Hey, my name is Rosie and my husband, Chris, just got orders to Pendleton. We should be arriving there by the end of July. He is a Corpsman in the Navy, and is an E3. Chris will be taking his advancement test in a couple weeks so he may be E4 by the time we get there. We currently live on Parris Island in Wake Village, which is the on base housing. We have had a wonderful experience here (in regards to maintenance and people in the housing office,) but are thinking we want to live off base once we move to CA. Are we nuts for wanting to live off base? I keep reading and hearing mixed reviews about both. Also, I hear that the base housing for E3 doesn't have fenced in yards?

We are looking to move to a house, not an apt because we have an energetic dog who would probably drive us bananas in an apt. We would definitely need a fenced in backyard. What are some areas to explore? Where should we definitely NOT move? Chris will be working in the Med Batallion MLG (whatever that means and wherever that may be). Any help or suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. :)

*Sorry for the life story - just wanted to give a little information to help get some advice.

THANKS SO MUCH IN ADVANCE!! :) :D 

Smart move to live off base. On base you'll encounter some awesome wack jobs who have a stick up their ass and think their gods gift to the universe, I tend to notice that since moving on base. Some people looooove to snoop, and most are rude and snobby. You will miss Parris Island.

To rent a home you have to be prepared to shell out about 1600+ in expenses that does not include water/sewer/trash/electricity/etc.

I'd say stick to living OFF base regardless of energetic dog. You will enjoy living in a normal area with people of ALL AGES, where not many are crazy, competitive, and all the more make you feel like you are living in a college campus with tiny children and teenagers running around. 

We lived off base in an amazing condo about 2 blocks from the ocean in Oceanside. We did pay quite a bit, but were able to cover it easily with BAH and thoughtful spending. Plus, since we lived so close to the ocean, we didn't have any huge electricity bills. Some areas of Oceanside can be sketchy. The Rancho Del Oro area is nice and has lots of shopping but is a little further from the beach, 10 minute drive instead of a walk, how difficult ;) Carlsbad is much more expensive but I love it there. Inland is much more affordable, areas like Temecula, Fallbrook, but, depending on where he works, the drive could be very long and it gets much hotter inland during the summer. I think your best bet for a yard would probably be on base but if you are in a nice area, walks will be hard to resist when it is so beautiful outside! Have fun searching, we cannot wait to get back to Pendleton! 

It can be really hard to get a house with a yard on base. The wait list is ridiculous. The only housing that was available to us (E3) were shoddy and did not allow pets over 35 lbs, did not have yards as well. I recommend looking at different apartments, ours came with a yard and is about 500 less than our bah. If you do want to live on base, I recommend putting yourself on a wait list ASAP. 

Thank you guys so much for all the suggestions, recommendations, and advice. :)

I have found a few rentals in the Fallbrook area that don't break the bank (between $1200-$1500), but ideally we don't want to live too inland. I guess we can't have our cake and eat it too. ;)
I am starting to think that maybe an apartment would be just fine too, as long as there is a dog park or something nearby.

eatMYshortsOn base you'll encounter some awesome wack jobs who have a stick up their ass and think their gods gift to the universe, I tend to notice that since moving on base. Some people looooove to snoop, and most are rude and snobby.--I couldn't agree more!!

Random question: how much should we calculate for utilities a month?

Again, can't thank you guys enough for the advice. :) 

Electrical bill should be under 50-100 bucks depending on the usage, cable and Internet.... Depends plans range from 50-150... Trash/water/sewage... About 50 if you are living in an apartment. This does not include pet rent... Most places differ in their pet fees. 

They were letting people into WM3 with no kids? Might want to ask on that, if they are desperate enough they might let you live there. 

WM3 and San Onofre have yards. WM3 has HUGE yard. Couple without children can apply for 2br if that housing section has excess housing (it will say on the "hot list" 2br qual may apply), but rarely can get into 3br. We do know a couple without children living in WM3 3br 1.75 ba because there is so much excess housing there. As always, never hurts to ask. The housing sections that don't have yards have lots of open areas with sidewalks in between the rows of houses. Just depends on where you go. Also, those communities have fenced in dog parks as well where you can let your pooch off the leash. We hate the fact we are moving to base from out in town because we have a huge yard, huge house (4br, 2.5ba, 2100 sq ft, wonderful neighborhood approx 7mi from my school). But, my husband was transferred from Miramar to Pendleton 6 months ago and we can't keep having him make this commute. Not financially, or for his safety with how tired he is. Due to his schedule, he could only make the drive home once every week or two, eat, shower, then go straight to sleep so he could drive back up there. No days off from work. Our power bill runs $250-$300 in winter, no A/C so bill is about $125-$175 in summer. San Diego/Oceanside is not very "pet friendly" and we had the hardest time finding a house because of all the restrictions or them just not allowing dogs. Our son and our two dogs will miss our yard terribly, but for the benefit of the family we have to move up there. So... dog parks and to the dog beaches we will go!!! 

Thanks so much USMCvetandwife! We have decided that we are definitely moving OFF base and are just waiting to hear what area of the base my husband will be working at so we can find housing near the gate closest to his job.

Any idea where 1st Med Battalion is at CP?
Maybe we will see you at some dog parks!! :) 

There are some nice homes for rent close to the back gate, nice area, for rent. They are both 3 bedrooms. One is $1975 the other is $1850. I do know the cheaper one accepts pets, not sure about the other one. 

You're welcome RosieSandyToes!

I think this is the right coordinates: 33°17'36"N 117°20'41"W (for his building)

You would go through the back gate and the commute would be garbage. However, Wire Mountain 3 has lots of availability right now and they have HUGE fenced in yards! The houses are a bit small but if it is just you and the Hubbie... You should do it because then you have the yard, an actual house with garage, very little commute, and won't have to worry about living beyond your BAH amount. As residents, you guys can participate in the local community events hosted by Lincoln Housing and utilize the community pools and gyms. Also, you won't ever have to worry about an outrageous power bill. Lastly, these places all require first month's rent, last month's rent, deposit, pet deposit if they even allow a pet, and some even require a monthly non-refundable pet rent. The security deposit is usually equivalent to one month's rent also, FYI. To move out in town, be prepared to pay approx $6k :-/ Lincoln housing... None of that... Not even a pet deposit. Something to think about. They are currently allowing couples without children to move in to 3br houses in WM3. 

Here is a base map and includes where each housing section is located. Is diesnt break up WM 1,2,3... But they are all right next to each other. Here is the link: http://www.3rdmarines.net/PENDLETON_map.pdf

Oh yeah... Back gate= Oceanside. Main gate/ Mainside= by Fallbrook and Murrietta. Gate is west of I-15.