas
Some overseas locations require members to live on-post. However, not all overseas installations have sufficient housing, giving some members the option to live off-base.
Members receive an Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) which is based on their location and their rank. However, OHA is capped at the amount of your rental or mortgage agreement. Members also receive a tax-free overseas utilities allowance. Members can keep any amount of their utility allowance that they don’t spend. However, they must come out of pocket if they spend more than that amount.
You can buy a house while overseas, but it’s generally a more difficult and expensive process than buying a home in the U.S. The majority of service members should opt to rent while living overseas unless they plan to retire in that country.
The quality and size of overseas housing may differ from what you are used to in the U.S. You may have to adapt to smaller homes and yards, different electric outlets and voltage, different appliances, cultural differences, and more. However, living off-installation in an overseas country can be an adventure that leads to great memories. Living off-post makes it easier to tap into the local community and make friends with host-nation citizens.
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Pros of Living Off-Base
- May save money: When living off-base, you can choose a place that fits your budget. If your rent or mortgage payments are lower than your BAH, you keep the difference. Your OHA is capped on your rent when you live overseas. However, you may keep any unused portion of your utility allowance.
- More variety: Off-base, there is a wider range of houses and neighborhoods to choose from. You can find apartments, condos, single-family homes, or houses on a large lot.
- More amenities: You can have extra bedrooms, walk-in closets, a larger garage, a private swimming pool, central heat and air conditioning, a fireplace, etc. Most of those features are not available in base housing.
- Personalization: When you live off-base, you have more options to personalize your property with paint, decorations, or landscaping. This is especially true if you buy your house. Do-it-yourselfers will enjoy the freedom of unlimited projects when living off-base.
- Escape the fishbowl: Some service members enjoy getting away from the military work environment and not having co-workers as their neighbors. Off-base, you can get a lot more privacy.
- Put down roots: If you live in the local civilian community, you may be more likely to make local connections at stores, the gym, school, or church. Some prefer to have non-military friends and feel part of the local town.
- Potential future rental income: If you buy a house, you can use your BAH to cover the mortgage and then keep it as a rental property when you move. Remember that you will be responsible for paying for repairs. Being a landlord isn’t for everyone. Be sure to research real estate values around the base before assuming you can make money renting out your home if you PCS.
- Fewer moves: When you live on base, the housing is determined by rank and family size. That means you may be required to move every time the service member picks up a new rank or you have a new baby. That can add up to a lot of extra moves paid out of pocket! If you live off-base, you won’t need to move until you get PCS orders.
- Pet-friendly: Base housing typically only allows two pets per household and restricts some breeds of dogs. Off-base, you can have as many interesting pets as you can feed.
- Shorter commutes for spouses: If the military spouse works off-base, then off-base housing might be closer to their work. Ideally, you could choose a location between both of your jobs.
Cons of Living Off-Base
- Poor-quality neighborhoods and schools: This really depends on your base location, but around some bases, the neighborhoods are not very safe and don’t have great schools. The cost of living can limit the areas you can afford to live with your BAH. Research the area thoroughly and ask other military families about a neighborhood’s reputation.
- Longer commute for service member: Typically, living off-base means the service member drives farther to work. Some bases deal with traffic during heavy commute times. So, ask about traffic patterns and speed limits on-base. Don’t just make a decision based on Google Maps.
- Can feel more isolated: Some people like the quiet neighborhoods off-base. Others feel these areas are less social and may feel left out of on-base events. Think about your personality. If you are going to spend all your social time on base, you may not enjoy having a home off-base.
- Need two cars: Living off-base means more driving, so most families will require two cars. On base, you can typically walk to the commissary, gym, and playgrounds, so getting by with one vehicle is easier.
- Could spend more money: Less involvement in free base opportunities can mean spending more. Many shop at the local grocery store or pay for a gym instead of using on-base amenities. Be realistic about how your location will affect your household budget.
Off-Base Housing Resources
Military housing offices provide resources and services to help service members and their families find suitable off-base housing, ensuring accommodations meet certain safety and quality standards. These services often include listings of available properties, lease agreement guidance, and sometimes negotiation assistance to ensure the housing is affordable within the BAH parameters.
Deciding whether or not to live off-base is not easy, and careful consideration is required. Stay open-minded about what might be best for your family and personal preferences.
What do you enjoy most about living off-base? Leave a comment below!
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