So, if you choose not to use their housing option do you get that money back in your pocket for your housing cost? That is, I'm assuming you're getting their RTP training bonus.. is there any way to use the excess of that towards your own rental or RV or whatever?

Housing is out of pocket, so that's your call.

I just did the RV thing. Stayed at 5 flags. There were several RTP guys there. $475/month + electric. The park is fantastic, and this decision allowed me to turn a 2 month work trip into a 2 month Pensacola vacation with the family. Highly recommend.

It’s possible to get and out of SW fairly quickly so housing cost is minimal. I did 190 hours time building in just over 3 weeks, then came home to SC for my multi. Either way the places aren’t bad and roommates were cool dudes.

Ditto.

Left SW-provided Pensacola housing a month ago. $500/month and paid in advance from my CC, which they required. I was "told" my payment would be pro-rated by day if I left early. It wasn't, but I didn't fight because I only left a day or two before the end of the month.

It was easy button housing with almost zero paperwork/effort and I lucked out because I had a two-bedroom apartment to myself for two months (minus 7 days). Other guys I talked to were double bunked in three-bedroom apartments. The whole arrangement was not managed in a way I would manage it, but that pretty much applied to the whole operation there. And that's all I'll say about that.

The guys I ran into that camped or found alternate housing all seemed happy, so I really think the bottom line for a housing decision should be what you want. I had a quiet apartment where I could focus, study, and turn that Hobbs meter. Others wanted the family time, had $$$ concerns, were balancing reserve time, etc.