macarollo

I am new to Mountain Home AFB. In the next couple of days we have to decide if we want to live on base or off base. I have a wife and a 7 month old. This is our first assignment on Active Duty.

The on base housing is very nice and the unit offered to me has an amazing view... all you see behind the house is the mountains.... no houses or roads.

We found a house off base that is much nicer, has a 3 car garage, but it is a 12 mile commute (timed it at 16 minutes to my office). My wife likes this house much better. Using only our housing allowance we will be able to rent this place, spend $200 on utilities, and an extra $100 for gas (commuting cost).

The commute is the main negative to living off base I think. I also feel like the community would be stronger/tighter on base, which would be beneficial for my wife since she is a stay at home mom.


I am a chaplain and there will be times where I will be called into base for emergencies in the middle of the night. I am also unsure about how the commute is during the winter months with snow.


What are your thoughts? Should we live on base or off base?

katnip

As an ex military wife and currently in the NG...I myself would prefer to live off base...Mt home is a huge military town and weather you live off base or on most of your neighbors are going to be military anyways...living off base also provides a small seperation from work and home not to mention the BAH and all the other goodies they give you as well...just my .02

bladed101

Dont live on base. Being on base may seem tighter knit but it really depends on how much privacy you like, People on base seem to be more nosy. Plus you'll make more money off base. When my wife and I where stationed in mountain home. The commute was actually really nice it gives you time to unwind. Plus on the other side most people that live on base dont really leave base that much. Living in mountain home you'll find your self out and about exploring more.

macarollo

Well with the place we like I don't think we would make any money... we will pretty much use all of our BAH on rent, utilities, and extra fuel for commuting.

BUT we love the place and it has a 3 car garage.... my favorite feature!

bladed101

still dont live on base every one I know that has lived on base hates it.

macarollo

What do they say they hate about it?

shaner

Um, hello! Three car garage!!! What other factor even needs to be considered here? lol

macarollo

lol.... I know. More space for the

bladed101

The one I hear the most is people getting in trouble for letting there grass get to long or if they don't shovel the snow right away. That and if you like to work on cars or your bike you cant in base housing. not even an oil change.

macarollo

You can't even change your oil in the garage That might settle it for me! I love working on my vehicles.

bladed101

Yep plus you'll enjoy living in town. If I ever get stationed there again I'm going to live in boise there are commuter vans that go back and forth. When I was there about a year ago it was about $140 but the base paid for $120 of it all you had to do was go to the park and ride and hop on. The other plus to that is if you have a job that likes to keep you late. They wont be able to keep you late.

Batt

My apologies, just re read your original post and saw you are a chaplain. I wrote this thinking you were a new enlisted airman. Though my points are still valid, Im sure your financial situation is much different than I was originally thinking.

Please think carefully before entering into a lease downtown. There are so many things to consider before making your choice to live on or off base.

Your personal financial situation is probably the biggest thing to think about. You stated this is your first assignment so I will assume you are fairly new to the military and a little low on the rank scale. So many young people arrive at Mnt Home and hear the amount for housing allowance and think "no problem, I can afford that place" but in reality they fail to consider how much being a renter can actually cost.

You have said the house you would like to rent has a three car garage which indicates to me it is a relatively newer home in the area; thats a good thing when you consider your electric and gas bills as your appliances are more efficient than an older homes. However, winters here are COLD and summer gets pretty HOT so you can plan on your utility bills being a major cost to you. (I am assuming that the house you mention is 1300 sq feet or more with a garage that size. ) The commute is really not that bad unless you have a gas guzzler and there is a shuttle service from downtown that you can actually ride for free with the proper paperwork from the Transportation Office on Base.

As far as living on base; the new housing is very nice, the community is safe, and all the amenities of base are readily available. Yes, as mentioned by previous posters there are rules to follow when living on base and at times the "yard police" can be annoying; but thats usually only after they have had multiple problems with a tenant.

The best thing about living on base is free utilities. You can keep your house nice and warm all winter and cool all summer without having to worry about Idaho Power or Intermountain Gas raising their rates indiscriminately.

When I first joined the Air Force base housing was not available to the lower ranking members and my wife and I spent a long expensive year a waiting list to get into base. Because of this I always encourage new people to start in Base Housing. If you dont like it, spend the first year here figuring out where in town you want to live. This may be a small town but the areas are as different as night and day. You may also find that Boise is a better option for you, but still I recommend you spend a year in Base Housing where things are far cheaper and figure out your financial situation, budget, needs, desires, and the area you may want to live; then make an informed decision.

Just my .02

-Batt

Batt

Actually if you read the AFI, you are allowed to change your oil in your garage or drive way. I believe it states that minor maintenance is allowed but the vehicle must be in running condition the same day.


Oil changes and minor tune ups are allowed. You just cant rebuild a motor in your front yard or leave a car on jacks over night or for extended periods of time.

Granted the housing inspectors may stop by to see what your doing and question you, if you know the rules quote them, and most importantly follow them you will not get in any trouble.

