I want to move off base!

[Courtney]

long story short...im tired of ALL the problems in our housing area and the people we live around!
I would LOVE to live off base, somewhere close to the water as we could get!
I love the seawall area and sunabe. But im just guessing that the rent there is pretty high. Am i wrong???
My husband is a e-5, and we have 3 kiddos and a doggy.
I dont work, so we are on a single income.
Is my "deam" unrealistic?!

[P_chan]

Depends how close to the seawall you want to be. Most apartments right on the seawall are upwards of $3,000. Now, you can move a little farther away from the seawall and your rent will be a lot cheaper. My apartment is about 3 or 4 blocks from the seawall (five minute walk) and my rent is right around $1,300. Of course, my apartment wouldn't fit three kids, unless two of them shared a room. But it is dog friendly! I did have to pay a 30,000 yen deposit for a dog though. But I get half of it back once I move out.

[Zanpa]

Depends how close to the seawall you want to be. Most apartments right on the seawall are upwards of $3,000. Now, you can move a little farther away from the seawall and your rent will be a lot cheaper. My apartment is about 3 or 4 blocks from the seawall (five minute walk) and my rent is right around $1,300. Of course, my apartment wouldn't fit three kids, unless two of them shared a room. But it is dog friendly! I did have to pay a 30,000 yen deposit for a dog though. But I get half of it back once I move out.

how did you get it so low?

[DougP]

Sunabe Seawall area can get pricey, its extremely crowded and there's been a lot of theft reported in that area. In fact if I'm not mistaken someone(not dropping any names) just had some scuba and tennis items stolen. I can't tell you how many times I've heard about car parts being stolen in that area. Wife an I thought about moving there for about 5 seconds, and then came to our senses.

[applejacks]

It also depends on how long you lived on base, from what I understand, you have to be on base housing for a year, ie. you signed a 1 yr contract when you accept the keys. Not sure what the execptions there may be to the policy.

[Sex Wax]

The Sunabe Seawall area, while nice, also has it's problems. I know many people who have live/lived there. Some thought it would be a nice area, but found out with all the Americans living there, it can be just as bad as base. All the new buildings in the area like to rent to the Americans. Some of the people that had lived there a long time, found themselves surrounded by neighbors that tryed to turn it into an "off-base, base rules area". So they left the area. 12 years ago, there were alot of Americans, but they seemed to be more relaxed. Now, you have too many people that think they are living in on-base housing and will bitch and moan if you try to have any fun or have a B-B-Q that goes above 5 decibles and lasts past 8:00pm. Just take a drive around the area you want to rent and count all the AFN dishes and "Y"-plates. If you find a place with cool nieghbors, count yourself lucky. There are only a few cool peeps left down there.

:thumbup1:

[Tony Stacks]

The Sunabe Seawall area, while nice, also has it's problems. I know many people who have live/lived there. Some thought it would be a nice area, but found out with all the Americans living there, it can be just as bad as base. All the new buildings in the area like to rent to the Americans. Some of the people that had lived there a long time, found themselves surrounded by neighbors that tryed to turn it into an "off-base, base rules area". So they left the area. 12 years ago, there were alot of Americans, but they seemed to be more relaxed. Now, you have too many people that think they are living in on-base housing and will bitch and moan if you try to have any fun or have a B-B-Q that goes above 5 decibles and lasts past 8:00pm. Just take a drive around the area you want to rent and count all the AFN dishes and "Y"-plates. If you find a place with cool nieghbors, count yourself lucky. There are only a few cool peeps left down there.

:thumbup1:


Just look at how the places are built, all covered and alligned and carbon copies of each other. Damn thing is base housing.:(

[BleuEneG]

The Sunabe Seawall area, while nice, also has it's problems. I know many people who have live/lived there. Some thought it would be a nice area, but found out with all the Americans living there, it can be just as bad as base. All the new buildings in the area like to rent to the Americans. Some of the people that had lived there a long time, found themselves surrounded by neighbors that tryed to turn it into an "off-base, base rules area". So they left the area. 12 years ago, there were alot of Americans, but they seemed to be more relaxed. Now, you have too many people that think they are living in on-base housing and will bitch and moan if you try to have any fun or have a B-B-Q that goes above 5 decibles and lasts past 8:00pm. Just take a drive around the area you want to rent and count all the AFN dishes and "Y"-plates. If you find a place with cool nieghbors, count yourself lucky. There are only a few cool peeps left down there.

