How to Make Apartment Life Work for Your Military Family

Gone are the days of viewing apartments as stepping stones for college students and young married couples starting their lives together. Apartments now frequently come with luxurious amenities and numerous benefits, leading many military families to prefer apartment living over owning a single-family house.

Why Choose an Apartment Over a Single-Family Home?

You may wonder, "What makes a military member forgo the option to stretch out in a home and opt for apartment living?" There are two reasons. 

Flexibility

PCS orders are most often two to four years. But that’s not always the case. There are schools, training exercises, and other commitments that warrant short-term orders, say six months.

When working on a timeline like that, it’s easier to put most of your stuff in storage and settle into an apartment. With some bills already included in rent, you can eliminate the headache of setting up utilities (and calling to cancel them). 

High Cost of Living

In places where the cost of living is high and you hemorrhage money for square footage, a smaller living space like an apartment might help you save money or, at the very least, stay within budget. 

The Perks of Apartment Living

It turns out there are a lot of advantages to living in an apartment, some that may even surprise you.

Amenities

We often associate apartment amenities with gyms, pools, playgrounds, and maybe a nature trail. But did you know that some apartment complexes go a step further and offer on-site spas? Others are moving toward upscale features such as hardwood floors, granite countertops, electric car charging stations, and babysitting services.

The point is that apartment living is changing the game, and while there used to be a cap on quality and type of amenities, that's no longer the case.

Saving Money

How much you spend on an apartment is determined by which kind you get, including which amenities you’re paying for. But in many places, you can live under BAH and save money by choosing to live in an apartment. Great news if you’re saving for retirement or to pay off debt. 

Fewer Responsibilities

With a smaller living space, little to no yard, and a 24/7 maintenance line to call if something goes wrong, your to-do list is short. Spend more time playing, venturing around town, or simply sitting on your sofa when you’re not working.

Community

A community can be difficult to come by. Living off base instead of in a military rental on base relaxes your ties to the military community, and living in a traditional neighborhood can make it more challenging to meet new people and make friends.

Apartment life, at its core, is close. Proximity doesn't guarantee friendship with everyone you meet. However, shared amenities and neighboring doors can create opportunities to establish a new community. 

Security

One feature that appeals to military families living on base is that it’s gated and safe. You often lose that when you choose to live off base, but apartment complexes are a common exception.

Photo by Peopleimages.com-YuriArcurs via Canva.com 

How to Find What You’re Looking For in an Apartment

Follow the same process as if you were house hunting for a single-family home. Establish your priorities. 

• Pick a location. How close do you want to be to the base, school, church, medical, and other important locations? 
• Separate your wants from your needs. How many bedrooms/bathrooms do you need? What layout works best for your family? What kinds of finishes do you want to see? 
• Choose your must-have amenities. Do you want access to a pool, a fitness center, tennis courts, a spa, or garage? 

Making Apartment Life Work for You

Living in a small space with family, especially if you’re coming from a traditional-style home, can be a challenge. That’s not to say it isn’t worth the effort. Once adapted, apartment living (yes, even with kids) can be the best thing for you and your family. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when moving into an apartment:

1. Downsize. If coming from a larger living space, you might consider shedding a few things. Apartments aren’t known for their ample storage space, so if it’s something you don’t use daily, it might be time to say goodbye or send it to storage. 
2. Get smaller furniture. Buying a new set of furniture may not be the best move if you're saving money. So, consider getting one or two staple pieces like a love seat or a dining room table that take up less space. Fill in the extra seating with multi-purpose items like stools, benches, and poufs. 
3. Use your walls. Square footage is limited, so make use of your walls! Hang shelves, mount your lighting to eliminate nightstands, and add built-ins.
4. Maximize storage space. If you don't have much storage space, get creative. Buy over-the-door organizers to use on closet doors and bathroom/kitchen cabinets. Use storage tubs to stack in a closet or slide under the bed (it’s okay to shove things under there if it’s organized!). 
5. Keep the toys in the kids' rooms. Have a bin in the main living area for a few toys for the kids, but make the toy’s primary home in their rooms. This tip helps eliminate clutter while increasing your children’s sense of independent space. 
6. Meet your neighbors. Apartment living is perhaps most criticized for being noisy. We’ve all heard horror stories! Be proactive by getting to know your neighbors. It opens the door to addressing excessive noise casually in the future, and it softens matters when you're the noisy one. 

Understanding that apartment living is possible and can also benefit you and your military family expands your rental options and opens the door to new ways of living. 

Ready to find your next military rental? Start your search with MilitaryByOwner.