-Batt

LckyTylr

Of course my situation was different when I was stationed at MH. I was a single E-4 and it was my first opportunity to say no to dorm life so I jumped at the opportunity. As you said, the commute only takes about 15 minutes which is much shorter than the national average. As others have said, 15 minutes for me was a PERFECT amount of time to unwind and I was mentally already out of uniform before I got to my apartment. If you really like the house you are looking at off base, you will regret living on base. As was previously stated, you are NOT free to do what you please in base housing (major maintenance, because a hobby shop is provided). Of course you can do it sneakily, but that's just added stress. I really liked that I was closer to the highway which made hopping in to Boise that much less of a hassle on the weekends. I personally think you will enjoy the freedom of living by your own rules off base, and the commute isn't all that bad. In the winter months yes there is some snow, ice and a crazy crosswind. I'm guessing that as an Officer your crazy driving days are behind you, especially with a 7 month old, and cautious drivers usually have no problem negotiating the commute. All of my supervision in MH was VERY reasonable and understanding when it came to poor weather conditions. Many times I was called before my alarm went off and told to sleep in, wait for the plows to sort the mess, and come in a few hours late. I'd urge you to strongly consider your preferred choice off base........with a THREE CAR GARAGE!!!!!

macarollo

you guys have been helpful. I welcome more advice if you have it.

Idaho Wolverine

Sir, I lived on base for a couple years here. Then in 1998, we bought our own house. As others have said, the short commute is very easy and can be nice to clear your head when you ride the bike home.

As far as snow, me being from Michigan, it really doesnt snow here.

They get a few inches of snow and think it is bad, then send people home.

Im sure you will make the right decision for your family, and we will see you around!

Grumbler

One of my friends (died last year in Oklahoma car accident) lived
off-base with wife while working as a civilian contractor. His wife
wanted to live in Boise as she was bored in MH. However, he liked
the short commute from their rented home in MH. He was retired
AF.

My neighbors next door here in Southeast Boise own their home.
She works around here while he's in the military at the AFB. MH
didn't do anything for them. Right now their house is up for rent
by a property mgmt firm as he's being stationed somewhere else.

House has duet garage (two cars on right side and one on left)
and 4 bedrooms. 3 bedrooms close together on left with a den/
bedroom on right by front door.

macarollo

The house sounds nice (similar to the one I am looking at in MH). There is no way I could see myself commuting from Boise though. As a chaplain I will get called in for emergencies at any time of day. An hour commute is just too long for me.

e11charlie

Wow stark difference between Army and Airforce. We had yard nazis but they would only bother you if you were a complete ###t bag. Me and my wife loved living on post hell i wish i was still in. Just the no utilities was more than worth it. I have to agree with Batt check out the energy efficiency of the home you are looking at. Right now our house is 1200 sq/ft and in the winter our gas runs about $89 and electric is $40. But flip flop that in the summer. Living on base you wouldnt have to worry about that. I would take the heartburn of grass nazis over the headache of high utilities any day. Another thing that was always our deciding factor was if the community was military friendly or not. I dont know about Mt Home. You would think that most places would be. Was not the case in Ft Hood, Ft Riley, or Ft Wainwright. The funny thing was that Germany was more military friendly where I was stationed. Its not the unfriendliness that was the problem. It was that most civis knew a little about military policies. So if you had loud music or something else they didnt like, all they would do was call command. Let me tell you 90% of the time they would side with he civilians. If you live on base and you are having a problem with a fellow soldier you would just kick his ass.

macarollo

We asked the neighbor who has a similar sized house and the most they ever pay is $150 a month for all utilities. I was counting on it costing $200.

Idaho Wolverine

Sir, with you being a Chaplan and all, you have to ask yourself.........

What would Jesus do?

Sorry, had to say it!

See ya around!

e11charlie

How the hell did I not think of that one. I am slipping.

macarollo

lol...

Luke 9:58- Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

I don't think I want the same living arrangements as Jesus! We did pray about it though.

We decided to live off base. My wife is really happy and that is really important. It is much nicer than the on base options (and we won't spend any more than my BAH) AND I have my 3 car garage ! She said I can buy a dirt bike if she can have some money to decorate!

Batt

Congrats on your decision! Keeping the wife happy is always a good goal. Im sure you will enjoy your new home and will find quite quickly that the commute is NOT that bad. Enjoy the garage and the new place attached to it!

I know when my wife and I built our first house here in Mnt Home, I told everyone I was building a three car garage and work shop with a 4 bed room living space attached to it.

Hope to see you around.

Batt

LckyTylr

"Enjoy the garage and the new place attached to it!"...........

How about ENJOY YOUR NEW DIRTBIKE that wife said you could get. Oh yeah, oh yeah........you are getting a dirtbike. Backflips for everyone!!!

macarollo

Not sure that I will be doing any backflips! I won't be getting a NEW bike, I really want a dual sport- maybe a Suzuki DRZ400.

LckyTylr

Doctor Z's are WONDERFUL bikes. Do you plan on doing more trails or more street with your DrZ? A DrZ is really good to get you to the trails, but a little buzzy if you plan on street riding it a lot. New or old and needing work, you are getting another bike.....congratulations......on both your decision about the house, you and your family getting stationed here, and you getting another bike!!!!!

2WheelFanatic

Like Most people have said, Dont live on base! Plus why would you not want to ride you're bike everyday for 10 or 20 min..

MissKaos

Indeed! A happy wife is a happy life. I'm sure that's in the bible some where, just not sure where. Maybe it was something that Lott said Congrats on the new digs! Hope to meet you and the Mrs. on a ride!