As previously stated by me and many others. Living in a shoe box with your mate(s) is quite good fun in the early years. Find someone you want to make a home with and (God Forbid) Marry and start a Family - you simply cannot. School/car/own house? Forget all of that. You probably won't get a Basing but if you did and wanted a Command later you'll have to come back and live in the shoe box with your mates and leave the Family behind (or stay as an FO for ever on your base (hope they don't close it a la Paris) as many are doing).
How anyone buys that
is beyond me.
Oh, and you're quite right MM - Anna & Co have a very nice housing allowance thanks very much.