Housing: Off base vs. On base?

[Sandchedrick]

We will be headed your way in May and need to hear experience talking regarding base housing or off-base housing. We do have a dog that will be with us so I know the tower thing may be an issue. Tell me, tell me!

Oh, does anyone have pics of any base housing interiors? I'm just nosy and like to know a little bit of everything.:)

[Tanimaga]

Here's some off base housing thru my own housing agency..

http://www.koza-housing.com/

I'm sure you'll get plenty of info from the on base folks as well. Never lived on base myself.

[okisteve]

Never been an issue for me, but it strikes me that you are interested in learning more about Okinawa and the local scene, so living off-base would be lots more rewarding.

Just a note to Tanimaga - don't those flat-roofed houses get awfully hot in the summer?

[OkiKat]

I love living off base. Depending on your housing allowance, you can get a great house/apartment. The dog can be an issue. We have one and it took a little more effort for us to find a house. Big dogs can be more challenging - ours is small. There's lots of housing agencies and most will pick up up at the lodge to show you places. You don't have to stick with one agency but shop around at a few. If you have kids, you will want to take a look at the dodds bus routes to make sure your not to far from the closest stop.

As I said before, I love living off base. I like my privacy and being able to escape the "military" community at night can be a blessing.

Here are some other agencies beside the one listed above:

http://joy-housing.com/
http://www.central-housing.jp/
http://www.tomiyahousing.com/english/index.html

We rent through American Family Housing near gate 2 (Kadena) but I don't think they have a website.

Good luck!

[Muku]

Just something to keep in mind as well, if while you are here and there is a water shortage off base houses will more than likely have a water tank on the house, thereby lessening the burden that you would have if you were living on base.

As the population of the island continues to grow, and the burdens on the infrastructure continue water usage is increasing. Okinawa depends mostly upon rain water and when there are extended periods without rain, or dry rainy seasons water shortages can become a reality.

[DoctorP]

Here is a thread about off base housing...you'll need to wade through some BS, but there are a few good posts there:
http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1672

Here is another:

http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3123&highlight=base+housing+company

[Takako]

We will be headed your way in May and need to hear experience talking regarding base housing or off-base housing. We do have a dog that will be with us so I know the tower thing may be an issue. Tell me, tell me!

Oh, does anyone have pics of any base housing interiors? I'm just nosy and like to know a little bit of everything.:)

I'm always pimping this website, but they do have some great info:

www.okinawahai.com

On-Base or Off-Base? IMO the only reason to live on base is if you have kids and getting them to school, after school activities and American friends is a big concern.

If the above don't apply, live off-base.

Depending on your rank/grade/rate, you can get a nice yard for the dog and live around the local population. That's really the only reason to live overseas right? Also, you can find a nicer home off-base than you could on-base.

Why come all the way to Okinawa to live on base, eat on base, shop on base and isolate yourself from the local culture.

Good luck and you'll love Okinawa.

[Go-Shay]

Never been an issue for me, but it strikes me that you are interested in learning more about Okinawa and the local scene, so living off-base would be lots more rewarding
yes I agree. I have heard from several of our customers that they don't like Okinawa. When I ask them what they don't like it becomes very apparent that they very rarely leave Kadena air base. There really is allot to do, learn and see in Okinawa from history to nature and the ocean that you can not find anyplace else.

Off-base housing is becoming very comfortable with several now houses being built monthly.

[Sandchedrick]

Great info.Thanks! We do really wish to get the most out of our stay in Okinawa and really engulf ourselves in the community. I see how living off base would really be our idea of "living it up" We tend to be a pretty adventurous family. We do have a 11 year old daughter and a 6 year old son but they are always up for anything! The dog is quite large - doberman in fact; so that will be really interesting I am sure.

My other issue is Steve being deployed once we are there. Is there support off-base for "single moms"? Is it safe for myself and the children? Guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. Maybe I am just over-thinking it. I seem to think we would really enjoy the off-base experience.

[DoctorP]

Well, you won't exactly be a "single" mom, but I know what you mean. Yes, there is support for spouses of deployed military members. I'll try to dig up the info if you need it.