:thumbup1:

I agree Sex Wax that problems/people living off base are no better than those who live on. The first month I got here I was already trying to convince my husband that we would be way better of living in town because I hated this "ghetto neighborhood" and all the whacked people that live here. Then I had to take a moment and get real with myself and ask...is it all just them?

There are problems everywhere because we are all part of the human race. If you think moving off base is going to be the answer for what gripes you have you are just setting yourself up for an even bigger dissapointment that is going to get you complaining even more.

Sometimes the problems we have with people that tempt us to move/run away follow us and thus cause us to believe the lie that we are in the right and they are just wrong. Or maybe our perception is flawed and those damn neighbors we convinced ourselves we will hate actually end up being pretty cool folks to know.

Life is too short to waste time always trying to find something better. Maybe we can make it better.

[socalheart]

We live on the opposite side of the island from the Sunabe and Chatan seawall areas. We found a 3LDK/1BA/2CP with an ocean view and three minute drive or 15 minute walk (depending how fast one walks) to the seawall for Y180,000. The only drawback is that it's a 20-30 minute drive to the bases depending on traffic. The place also allows pets with a deposit.

[P_chan]

how did you get it so low?

Because that's my cap. The apartment complex is a little older, but newly remodeled. It's got a nice view of the ocean, but it's still a little ways away from the actual sea wall. So by not moving into a brand spanking new apartment right on the seawall, I ended up paying less. Still don't think I should be paying anything more then 800 bucks a month though.

The only thing that sucks about it is everyone in my complex is american. Once I was living with my wife in Ginowan it was nice and quite. All our neighbors were japanese and none of them were very loud. The apartment was small, but had an awesome shower and rent was cheap (around 600 bucks). If we had it my way, we would have moved into a little two story house in yomiton. It had a small yard and deck, and a balcony off the master bedroom. The rooms weren't as spacious as my current place, but it felt more like a home. But, my wife was working in naha at the time and didn't want to drive the extra distance.

[wenjam]

We have also had our share of times we have thought of living off base. We would love to be in the Okinawan Culture. But you also have to look at it like...if there is a problem off base, how long does it take to get fixed going through your landlord? Here it is usually the same day....you will have mold no matter where you go..it is too humid not to...also, if you go over your alowance for utilities, it comes out of pocket, and just because the rent says it is lower than your Housing Allowance...don't believe it. They WILL charge your CAP so you don't get any left over....We are still thinking about moving off base, but also thinking about staying here for saving money.

[Zanpa]

Sunabe=Gaijin Ghetto

[日本 りより]

I'm a strong advocate of off-base living and hated being on base when I was in the military. I've loved life ever since I move out in town. I lived in Ginowan for a while and was like 1 of 3 Americans in the neighbor hood. It was great! However, our Japanese neighbors (old folks), who owned their apt. were annoying and nosy, and the apartment had some kind of crazy Saturday field day (everyone, except us, getting together to clean outside)! The price we pay as American military here (double the local residents in the same building) should provide us with a clean area around the building, covered by the rich-ass owner. Anyways, I hear and see that this building was unique, and so were the nosy neighbors..........

Since we moved to the Hamby area, no problems. Of course, not in the military anymore so I could just tell people to screw off if I had any. I'm a stones throw from the beach, and paying a third of what I was when I was in the military. There's a young, low rank marine I notice living across the street in a nice little newer looking place so who knows. There are tons of housing agencies, go to all of them, even if they show you a place and you think "this is it", go check the next one and next. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you might find. I love living off base and if you get the right area, you will too. It's hard when you're in the military but you may be better off checking the Hamby area or between there and the convention center if you want to be close to the water. Good luck.......

[日本 りより]

We have also had our share of times we have thought of living off base. We would love to be in the Okinawan Culture. But you also have to look at it like...if there is a problem off base, how long does it take to get fixed going through your landlord? Here it is usually the same day....you will have mold no matter where you go..it is too humid not to...also, if you go over your alowance for utilities, it comes out of pocket, and just because the rent says it is lower than your Housing Allowance...don't believe it. They WILL charge your CAP so you don't get any left over....We are still thinking about moving off base, but also thinking about staying here for saving money.


