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| Neighbors' houses across the courtyard. |
Currently we've been at Bragg for a little over 2 months now and we live ON post. I have to say, I wouldn't have it any other way! I LOVE living on post. Let me count the ways . . .
1. Community. We live in a cute neighborhood with tons of kids. You know ALL of your neighbors are military. They all "get it" to an extent. Typically my kiddo (2.5 years old) can find a child to play with (except at the park where apparently we're the only patrons). Plus, you make friends and then you can walk to each other's houses. It's great! And if you have school-aged kids, the school is a walk or easy bike ride away.
We also attend Mass on base at one of three chapels that offer Catholic services. It's nice knowing that everyone attending is part of the greater military community and the priest knows the special hardships that go along with this life. All three chapels are less than 10 minutes from our house.
2. Ease! It's SO convenient living on post! The neighborhood center with the gym and pool is a stone's throw from my house. You can see it out the front window. We walk to the gym multiple times a week where my kiddo plays in the kid room while I work out. I can watch her through a large glass window. The commissary is about a 3-min drive or 25 min walk so forgetting something at the store is no big deal.
3. Time with spouse. My husband's schedule has been pretty erratic. Since we live on post, he can often come home in between tasks. A "typical" day consists of early formation and PT, break, formation for actual work, break for lunch, formation after lunch until end of day. We live a good 20 minutes from his work, which happens to be off base, but he still comes home for lunch often and more often than not his day is more erratic, such as today. He got off for lunch and then had to be at a nearby gym at 2pm because he had a task during PT this morning. Living on post allows us as a family to be more flexible and we're both happier.
4. Money. There are no house bills! Rent = nope. Just takes your BAH. And we're in a 1800 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house for what an E3 gets in BAH. No way we could have this kind of house on BAH in the local community. Electric, water, sewer = nope! Actually, we just got back $30 for February because we used less than the average family in our community. How great is that! You get a check for every $25 you didn't use. Lawn care is taken care of too. We just have a little path we're responsible for.
In addition to housing, we're using less gas. Most of my days are filled with walking or very short drives. Once the weather warms, I plan on biking to the store more than driving too. Ryan would actually probably have a shorter commute if we lived south of base but we'd make up for it having longer drives to other things, such as the doc and groceries.
5. Safety. Yes, there is still crime on Bragg. Yes, you still should lock your windows and doors. BUT, it's still safer than the high crime in Fayetteville. On Bragg, DOD ID holders just show their card to get on base (unless you're selected for a random search of your vehicle). Others who want to come on base must have a valid ID (like a driver's license) and submit to a vehicle search. Yes, it won't keep out every scumbag but it's still more of a deterrent than living in the community off-base.
6. Activities. There is always something to do on base. Bragg is huge so there are museums, horse stables, tons of parks, gyms, and planned events. Since it's almost Easter there are multiple free events. We already went to one egg hunt at the museum and there are two more this week plus the neighborhood center is having a carnival-type event. And those aren't including the egg hunt that was two weeks ago!
So, clearly I'm biased. This is our first duty station. But, based on our current situation, I would always live on post. The convenience and extra time I get with my husband makes up for any downside (which at this point I don't see).
I've spoken with Army wives who say they live off-post because their husbands wanted a separation between home life and work. Here's my response to that:
1. What separation? You're in the Army. You are theirs. Might as well accept that.
2. The wives are the ones who suffer from that decision. Typically, they're isolated and are less likely to come on base to attend activities and functions. Soldiers' hours vary tremendously and more often than not their on base most of the day while the wife and kids are left at the house. As an Army wife, whether I had kids or not, I much prefer living around other women going through the same experience.
So, before you let your soldier talk you into living off base, or before you just assume you want to live off, take a good look at what your lifestyle is going to be like. Imagine your soldier gone A LOT and decide if you still prefer to be off base. There is SO much support on base, especially when you have kids, I just can't imagine living off.
Good luck with your decision! I'd love to hear what your experience has been.
~Laura
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