PD I am one of those O5s you describe in your post. We are moving back to San Diego this summer. The only way I (and most of my fellow officers) will pay more is for the privilege of living somewhere where we can bike or walk to work, i.e. Coronado, Point Loma, etc. Other costs like car insurance and gasoline are far lower and partially compensate for the increased rent. However, having children frequently causes us to rule out the smaller living arrangements of houses and condos in Coronado.

My intent is to pay up to $2800 a month to live in Coronado, which is more than the monthly allowance. Any higher and we will live off the island and go with the commute.

I agree that officers as a group will balk at higher rents. My question is this: Are we recognized by landlords as reliable renters because of our secure jobs and other factors? I ask because for most of my career this was the impression I got. In the late 90’s, I sensed a shift toward civilians who were making six figure incomes in tech. We were turned down for a rental in Coronado in Nov 2000 in favor of a couple who had better-paying jobs in the tech sector. Within a year, they broke their lease and moved out (perhaps because of the tech crash?), while we did not leave Coronado until mid-2002. After four years, I get the impression that things may once again be favorable to military renters. Opinions?