It's insane.
I'm only here because Uncle Sam gives out orders, not invitations.
Previously, I lived in Suffolk, VA, and Jacksonville, FL. I'm taking a major hit to my income, even after factoring the BAH increase.
I don't know how people live out here. A small, crappy home costs a million bucks. If you have four kids, as I do, I normal detached suburban home is simply not possible.
Everyone lives in apartments or condos and even those are crazy expensive. Before my family joined me out here, I was living by myself for five months in a 213 sq' apartment downtown (with a Murphy bed and a fold-up table) surrounded by homeless bums and great restaurants. I was paying $2100/month.
The story for those cities used to be: “Yes, they are pricey, but they are such beautiful areas and have great culture and nightlife, etc.”
I don’t know what the heck they can say to save them now.