Housing near Keesler

[AFFam]

Ok, so we will be stationed at Keesler and leaving in October. We've decided to buy a house in the area since we will be there at least three years. Does anyone have a real estate agent that they would recommend or any that they would not recommend? Also what is the average BAH for the area? I found a website that allows you to put in rank and zip code, but I was just wondering what the average was to see if the website is correct. When we move I will be quitting my job of course, so we want to make that we don't get into something we can't afford on just his salary, since we don't know how long it will take for me to find a job. Also can anyone recommend nice neighborhoods to start searching for housing? Since we are in NC, we probably won't be able to go down there and look so it would be nice to start off with places that we know will be in a good neighborhood. My aunt is in the area and is more than willing to go look at houses once we pick a few.

[AFFam]

My husband would love your kitchen, Travelcrazy, but your house is outside of our price range! I'm still looking. We haven't found many above I10 at this point. Plus hubby doesn't want too long of a commute. What do you know about the Southwind/Nassau/Rue Mornay area? There seem to be a lot of houses for sale on those streets.

[jentrump29]

FutureAFWife, have you thought about living in base housing? Officer housing is pretty nice. It's brand new thanks to Katrina!

[AFFam]

Does anyone have pictures of base housing? We talked about it, but without seeing it it's hard to make a decision.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Does anyone have pictures of base housing? We talked about it, but without seeing it it's hard to make a decision.

Keesler AFB

Housing help.

keesler housing pictures - Google Search

Pictures of the old houses (not there anymore), the new houses, and some pictures of the base during Katrina.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I was just reading an article about that housing project and it sounds as though the AF went all out - apparently the houses all have 3 to 4 bedrooms AND a one car garage (unheard of in most of the rest of the Air Force), so I'm impressed. Just keep in mind that there's a waiting list (according to the other article I just read on Keesler's website). I'd call their housing office and ask them how long the waitlist is for your husband's rank and number of dependents.

I'd also find out how big the house is you're entitled to - three bedrooms can be carved out of awfully tiny spaces. Here a captain with two kids gets three bedrooms in 1200 square feet (we're renting 2700 sq ft for less than our housing allowance four miles from base). An Lt gets - get this - 950 square feet with two bedrooms. I've lived in apartments bigger than that. For us, it's not worth it.

Also look around - because sometimes you can do better on the economy. Sometimes even the nicest on base housing isn't worth handing over your entire housing allowance for (and also, keep in mind that by 2012 all of the houses DOD wide will be individually metered, so you will not only give up your housing allowance, but you'll have to pay all your own utilities as well).

You also don't have to buy. There's certainly nothing wrong with renting, which given the current market is what we're doing (and my husband's a Realtor!).

I'm only playing devil's advocate. There's absolutely nothing wrong with living on base - I grew up on military bases and believe me, we never had housing as nice as it is now. If we ever end up overseas we're living on base if it kills me because I'm not going to pay what they want on the economy in some places. But, especially stateside, I'd do some careful comparisons first.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

http://www.fpsadvisorygroup.com/so_keesler/9_Maps_Drawings_and_Floor_Plans/2_House/FP103.pdf

The contract provides a variety of enhancements for housing residents.

Floor plans for the single family and duplex units meet or exceed the Air Force's benchmark square footage standards. All have three or four bedrooms and two stories, except for handicapped-accessible homes, and include a garage.

Single-family detached units are planned for general officers, field grade officers and chief master sergeants. Duplexes house other enlisted members and company grade officers.

Homes have low maintenance exteriors, two-year warranties, four-foot covered entries, large trash enclosures, flagpole holders, name plates, photocell-lighted house numbers and garage door openers.

Neighborhoods include tot-lots, playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic shelters, lighted hiking and biking paths, enhanced street lighting, more off-street parking and brick entrance signs with raised lettering. Neighborhood entrances feature 300 feet of impasse fencing on each side.

A minimum of 18 feet above sea level is the standard for finished floor elevations. Existing natural gas, water, storm and sewer utilities are replaced, but usable infrastructure for electrical, cable and communications services are being retained where possible.

Large trees, particularly live oaks and magnolias, are preserved wherever possible. Green space is optimized for future site amenities, such as community centers and swimming pools. Keesler launches building project for 1,067 homes

From what I could find it looks houses for company grade officers are probably going to be around 1700-1900 sqft not including the garage/storage space in duplex style.

For On-Base Housing, contact Keesler Family Housing Office: Rm 118, Sablich Center, Telephone: [phone].

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

WOAH!! That's the information I was looking for. So they are (potentially) as nice as they look.

It's about time the DOD realized normal individuals cannot exist in spaces built the size of shoeboxes.

[jentrump29]

Thanks WTB, I was just about to respond...you did it for me!! :) To add to that, there really isn't a waiting list...they're begging people to move on base, because they want to fill all these houses! People that got here a few years ago didn't have the option to move on base. Now, alot of them are moving in once their current leases are up for rentals off base. They really are as nice as they say they are!

[Travelcrazy]

Future AF Wife:

I'm not familiar with those roads. What city are they in? My husband is at Keesler right now for tech school, so next time I'm there I'll drive around and see if I can spot the housing and take some pics.

[AFFam]

WOW! Thanks for all the additional information. DH is really wary about giving up BAH to live on base but he also doesn't want too long of a commute (timewise because of traffic).

Travelcrazy, I think those streets are in Biloxi, but we are also looking at housing in Ocean Springs.