Choosing On-Post or Off-Post when PCSing to Fort Hood, TX

Takeaways

Be sure to thoroughly explore the Fort Hood area and your options before deciding
If you’ve always lived on-post or rented, consider what you may be missing out on

Why Off-Post Wins

More Choices

There are far more home options off post than on. And you get to choose, not the Army. For example, definitely consider off post if living somewhere more rural is your cup of tea.

Better Choices

Like probably most posts, Fort Hood housing is hit or miss. Picking out your home, apartment or rental from the 1000s available at any given time means you have control over the quality of your housing.

Can Buy A Home

If you are considering buying a home, living on post is not an option (Uncle Sam owns them all). Buying smartly each time you PCS can lead to building a portfolio of investment properties, supplementing your income for a lifetime.

Get Away from the Army

It’s hard to get that “get away” feeling when you literally live where you work. Living out among the civilians (even if most of them are veterans themselves) is perhaps nice to keep your sanity.

Make the Most of Your BAH

You lose your BAH when living on post. When you live off post, you can get that BAH toward your housing, no matter what your housing actually costs. Get room mates, a duplex, or just a little less home, and pocket the savings!

Freedom!

Living on post is like living in an Homeowners Association. It has advantages, but is mostly tightly regulated. A lot of people are in your business. Most off-post neighborhoods are not HOA, and come with fewer busy bodies!

Don't Get Pigeon-Holed by Rank

Your on post housing is highly dependent on your rank, marital status and number of kids. Living off post means you can get what you need in a home, not what the Army thinks you need.

8 Reasons You Will LOVE Fort Hood

There is a lot to do within a short distance of Fort Hood
Central Texas is one of the most robust and fastest growing areas in the country
The cost of living is amazing

BEGIN EXPLORING!

Why On-Post Wins

Super Easy

On post housing is usually the path of least resistance. Big Army can get your housing straight without too much effort on your part (hopefully).

Short Commute to PT

Like sleeping in late? Prefer to shower at home? Get away from some of the morning and after work Killeen traffic? Living on post can accomodate that.

Convenient to Military Amenities

Not only close to work, but you are close to the Army community and amenities, including the PX shopping, post gyms, and pools.

You're Really, Really Important

Most flag officers, Command Sergeants Major, and others in key leadership positions are often expected or even required to live on post.

Safety

Living on post is like living in a giant gated community, where literally the US Army is the gate guard. That can be an added peace of mind (and there are very few gated communities available off post in the Fort Hood area).

My Personal Experiences

I have never lived on post – I bought a home at my first duty station at Ft. Sill, and bought a home again every time I PCSed. I could have done it smarter, but I now have 5 homes, 4 of which are rentals.

I hate seeing military service members go from post to post for 20 years, renting the entire time. They wait to buy until after retirement. They start a new 30 year loan around the same time I (or my tenant, rather) will be paying off my first house.

In the Fort Hood area, it is just as easy to take your BAH and find some off-post housing to your liking. I am a fan of living off post.

Here are some personal stories of military folks discussing what they like and dislike about living on-post versus renting or buying off-post.

On-Post It Is!

Here is the housing office information to find out more about getting a home on post.

SEARCH ON-POST FORT HOOD HOUSING

Availability is not usually a major issue with Fort Hood housing. In fact, on-post housing was recently opened up to civilian renters due to high vacany rates.

Off-Post It Is!

Now you have to decide, buy or rent? 2/3 of Fort Hood area residents are renters, but many probably can and should take advantage of the VA loan and buyer opportunities. It just depends on your circumstances and priorities!

Leaning more and more toward buying? View a few articles I’ve written about budgeting your BAH, using the VA loan, and learn more about how to buy a home in our market. I’ve also created the Fort Hood Home Buyer Academy for the basics of each step of the home buying process in our area. And then, search for some homes for sale!

SEARCH OFF-POST HOMES FOR SALE

Conclusion

Everyone is different, and it just depends on what is important to you and your family. While inconvenient, it is not impossible to change your mind if you’re unhappy with your decision after a year in the area.

I’m a Realtor, and of course super excited to help anyone that wants to explore some of their off-post home options. Contact me to get started exploring buying a Fort Hood home today!

Live On-Post or Off-Post at Fort Hood, TX