[Muku]

Is it safe for myself and the children? .

This is one thing that you should need not worry too much about. Okinawa is very safe in comparison to the USA. Sure there is crime, however most of it is petty and there is little violent crime. Although on occasion it happens as in any society.

In fact is is rather easy to get lulled into a feeling of being rather safe and secure here.

[okisteve]

There might be safer places than Okinawa, but they would be places where they cut off your hand for swiping a newspaper and cane you for dropping gum on the street (see Caning thread). Okinawa is going to be a pleasant surprise for you and your kids. Not to say that kids can't get into a bad crowd, so parents need to take responsibility too (see Spanking thread ;))

[OkiKat]

As a female, I've always felt safe here. I'm more wary of a group of drunk Americans than a group of drunk Japanese!

[Takako]

Plenty of programs for spouses with deployed....spouses. The nice thing about being overseas it there is more of a sense of community...IMO. We're all strangers in a strange land to include the other spouses. I've never hung out and associated with my co-workers and their families as much as I have here. Which isn't a bad thing.

As far as safety, Okinawa is great. Usually when I'm out, I'm more worried about the Americans than I am about the Japanese. That's why I choose to live and hang out far away from all the American haunts.

[Sandchedrick]

Makes me feel much better to hear all of your thoughts! Can't wait to get there and try out the local scene.

[koralle]

I live off-base. Our apartment is small, but very efficient. There are a few people with small dogs in our complex and it seems to be working for them. I live close to Kadena so my teenage son can walk to the teen center or school,but we are less than 5 mintes from the bus stop too for those rainy days.
I love living off-base, because I feel like I am on Okinawa. My friend lives on base and it is like living in the US.... Why go to a foreign country, if you do not live amongst its people. I feel safer in my neighborhood than on Base...

There is one big downfall: the parking!!! Make sure you get a place that offers enough parking!

[Sha-Sha567]

We're actually looking for off-base housing that's near Foster. Currently, we live in Kinser while hubby works in Foster. I find base tower airconditioners to be very old and often coated with slimy green stuff that's not easy to clean, and molds grow in and around them so often, it's been a constant battle having to wipe their surfaces clean every few weeks as the molds return not long after that. Although I hate having to clean them often, I've no choice as I'm allergic to molds. I'm wondering if anyone living on-base ever experience mold problems... how about those living off-base? Are aircons in off-base homes any better?

[uriel]

We're actually looking for off-base housing that's near Foster. Currently, we live in Kinser while hubby works in Foster. I find base tower airconditioners to be very old and often coated with slimy green stuff that's not easy to clean, and molds grow in and around them so often, it's been a constant battle having to wipe their surfaces clean every few weeks as the molds return not long after that. Although I hate having to clean them often, I've no choice as I'm allergic to molds. I'm wondering if anyone living on-base ever experience mold problems... how about those living off-base? Are aircons in off-base homes any better?

Which is exactly why I laughed in their faces when the housing office asked me why I don't like the towers.

The airconditioners off base rock! You can leave them in the dehumidifier setting for most of the day, and it will keeps stuff dry, no mold, and cool the place down while costing far less than using the actual air conditioning. the aircons here off base are actually air conditioners/dehumidifiers/heaters/fans, as opposed to on base where they are just craptastic junk that's called an airconditioner.

[socalheart]

The only drawback is the cost of electricity in off-base housing. Could you get your on-base housing changed to Foster due to your allergies? You'd probably need a doctor's "note", but it could be worth it. You are responsible for moving charges when you move out of base housing to off-base housing. If they move you from base housing to base housing, they may foot the bill.

[uriel]

no, it isn't a drawback. you do realize that an e-5 gets almost 650 dollars a month for utilities? we keep the dehum setting on almost all day, our hot water heater is electric, an american fridge, and our stove is electric, and out bill is only about 200 a month. unfortunately, there isn't hookups for japanese appliances, otherwise that fridge would be gone...

by the way, our utilites pay that we get for living off base pays for our water, electricity, house phone, internet and our cell phone bill. we do take care to not waste, but darn, to say that it's a drawback is pretty, well, odd.

