Base Housing?

[sam21506]

I'm getting married before my boyfriend goes to navy boot camp, So I was wondering, When he goes to BUDS training in Coronado afterwards will He and I be able to apply for base housing or No. I need to know if I can live with my Husband out there in Coronado while he is in the 2 year training process?

[kimintx89]

I believe the answer is yes...But you don't actually live on base..they have housing off base.....

[xjswife]

When you say "boot camp" do you mean the prep program in Great Lakes? If you are married, you will qualify for BAH (housing allowance) and you can live "on base" or off base with that money. There are a lot of military housing options in the San Diego area...I am also in the process of sorting through the different options with my husband. We are leaning towards non-military housing, because you can pocket the extra money of your BAH. Of course, military housing has many benefits, such as added security and proximity to other military families and support. Here is a link to the military housing application process (kind of complicated); https://www.cnic.navy.mil/CNRSW/OperatingForcesSupport/OperatingSupport/index.htm

We are thinking about a non-military apartment in Imperial Beach because it is very close to the BUD/S training facility. I hear good things about Chula Vista, too. You might want to read the "Bayview Hills" thread for more information. Soccermom posted some really great information about the different types of areas nearby. Keep in mind that during the first few weeks of BUD/S, your husband will be required to live on base with the other recruits. They will have free time on the weekends, but there is a curfew M-Th and then on Sunday. There are more liberties after Hell Week. I am planning to join my husband after BUD/S, during SQT. But there are some wives already out there, and some who will stay put during the duration of the training. All depends on what works best for the two of you.

[bigv123]

The big benefit to using the BAH and living off base is that money goes into a MORTGAGE (unless you're renting of course) and thus builds you long term wealth. Living on base, you sacrifice the BAH, build no such wealth...but, it's free of charge (mostly).

There are several ways to look at the market.

V

[soccermom]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, sam. My best to you and your husband-to-be!

I wanted to chime in with others here. It's been awhile since we've lived in housing so I'm not sure of the latest "rules and regs" but I agree with xjswife that once you're married I'm sure you can get on a housing list. However, you may not be able to get on a list in Coronado. There may be some rank and family size restrictions for on and off base housing in Coronado. Maybe xjswife or some of the other wives have looked into this?

There are a few things to keep in mind while you're looking into housing and the age-old question of whether or not to come out while your husband is in BUD/S. First, there isn't really any kind of support set up for the families of BUD/S students. There has been some attempt to bring in wives and girlfriends after pool comp week in phase 2 but I'm not sure if that's still going on. Families of 273 would be more current on whether or not they've experienced anything like that. If you have a supportive family, now would be a good time to lean on that support. I promise that you'll have plenty of opportunity to be amazingly independent if he makes it to the Teams. Now is a good time to set yourselves up for success for what comes later.

It's also important to remember that San Diego is a big city that is very spread out. It's hard to live here without having a car. If you don't live in Coronado or IB, it's even a logistical challenge to only have one car for the two of you. If you can find work and housing along a trolley line then that would help. Other than that, public transportation in San Diego is a real hassle, in my opinion. (If you have a car & a good place to live though, it's a fun place to be. I love it!)

If you're looking at civilian housing options vs navy housing remember to include the cost of utilities. I called SDGE & water company to compare utility costs at different addresses when we were moving. We don't use much in the way of heating and cooling in San Diego but the rates are pretty high and it can eat up any perceived savings of BAH.

While I agree with bigv in principle about buying over renting, that wouldn't be my recommendation for very young newlyweds going through BUD/S. My feeling is the fewer responsibilites during this time, the better.

Soccermom (SEAL wife)

[bowtieman81]

Don't mean to steer off topic here, but I think my question is related.

I am married, and hoping to make it to bud/s in summer of 2009. Our plan was for my wife to stay at home while i am at bud/s, then join me once I reach SQT (if all goes well). I was planning to live in the barracks at bud/s just like the non-married guys.

My understanding of the above is that I will get BAH, even if I live in the barracks. Is this true?

Thanks, Pete

[xjswife]

Yes, you will recieve BAH during your time apart as a geographical bachelor. Also, because there is now a pre-BUD/S program in Great Lakes, IL, for an undetermined amount of months (my guy was there from March to August), you will also recieve BAH during that time. The BAH is determined by YOUR station-- not your wife's location. In SD, it's about $1,400 a month. It's a long time to be away from each other, but we're glad we're saving money towards a mortgage -- especially now with this economic mess we're in. Also, even though being apart sucks, I think it has helped hubby to focus on his training. Less complications = more success. Granted, if you are a couple that doesn't do well over long distance, it might be worth your while to try and arrange a move before BUD/S. Just remember, there are no guarantees and you should have back-up plans in place.

Also, back to Soccermom's post -- there is no rank/family size exceptions to the housing other than you have to be married, but we've been told the wait is about 3 months minimum. We're in the process of getting on a list, but hubby has had a hard time making it over to the housing office due to his BUD/S schedule. Honestly, we're aiming for non-military housing so that we can pocket the extra BAH. The list is simply a back-up plan. And I completely agree with Soccermom -- save the mortgage for when your future is certain. No point in putting the cart before the horse if your husband still has boot camp, BUD/S and SQT before he can even think about being placed on a Team.

