Serving in the military requires a big commitment. Families are often separated for long periods of time, and they are asked to move frequently. As a result, they are in constant need of new places to live. Some Navy families choose to live in traditional neighborhoods in the communities where they are stationed, but many others choose Navy housing because of its many conveniences. They appreciate arriving at a new assignment and knowing there will be a place for them to live. They don’t have to spend time searching around a new city and figuring out which homes match their budget. Housing seems like an appropriate benefit for people who give so much in the service of the nation.
Navy personnel usually receive relatively short-term assignments instead of living for decades in same place. Buying a home doesn’t always make sense for these families because they don’t always have a lot of notice regarding when they will be transferred next. Since they know they might receive a new assignment at any time, many families are reluctant to take on the hassles of selling a home when they need to move. Navy housing eliminates the hassles of worrying about resale values and recouping investments.
Military housing is free to Navy personnel, which means that they aren’t faced with down payments, mortgage approval, monthly payments, or property taxes. Their utility expenses are also covered when they live in base communities. These perks can be a real blessing when a family lives on a limited income. Navy personnel and their families know that they will be expected to keep their homes clean. Most military installations even require periodic inspections of houses and yards. Families realize that they must conform and live up to definite standards of cleanliness, but they also have the security of knowing they will always be guaranteed a quality standard of living when they move into their assigned homes.
Military personnel are often shipped out to sea or temporarily serving in a distant part of the world. As a result, their families are left alone for extended periods of time. Families need a support system because they usually live far away from their extended families. Navy housing provides an automatic community of sympathetic people who understand the challenges of separation. The family member who serves abroad can leave for months at a time knowing his family will be in a protected environment and that they can draw on the strength of neighbors.
When families live in Navy housing, they also have easy access to military services. Most military installations include a commissary where families buy their groceries. Food is sold at cost, and families can also take advantage of coupons. These benefits often result in the savings of thousands of dollars each year. Many Navy posts also include a base exchange where families can purchase everything from clothing to garden tools.
Navy personnel who live in military housing are also situated very close to their offices. Even the largest on-base communities are small when compared to living in large cities. This means that the office is often a short drive away from home. Many people live close enough to their offices that they can ride their bikes to work. Each of these benefits results in savings on fuel and wear-and-tear on automobiles.
Finally, there is plenty for families and single Navy personnel to do when they live in military housing. Most installations offer swimming pools, movie theaters, bowling alleys, parks, and plenty of activities for children. Many Navy posts also include their own schools, so busing to distant parts of a new community is rarely an issue. Military families often draw much closer together as a result of living in Navy housing. They also have the chance to save their money for the homes of their dreams. When military retirement approaches, they often have the benefit of a nice nest egg that allows them to enter civilian life with a comfortable standard of living.
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