Paso del norte housing vs. Rental

[autumnelena]

Originally Posted by malamute

$400 in utilities? That's crazy. My electric bill is anywhere from $55 to $75.

Lucky! For this teeny place we pay around $130 for electric(central a/c I'm sure increases it), $130 for cable phone and internet, my water bill has gone as high as $80 and gas has ranged from $12-50.

[autumnelena]

[Gary Siete]

With a 1500 sq ft house, swamp cooler, gas stove, & electric dryer we average $155/month.
$70 Electric
$60 Water
$25 Gas

+ TimeWarner/Roadrunner (cable TV w/ movie channels, phone, Internet) is another $200 month.

[mistabinks]

Originally Posted by autumnelena

And we pay over $900 in rent and over $400 in utilities every month with only a BAH allowance of $1064.

This is honest question. I literally have no idea how military employees get paid. Is it unusual for military employees to use part of their regular paycheck toward housing? In your case, it is only a little more than $200 out of your pocket. Is that considered odd or unusual? My mortgage is almost 50% of my paycheck.

Originally Posted by autumnelena

We have always lived off post at every station and have been happy, but I think in El Paso it is simply not worth it.

I'll bite. Why do you think El Paso is simply not worth living off base?

Also, what are you considering as utilities that it adds up to $400. Even if I include satellite television, internet, and cell phone service, I don't come anywhere near $400.