An Insight into the Dilemma of Off-Base Housing vs On-Base Housing

If you are serving in the military and keep getting posted in different locations frequently, you are most probably offered an on-base house for accommodation. You also know that you are eligible for a monthly housing allowance, but those living on-base have to give it all away, even if it is not worth it.

Hence, many start looking for off-base homes, which means you get your full allowance in hand, and are free to spend it on renting a house. If you manage to spend less than the allowance limit, you can even pocket the remaining money to be used on other activities and purchases. Searching for military housing is not difficult; all you have to do is browse military house listings by owners online.

But is off-base house worth it? Or should you just live on-base to be on the comfortable side?

Size of the Place

The first point of concern is the size of the house. Almost all on-base houses are of standard sizes with no difference with neighboring houses. Also, if you have a big family, the limited space of on-base house can be an issue for you. In such cases, you can look for off-base houses. In most of the cases, you will probably find a bigger house with the same allowance rent money as compared to on-base house.

Ability to Customize

If you like to modify the house a bit to your liking, then you will probably want an off-base house, because military homes are barred from any modifications like adding a yard or repainting the house or adding a kitchen shelf.

Free from Rules

On-base houses have to adhere to a set of strict rules, which is not the case of off-base houses. You can live the way you want, or have lights up until 2 AM without any guard knocking at your door telling you to shut the lights off, and can set your own set of regulations.

Facilities

This is one area that on-base houses excel at. Everything you need is always nearby, whether it is the convenience store, hospital, cleaning services, laundry etc. But if you manage to find such an off-base house with all facilities nearby, then you can have an upper hand.