When I was still in the military, my wife talked me into staying on base to save money, just like you say. But, once I finally talked her into moving off, we saved more because even though you get charged your cap and can't bank the way you can state side, you do also get an extra utility allowance that, for us anyways, covered our expenses and left us with extra. If you're smart and carefull you could be better off financially off base. Probably would depend on the size of your family though. It's just the two of us.......

[socalheart]

They WILL charge your CAP so you don't get any left over...

I disagree with this as a blanket statement. Our rent does not reach our maximum rent allowance. Our housing agency, Sunny's, never raised the rent of any of the places we looked at to meet our max. I don't believe all the housing agencies on island are as disreputable as many here have stated.

[Jazz]

Well even if they don't charge your cap, whatever they do charge is what you're going to get from the military. You won't get your cap, you'll get the price of rent, if at or lower than your cap. The only way you could bank as you can state side is to maybe know the people at the agency and get them to say the rent price is your cap on paper and then actually charge you a lower price........

[BleuEneG]

Well even if they don't charge your cap, whatever they do charge is what you're going to get from the military. You won't get your cap, you'll get the price of rent, if at or lower than your cap. The only way you could bank as you can state side is to maybe know the people at the agency and get them to say the rent price is your cap on paper and then actually charge you a lower price........

Or you can negotiate with the landlord to include a flat rate for the utilities into the price of the rent and get all the cap. Agree with him off contract that you will pay anything over. That way you get all your cap...your utilities are taken care of and you pocket most of the other money you get.

[Jazz]

Now that's using your head.......

[Muku]

Or you can negotiate with the landlord to include a flat rate for the utilities into the price of the rent and get all the cap. Agree with him off contract that you will pay anything over. That way you get all your cap...your utilities are taken care of and you pocket most of the other money you get.
I would love to know what agency would negotiate utilities charges?

It stands to reason that unless one is living in a coop type of apartment complex utilites are charged separately and the landlord would not be involved.

If you are paying your landlord for utilities as well how do you actually know what your useage is in the first place? He or she may already be overcharging you and you wouldnt even know it.

[TheLastDon]

I would love to know what agency would negotiate utilities charges?

It stands to reason that unless one is living in a coop type of apartment complex utilites are charged separately and the landlord would not be involved.

If you are paying your landlord for utilities as well how do you actually know what your useage is in the first place? He or she may already be overcharging you and you wouldnt even know it.

Yeah I never heard of that being done here. They do it in Hawaii but the housing is run by a contractor.

[Tony Stacks]

I disagree with this as a blanket statement. Our rent does not reach our maximum rent allowance. Our housing agency, Sunny's, never raised the rent of any of the places we looked at to meet our max. I don't believe all the housing agencies on island are as disreputable as many here have stated.

The housing agencies that deal with SOFA peeps have the OHA chart with the ranks and amounts. Even if they charge less OHA is only the amount that your rent is plus a flat reate for utilities.

ie; Sgt Jones gets a place now the cap for an E-5 is $1300 a month but his rent od $600. His OHA will be $600 plus whatever the rate for utilities is.

So either way somebody is screwing Sgt Jones.

[proudtobnotpc]

I live in the Sunabe sea wall area. Behind the village office, in a 3LDK house and we only pay 74,000 a month in rent. We have a small yard and plenty of parking .There are a lot of houses out there but you have to stray away from the big housing agencies.

[BleuEneG]

I would love to know what agency would negotiate utilities charges?

It stands to reason that unless one is living in a coop type of apartment complex utilites are charged separately and the landlord would not be involved.

If you are paying your landlord for utilities as well how do you actually know what your useage is in the first place? He or she may already be overcharging you and you wouldnt even know it.

LOL well just cuz you never heard of something doesnt mean it doesnt exsist.

I know of two families that are doing it like this and have told us we are missing out on extra money by living on base. No I don't know the names of companies.

But as far as paying the landlord without knowing how much you are using and him overcharging that is why some are willing to do it.Once you set the flat rate he wins if you don't use that much and you havent had to tap into your extra pay for utilities (unless you go over). That is his motivation for dealing with you this way.

