3
3
0
I'm PCSing to Benning in February. My wife and I are torn between on or off post housing based on price, our current house and what we're used to, options available, etc. Does anyone who is there or who has been there (we've never been) have any insight as to preferences between on or off post? If on post, where's best for CPTs to be? If off post, basically same question. Based on our current house here at Fort Hood and the amount of stuff we have and our current and hopefully growing family, I think we would be ok with about a 2,000 sq ft place (step down from our 2300 at Hood), with minimum 3 bedrooms and ideally a study or just 4 bedrooms. Any info you could provide regardless of detail level would be great. Details about whether it's best to rent or buy, especially for those who already own would also be helpful.
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 9
Sir,
I was stationed there from 2002-2009, and Fort Mitchell, Al has alot of nice houses in that area. It's right outside Fort Benning. You can also go on the AHRN website, and get help there looking for homes for sale and rent.
(4)
(0)
CPT, I have never lived at Fort Benning, but I have been at the same decision point many times. There are a couple of other variables I always considered. For some reason I was always a numbers guy. I would look at the pros/cons of Renting, Buying, or living on base. However, most of the time I would consider this question: "Will I deploy from this duty station". If I was going to deploy (a lot) we generally lived on base and when I was in a garrison job most of the time we bought or rented. <div><br></div><div>One thing to consider if you buy is what you will do if you cannot sell it when you get your next set of orders. Will you rent it or will your family stay there until it is sold... and then you PCS as a geographic bachelor? Another consideration... Is there a chance you would get repeat orders to Fort Benning later in your career.</div><div><br></div><div>It's a big decision. I know several families that have bought at almost ever duty station and have done very well holding on to those properties as rentals. However home ownership comes with some financial risks that are compounded by normal PCS cycles.</div>
(3)
(0)
On-post housing is descent, but with the BGA and what you’re accustomed to I would recommend living off-post. If you live across the river in Alabama you’ll get more for your money. Taxes are lower. You can do a non-resident form for your vehicles and pay $20-30.00 for your Alabama car tags.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next