Off-base Military Housing in Virginia

   Off-base Military Housing in Virginia

         It is a very difficult to take a decision before buying a off-base home for a Military family. As every family have different needs about what is best for them at a particular work station. There are plenty of reasons for a military family to choose to live off base. This can be a good option, especially if there is a long waiting list at your base, or you can’t find a good neighborhood near your spouse’s work. However, living off base has its own challenges too. Be sure to weigh all these pros and cons when making the decision that will work best for your family.

There are various advantages of Military Off-base housing in Virginia:

1. You 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 BAH, you keep the extra.

2. Much more variety:

        Off base, there is a wider range of houses and neighborhoods to choose from, and they don’t all have the same boring white walls. You can find apartments, condos, single family homes, or houses on a lot of land.

3. More amenities:

        Your dream house may be within your BAH. You can have extra bedrooms, walk-in closets, a larger garage, private swimming pool, central heat and air conditioning, a fireplace, etc.

4. Personalize it:

        When you live off base, you have more options to personalize your property with paint, decorations, yard work, etc. This is especially true if you buy your own place.

5. 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, church, etc. Some people prefer to have non-military friends and feel part of the local town.

6. Rental income:

        If you buy a off-base house, you can use your BAH to cover the mortgage, then keep it as a rental property when you move. If the rent is priced properly, it will cover your mortgage.

We have lived off based and loved it. But as our children grew, we moved off base and we have really enjoyed that too. So just because one option was good at your current duty station, stay open minded about what might be best for your family at the next station.