Considerations for Bug Out Locations

[DrHenley]

Lost me at $10,000 per acre.

 

[poltiregist]

Back a couple of decades ago land was selling in the area for around 3 thousand an acer . Now with people wanting to homestead moving into the area it goes for around 15 thousand a acre . So actually I am not sure how old that video is or if someone can buy in at 10,000 per acre . One thing for sure unless something occurs like World War Three it will be much higher in the near future . My son is looking to buy land in the area next week , when he returns from a work hitch . He was going to buy some at around 13,000 for three acre but it has now gone into sale pending . He called me a couple of days ago and he is now considering buying a acre for around 17,000 . -- His objective is to buy land , build a house and rent it out . He already has someone waiting to rent . --- Of interest perhaps to some , in the area is a licensed guy to sell water to put into holding tanks . He has a truck with a tank and fills off the grid houses that have water tanks , but no well or community system .

 

[DrHenley]

Land around BOL1 and BOL2 is around $2500-$3500 per acre with prime hunting areas costing the most.
When we were looking for land for BOL2 we had an opportunity to buy a working corn farm with structurally solid 2 story house and a half mile of riverfront for $2500 an acre in Pittsylvania County Virginia. It just wasn't as good a fit as the place we bought. We looked at several places in Pittsylvania County, all remote with riverfront, all less than $3500 an acre, but we liked the place we ended up buying better.
A 345 acre mostly wooded farm in Pittsylvania County is under contract right now for $1500 an acre. Pittsylvania County is about as deep red as it gets anywhere in the US, and has one of the lowest crime rates in the US.
https://www.landwatch.com/pittsylvania-county-virginia-recreational-property-for-sale/pid/417849200

 

[poltiregist]

Top 12 Best Small Towns for Preppers to Live in - Modern Survival Online I suspect everyone on this forum would disagree with one or two of these selected prepper sites , but still it makes interesting reading .

 

[EastenerWesterner]

It was an interesting read. Got within a hundred miles of a couple spots on my list. Also told me where to stay away from

 

[tmttactical]

Land around BOL1 and BOL2 is around $2500-$3500 per acre with prime hunting areas costing the most.
When we were looking for land for BOL2 we had an opportunity to buy a working corn farm with structurally solid 2 story house and a half mile of riverfront for $2500 an acre in Pittsylvania County Virginia. It just wasn't as good a fit as the place we bought. We looked at several places in Pittsylvania County, all remote with riverfront, all less than $3500 an acre, but we liked the place we ended up buying better.
A 345 acre mostly wooded farm in Pittsylvania County is under contract right now for $1500 an acre. Pittsylvania County is about as deep red as it gets anywhere in the US, and has one of the lowest crime rates in the US.
https://www.landwatch.com/pittsylvania-county-virginia-recreational-property-for-sale/pid/417849200View attachment 22076

View attachment 22071

What is the climate like and topography? I am still researching a future "Tin Hat House" location.

 

[EastenerWesterner]

What is the climate like and topography? I am still researching a future "Tin Hat House" location.

3W’s. Water, Woods, Where am I? for tin hat house.
My next step has these 5 miles away.

 

[poltiregist]

3W’s. Water, Woods, Where am I? for tin hat house.
My next step has these 5 miles away.

I don't understand - Is the place 5 miles away a retreat you already have or a place you plan to purchase ?

 

[EastenerWesterner]

I don't understand - Is the place 5 miles away a retreat you already have or a place you plan to purchase ?

We bought a place near a small town (9000) for retirement. Easier if it was either of us. (Or not having me). Have a 3 year plan to be there. This place takes both of us financially and physically, even though it is ideal.
Plenty of Bug out spots 5 miles away in the woods Land is 1500/A in the woods.

 

[Mountain Dragon]

Sometimes an BOL don't need to be thousands of miles away.

 

[Proud Prepper]

That place is not all that far from my BoL 2 bunker. It's a very nice area.

 

[Cindyd]

All you all have BOL 1 AND BOL 2? I'm doing good to work on improving my Bug In location...looking for a 2nd one but $10k an acre and up for highly advertised area pitching to "preppers" is a no for me. I get the concept...there is a market no doubt...but would be adamant no for me, just for those reasons.

2 cents

 

[DrHenley]

What is the climate like and topography? I am still researching a future "Tin Hat House" location.

Topography is ridges and hollows near the rivers and rolling hills away from the rivers. It is basically the foothills of the Appalachians.
What the following doesn't tell you is that summer nights are cool and dry (<70 and low humidity) and winter days are relatively mild (rarely has winter daytime highs below freezing)

 

[tmttactical]

Topography is ridges and hollows near the rivers and rolling hills away from the rivers. It is basically the foothills of the Appalachians.
What the following doesn't tell you is that summer nights are cool and dry (<70 and low humidity) and winter days are relatively mild (rarely has winter daytime highs below freezing) View attachment 22087

Thank you Dr.Henley. This location is sounding very promising. I will start researching more specifics on this area.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I'm looking at buying another place about 50 miles south of us. It's 320 acres, and they're asking about $1,000 per acre. It's has 2 wells, numerous springs, hay ground and runs 75 pair. It's pretty remote, by today's standards. Nearest town is about 20 miles away and has less than 200 people.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Sounds like one great deal to me! Stay there in the winter!

 

[DrHenley]

Violent Crime statistics for Chatham, VA, another of the "larger" towns in Pittsylvania County (population, 1200)

Demographics for Chatham

Race in Chatham​

- 71.9% are white
- 15.1% are black
- 0.6% are asian
- 0.0% are native american
- 0.0% claim Other
- 7.5% claim Hispanic Ethnicity
- 5.0% Two or More Races
- 0.0% Hawaiian, Pacific Islander

 

[Mountain trapper]

I was glad to see that no towns in my state made the list. This state is full.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Sounds like one great deal to me! Stay there in the winter!

