I am PCSing to Schofield Barracks in April 2016. What areas do you recommend for off post housing?

I lived all over the island for a period of ~4 years. If you're headed to Schofield, do not move to Ewa. You will run into a ton of traffic both ways. Ewa is a great place to live, but a terrible place to commute. One way in, and one way out. It's a huge choke point, and believe me, it chokes.

I also lived in Mililani for awhile. This would be the location I'd most highly recommend. You will have zero traffic, as your drive to Schofield in the morning is going north (against the traffic headed into town), and same the other way going home. Mililani also happens to be very close to Schofield, which is also nice.

Mililani isn't the least expensive area, but if you're going to get an apartment and a roommate like I did, you'll be more than fine. That Hawaii BAH is a huge help.

Another option is actually looking for a place north of Schofield. You'll find fewer military folks living up there, and really fewer people in general. You'll find that the prices drop significantly quite quickly as you move north. You can get some really great deals up there. I had friends that lived up all the way at North Shore in the mountains, and they had a nice house with big yard for 1/2 what I was paying. The commute is longer, but you're moving the whole time.

SSG(P) (Join to see), I lived in Hoakalei for two years. It's a great community. It's a long story, but we were going to leave when I retired but decided not to. We sold the house anyway and made $25K in just two years. We now live (rent) on the beach in a community called Kapolina Beach homes. The community is very active. And you can take one road straight to Schofield. Most days the drive is about 40 min.

I hope that helps. Let me know if you need anything.

I was stationed there as well, I would recommend against living off post. The traffic is horrible. Most people live down towards Honolulu because it is a lot cheaper, but they sit is traffic for a couple of hours. If you must live off post, I would recommend Ewa Beach, it is a bit more affordable and the traffic won't kill you. It does rain more often on the North side of the Island. There are beautiful places to hike all over the island and you can get scuba certified easily and pretty inexpensive! Enjoy Hawaii, it is expensive, but beautiful!