What is the Fort Lewis on-post housing like? What are some off-post housing areas with 2 or 3 bedrooms that are not so expensive?

Another choice is Rainier which is 5 miles south of Yelm on WA-507...it takes me about 30 mins to get to work.

The best housing on post is Beachwood 2. Unfortunately I think it is SGT and above that can live there. I strongly recommend that you move on post at least initially because traffic is insane out there. Puyallup can take an hour or longer to get to after work. Lacey or Olympia is the same if taking I-5. If you are considering off-post and price is a factor, I'd recommend Yelm or Roy. Dupont is the closest town but all the brass lives there and it's pretty expensive.

Do you want cheap or quality? Cheap you can live in parkland. I would rather live in the boonies and pay a little extra to not have people around me.