I've never been off the east coast, and we're moving to Pendleton. What is it like? What housing do you prefer and why? What are utility bills like there? How's the communities? 

on base or off base for housing? it all depends on rank and family size on base, so you'd need to clarify. 

Preferably getting information on both. Rank - SGT. Family - just 2 adults and 2 pets 

Well if you're looking for a place off base, be prepared to have to put a security deposit worth at least as much as the first months rent. Water is very expensive out here, so it is helpful to look for a place that pays water/trash/sewer. Gas/Electric can be expensive depending on how much you use the heat/appliances. All in all, it is MUCH more expensive to live here versus the east coast, especially if you are coming from the Carolinas, you might experience a bit of sticker shock. My husband is a Sgt as well and we rented a place on base first and then looked for stuff out in town...we still live on base...yes you loose all of your BAH but unlike the Carolinas, it is really hard to save money here with your BAH unless you are moving into a very small apt, but you say you have two pets (we do too), so it may be hard to find a place for them. Pet deposits out here are normally $500 per pet. (I work in property management.) Living on base is very convenient and everything is taken care of for you, no worries. Housing here is very nice for Sgt. We live in Santa Margarita and we have an Ocean view, easily a multi million dollar real estate view! Gas is pretty expensive too compared to the Carolinas (IF that is where you're coming from) Traffic is also a little busy too, so you will want to keep in mind your commute. my husband works at the north end of the base, but from on base where we live, it normally only takes him a little over 20 minutes to get to work. Pendleton is HUGE! Any questions, let me know. We have been here a year. 

We live on base and it is really nice. Only issue is we live on the opposite side from my husband's work so it's 30 minutes one way. Lincoln Military Housing does most of the base housing so I'd check out their website for info. Here is a link. There is a lot to do, but there is also military everywhere, as you could imagine. If you'd rather be away from the military crowd, Temecula area has nice affordable places, but it is a drive. 

Oh, and say good bye to your seasons. I grew up in California and our seasons are warm, warmer and cool. Average temperature is in the 70's all year. Take in as much as you can because there is a lot to experience within two hours any direction. 

-Sunny, more often than not, and it only rains a few times a year. People here cry when the temperature falls below 60 lol.

-If you're a major highway-phobe you'll have to learn to get over your fears.

-Lots of things to do if you're bored: Zoo, Seaworld, Disneyland, beaches, restaurants, etc.

-Cost of living is high-er(groceries, gas, sales tax shot up this year, general goods are priced higher).

On base:
-A/C is not standard, only for families with medical issues necessitating an A/C, and Camp Pendleton is starting to meter utilities (if you haven't already been on a base that does it already). Most people tend to, not all, live near their husband's work. There are some housing districts that give a portion of BAH back, there are also communities with move-in incentives.

-They just built a new, massive Marine Corps exchange by the Main gate of Camp Pendleton across from the big, main commissary. There are a bunch of restaurants around base, and each housing community has their own mini MCX. 

We are from the east coast too (Ga). It is totally different! But it's an interesting adventure lol The base is very nice and huge. Weather is very nice, there is a lot to do. Our housing (O'Neill Heights East) is for Cpl and Sgt and I think it's some of the better on base. It has AC, has a yard, it is a very small neighborhood and not overcrowded, but the wait list is much longer than other housing. We also lived off base at one point and enjoyed that but it can be pretty hard to find a place with a yard (if your pets are dogs) that is in a good area. Gas is pretty darn expensive, some people live further from base but it's just an extra cost to factor in. 

Right, totally forgot about the communities that come with A/C, which is few. 

Thank you all for you wonderful information so far. When you lived out in town, how expensive was utilities? How expensive is gas right now? I know the cost of living is higher, but how high?

I love the rain. I love the seasons. I love watching the leaves change color. I am from a place in TN where I can drive less than an hr and see lakes, mountains, malls, tourist stuff, etc. I came to NC and adjusted that there's nothing near Cherry Point. However, I still get some seasons and rain!

How often do you get rain? Is it a downpour or like a small sprinkle then nothing when you do get it?

I am really fair skinned. I get a sunburn if I walk around without sunblock in the summer, sometimes spring and fall too. Should I be investing in a lot of sunblock?

Is there any specific areas if I do want to look for out in town living that I should stay away from? What are areas close to the main gate around there? 