Even though this property is a couple thousand feet lower in elevation, it still gets a fair amount of snow and blowing snow. Many times it's a lot colder down there than our place is too.

 

[rainingcatzanddogs]

Top 12 Best Small Towns for Preppers to Live in - Modern Survival Online I suspect everyone on this forum would disagree with one or two of these selected prepper sites , but still it makes interesting reading .

I was a bit disappointed that they would suggest anywhere near the southern border. If SHTF, every cartel member and those of La Raza will be flowing in, I am still of the opinion, that west of the Mississippi is preferable due to population density, though less so than ten years ago.

 

[EastenerWesterner]

I would never consider a place in the southwest ever again. One word-Water. Yeah the climate is great, but……. I have an 800 ft well now.

I lived in an old 1872 house back east and had city water. Had an old hand pump hand dug well I built a deck around that was decorative and useful for watering plants. Who knew it would set me on this path we are all on?

Next step property has a 30 ft well. Shallow enough for a hand pump if needed. And i will have the pieces to the puzzle for a back up.

Water is key.

 

[Mountain trapper]

For me, the top 10 important things to consider when looking for land to purchase is:
1. Demographics. What is the ratio of black, brown, and red to White
2. Politics. Any area that isn't Conservative is immediately rulled out
3. Climate. Low humidity. Adequate winter and spring moisture
4. Water. The land must have water. Live water, well water etc
5. Land status. Large blocks of public domain land surrounding the parcel
6. Minerals. The area must have a history of mining with the ability of filing your own mining claim
7. Population density. The fewer people the better. No neighbors
8. Land size. The property must be large enough to raise all of your own meat, fruit, vegetables, chicken/eggs. And enough land to grow their feed
9. Timber. Enough timber for all you firewood, and possibly building materials
10. Wildlife. It's all food on the hoof

Anything less than the above could be trouble after a true, life changing SHTF situation.

 

[rainingcatzanddogs]

For me, the top 10 important things to consider when looking for land to purchase is:
1. Demographics. What is the ratio of black, brown, and red to White
2. Politics. Any area that isn't Conservative is immediately rulled out
3. Climate. Low humidity. Adequate winter and spring moisture
4. Water. The land must have water. Live water, well water etc
5. Land status. Large blocks of public domain land surrounding the parcel
6. Minerals. The area must have a history of mining with the ability of filing your own mining claim
7. Population density. The fewer people the better. No neighbors
8. Land size. The property must be large enough to raise all of your own meat, fruit, vegetables, chicken/eggs. And enough land to grow their feed
9. Timber. Enough timber for all you firewood, and possibly building materials
10. Wildlife. It's all food on the hoof

Anything less than the above could be trouble after a true, life changing SHTF situation.

So how do you juxtapose the state politics with the local? I like the fact that Texas has declared themselves a 2nd amendment sanctuary state. The Sheriffs and local cops here will not help the Feds enforce anti-constitutional gun laws.

 

[Mountain trapper]

So how do you juxtapose the state politics with the local? I like the fact that Texas has declared themselves a 2nd amendment sanctuary state. The Sheriffs and local cops here will not help the Feds enforce anti-constitutional gun laws.

My state is very conservative and my county even more so. I dont think my sheriff would enforce any unconstitutional laws either. I'll have to ask him about that next time I see him.

 

[rainingcatzanddogs]

I would never consider a place in the southwest ever again. One word-Water. Yeah the climate is great, but……. I have an 800 ft well now.

I lived in an old 1872 house back east and had city water. Had an old hand pump hand dug well I built a deck around that was decorative and useful for watering plants. Who knew it would set me on this path we are all on?

Next step property has a 30 ft well. Shallow enough for a hand pump if needed. And i will have the pieces to the puzzle for a back up.

Water is key.

Water is the main reason we are changing BOL's. The well here is 420' and the creek is only wet weather. In droughts people's wells have gone dry.

BOL2 has a 30' hand dug well and the locals tell me they have never seen the spring fed creek go dry. Community water is an option but, currently, we are not hooked up.

 

[DrHenley]

BOL1 has plenty of ground water, and the well is 1600', the fourth aquifer down and under pressure, so no pump is necessary even though we have a pump to make the pressure higher. The water, however has hydrogen sulfide and iron in it and upsets my stomach if I drink it without letting it sit overnight or boiling it, even after it goes through the filters. I would not try to drink the surface water or ground water due to the Ag chemicals, nor would I eat the fish. I guess a reverse osmosis filter might clean it well enough, I don't know.

BOL2 has a 78' well. It could be pumped by hand if necessary, and you could even drop a bucket down in it like an old fashioned well. The water is very clean and tastes great. Even after prolonged dry spells the pump pushes out water faster than we need. Then there is the river. Some organisms in the water but no chemical contamination. Nothing but forests upstream for a good ways. Boiling and sediment filter is all you need. Fish are free of any unhealthy chemicals, and the hydro dam 4 miles downstream prevents the contaminated fish from farther downstream from getting to us. We are at upper end of the small deep water reservoir created by the dam.

 

[Captjim_NM]

Some neat thoughts here. We are staying put. We are 90 miles from a major city. About 20 miles from the Trinity site so nobody will waste a bomb blowing that up. We can buy meat on the hoof and have a freezer full of food with a generator. At our age, almost 70, that is as good as it will get!