At this point in my career I’ve moved 10 times. I’m a senior Major and I’ve got the hang of this, but its still a pain in the ass. Each move you acquire more stuff, more family members and in our case two Italian Mastiffs.
At the time of our move, Hawaii maintained a strict policy for rabies screening and quarantine of all animals arriving on island. On top of that, because of their breed, the airlines had additional regulations for the type and size of kennel that they would fly in. Plastic crates weren’t going to apply for our dogs – think Jurassic Park type kennels costing over $800 each. In the end, the cost for all appropriate testing, the flights, kennels and housing while in quarantine cost $4000. $0 of which was reimbursable from the military. They’re more than just animals, they’re family – so I’d do it all again.
Anyway, back to housing. For simplicity’s sake, you can apply for on post housing, get on their waiting list and get assigned to your appropriate quarters upon arrival to the duty station..
Being that I need a break from the Army to maintain my sanity, I’ve NEVER lived on post unless it was an absolute requirement. I’ll be damned if I live on one of the most beautiful places on earth just to stay on post. I’d lose my shit. The downside to this is competing for rising housing rents, or outright buying a home.
We chose to look for a rental instead of forking money over to buy a house. Looking back, that would’ve been the better option with my VA Loan, but I digress. Before our arrival to the island, we did all kinds of research on the best part of the island for schools, safety and reasonable driving distance to work and of course the beach. That landed us smack dab in the middle of the island – Mililani.
“Mililani or die!” became our saying and to this day, I can honestly say that was probably the best neighborhood we’d ever lived in. Great neighbors, great schools, quiet neighborhood, safe and centrally located to everything. The problem was – who the hell is going to rent their house to a military family with two mastiffs?
No one. That’s who. Its one thing to have a small French Bulldog or two, or even two labs. But two Mastiffs?! We contacted listing after listing and got denied left and right. I was sweet talking people and negotiating my ass off to no avail. This was hopeless.
We searched every new listing that popped up and were losing our minds. We were in a tiny hotel room with mountains of bags in the room, no kitchen and three people in two double beds while the dogs stayed in quarantine. You can only go out to eat so much before it gets sickening.
I start to get to straight and to the point with those listing their homes. Even if they aren’t accepting pets or I’ve clearly surpassed their weight limits, I ask anyway.
“Hello? We’re a military family looking to rent your home. I see you allow pets under 20 lbs. Will you accept two mastiffs at 120lbs each?” or “Hello, We’re a military family looking to rent your home. I see you don’t allow pets. Would you be willing to make an exception for two mastiffs?
I was getting desperate. Now I’m looking at buying a home. Hell, what about building a home? I’ve steadily bumped up our price range and now i’m looking above it. At the time the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) for a Major with dependents was about $3700. Ideally this would cover rents as well as utilities. Not anymore.
We finally find a house that’s gorgeous, but way too much house for us. My wife is excited and just wants to see it. 3000+ Sq ft house for 3 people. No pets. Rental asking price = $5000+ a month.
“WTF. NO. Are you freaking crazy?! We’re wasting our time and theirs. NO.”
“Let’s just look at it. Who cares?”
What the hell do I have to lose I guess. I’ve been denied by everyone else on the island. I’ve been denied so much I’m numb to it. I tell them its a beautiful home, thanks for your time but no thanks.
“What can you pay?” they ask.
“Nowhere near what you’re asking, so I don’t want to waste your time or mine. Plus I’ve got dogs. Not normal dogs – Mastiffs. Thanks anyway.” I reply
“Can you do $4500?” they ask.
“No, but I can do $3700 and that’s it. I’m stationed here for at least 3 years, I’m a landlord myself and I can guarantee you at least that many years of stability.” I reply.
After some back and forth, we eventually settle at $4000. $300 over my BAH, but enough where we can cut back on expenses and still make it happen.
Well damn. The Aloha spirit is alive and well…