By Jennifer Hochlan

Soaring ivory towers with picturesque views of beaches and glorious parks. A pristine pool in the courtyard, filled with good-looking guys and gals having fun. A spacious apartment complete with fireplace, doorman, valet parking, and a grand walk-in closet large enough to double as a spare bedroom ... Did we fail to mention the apartment manager and super (as in superintendent) are as sweet as June and Ward Cleaver? Such a cruel twist of fate to wake up staring at the pistachio-green walls of your barracks and realize that you were only dreaming. And what a dream it was…

If finding the perfect apartment were as easy as getting everything you ever dreamed of, you wouldn't be reading this article. Apartment hunting is an art. There are places of all sizes and shapes in all neighborhoods and in all price ranges. The trick to finding what's right for you comes down to a few things: the size of your paycheck, the demands of your lifestyle, and a delicate balance of facing what you really need versus what you most want.

Before you begin your search for the apartment of your dreams, check with your command to make sure you can actually move out of the barracks. Most enlisted single Sailors and Marines can't live off base until they reach the rank of E-4. If you can live off base, but can also live on base (usually mid-enlisted ranks), you're probably not entitled to BAH. Most higher enlisted ranks don't have the choice to live on base and they are eligible to receive BAH.

Find out what's available around your current (or soon to be current) duty station. "Magazines" advertising local apartments can usually be found outside local grocery stores, and of course there are the newspaper want ads. Apartment-finding websites usually provide the most useful information, and most, such as Apartments for Rent and Apartments.com, offer pictures, rent ranges, amenities, and floor plans of apartments and townhouses nationwide.

Once you have an idea of what's in your area, you come to a crossroads: Do you want or need a roommate? Take your own needs and personality into account. There are pros and cons with the roommate option, but most young, single Sailors and Marines choose it as a viable way of life - not only for the social aspect, but also because you don't want to live on ramen noodles for the rest of your life.

While the roommate option is kicking around in your head, make one list of all the rental properties that interest you and a separate list of those you can't afford on your own, but could with a roommate. Be realistic. Remember that dream you had earlier? Those apartments only exist in beer commercials. Seriously think about how much you're going to use that Olympic-size swimming pool. Do you really need spacious walk-in closets? What becomes hard in the apartment search is admitting what you are convinced you absolutely need is actually an out-of-reach want. If you are doing the apartment search with a friend who will also become your roommate, start the compromising early on. Make your list according to what you both need.

Now comes the hard part: Can you afford it? If money is already tight while you're living in barracks, you should deal with this before your search begins. For help in developing a budget that works for you, visit the Budgeting section here on LIFELines or schedule a free appointment with a financial adviser on base.

After you develop a realistic budget, return to your list and cross off all those you can't afford. It's important to realize that living off base means you have to pay for utilities such as electricity and gas. You'll also need to paying for phone, cable, or satellite service, and possibly a water bill. Check with each rental facility to see what, if any, utilities they cover with your rent and what you will be responsible for.

While you're calling around about utilities, ask if the lease has a military clause option. This allows an active-duty service member who is on the lease to break the lease with 30 days' notice if he or she receives orders to permanently leave the area, is discharged, retires, or if a move into government quarters is required.

You can't use the military clause to break a lease because you have received a home in on-base housing. Some apartment rental communities will make exceptions to that, but get it in writing from the management. The military clause may also not apply if you and your roommate are both active duty, both on the lease, and only one of you gets orders. Make sure you ask how it will work and get it all in writing to protect yourself in the future.

Once you've narrowed down your options, visit the property in person if possible. Check out actual drive times and the local neighborhood. Once you have done that, visit your on-base housing office to see if any of your finalists are on the "black-balled" listing (many bases keep a list of rental properties that are not military friendly). Also, contact your legal representative on base if you have questions about your lease or the military clause before you sign anything.

Remember, be realistic, have fun, be informed, and don't expect all your dreams to come true with your apartment. Settle for a few things you can't live without and go from there. Just think - if nothing else, you'll have the dreaded "I remember when…" stories to tell your future kids.