[hankypanky]

i know a guy who has the housing office give him a reciept for 120,000 yen but only pays 80,000. gives the housing office 10,000 for their trouble. got crooks on both side of the fence:cursing:

[proudtobnotpc]

i know a guy who has the housing office give him a reciept for 120,000 yen but only pays 80,000. gives the housing office 10,000 for their trouble. got crooks on both side of the fence:cursing:
don't sweat it sooner or later he will get nailed. Committing fraud with the Federal Government kind of pisses them off. Hope he looks good in orange, because he is headed to the Happy Hansen Hunters Lodge:army:

[Asshat]

i know a guy who has the housing office give him a reciept for 120,000 yen but only pays 80,000. gives the housing office 10,000 for their trouble. got crooks on both side of the fence:cursing:

Yeah, I have seen this thread sort of headed in that direction. Any Gov agency can and many do request receipts. If that is included in the rent, fine.

But God help the renter who is receiving a kick back and gets caught. If a civilian, the bare mininum is loss of employment. I wouldn't want to be back paying a couple years worth of a 400 dollar a month kick back.

[Tony Stacks]

i know a guy who has the housing office give him a reciept for 120,000 yen but only pays 80,000. gives the housing office 10,000 for their trouble. got crooks on both side of the fence:cursing:


If that guy is military than he is not a crook in my eyes he is taking what he deserves. OHA shoul just be an amount like BAH in the states.

[socalheart]

... a 3LDK house and we only pay 74,000 a month in rent.

is it a gov't approved house though? rent is higher if the place has to be approved by the gov't. the same for japanese gov't approved housing, which i discovered when apartment hunting before i was sofa status here.

[proudtobnotpc]

is it a gov't approved house though? rent is higher if the place has to be approved by the gov't. the same for japanese gov't approved housing, which i discovered when apartment hunting before i was sofa status here.

yes thats true. As I do not have (nor desire to have) SOFA, but if you keep looking you can find one that the owners are not jacking up the rent. Or PM me what is is you are looking for and I'll have my wife do a search for you. She is very good at that:thumbup:

[Daniela]

I thought negotiating utilities into the rent was not suppose to be. I would hate to get caught on that one.
If your rent is under your cap the government keeps the money.
In either case I would hate to live by the seawall. Seems way too crowded and just like on base. I don't mind the little extra drive I have to take every day. If it wasn't for my school age child that needs a school bus I would have moved further out, but I am just too lazy to driver her to and from school everyday.
I love my little Yomitan, although it's getting pretty crowded here too. At least no one can build a house behind me and block my view.

[badkitty]

I live in a nice area by Nakagami Hospital and i have a back yard and I don't have a lot of miltary people there are 6 couples in the immediate area that i know of. we are the odd balls because we are surrounded by locals. I love it. It's 3bed/2bth and I wouldn't move to save my live. I have a park aright around the block and plenty of resturants to satisfy me.

[Muku]

LOL well just cuz you never heard of something doesnt mean it doesnt exsist.

I know of two families that are doing it like this and have told us we are missing out on extra money by living on base. No I don't know the names of companies.

But as far as paying the landlord without knowing how much you are using and him overcharging that is why some are willing to do it.Once you set the flat rate he wins if you don't use that much and you havent had to tap into your extra pay for utilities (unless you go over). That is his motivation for dealing with you this way.
Never said it didnt exist just asked what agency, because to me it sounded illegal.

[TheLastDon]

Never said it didnt exist just asked what agency, because to me it sounded illegal.

Probably directed at me but it's not worth commenting on. :)

[Muku]

Probably directed at me but it's not worth commenting on. :)
Actually TLD it was directed towards Bleu and her reply to my quote earlier in the thread.

WHy did you think it was to you?:confused:

[Courtney]

ok, so i only got a handful of advice on my thread...
But anyway...what agencys do you reccomend? Hubby and I both love the seawall area...the crazyness and all the people that come along w/ it=) guess we're the odd balls...oh well...
does anyone know if any agencys will put us on a waiting list for a specific apartment/townhouse we want?

[TheLastDon]

Actually TLD it was directed towards Bleu and her reply to my quote earlier in the thread.

WHy did you think it was to you?:confused:

No I think her comment about "never hearing of something" was directed at me. I quoted you and said I never heard of this as well.

Sorry should of used the quote box better. :o

My comment would be the same as yours in that it sounds very illegal and not a good option. Heck, my electric bill has a 10,000 yen difference between summer and winter months. I can't imagine what the difference would be for some of those larger apartments and houses.:argh3:

[BleuEneG]

No I think her comment about "never hearing of something" was directed at me. I quoted you and said I never heard of this as well.