[js9234]

Living on base SUX!!! The houses are very old and tiny. I lived off base first in a beautiful 2100sq ft 2 story house and the electric bill was no bigger than $200 mo. It was all electric too. Due to some unforseen circumstances I had to move on base into a 800sq ft apt and I hate it. But it is more convenient for driving and close to the BX and Commissary if you shop on base. If my wife can ever get stationed with me, we will definitely be moving off base again. Pets aren't that big of a deal. Just have to find a place that accepts them and has a place for them to go to the bathroom. About 75% of the places I looked at didn't have a yard and had to walk a long ways to find a place just to let my dog use the bathroom and I can't see just leaving a dog on the balcony and letting him go there like some people do. Kinda disgusting. But each their own I guess. I definitely recommend moving offbase. Also, your COLA is bigger off base and you make money with your utilities allowance... Only downfall is all the money you have to pay up front; 1st mo rent, deposit usually equal to 1st mo rent and agency fee which is about half of 1st mo rent. The military loans you the money but you have to pay it all back in 12 mo. It gets quite expensive for the 1st year.

[P_chan]

On the pet part, if you get an apartment make sure you're willing to walk your dog everyday. I keep the balcony door open just in case he has to go, and the I take my dog for a walk everyday. But if you do walk your dog make sure you pick up their crap. I enjoy taking my dog to baba park but there is always tons of dog shit all over the place. Seems that people (mainly americans too) like to just leave their dog crap there.

[beachsand24]

i have a dog and i was basicly forced to live off base because they offerd us a tower and a house that mold iun the bathroom. we had to put an add on JAPANUPDATE for some one to baby sit the dog until the quarentine for our dog was compelete. we had like 5 people reply to the add. we went with the SaKi Corp for a rental house off base. they were very helpful with finding us a detached houme that allowed a dog.

[SGT_OKINAWA]

On the pet part, if you get an apartment make sure you're willing to walk your dog everyday. I keep the balcony door open just in case he has to go, and the I take my dog for a walk everyday. But if you do walk your dog make sure you pick up their crap. I enjoy taking my dog to baba park but there is always tons of dog shit all over the place. Seems that people (mainly americans too) like to just leave their dog crap there.

Yes, agree, in 1999, I went to the park with my (then) 1 year old daughter and we could not find a clean spot to let her play, when we did she managed to find some left over pieces of crap at the park!

Pick up after your dogs and cats (Cats are getting more and more lazy, they just scratch once I think), please pick it up people. :rolleyes:

Peace!:army:

[P_chan]

I didn't know people walked cats:confused:. But yeah, you don't know how many (what looks like dependant wives) I see running with their dog though baba park in the morning. I usually walk my dog in the evening but a couple weeks ago on my day off I took him for a walk around 6am. I saw three ladies running with their dogs. Each of them stopped to let their dog take a crap, then kept on running:cursing:. Another time I saw this little japanese lady walking a big ass lab. Lab left a huge log on the beach and she just acted like she didn't even see it:cursing:

[Odie]

Pick up after your dogs and cats (Cats are getting more and more lazy, they just scratch once I think), please pick it up people

I know I have a cat walking club, we meet on Tues, Thurs and Sunday mornings and drag.. I mean walk our cats through any park ensuring they poop a few times. Cats man?? come on.. lol. I pick up my cats poop.. it's all in one convenient container.. the litter box. I'm not trying to pick on you either dude, it just made me laugh.

[badkitty]

I didn't know people walked cats:confused:. But yeah, you don't know how many (what looks like dependant wives) I see running with their dog though baba park in the morning. I usually walk my dog in the evening but a couple weeks ago on my day off I took him for a walk around 6am. I saw three ladies running with their dogs. Each of them stopped to let their dog take a crap, then kept on running:cursing:. Another time I saw this little japanese lady walking a big ass lab. Lab left a huge log on the beach and she just acted like she didn't even see it:cursing:



Yes PChan, I walk my cats all the time.... They like it I guess, but I just don't understand why they are screaming and clawing the ground when i take them outside.....:rolleyes: