There are obvious advantages to living on base such as proximity to work, recreation and other amenities, There are also perks many residents don't know about.

The staff at Equity Residential, the contractor for privatized housing on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, strives to provide its residents with more than a place to live.

"To us, it's not just a home," said Todd Vasko, managing director of Equity Residential. "It's really about building a sense of community, especially when you talk about deployments and redeployments."

Four community centers bring residents together. A fifth is being built on McChord Field, opening by summer 2012. The centers were built for residents to have a place to meet and hold events. They are also a way for neighborhood managers to be a part of the neighborhood in which they work, making it convenient for residents to address issues in person versus on the phone.

"It allows us to kind of get a better visual of what's going on in the neighborhoods," Vasko said.

Residents who live on JBLM have access to the centers, while those living off post do not. Each has a full kitchen, furniture, bathroom and space for events. There is a playground and barbecue grill nearby, making them popular destinations for spring and summertime gatherings.

Vasko said ER frequently gets requests from nonresidents and organizations - such as units - to rent the center, but there is one stipulation.

"The answer is, ‘No,' unless you have somebody who is a resident that's in your unit, and then you can do it," he said. "That's our only caveat about it."

Residents can use the a center can do so free of charge. Reasons for using the facility include - but are not limited to - birthday parties, baby showers, group meetings and homecomings.

It's one of several perks to living on base, said Marcia McDowell, Lewis-McChord Communities outreach manager. "It's really a way for the Families that live in Lewis-McChord Communities to bring their friends and Families together on the installation so they don't have to go off the installation," McDowell said.

Community Centers also give residents an excuse to get out and meet new people living on base. McDowell said Equity Residential aims to host a minimum of one activity per month at the community centers. Activities are free and open to anyone living on JBLM. Feedback from a recent candle-making class indicated Equity's objectives are being met. McDowell received an email expressing appreciation for the event, adding that several attendees went to dinner afterward because they had so much fun.

"It was really fun to see that they had made those friendships and those bonds to be able to go out and do something," McDowell said. "We want the Families to get to know each other and build those relationships so they enjoy living here."

Equity residents who wish to invest in a home may do so with an exclusive program. The "Rent with Equity Rewards" is a comprehensive home buying program. Equity's partners with leading companies in the industry to obtain special services and discounts.

"I believe Equity is the only one that offers this type of program for their residents that live in any of their communities," McDowell said.

Residents interested in the program can contact the corporate marketing director at 312-928-7454 or mgray-craddock@eqrworld.com.

McDowell said there are myriad advantages to living onbase. A singe-page flier from Lewis-McChord Communities lists "50 reasons why Joint Base Lewis-McChord Communities is the right choice." For the list, contact one of the neighborhood offices.

Who to call

Need to get in touch with your neighborhood housing office?

Lewis-McChord Family Housing Contacts: • Discovery Village, Hillside, New Hillside, Evergreen and Madigan: 912-3485 • Beachwood, Beachwood II and Eagleview: 912-3475 • Clarkdale, Parkway, Davis Hill and Greenwood: 912-3493 • Broadmoor and Town Center: 912-2120 • McChord: 589-0523