Living off base not an option for most in near future

[annunaki]

Yokota requiring troops to live on base to shrink housing costs

By Charlie Reed, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Tuesday, March 9, 2010

"YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Troops transferring to Yokota this summer will no longer have the choice of living off base in most cases.

Following the lead of Misawa and Kadena air bases, Yokota is trying to save off-base housing costs by requiring servicemembers and their families to live on the installation..."

[okiegirl]

I had read in a previous report about this in the stars and stripes that not only were they not going to allow new people to Yokota to live off base, but they were also going to be making those service members and their families already living off base (I believe it was Tsgt and under) to move back on to the base aswell. And this would continue untill the housing occupancy was over 90% on base. I wonder if that part is still the plan?

[MOMx3]

I think that it is fine for then to make people in the future to live on base- but who the hell wants to live on base when this whole east side area is under construction. Our front yards are being dugg up, parking areas being dug up, climbing ladders are on the side of our building so they can work on the roofs, roads are shut down. It takes be about 5 minutes to get down my street right now. And it shows no sign of them being almost done with construction!

[Steezus]

I am glad to hear this. People complain about our countries deficit all the time and paying people to live off base when you aren't even close to filling your occupancy rates on base seems like a MASSIVE waste of tax payer money no matter how you look at it.

[Enchanter]

I agree, massive waste of money.

Sure, it's nice to have a place off base, away from the regulatory committees that roam around measuring your grass height (First Sergeants and Base Housing Office Weenies), nosy SP calling neighbors, base sirens, bored radar speed checking sleepy cops and speed bumps every two blocks, BUT that's all just part of Military Life, isn't it?

I'm sure people will still be allowed to live off base, if they pay for it out of pocket rather than expect housing allowances. Oh, but then it's another story then, isn't it?

[okiegirl]

I personally like living on base. Now I also understand why people wouldnt want to live on it too. Nobody likes all the annoying things that come with base living like the things Enchanter mentioned, but then again there are plenty of benefits also. There was only one place where we were stationed at where I thought we could live in better housing off base rather then on base, and that was Oklahoma and because we owned our own home. I was thrilled to get base housing at our last station not only due to the fact that the whole city was pretty much 95% total ghetto, but also because the area had a serial killer on the loose. Even though many of the base rules got to me and I personally hated the people in the housing office, I loved my house on base at our last base. I hate to say it but it was the nicest place I have ever lived in before.

This is our first base to hear about problems on base housing like break in's and thefts, but generally I think on base living is much safer then off base. Also on base everyone is in the same boat as far as understanding the military lifestyle and so many of the complications that come along with it. Neighbors watch out for other neighbors children, and help wives of men that are deployed. I dont know how many times in the past neighbors have done things for me when my husband was gone like edge my yard, or come get branches off my roof after a big storm, cleared snow off my drive, or helped me carry in groceries. I never had to ask for these things, people just did it, and not becuase they thought I wouldnt do it or because I hadnt done it, but just to help me out with things that can be hard for a woman to do. I also don't know how many times my husband has mowed people's lawns, fixed toilets when CE was closed, moved furniture, jumped cars, changed flat tires, shoveled snow and watered grass for our neighbors when they needed the help. People in regular neighborhoods don't do these type of things for each other anymore. In off base neighborhoods you are lucky to even know your neighbors name half the time.

Granted Yokota's base housing as far as looks go and being old and outdated is about the worst I have ever seen. To be honest I cried when we first got here and saw the housing. I would still though prefer it just for the convience of it and the above reasons I mentioned. I don't think making people live on base is really such a bad thing, and yes it would save the govt. alot of money also.

[iammike]

Well, I'd have to argue with the "safer to live on base" point when it comes to Japan. Hell, on base is about the only time I need to worry about crime around here.

I'll also say you can have a much nicer place off base here then the run down facilities they've had me in since I've been here. The place I'm getting is well under OHA cap for SSgt yet is very nice and, for Japan, good sized for an apartment at 711 Sq/ft.

I just got approved for off base as a SSgt but I believe they said dorm occupancy was over 95% now. Then again, I've only been here 8 months and my off base apartment will be the 3rd place I've lived since I got here. Getting tired of moving. lol

[balling]

off base i left my keys in my car, house open, wheels on my porch that were 2k a set. On base? i lock everything.

screw on base
and at ssgt off base i had a house that was the size of two 2 bedroom towers combined. way better than on base

[VetteChic]

Well, I'd have to argue with the "safer to live on base" point when it comes to Japan. Hell, on base is about the only time I need to worry about crime around here.

I'll also say you can have a much nicer place off base here then the run down facilities they've had me in since I've been here. The place I'm getting is well under OHA cap for SSgt yet is very nice and, for Japan, good sized for an apartment at 711 Sq/ft.

I just got approved for off base as a SSgt but I believe they said dorm occupancy was over 95% now. Then again, I've only been here 8 months and my off base apartment will be the 3rd place I've lived since I got here. Getting tired of moving. lol

Ok.. sorry.. have to plug our delivery business here for a sec... Scot N Tam Delivery... call us if you need to hire someone for the move.... we'll give ya a great deal!

[iammike]

Ok.. sorry.. have to plug our delivery business here for a sec... Scot N Tam Delivery... call us if you need to hire someone for the move.... we'll give ya a great deal!

I'd have seriously considered that if I hadn't already started moving myself. I really don't have enough that it'd probably be worth it, I just don't feel like moving it because I just moved 2 months ago. lol