This is mainly for the married guys coming out to Whiting for either primary or advanced Helos. Some of the things I've noticed about living out here.
Base Housing (actually located off-base, but easy 15 minute drive).
Pros:
Nice community
You're always surrounded by fellow flight students
The maintenance does a great job anytime you need them
No utility bills
Playground inside the complex
Easy access to cable, high-speed internet, etc.
Very pet-friendly
Cons:
The housing office - generally very nice, but if you call before 0800 or after 1515 most days, you will get a pre-recorded message telling you that the office is closed and that you should call back between 0700 and 1600 during regular business hours.
The rules are inconsistently enforced, at best.
Thin walls - You will know when your neighbors get up in the morning, and pray that they don't have a dog.
The pool - normally this would be a pro, but here the pool is open Memorial day to when school starts. The hours are 1000 to 1400, then 1500 to 1800. All swimmers are required to get out of the pool (even the 6" deep kiddie pool) for 15 minutes of every hour for "lifeguard break" (regardless of the number of lifeguards on duty). They also do not allow children to wear "water-wings"
Small units - the 2 bedroom unit (which is what you will get if you have 0 or 1 children) is less than 900 square feet. It actually isn't bad if you don't have any kids, because the spare bedroom can become an office, but if you have one child, forget it. Most of the 2 bedrooms are also completely uncarpeted.
Price - I know, you won't pay rent or utilities when living in base housing, but you will be forfeiting your BAH. In 2006 that means that you will be paying $1040 (O-1) or $1150 (O-2) for an 800+ sq. foot uncarpeted 2 bedroom duplex. For comparison, realize that the E-5 with 3 kids down the street is paying $1026 for his carpeted 4 bedroom with attached garage and screened porch. A 3 bedroom apartment at Governor's Gate in P'Cola (the nicest complex in town) will rent for between $1005 and $1110. Granted, that doesn't include utilities.
Living in Pensacola -
Pros:
Several nice apartment complexes to choose from
Near stores and malls
API is a shorter commute
Cons:
The drive - even if you live in eastern P'Cola you're looking at 45+ minutes to get to work everyday (in good traffic). So if you have a 0530 brief, you will have to leave your apartment by 0430 to give yourself enough time.
Living in Milton/Pace -
Pros:
Near the base
Some decent neighborhoods
Rental houses usually available
Cons:
Not near anything but the base (restaurants, malls, etc.)
Usual rental problems
Obviously, I live in housing and honestly have been fairly happy about it until I saw what BAH was going up to next year. I don't think the house we have is worth paying that much for. If I wasn't so close to being done I'd consider moving. I think now you can do better living on the economy. Just research before you do anything.
Base Housing (actually located off-base, but easy 15 minute drive).
Pros:
Nice community
You're always surrounded by fellow flight students
The maintenance does a great job anytime you need them
No utility bills
Playground inside the complex
Easy access to cable, high-speed internet, etc.
Very pet-friendly
Cons:
The housing office - generally very nice, but if you call before 0800 or after 1515 most days, you will get a pre-recorded message telling you that the office is closed and that you should call back between 0700 and 1600 during regular business hours.
The rules are inconsistently enforced, at best.
Thin walls - You will know when your neighbors get up in the morning, and pray that they don't have a dog.
The pool - normally this would be a pro, but here the pool is open Memorial day to when school starts. The hours are 1000 to 1400, then 1500 to 1800. All swimmers are required to get out of the pool (even the 6" deep kiddie pool) for 15 minutes of every hour for "lifeguard break" (regardless of the number of lifeguards on duty). They also do not allow children to wear "water-wings"
Small units - the 2 bedroom unit (which is what you will get if you have 0 or 1 children) is less than 900 square feet. It actually isn't bad if you don't have any kids, because the spare bedroom can become an office, but if you have one child, forget it. Most of the 2 bedrooms are also completely uncarpeted.
Price - I know, you won't pay rent or utilities when living in base housing, but you will be forfeiting your BAH. In 2006 that means that you will be paying $1040 (O-1) or $1150 (O-2) for an 800+ sq. foot uncarpeted 2 bedroom duplex. For comparison, realize that the E-5 with 3 kids down the street is paying $1026 for his carpeted 4 bedroom with attached garage and screened porch. A 3 bedroom apartment at Governor's Gate in P'Cola (the nicest complex in town) will rent for between $1005 and $1110. Granted, that doesn't include utilities.
Living in Pensacola -
Pros:
Several nice apartment complexes to choose from
Near stores and malls
API is a shorter commute
Cons:
The drive - even if you live in eastern P'Cola you're looking at 45+ minutes to get to work everyday (in good traffic). So if you have a 0530 brief, you will have to leave your apartment by 0430 to give yourself enough time.
Living in Milton/Pace -
Pros:
Near the base
Some decent neighborhoods
Rental houses usually available
Cons:
Not near anything but the base (restaurants, malls, etc.)
Usual rental problems
Obviously, I live in housing and honestly have been fairly happy about it until I saw what BAH was going up to next year. I don't think the house we have is worth paying that much for. If I wasn't so close to being done I'd consider moving. I think now you can do better living on the economy. Just research before you do anything.