As for attempts at organizing families/support groups, hubby was told they will address that in Phase II. He is in his last week of Phase I, so I'll try and update you as we approach pool comp. There was some concern about wives/gfs and other family members of 273 reaching out via this site and divulging too much information about training and recruits, so I would remind you that everything you say on this site is public and is being read by a wider audience. At first, I was a bit frustrated that there wasn't an attempt to bring together some of the wives and families -- but after listening to hubby rattle off the DORs and injury roll backs every night, I completely understand why they wait until Phase II.

Hope this helps in some way.

--Kate

[bowtieman81]

Kate,

Thanks for answering my questions. It is great to have first-hand knowledge. It also sounds like you and your husband are thinking along the lines of my wife and I. We currently have a house here in Illinois, and would like to keep it until she moves in with me, but like you said there is boot camp, pre bud/s, bud/s and SQT before that happens.

She is used to me being gone a lot. My present job keeps me away 1-2 weeks out of every month. Like you said I think it would be less distraction for me.

Thank again.

[soccermom]

Yes, you will recieve BAH during your time apart as a geographical bachelor. Also, because there is now a pre-BUD/S program in Great Lakes, IL, for an undetermined amount of months (my guy was there from March to August), you will also recieve BAH during that time. The BAH is determined by YOUR station-- not your wife's location. In SD, it's about $1,400 a month. It's a long time to be away from each other, but we're glad we're saving money towards a mortgage -- especially now with this economic mess we're in. Also, even though being apart sucks, I think it has helped hubby to focus on his training. Less complications = more success. Granted, if you are a couple that doesn't do well over long distance, it might be worth your while to try and arrange a move before BUD/S. Just remember, there are no guarantees and you should have back-up plans in place.

Also, back to Soccermom's post -- there is no rank/family size exceptions to the housing other than you have to be married, but we've been told the wait is about 3 months minimum. We're in the process of getting on a list, but hubby has had a hard time making it over to the housing office due to his BUD/S schedule. Honestly, we're aiming for non-military housing so that we can pocket the extra BAH. The list is simply a back-up plan. And I completely agree with Soccermom -- save the mortgage for when your future is certain. No point in putting the cart before the horse if your husband still has boot camp, BUD/S and SQT before he can even think about being placed on a Team.

As for attempts at organizing families/support groups, hubby was told they will address that in Phase II. He is in his last week of Phase I, so I'll try and update you as we approach pool comp. There was some concern about wives/gfs and other family members of 273 reaching out via this site and divulging too much information about training and recruits, so I would remind you that everything you say on this site is public and is being read by a wider audience. At first, I was a bit frustrated that there wasn't an attempt to bring together some of the wives and families -- but after listening to hubby rattle off the DORs and injury roll backs every night, I completely understand why they wait until Phase II.

Hope this helps in some way.

--Kate

That's great info from someone who's living it right now. Thanks for clarifying all of that. That's also good news about connecting with others in Phase II.

I was thinking of rank/family size restrictions for Coronado housing specifically. If the Coronado/Strand housing list is only three months long and you don't need to have kids to get on the list then I would recommend that without even looking into other options. That's a great neighborhood.

[xjswife]

Ah ha! I should have read that more closely!

Here is the info on the Strand housing direct from the website in case anyone is interested:

(also, the link: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/cnrsw/OperatingForcesSupport/OperatingSupport/HousingTypes/index.htm)


Silver Strand IThis facility is located approximately 2.5 miles south of Naval Amphibious Base (NAB), Coronado and 6.6 miles southeast of the Naval Base. The district management office is Silver Strand District located at 1208 Leyte Road, Coronado CA 92118. These duplex style units have 2 bathrooms and an attached 1 car garage. All units are unfurnished, but are equipped with a gas range, refrigerator, dishwahser, garbage disposal, smoke detectors, and washer and gas/electric dryer hookups. These units do not have air conditioning. The site has perimeter fencing. A recreation building is available for meetings, et cetera. There is also a pool located near the recreation building. Birds and fish as well as Two (2) Pets (Dogs or Cats) are Permitted. Recycling is mandatory. The facility consists of 210senior enlisted quarters as follows:
Grade Bedroom size Number of units E-6 through E-9 3 184 4 26
Silver Strand IIThis facility is located approximately 3 miles south of Naval Amphibious Base (NAB), Coronado and 7 miles southwest of the Naval Base. The district management office is Silver Strand District located at 1208 Leyte Road, Coronado CA 92118. The apartment style units have 1 bathroom and the townhomes have 1 1/2 bathrooms. The units have stucco exterior and red tile roofs. All units are unfurnished, but are equipped with a gas range, refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and smoke detectors. The units are carpeted and have window coverings. Each townhouse has a utilty room with washer and gas/electric dryer hookups, a single car garage, storage space and patio. Play areas, basketball court, and a baseball field are also located on site. There is also a pool located near the recreation building. There are a limited number of wheelchair access units. Birds and fish are permitted. No Dogs or Cats are Allowed. This facility consists of 180 junior enlisted quarters as follows:
Grade Bedroom size Number of units E-1 through E-6 2 150 3 30


Good follow-up, Soccermom!