Housing After Commissioning

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Sep 18, 2020
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Random thought on my mine that I haven’t seen much about this on this forum and only found a bit online...

I read that O-1’s typically live in an off-base apartment/home, BOQ, or on base home, or rent with other JOs. Does anyone know what’s most common. Best way to pocket some of the BAH?

Also, if you live off-base, how easy or hard is it to find a nice place to live before moving from college to your first duty station?
 
Random thought on my mine that I haven’t seen much about this on this forum and only found a bit online...

I read that O-1’s typically live in an off-base apartment/home, BOQ, or on base home, or rent with other JOs. Does anyone know what’s most common. Best way to pocket some of the BAH?

Also, if you live off-base, how easy or hard is it to find a nice place to live before moving from college to your first duty station?
If you live in Govt housing, you don’t get BAH, generally speaking. You don’t have most of the bills either. Sometimes that is the best solution, to live on base, sometimes not. There are a number of factors involved, including personal preference. JOs sharing a place is often a way to get a nicer place by pooling BAH and possibly keeping some dollars.

Finding a place to live. The internet has made this so much easier.
- Military bases have websites with “new arrivals” or “reporting aboard” sections with all kinds of useful info.
- The base housing office will also have info on places to live off-base. They may have multiple listing services, preferred partnerships, know where NOT to live.
- There will be apartment complexes that advertise “convenient to Gate 4 of NAVSTA Whatsis.”
- The command you will be reporting to may have a welcome aboard packet.
- You are often assigned a sponsor at your next unit who serves as a source of info and advice.
- People at your current unit will have been stationed some place you are headed to and have insights and recommendations.
- Military people often buy houses or condos close to a base and actively look for military renters (Google “military by owner”) for their property when they are serving elsewhere.
- Try simple google searches for “rental housing near NAVSTA X.”
- There are all kinds of websites and articles offering PCS advice, often found on the websites known for serving the military, such as the Military Times family of newspapers.
- For some PCS moves, no-cost TAD “house-hunting time” is authorized. You get time off to go do some advance stuff, you don’t use up your personal leave, but it’s on your own dime.
- There is the official DOD website, Military One Source, which has a housing and moving section. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

Here’s a classic official website for a Navy base, NAS Pensacola, which sees a huge O-1 population arrive each year.

Military people, especially shiny new O-1s, have been figuring this out by the thousands each year, for a long long time. You will too, and become skilled at executing all the logistics.Your military family will share the gouge, as you will share with those junior to you.
 
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If you live in Govt housing, you don’t get BAH, generally speaking. You don’t have most of the bills either. Sometimes that is the best solution, to live on base, sometimes not. There are a number of factors involved, including personal preference. JOs sharing a place is often a way to get a nicer place by pooling BAH and possibly keeping some dollars.

Finding a place to live. The internet has made this so much easier.
- Military bases have websites with “new arrivals” or “reporting aboard” sections with all kinds of useful info.
- The base housing office will also have info on places to live off-base. They may have multiple listing services, preferred partnerships, know where NOT to live.
- There will be apartment complexes that advertise “convenient to Gate 4 of NAVSTA Whatsis.”
- The command you will be reporting to may have a welcome aboard packet.
- You are often assigned a sponsor at your next unit who serves as a source of info and advice.
- People at your current unit will have been stationed some place you are headed to and have insights and recommendations.
- Military people often buy houses or condos close to a base and actively look for military renters (Google “military by owner”) for their property when they are serving elsewhere.
- Try simple google searches for “rental housing near NAVSTA X.”
- There are all kinds of websites and articles offering PCS advice, often found on the websites known for serving the military, such as the Military Times family of newspapers.
- For some PCS moves, no-cost TAD “house-hunting time” is authorized. You get time off to go do some advance stuff, you don’t use up your personal leave, but it’s on your own dime.
- There is the official DOD website, Military One Source, which has a housing and moving section. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

Here’s a classic official website for a Navy base, NAS Pensacola, which sees a huge O-1 population arrive each year.

Military people, especially shiny new O-1s, have been figuring this out by the thousands each year, for a long long time. You will too, and become skilled at executing all the logistics.Your military family will share the gouge, as you will share with those junior to you.
This is a really thoughtful response, I appreciate it!
 
For CONUS, rent a modest off-base place, and there is a decent chance you'll be able to pocket some money, if you choose carefully/don't demand much in space/amenities/etc. When I was in DC, I chose a quieter suburban apartment and pocketed about 15% of my BAH. Other places, I had roommates and/or was friends with the home owner. A lot of single LTs will get a room-mate, and that does make a big difference.

So, start small as an LT, and you'll probably save decent money.
 
OP, what’s your service selection? The communities have great forums where you can find amazing gouge on basically every topic...including where to live and sometimes even fellow officers looking for roommates. As a SWO, Sailor Bob was the go-to.
 
