Where to Be...

[3MTA3]

... when the other shoe drops? My job is unique in that I can live just about where I want in the Western US as long as I can get a high speed Internet connection. I'm currently on top of the hill in Oregon City, but wondering about better locations to be if/when the sky falls. Inner city pretty much rules itself out for obvious reasons, but what advantages does rural have over suburbia and vice-versa? Any states/counties better than others? I'm thinking fly under the radar self sufficiency, but not so good I have have to constantly defend it. I'm not looking for your secret spot or fishing hole, just practical information to select a site to keep breathing if the collapse happens during my lifetime.

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[CoastRange57]

... when the other shoe drops? My job is unique in that I can live just about where I want in the Western US as long as I can get a high speed Internet connection.

So you think that when the sh*t goes down there will still be internet connections and your job will carry on as usual...???

 

[The Heretic]

It isn't so much the state as much as being outside an urban area IMO.

But that depends on what you think is going to happen, how it is going to happen, how much warning you will have that it will happen, and how certain you are that it will happen.

I am out in the boonies a bit more because I prefer this rather than because I think something will happen.

My belief is that over the next 3 to 4 decades, natural resources, energy, land, water and food will inexorably become more and more expensive and hard to get as the world population continues to expand. Most of these things are finite, and the human population is growing past the point where it can be supported with what we have.

Fewer and fewer people are growing their own food, or even know how to grow their own food much less have the land to grow it, have their own source of water separate from municipal water, or have the ability to survive on their own. More and more people are moving into urban areas and the population density there is growing.

I do not believe that we will have a sudden TEOTWAWKI collapse. Minor SHTF emergencies sure, but nationwide much less worldwide collapses? No. But for those who will still be around from 2030 to 2050, it will be necessary to exist on less and less - unless a person has prepared by moving outside a likely growth area, setup on arable land, located themselves with a solar exposure for using solar panels to power the necessities and more or less learned to be more self-sufficient.

One of the benefits of the PNW west of the Cascades is a mild climate, good growing season, some really good farmland in many areas, and even with climate change playing havoc with our weather, plenty of rain.

The problem that you may have to deal with, and that I DO have to deal with, is that the rural areas often do not have good bandwidth internet connections. I can go with DSL and get 1.5 mbps, or a WiFi ISP that gives me 3+ mbps when the weather is good and others don't hog the bandwidth - but either way, it is flaky.

Fortunately that is barely enough for my work if I work from home (I do about once a month). It was a bit of a shock after having 30+ mbps in the city for several years.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I'd prefer to be as far from population centers as possible, and hopefully have some form of self sufficiency (well with a backup generator, septic tank vs. city sewer), freezer full of food, good supply of propane, garden, etc.
Why would you have to constantly defend it? If the local cops can't keep order in the city they sure as heck aren't going to be helping you in a SHTF situation (not that you'd want LEOs crawling around your place thinking up things to harass you for). You are on your own.

 

[3MTA3]

So you think that when the sh*t goes down there will still be internet connections and your job will carry on as usual...???

WHAT, NO INTERNET????

Of course not, but my job gives me the flexibility to relocate before SHTF happens without having to look for work.

 

[Doc In UPlace]

IMO more important than where you are will be whom you are with. Nobody can stay awake all the time. Nobody can see all sides of a building at once. No one has all the skills to do everything required.

Getting a group of like-minded people set up, having a plan for assembling and communications if SHTF, and keeping your plans confidential will be crucial to stacking the cards in your favor.

Cross-training is important; don't have just one medic, don't have just one mechanic, don't have just one security specialist, yet keep the group small enough to be manageable and mobile. Wherever you wind up, chances are you'll eventually have to get out of there, at least for awhile.

I'd recommend first thinking about what will you do if the cell phones go dead and the roads are impassible. What will work without roads and without phones? Where is a central point that's accessible but off the chaos-ridden-path, where everyone can meet up?

Who sends up the balloon and starts playing "White Christmas" on the radio? Break it down into steps then try the plan out to see what you are missing while things are normal.

 

[erudne]

Idaho

 

[rocky3]

I'd prefer to be as far from population centers as possible, and hopefully have some form of self sufficiency (well with a backup generator, septic tank vs. city sewer), freezer full of food, good supply of propane, garden, etc.
Why would you have to constantly defend it? If the local cops can't keep order in the city they sure as heck aren't going to be helping you in a SHTF situation (not that you'd want LEOs crawling around your place thinking up things to harass you for). You are on your own.

