Military Bases On Oahu - PCS to Hawaii? If you have PCS orders for Hawaii and have no idea where to start trying to figure it all out, we're here to help. I was born and raised in Hawaii and have personally PCSed six times with my family. I lived all over the island of Oahu for 10 years - including three years stationed on Oahu.
Whether you are PCSing to Hawaii and one of the many bases or stations including Schofield Barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hickam AFB, Wheeler AAF, Fort Shafter, Fort DeRussy, Tripler AMC or Camp HM Smith, this blog will be very informative and will help you find perfect place to live!
Military Bases On Oahu
Your first decision is to figure out whether you want to live on Oahu base or off base. Below I'll list some of the main reasons I think you'll be happier based on Oahu.
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In a recent article, Honolulu Civil Beat stated, “99% of all military housing is owned by private landlords, with a dozen large companies dominating the programs. Nationally, about 30% of the military lives on base, and about 70% choose to live on base.
Over 70% of service members choose to live in Hawaii - and for good reason. If you live on base, your BAH is paid directly to one of the two private companies that monopolize the base housing system here, leaving you to deal with maintenance issues and potential ramifications for your command if you decide to file even valid complaints.
They know they will get the rent, so they don't bother to respond to tenants in time when a problem arises. On the other hand, if you live on base, you pay directly from your BAH and have unlimited options on what you choose to do with your BAH.
If you PC to Hawaii and decide to live on base, you can join the ranks of service members who have made the same decision because getting a home on base seems like the "easiest" choice at this point. I've encouraged you to weigh your decision to live on or off base, and let's talk about the factors to consider as you decide what areas and types of communities Oahu has to offer!
Hawaii State Map
BAH and COLA can help a lot if you decide to buy. For E-5 with dependent COLA and BAH, less than $3,500 per month. After speaking with a loan officer, you may find that you can afford more than you think because of VA loans' low interest rates, prime mortgage insurance (PMI), and very low property taxes.
Plus, when you sell your home after 3 years on tour, the $126,000 you would have lost if you were living on base or as a rental, will likely turn out to be a profit instead! Keep in mind that there are also many homes on Oahu that allow you pocket money each month after paying off the mortgage and utilities. You pocket the difference between your BAH/COLA and your mortgage/utility payments. Contact me for more information on contacting a trusted local lender! Below I have included the current BAH chart by rank and grade for your convenience.
Determining these two key elements of the home search will definitely speed up the search and offer process and help you and your agent focus on the right areas. Below are some of the areas I recommend you look at based on proximity to bases, desirability and low cost per square foot.
If you're moving to Oahu with pets, I'm here to tell you that it's not as difficult as people think. I moved to Oahu with three pets and the process is clearly explained on the Department of Agriculture animal tracking website. Special fees are waived for active duty military to transport their animals to Hawaii. But if you feel the costs are too high, I recommend checking out the SPCA website to check out the grants they give to active duty military who are struggling financially to replace their pets. You must apply for an SPCA grant three months before the animal is moved, so don't delay.
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If you are interested in travel time to and from each base, city, check out the chart below! The short/first number reflects off-peak travel times, the long/second number reflects peak travel times (0700-0845, 1500-1830). Below that chart, I've also included a map of Oahu with all major cities and military installations.
The Ewa Beach, Makakilo and Kapolei areas seem to be the most popular and military-centric part of the island for some reason. A $12 billion rail system has sprung up between Kapolei and Ewa Beach and is about to be completed (could it increase home values?). You can choose from new shopping centers and restaurants, such as The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen, as well as countless local restaurants.
Also, the beach is just down the road; The water park is right up the road and you'll have oceanfront homes, golf homes and mountain/Diamond Head views! If you are looking for a very family oriented community with pools, parks and walking trails, Kapolei/Makakilo/Ewa Beach is your best bet.
Additionally, a significant amount of new housing is being built in the Kapolei and Ewa Beach area. The houses are larger than traditional Hawaiian houses and seem well suited to the military lifestyle. Most (if not all) of the new neighborhoods are very clean and you'll always see people exercising and kids playing all day long!
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Mililani is a great area to live if you want to live between the North Shore and Kapolei and Honolulu. The school system in Milan is also known to be excellent! Mililani is divided into two areas, the town of Mililani and Mililani Mauka (meaning mountain in Hawaiian). The town of Mililani is a little lower in elevation and offers homes at a slightly lower price (yet in a better neighborhood) than Mililani Mauka, but the homes are older.
Walmart, movie theaters, gyms and most restaurants are located in the town of Mililani. A mile upstream from the town of Mililani, you'll enter the newer (1990-2000) Mililani Mauka neighborhood. There are running tracks, underground telephone/power wires that keep the streets clear and significantly cooler temperatures. Mililani Mauka seems to be an area where homes don't come on the market very often, so if you like this neighborhood, feel free to contact me and I'll let you know as soon as something in the neighborhood comes on the market!
If you are PCSing to Hawaii to work at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Pearl City/Aiea occupies a large portion of Pearl Harbor's waterfront and is located 10 miles NW of downtown Honolulu. As for the feel of the neighborhood, it is predominantly urban, but has a good mix of single-family homes and apartments. I would say that Pearl City/IEA is mostly locals, but an increasing number of service members are moving into the area.
Pearl City is also home to the second largest mall on Oahu, Pearlridge! The mall is huge, has a tram connecting two levels and has many restaurants on both. Overall, if you don't mind living in a remote urban setting with moderate traffic, Pearl City/IEA could be for you!
The Grim State Of Military Housing In Hawaii
Kailua and Kaneohe are close to the Hawaii Marine Corps base and offer a small beach town feel. These windward settlements are generally more spread out than Honolulu/nearby cities and always have good winds blowing through them. Kailua and Kaneohe have homes from $300,000 to $45,000,000. Both cities are known for boutiques, restaurants, Whole Foods, Target, and a decent mall. The beaches are white, and the water is crystal clear and blue! If you like a beach town with a small knit community, Kailua or Kaneohe might be the place for you!
I am certainly a Realtor who wants to earn your business and trust, but my first hope and purpose for this article is to provide you with the knowledge you need to help you PCS to Hawaii and buy a home on Oahu. If you have any questions regarding the property or not, feel free to contact me by phone or email!
Joe Hanley is a real estate broker and military relocation professional at Hawaii Life. You can email me at JoeHanley@HawaiiLIfe.com or phone me at (808) 861-6783.
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