Sorry should of used the quote box better. :o

My comment would be the same as yours in that it sounds very illegal and not a good option. Heck, my electric bill has a 10,000 yen difference between summer and winter months. I can't imagine what the difference would be for some of those larger apartments and houses.:argh3:

Dude...kick back. Go look for drama elsewhere. I repied to MUKU's comment. And I am going to reply to it again because he got me to thinking about this some more. I didnt even regard your comment because I havent established any sort of relationship with you and I don't plan to. bye.

[BleuEneG]

I thought negotiating utilities into the rent was not suppose to be. I would hate to get caught on that one.
If your rent is under your cap the government keeps the money.
In either case I would hate to live by the seawall. Seems way too crowded and just like on base. I don't mind the little extra drive I have to take every day. If it wasn't for my school age child that needs a school bus I would have moved further out, but I am just too lazy to driver her to and from school everyday.
I love my little Yomitan, although it's getting pretty crowded here too. At least no one can build a house behind me and block my view.

Well I'v been searching my heart about this all afternoon because if there is anything shady about my character I want to correct it right now.

But I still don't see this as being some that is not legit. You wouldn't be asking someone to NOT charge you something and pocket the difference, you would asking the landlord to charge you more so that the money you pay for utilities comes out of that same account and maximizing your allowance.

So maybe I am wrong but I see it like this. Say you get pre-approved for a mortgage of 350K. You find a fixer and the seller is asking for 250K but it needs some repairs and cosmetic work. You offer the seller more than what he is asking so he get the work done and you can apply the cost to your mortgage rather than paying for thousands of dollars of repairs. That isint illegal.

So why would it be illegal to maximize your allowance by adding the utilities into the rent. Lots of rentals do that..I am a landlord right now and I pay a few things to upkeep my house. It's tied into the rent I charge.

[wenjam]

ok, so i only got a handful of advice on my thread...
But anyway...what agencys do you reccomend? Hubby and I both love the seawall area...the crazyness and all the people that come along w/ it=) guess we're the odd balls...oh well...
does anyone know if any agencys will put us on a waiting list for a specific apartment/townhouse we want?

You can go to the Housing office and get the agency list...just remember, you have to have lived in your quarters on base for a year from when you moved in, and signed the lease. Good luck on the house hunting....The housing office also has a list of the apartments, and houses available for rent now. Hope this helps you out.

[Asshat]

But I still don't see this as being some that is not legit. You wouldn't be asking someone to NOT charge you something and pocket the difference, you would asking the landlord to charge you more so that the money you pay for utilities comes out of that same account and maximizing your allowance.

This is far different from what we do as landlords in the US. When a landowner here rolls up the rent and the utilities into one fee, the GOJ may be cheated by the landowner, as they are paying the utiliites or offset thereof.

Also, while everyone on SOFA with a housing allowance has a ceiling based on US GOV policy, no where within that law are allowances made to allow a renter or retain or receive additional services for those government funds.

This is not as simple as being approved for a mortgage or even a rent ceiling. Using funds from the US GOV in any way other than what is on the lease is fraud.

Anyone reading this can do what they want. Any of us who have been around here for a few years know of people who have been hammered hard by abusing or defrauding this program both military and civilian.

[Tony Stacks]

Any of us who have been around here for a few years know of people who have been hammered hard by abusing or defrauding this program both military and civilian.


yea except the military guy gets burned more even though he makes less.:cursing:

[Asshat]

yea except the military guy gets burned more even though he makes less.:cursing:

I know a civilian who lost his job, his SOFA, everything, and still owed thousands.

[Tony Stacks]

I know a civilian who lost his job, his SOFA, everything, and still owed thousands.


I know but I think the military guy would get burned more.

[P_chan]

Dude...kick back. Go look for drama elsewhere. I repied to MUKU's comment. And I am going to reply to it again because he got me to thinking about this some more. I didnt even regard your comment because I havent established any sort of relationship with you and I don't plan to. bye.

Yeah....no one likes TLD anyways......he's just a drama whore.:rolleyes:

[socalheart]

It seems that many (more than 4, less than everyone) of y'all don't have a positive opinion about living near other US military folks. We live in an apartment building that's about half and half, half locals and half US military, based on the license plates in the parking lot. The only problems we ever heard were from the single US military folks and Japanese families having parties or coming home late from the drinking.