Water supply, dry food for at least a year, satellite internet, ample acreage for a garden, Decent neighbors, these are things to consider. Three good arms and parts with ammo to last a long time, with reloading capabilities. Your generator is worthless, after the short run. Coleman stove and lanterns are necessities And most important LUCK.

 

[The Heretic]

Water supply, dry food for at least a year, satellite internet, ample acreage for a garden, Decent neighbors, these are things to consider. Three good arms and parts with ammo to last a long time, with reloading capabilities. Your generator is worthless, after the short run. Coleman stove and lanterns are necessities And most important LUCK.

Satellite internet - BTDT - flaky, expensive, slow, high latency, not good at all for VPN (if you are working from home, it is very likely you will need VPN) or voice.

Internet is a very real problem for those in the hinterlands that need internet. Once you get out of the suburbs the bandwidth and reliability and options go down. The further you get off the beaten path, the worse it gets.

 

[Asp]

I'd prefer to be as far from population centers as possible, and hopefully have some form of self sufficiency (well with a backup generator, septic tank vs. city sewer), freezer full of food, good supply of propane, garden, etc.
Why would you have to constantly defend it? If the local cops can't keep order in the city they sure as heck aren't going to be helping you in a SHTF situation (not that you'd want LEOs crawling around your place thinking up things to harass you for). You are on your own.

Stuff really hits the fan unless you have strength. So you need to have like minded people on board.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Rural, away from big population centers

Water, preferably an aquifer (Safer from radiation)

Fuel for heating (timber)

Fire proof home (ICF)

Stockpiled supplies and hand tools, etc

The more rugged the path to your place the less likely starving, sick, weak people will be to go there

 

[Michael Js]

Unless you're extremely fortified, "they" will come...look at Jericho, the series? Look at the book "One Second After". People will become desperate and no matter how remote you are, they will eventually come your way...

So, a mountaintop with a 360 deg view is a good place to start! Now, build a moat with a drawbridge, get good neighbors, and go from there...

 

[The Heretic]

TV shows do not necessarily reflect reality, so I wouldn't point to them as an example.

Fictional stories are... uhhhh.... fiction. *hint* *hint*

Think about it; if you were a clueless in-duh-vidual from the city, would you go wandering around in the wilderness on the off chance you might come across a prepper who may shoot you for just showing up on his property, or would you stick to the more common main roads hoping for a handout or some farm you could steal from?

 

[erudne]

Now, build a moat with a drawbridge, get good neighbors, and go from there... "
By moat you mean River, correct?
Fortunately I have 3 rivers and a mountain range (w/ a river)

 

[Caveman Jim]

If after the SHTF you are still surviving, there will be roving bands of lawless people who want what you have and will do anything to take it from you!!!
Kinda like liberals nowadays....

 

[3MTA3]

If after the SHTF you are still surviving, there will be roving bands of lawless people who want what you have and will do anything to take it from you!!!
Kinda like liberals nowadays....

I'd be happy to give them all the 77gr Sierra MatchKings they want... I'll keep the brass

 

[Provincial]

I want to see the mountaintop with the gravity water supply! Add geothermal for power and heat and I'll have my real estate agent get in touch!!!!!

 

[Dunerunner]

But, a mountain top with solar, wind and perhaps a year round stream that can produce power might work out! Definitely, you will need to grow and raise your own meat and vegetables. Wind can also drive a pump for well water....

 

[Hook686]

My belief is that over the next 3 to 4 decades, natural resources, energy, land, water and food will inexorably become more and more expensive and hard to get as the world population continues to expand. Most of these things are finite, and the human population is growing past the point where it can be supported with what we have.

I won't disagree with this. I will just add the concept of 'Globalization' that began a few decades ago. For the underdeveloped part of the world to increase individual wealth, which would provide additional customers for the business community, some of the wealth of the developed parts of the world need to give up some of their wealth. As noted, there are finite resources and an expanding market. So far it seems to be going as the top 2% has it figured out. Those gaining goods and services they could only once dream about are giddy. Those having to surrender to increased costs for food, clothing, shelter, energy, and lost jobs are squealing like stuck pigs, but so far there has been no major insurrections. Another generation, or two and things will be a lot more level than they are today and maybe calmer.

 

[U201491]

If after the SHTF you are still surviving, there will be roving bands of lawless people who want what you have and will do anything to take it from you!!!
Kinda like liberals nowadays....

That is called tactical range practice.