My husband and I lived in a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo a block from the beach in Oceanside. I would have lived there forever if my husband didn't end up going to a school in NC and I went with him. We paid $1795 a month and it included trash and water. Our electricity bill was between $30-$40 because we never used heat or air. We had cable and internet through ATT UVERSE and I think it was like $90. We were so close to the ocean, it wasn't necessary really. I agree with everyone that there is SO much to do in the area. I miss it so much! I don't think I ever witnessed a "down pour" in SoCal but it was a steady rain in the rare instances that it does rain. I am fairly fair skinned as well and made sure to wear sunblock on my face every day but I have done that for a very long time. The area where I lived in Oceanside was nice but most of the areas in Oceanside on either side of the 5 can be questionable unless you are really close to the beach like we were. There are some nice areas of Oceanside further inland. Carlsbad is fabulous but a little more pricey than Oceanside. The most difficult time we had with house searching was finding a place to accept our dog. We have a 60lbs Golden Retriever.
I love love love Camp Pendleton and cannot wait until we get back! Hope this helps! 

I don't know if you know about http://www.ahrn.com/index.php
but it's an awesome site! The landlords have to be approved to list on the site and some of the properties are actually checked out by the housing office. You can do a search for properties that allow pets/include utilities. We have 2 big labs and one little mutt and didn't have a problem at all! 

I've been looking at that website. I just don't know if the houses are in good neighborhoods or if it's close to the gate he'll need to use. 

I loved Pendleton and Oceanside when we lived there. Although I was freaked out at first by how big the base was when we first arrived. I enjoyed living near the beach and Seaworld. The housing was nice too. 

Any thoughts about the area around Luna Drive in Oceanside? 

From what I have seen, the area is decent, but I don't live there. The traffic on the 76 can get pretty bad. What is your husband's job? Someone may be able to narrow down where on base he'd be working or what gate he'd use. 

He will be working with MASS-3. 

If that is with the Air wing, you could get housing near the main Oceanside gates or the SLR gate. It is about the same distance. The SLR gate is near Luna Drive, if you were looking at a place there. Other than that, there are quite a few housing areas on the south side of the base just inside the gate from Oceanside. The housing on base is very nice and for the most part it is quiet too. 

My husband used to be with MASS-3.....the closest housing area to there is Stuart Mesa.....i can't say much about it because I've only been through the neighborhood. We live in South Mesa 2 which is on the other side of Vandegrift.....it usually took my husband 10-15 mins to get to work. 

Stuart Mesa offers $$$ back if you live there. That's something to think about :) 

Is Stuat Mesa the "dog only" housing?

How is Mass-3? Do they get off early on Fridays? Do they do a lot of drills and classes? Mandatory-fun days? What's the FRO like? 

do not live off base. At least until you've lived here for a while and get a feel for the areas. Anything reasonably priced is probably in the ghetto, especially if they allow pets. Don't gamble with your safety.

traffic is horrible and until you get a feel for the hours and working environment again best to live as close as possible.

invest in lots of sunscreen, you need it 11 months out of the year.

it almost never rains here, however you're only a short drive from snow and a ski resort so if your feeling the need for cold wether you can always make a weekend out of it.

water and electricity are pretty expensive and we've had several very hot years in a row. Getting away with no ac is torture so factor in 150-200 for electricity and about $50 for water if you live off base and want to be comfortable.

gas is expensive like between 3.50 and 4.00 consistently and recently there was a shortage where it was over $5. Food is expensive too but I think that's everywhere. I know in the last 4 years our food bill has doubles.

Stuart Mesa is not the only dog housing but having a dog does limit your options. Stuart Mesa gives you money back but Santa margarita isn't bad either. We lived there for several years and it is as our favorite house. Not super nice but quiet and peaceful. (I've heard other people say just the opposite but our experience was good) 

Well it depends on what part of MASS 3 he is going to.......what is his MOS? 

My husband is a 7242. He's a part of the DASC.

I really appreciate all the advice so far! Thanks ladies! Anything else you can think of to tell me, I will be grateful for all of it.

As for Stuart Mesa, I thought you could only have dogs in that area, not other animals. We have a dog and a cat. I'm not willing to give up either animal because they are like my children (since I don't have any). Is that true? 

The DASC does have a lot of field ops....i didnt like the FRO but that was because to me he didnt really try to get to know me. He may get off early some Fridays but IDK really because my hubby was H&S 

Okay thanks!