For new Army LTs, resist the urge to live “downtown” in whatever large city is near your post. Living closer to the post and then traveling “downtown” on the weekends makes live so much better! Get a hotel room if you want to “party.” You will most likely save on BAH compared to living near/in the large city.
 
OCONUS you only get what you spend, up to the housing allowance limit. Can't pocket the difference if you spend less.
 
OP, what’s your service selection? The communities have great forums where you can find amazing gouge on basically every topic...including where to live and sometimes even fellow officers looking for roommates. As a SWO, Sailor Bob was the go-to.
Service Selection is Navy nurse.
 
In my experience, most folks attending schools opt for roommates. It's usually 6 months or less, meaning that you don't have a long-term commitment. Allows everyone to have a nicer place and save money. People are often studying, so there isn't a lot of time together to get on each others' nerves.

Also in my experience, most JOs on their first "real" assignment and beyond ultimately seek their own place. They may start out with roommates, but eventually, for various reasons, it devolves. Different views on schedule, parties, neatness,bringing significant others overnight. Different work schedules and sleep schedules. Sometimes it works; more often than not, it doesn't.

I had a roommate for a 6-month school. We did it solely for cost. Didn't see each other much, got along ok, haven't spoken since we parted ways more than 35 years ago. After that, lived alone. Know a very recent grad who did the roomie thing while TAD in Annapolis and loved it, did the roomie thing at first duty station for 9 months and it didn't work out. Now living alone and happy.

I personally think it's important to have a "nice" (as in acceptable to you) place to live. The military can be a tough environment and, when not studying, deployed, or working, it's great to be able to come home to a pleasant home environment. Many folks actually spend more than their housing allowance for this reason. There are many ways to save money -- personally, I don't think sacrificing on housing (at least for longer term assignments) is the best approach.

However, as others have said, it really depends . . .
 
Do you know the expected duration of your first duty station?
-I was under the impression (possibly an assumption and not based on fact) my first assignment was 3 years, but it was really 2. I was able to take on an executive officer role to extend it the full 3 years. This matters if you are going to purchase a home and expect to sell upon departure.

What is your current level of financial literacy?
-Depending on several factors, using your VA loan benefit (eligible day 1) you could purchase up to a 4-plex and house hack whereby you live in one side and rent the others out serving as landlord. If this is of any interest - check out the Active Duty Passive Income group on FaceBook and pick up their book on military househacking. Real Estate is an entire universe to discover and learn from, but there are great resources like this if you want to take the time to dive in early in your career.
 
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In my experience, most folks attending schools opt for roommates. It's usually 6 months or less, meaning that you don't have a long-term commitment. Allows everyone to have a nicer place and save money. People are often studying, so there isn't a lot of time together to get on each others' nerves.

Also in my experience, most JOs on their first "real" assignment and beyond ultimately seek their own place. They may start out with roommates, but eventually, for various reasons, it devolves. Different views on schedule, parties, neatness,bringing significant others overnight. Different work schedules and sleep schedules. Sometimes it works; more often than not, it doesn't.

I had a roommate for a 6-month school. We did it solely for cost. Didn't see each other much, got along ok, haven't spoken since we parted ways more than 35 years ago. After that, lived alone. Know a very recent grad who did the roomie thing while TAD in Annapolis and loved it, did the roomie thing at first duty station for 9 months and it didn't work out. Now living alone and happy.

I personally think it's important to have a "nice" (as in acceptable to you) place to live. The military can be a tough environment and, when not studying, deployed, or working, it's great to be able to come home to a pleasant home environment. Many folks actually spend more than their housing allowance for this reason. There are many ways to save money -- personally, I don't think sacrificing on housing (at least for longer term assignments) is the best approach.

However, as others have said, it really depends . . .
As an Ensign stationed at USNA for a few months, I had an apartment shared with a friend/teammate. Our apartment was also the weekend home away from home for any team members as they came through town that summer. After that I was in BOQs for much of a year and then got my own place. Soon afterward, married so that was a pretty permanent roommate. We bought our first house while I was still an Ensign which was scary but worked out OK.
More recently my son had roommates through nuke power school and prototype that included his USNA roommate through all of it. Along with way he added a fiancée but all was well. Then he reported to his first sub in Hawaii and joined with roommates to rent a house which they all shared through about the 5 year point. It's been just him and his wife since then although they recently added a small housemate with another arriving very soon.
 
Service Selection is Navy nurse.
Oh, ok. Can't help you there. I'm not sure if the Navy medical community has any type of forum. You might send a note to the Navy Nurse community manager or one of the ensign detailers at NPC in Millington. They might have some gouge for you.
 
Make sure you understand the differences in PCS vs TDY to OBC. PCS you’ll likely live off post. TDY you’ll be in the BOQ. There’s also some pay differences. Just be sure to ask.
 