[Muku]

Well I'v been searching my heart about this all afternoon because if there is anything shady about my character I want to correct it right now.

After reading your other posts here on this topic I can see where there may have been a misunderstanding.

The example you gave works well for a stateside landlord I would guess but as pointed out by Uminchu the US Government is also involved here.

Purely out of curiosity did you know or were you aware that off base housing utilities costs are subsidized here by the Japanese Government?

Let me add that I dont think nor thought for a second that you have or had a shady character:D

[BleuEneG]

After reading your other posts here on this topic I can see where there may have been a misunderstanding.

The example you gave works well for a stateside landlord I would guess but as pointed out by Uminchu the US Government is also involved here.

Purely out of curiosity did you know or were you aware that off base housing utilities costs are subsidized here by the Japanese Government?Let me add that I dont think nor thought for a second that you have or had a shady character:D


Muku...no this is all new to me. I guess I am seeing now that housing allowance over here is different from housing allowance back home. Back home you get all of what you are qualified for and if you find a place where the rent is cheaper than your allowance you pocket the difference.

At least that's how it's been for me the last 14 years I've been married to a Marine and I have never heard of anyone going to jail for living below their means.

This is another reason why we decided to buy a house. Take advantage of one of the benefits of being in the military and have them pay your mortgage while we build equity.

By the way...why does the Japanese government subsidize utilities for military anyway?

[Muku]

By the way...why does the Japanese government subsidize utilities for military anyway?

I seem to recall a request made quite a few years ago by the US Military to the Japanese Government for assistance with the costs associated with off base utilities. For the life of me I can not remember when it first started and honestly why it started in the first place.

[Asshat]

By the way...why does the Japanese government subsidize utilities for military anyway?

It is part of the mutual security agreement between the US and Japan. The GOJ also subsidizes other facilities costs on bases.

[Takako]

ok, so i only got a handful of advice on my thread...
But anyway...what agencys do you reccomend? Hubby and I both love the seawall area...the crazyness and all the people that come along w/ it=) guess we're the odd balls...oh well...
does anyone know if any agencys will put us on a waiting list for a specific apartment/townhouse we want?

I recommend Tokozato housing, but there is a crapload of them on island. Go to the housing office on Kadena, there's a lady that will fax your number to all the housing agencies and then prepare for your phone to ring off the hook. Tell them where you want to live and they'll take you to housing that meets your rank. That's a good way to see what your $ can get.

I think with your rank and size of family you won't find anything on the seawall. Be sure to ask what the airplane noise is like, b/c the flight line is nearby, it can get LOUD!!

As far as the waiting list, if there is a specific building you like or area, they will put you on a "list". A lot of things have to come together, for instance, when you can move out of base housing, when the building will be available, etc.

[Brand_X]

I lived there and hated it. Nice view but the area in general sucks.

I personally love living by the convention center in Oyama. You can walk to tropical beach and the bypass street has less traffic than 58. Prices are more normal as well. The area is nice people are friendly even though I live down the road for the mafia (not really). Thats what I call them. The guys with the black vans and jeeps with the Japanese war flags.

[Daniela]

I suggest exploring the island a bit more. Have you looked at other areas? There are quite a few people that love the Awase area on the East Side.
As for me I knew that Yomitan was where I wanted to live.
The housing agencies will take you around as much as you want to. I am pretty sure you will find something within your cap. Technically it does not cost anymore to live off base unless you use over your utility allowance.
Where it got us was that we paid the agency fee, first and last month rent on our own, without advances, because we didn't want to owe the government anything.
That set us back about 5 grand the very first month. After that it was smooth sailing.
The trick is to schedule your move in date and inspection date for housing as close together as you can because you will not receive OHA until you clear housing.
There is also a "deadline" for the next month. I think it is around 15th or 20th to kick in for the following month. Make sure you make that or you'll pay out of pocket again until you get reimbursed.
First and foremost; how long have you lived in housing. It has to be a year before you can move.
Good luck.

