The average cost of living in the Eglin AFB area is
HIGH when compared to many other regions. The entire
Emerald Coast Region is a tourist destination and housing of any type is high.
Please check the contacts/links for the BAH rates for 2005 for the Eglin area.
There is a housing boom in this area, and it is a sellers market. Housing prices
have risen an average of $48K from 2003 to 2004.
Many apartments offer
short-term leases. Most apartments are not furnished and
the service member needs to ensure that the contract has a military clause in it
to enable early lease termination without penalty. Members are encouraged to
have the base legal office review any rental agreement prior to signing the
contract. PLEASE HAVE THE EGLIN HOUSING OFFICE ALSO REVIEW THE
LEASE. Many apartments and rental homes do not allow pets, or charge
a VERY high, non-refundable, pet fee and/or a pet deposit.
While
apartments and rental homes are plentiful, rental costs for some larger or newer
houses are disproportionately high in relation to the expense of purchasing a
home. Members who are not willing to consider a smaller/older home
should be prepared to stay in temporary lodging for a longer period of time, or
may wish to begin preparations to purchase a home. The Eglin area is unique in
that Eglin takes up 640 square miles of real estate near the base and most new
home developments are forced to build North in the Crestview area or West along
the coast in the Navarre region. This may mean a long commute as Crestview is 25
miles from the base. The Navarre region is also near Hurlburt Field
AFB and Hurlburt is bursting at the seams as it has expanded from a small
outlying field in early 80's with about 1,500 personnel to over 9,000 military
members today. Hurricane Ivan hit this region on 16 September 2004. This has
also impacted the price and availability of homes in the entire region. It is a
sellers market and prices are high.
Members who have had utilities in
their name, or spouse's name, previously are advised to request a letter of
credit from their utility company; Gulf Power will usually waive the normal
requirement for a security deposit. A form can be obtained from Eglin
Housing Office.
Topics in the Housing category contain detailed
information on all aspects of the housing situation, on and off base.
The
Housing Office is the point of contact for everyone when making living
arrangements, on and off base: dormitory and military family housing, apartment,
rental house and home purchase.
ALL military members are
required to check in with the Housing Office PRIOR to signing a lease
agreement.
All enlisted students and single permanent party
members below the rank of E-4 who have been granted permission to live off-base
must request the BAH Application Form from the Housing Office prior to
requesting BAH through the Finance Office.