Free legal advice --whatever you do, make sure your lease has a Military Clause that allows you to break the lease on short notice if you get Orders away from the area. Also, if you have a roomate, make sure it is clear how you are going to handle it if one of you gets moved on short notice. (Typically, Landlord wants the full amount of the rent, regardless of whether one moves out).

I don't know anything about the Navy Nurse training pipeline, but the Landlords around most bases where entry level officer training is conducted (Pcola, SWOS, Nuke School, etc) are well versed in the revolving door of Navy training, and handle it well. (Maybe I was lucky with my Landlords in Pcola, Mather AFB (Sacromento) and NAS Jax). The local NLSO (legal office) and Housing Office can also help you.

Good luck.
 
Free legal advice --whatever you do, make sure your lease has a Military Clause that allows you to break the lease on short notice if you get Orders away from the area. Also, if you have a roomate, make sure it is clear how you are going to handle it if one of you gets moved on short notice. (Typically, Landlord wants the full amount of the rent, regardless of whether one moves out).

I don't know anything about the Navy Nurse training pipeline, but the Landlords around most bases where entry level officer training is conducted (Pcola, SWOS, Nuke School, etc) are well versed in the revolving door of Navy training, and handle it well. (Maybe I was lucky with my Landlords in Pcola, Mather AFB (Sacromento) and NAS Jax). The local NLSO (legal office) and Housing Office can also help you.

Good luck.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 provides a wide range of benefits and protections to active duty service members, including rental agreements, security deposits, prepaid rent, evictions, installment contracts, credit card interest rates, mortgage interest rates, mortgage foreclosures, civil judicial proceedings, automobile leases, life insurance, health insurance and income tax payments.

[Sorry, that was a cut and paste from https://www.justice.gov/servicemembers/servicemembers-civil-relief-act-scra]

Regarding lease agreements, you can get out of a lease on 30 days' notice for a PCS. I don't know how it would work if there are multiple roommates. This reminds me of the off-base apartment complex my son lived at in Columbus, GA. Independence Place was geared to attract military residents. My son shared a two-bedroom apartment with a college buddy - also training at Ft. Benning. Each had their own private bathroom, and they had separate leases.
 
I can only give you how it works with UPT (pilot training) in the Air Force. When they arrive on their base, they are supposed to live in the officer dorms. Its basically a small apartment with a room and a kitchen. If the dorms are withing a certain percentage of being fully occupied, they give you the choice to live outside base. If you are married or have kids, you actually get real housing on base. When my son got there on June 2018, the dorms were 100% occupied and had no choice but to rent. As written, the AF (everyone else also) will give you a Housing allowance. This amount is based on Zip Code. Vance (OK) gives a small amount compared to someone who goes to a base on Calfornia or NY. What most people do is get roommates so if you received 1000 in allowance for example, you share of the rent could be 600 thus allowing you to pocket $400. This is typical for lots of 0-1s especially those who just came out of college as they are used to having roommates.. If you get base housing, you wont get the allowance. The money will be used to pay for the base housing. If you get officer dorms, you dont get an allowance either. I woiuld presume that outside of UPT, you have a choice where you want to live.

My son lived in a two bedroom apartment in a nice complex. It was a about 15 minutes away from based. The only problem was when the train was on the track and you couldnt pass for 5 minutes or so and he wasnt someone who got to based 20 minutes early. He had friends in his UPT class that rented this 3000 square foot house with a pool . I think there were 3-4 of them living there and would have parties and barbques for the rest of the class. I dont think they were each paying much more than my son was for the apartment
 
DS was on TAD at USNA after graduation. He got what I consider a ridiculous amount of housing money due to being in Annapolis. He and 2 of his classmates got a 3 bedroom apartment with a view of the water that still allowed him to pocket hundreds of dollars a month. Fast forward to Pensacola where he and his new bride use almost all of his allowance for housing (by themselves).
 
Can't emphasize enough making sure lease has military clause. My DS is coming up on 4 years in Navy in May. He has moved 5 times. During those 4 years he lived in South Bend where he was stashed until flight school. Since then he has lived in Pensacola (2 roommates), Corpus Christi (2 roommates), back to Pensacola( 2 roommates), Jacksonville (1 roommate)and now San Diego (on his own but it's probably time). Roommates are the key to saving money and some of BAH. In less than 4 years DS has been able to purchase bedroom set, living room set, office furniture and dining room furniture all paid for with money saved from BAH...he basically had everything to furnish his own place when he moved to San Diego. Finding a roommate to split rent and save afforded him the opportunity to contribute in excess of 15% to the TSP (military 401k) and with pay increases has not reduced that percentage and he has saved a considerable amount of $$$ and is purchasing other retirement products such as Roth IRAs. My advice if you can find a roommate or two and save BAH, think carefully about what you do with the savings...too many get caught up in new cars, etc...
 
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