[AFuel567]

We have also had our share of times we have thought of living off base. We would love to be in the Okinawan Culture. But you also have to look at it like...if there is a problem off base, how long does it take to get fixed going through your landlord? Here it is usually the same day....you will have mold no matter where you go..it is too humid not to...also, if you go over your alowance for utilities, it comes out of pocket, and just because the rent says it is lower than your Housing Allowance...don't believe it. They WILL charge your CAP so you don't get any left over....We are still thinking about moving off base, but also thinking about staying here for saving money.They're only charging you the cap because a few years ago DOD mandated that you can't keep the difference between rent and cap. I live in Koja within sight of the Gushikawa JUSCO, no ocean view, not new but 2000+sq ft. Nice quiet mix of Okinawan and American neighbors. I only pay 200K/month.

[AFuel567]

ok, so i only got a handful of advice on my thread...
But anyway...what agencys do you reccomend? Hubby and I both love the seawall area...the crazyness and all the people that come along w/ it=) guess we're the odd balls...oh well...
does anyone know if any agencys will put us on a waiting list for a specific apartment/townhouse we want?
I'd recommend Tokuzato, Central, Joy and Robinson housing agencies. Tokuzato is buliding a lot of new American friendly stuff on island. The others all have nice things as well. I looked at over 25 places before I settled on mine, I went through Joy, my agent there has set up her own agency Robinson Housing. I have a huge place a park around the corner a Union a few hundred feet from my front door, San A a block or so away and JUSCO is about five blocks away.

[prekteacher]

Why don't you try Yomitan? I know this couple (who is leaving in September) with two kids and a dog, they live about twenty steps away from the sea, and the husband is an e-5. and it's a HOUSE not an apartment. it is pretty neat too. Sunabe Seawall is crowded with Americans (i work there, so i really know). I used to want to live there because the houses look neat, but going there everyday, i realize that everything looks almost the same. it looks good at first, but you will get tired of it after a while. but that's just me. . . . and most apartments over there are expensive just because it's really close to the sea, and because many people want to live in that area. they take advantage of that. my husband and i found a house double the size of some at sunabe seawall, with three bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, living room and tatami room, a huge yard that fits like 6 cars, and a balcony, for his e-4 housing allowance. it's about a fifteen-minute drive to the sea, but it's awesome. we live in Uruma City, and some of the houses and apartments here are cheaper than those down there at Sunabe, Chatan area.

[prekteacher]

We have also had our share of times we have thought of living off base. We would love to be in the Okinawan Culture. But you also have to look at it like...if there is a problem off base, how long does it take to get fixed going through your landlord? Here it is usually the same day....you will have mold no matter where you go..it is too humid not to...also, if you go over your alowance for utilities, it comes out of pocket, and just because the rent says it is lower than your Housing Allowance...don't believe it. They WILL charge your CAP so you don't get any left over....We are still thinking about moving off base, but also thinking about staying here for saving money.

it really depends on your landlord, if they are nice, they will give you what you need ASAP. my friend's landlord started to do the landscape on her garden just because she did not know what to do with it, but she just asked the landlord to help her. she's blessed to have a nice one. some of them you really just have to call them up every day to let them know your problem isn't fixed. but housing problems don't arise every day! and the utility allowance, you can keep some if you don't use too much electricity, water, and stuff like that. electricity isn't free off-base, and they don't joke around when you waste it. my husband used to leave is computer on 24/7 on our first month in our home off-base, and we were charged Y15,000 that month! but after he stopped doing that, it went down to Y8,000. see, little things like that help out a lot.

[L Boogie]

I suggest Yomitan as well. We live there, right on the outside edge of Torii Station. We have a ground floor 3 br/2 full ba apartment with a fenced in yard. We pay Y180,000/mo. The pet fee was only Y15,000. We have 3 dogs and 2 cats, and the landlord doesn't care because we keep our place clean and maintained.

Tagouchi beach is a 20 minute walk, or a 2 minute drive from our complex. Torii Station is right there, for gas and small Shoppette stuff...and they have a beach as well. Yomitan is pretty peaceful, mostly a farming community. There's lots of walkways for exercising, and we now have a Starbucks. Yay Yomitan!!

It takes me about 10 mins to drive to gate 1 or gate 3, and there is never heavy traffic unlike Sunabe.

[Asshat]

Lots of nice places to live...a lot of them involve a 40-minute drive to and from work, no school bus for the kids, etc. too.

[Daniela]

School bus stops up on 6 all the way past Toya Port. It's just an early morning for the kids.