I am knew this forum and just want to say hello! Just browsing I have found lots of good information. I am fortunate enough to have a fairly good job, but unfortunately tied into the northeast. I have been land shopping but don't have the funds to spend a fortune. There are a lot of good options to he west for dirt cheap, but how far should I be willing to go? It seems silly to be able visit your property a couple times a year due to distance restraints and time off. The other options are Vermont, new hampshire, Maine, northern new York, but prices are not as good. Any opinions????
i guess the true question is how do you plan on ghetting there and how much lead time do you belive you will have to get there? If a general evacuation of your area is called can you beat the crowds out? if you are in the NW having a BOL 3,000+ miles away dosen't seem like a good idea as aircraft may be grownded... general rule of thumb seems to be minimum 85-100 miles from a major city better if it's around 200... but this assumes that you can get to it... YMMV
All depends on what you rate the chances of things getting bad enough to "bug out". If you rate the chances real low, like in the range of an asteroid hitting, or the Yellowstone caldera blowing up, or similar things, that is one thing.....if you rate the chances as quite possible to even probable ( which I do ) then the best plan is to LIVE ON YOUR BUGOUT LAND......after the SHTF is not the time for a learning curve.
learning the basics of survival after TSHTF has the major downfall that you only fail once you dont get second chances after youre dead
I have read and read and there are a million options to way. All of which are obviously speculation at this point. All I know is I feel in my heart that I need to be prepared or insured as one might say. I guess if I want to prepare my location, and be there regularly to do so, then I guess I answered my own question. While cost and location may be better west, my situation dictates something closer. As far as how prepared I should be? My opinion is to continuously prepAre and learn until "it" happens. I certainly don't have a preparedness milestone other than to be more prepared.
If i'm offshore..I plan on taking my Bell 407 to my house... My back-up plan is my crewboat...Going as far up the intracoastal waterway and the closest route to my house... Now if at home...My deer lease and camp are about 120 miles' away..may try for that location... Or if stuck at home...I'm prepared to lay down ''Zombie'' fire to keep the buzzard's from coming to roost...Gator...
Start small. Build a 'disaster survival' kit that'll get you through, say, a week (assuming you shelter in place, aka 'bug in'). Don't forget food, water, heat, sanitation, and at least a simple hand crank emergency radio. Next, build a survival kit for 'bugging out'. All the same considerations apply (plus cordage, at least one good knife, and cold/rain/hot weather gear, depending on the season), but this pack should last you at least 3 days, possibly up to a week. Don't get a huge 7000 cubic inch hiking pack and stuff it with 60lbs worth of gear. Just the basics. I try to keep mine under 30lbs total. Next, lay in food & water and fuel to last you a month. At this point, re-evaluate your situation. Are your finances in order? Can you afford to purchase a retreat or do you need to consider bugging in? How is the security situation in your current dwelling? This will get you started, and will help you feel that you've accomplished something other than just reading and worrying. Just my 2 cents. Take it as you will, and of course, adjust the above plan to your needs & situation.
When considering a Bug Out Location you also need to consider this. What if you have to Walk to It!!! Can you make it? Doesn't have to be less than a day's walk, but can you walk to it ? Side Note, be important to have maps to your Retreat with various routes to get there marked along with the possible hazards of each.
Welcome Mike and good questions. What you will be bugging out from or to will determine your distance--have several options in different directions, elevations, and climates. All my options are south(almost) of our home. Some are close by and others would require a considerable drive. Nuke/bio/chem hazards would require you to get upwind asap and out of the immediate area. If you are simply fleeing a hurricane/quake/etc. then you need not be worried about tactical plans. In the event of anarchy/martial law/riots then being able to defend your position/positions would be paramount. We have three levels of BO gear. First is our get home/get out 3 day bags--second are our heavier camping gear backpacks and armaments--thirdly are our complete BO shipping containers containing a virtual home. We also keep a few flip top plastic shipping containers for sweeping our cabinets, pantries, med cabinets of goodies. Hopefully we will never need them as we are bug in prepped. If you are "local" to NC/SC please come to our April/ Oct gatherings near Rockingham, NC. We cover lots of things like this and all free(except for the cost for renting the camp).
That shipping container is an awesome idea. What kind of container is it and how do you move it? Where would I look into something like this? Unfortunately I am well North of NC. I would have loved to attend.
Shipping containers require a semi with trailer to move, and at minimum a tilt bed and winch, or a crane to load it. It's for prepping, not for bugging out, really. You'd be better off with a complete semi trailer kitted out for living in, if you plan on moving after something happens, and that's problematic too. Or an RV.
The shipping containers I am speaking of are capable of being handled by one person. Have two sizes (18" high X 2' X3' and 30" X 2 X3') The kitchen box is the heaviest and two handle it better than one. They are Aluminum two piece with rubber gaskets, clasps all the way around, and handles on each end. Paid $25-$35 each for them. Last one is heavy plastic and is large also. Check with surplus dealers for them. With just a wee bit of lead time we can leave indefinately if need be but am a stubborn cuss and do not plan on leaving my recliner--lol.
