Would you give up lifestyle for moving to bug out place?

[Swing]

Once I knew someone who was a Computer Security consultant. Did some work during the 2012 elections for states, etc.

What he was seeing in the governments was scaring him and what he thought would cause soon SHTF events.

He did sell his suburban home and moved out to a remote area, went off grid all the way. Went very basic.
Some of the members of that forum I was on loved to diss him and his ideas, but he went through with his plans and now greyman. or off all types of internet cell phone, etc.

Today I'm thinking how he's doing, how his family is still adjusting or if that is just normal for them all now.

How much do you think the SHTF time is nearing? How drastic a measure are you ready to do? Move to that remote location so you are ready when SHTF happens with almost no bump in your life? Ready to live without society as we all seem to know it.?

I'm a blend. And I'd love to have the funds to get a piece of remote property, a pre computer car, and that small cabin. I'm okay with having to heat water and add to cold for washing me and clothes and dishes, etc.

Have you been thinking of this? Doing anything, or just planning to survive if it happens where you are now?

 

[Sourdough]

I have been living it for 48 plus years, in remote Alaska. However I don't think of it as any hardship, I think of it as living a high quality, and simple lifestyle as set forth by Henry David Thoreau in his classic, "On Walden Pond". The masses live a life of "Quiet Desperation", seduced into the belief that the "Trash" that Madison Avenue Advertising as snookered them into buying to appease the pain. But no amount of money, status, or brainwashing can mitigate the suffering of living someone else's idea of how you should live.

It was said long ago, "I don't want to get to the end of my life, and discover that I have lived someone else's idea of how I should have lived it".

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” — Helen Keller

I look back from this point where I have lived 71+ years, approaching the end of the road, and am content that I did choose the road less traveled, and it has made all the difference.

 

[hiwall]

Last summer we did move to a pretty remote area but still on-grid and we obviously still have internet. And for the first time in many years we will plant a small garden this spring. While we are on grid we really only need it for the well but I do have a generator to handle that until I run out of gas. We all know that gas could be stretched a long ways by just running the genny to fill water containers and then shutting it down (maybe a year or so). We do have a permanent spring fed creek pretty close in an extended emergency.

"How much do you think the SHTF time is nearing?"
I go back and forth on this. Sometimes I think its close and sometimes I think it is years away. I admit just this morning I was looking at more silver. I got the feeling this morning that it might be close again. Who knows?

 

[Woody]

I have lived without the modern ‘necessities’ of electricity and indoor plumbing. I could do it again. Things would be more difficult for me now, as I am older and do have physical limitations, so would need assistance. I would not be able to physically get all the firewood required. I might be able to, but it would be in many small sessions, not spending an entire day felling, bucking, splitting and stacking. Water from the creek no problem. No two full 5-gallon pails at a time anymore... it would be several trips of smaller loads. Activities like that.


I would have no troubles being isolated, I prefer that to most of the human contact that I see around me these days. There is plenty to do to keep me occupied, even in the cold winter days. I have lived isolated on purpose, so know how to deal with the mental aspects of it. I know how to ration, and make sure what supplies I have will last the required time. I can garden, can, hunt and prepare foods. I can plan activities for inside times and outside times. I can make do and do without or make what I do have, do.


I am planning my next move around this, being more isolated, self-sufficient and doing with less of what are considered necessities. It will not be as isolated as it would have been years ago. My health requires I have access to medical facilities. But I have learned that is not that much of a lifestyle change to live a simpler lifestyle. It just means you have less ‘free’ time to do nothing with. Nothing meaning TV, Internet and non-productive activities. The phrase ‘make hay while the sun shines’, comes to mind.

 

[SheepDog]

Most people still believe the fantasy. As long as that continues nothing will change much.
A large currency change is close but it will be a rebound to stabilize the world money supply. The price of gold could be set, internationally at $10,000 per ounce. In that way all the fiat currencies in the world could once again be backed by gold. The price relationship between gold and silver will likely not follow that price jump since it is simply an agreed upon price fix. Oil credits are off the table so say goodbye to the oil dollar and hello to the new higher prices. That price increase will affect every part of your life but at the same time the actual cost of living will be corrected by artificial means for as long as possible.
Hyper-inflation is not wanted by anyone - especially the world banking consortium. Look for inflation to rise slowly, interest rates to increase, and businesses to slow their growth and expansion. Get ready to lose a bit of ground economically but not enough to cause a large outcry from any large population.
I will just keep gardening and harvesting along with the rest of my preps to be ready for whatever comes.

 

[ssonb]

I am not disagreeing with you sheepdog, not at all. I read books on that subject twenty years ago and that author quoted the gold price range to fill the "void" was more in the line of 65,000 per oz. Now with the info of a worldwide currency reset first I see how your info on 10,000 might be accurate.

 

[snappy1]

At this point there is no moving for us with DH disability. We are in a very small community with our house right by my Church. I am as prepped as I can be for us--just two of us. We will take things as they come knowing that the goal is to survive but that if (and when) we die, our biggest prep is done and we know where we are headed. For those with families near, surviving is most important, but we have had a good run and are ready for what comes next!

 

[Flight]

I would love to but my better half would say have fun, lol

 

[ssonb]

I am currently lookin for some land and property a little further out, I currently live only a very few miles from where I was born, The urban sprawl and growth creep has snuck up on us. I did not realize the massive change in the demographics until a short time ago I was taking some time off work to assist my son in looking for a new,used truck. My son was driving around from truck prospect to prospect as I sat and had time to observe the surroundings. my son notices that I am unusually quiet and knowing that I will have a "different" perspective ask. "Dad what are you thinking?".....Son we are going to need a lot more ammo!!

 

[Sentry18]

I believe we are at perpetual risk of relatively short term SHTF events. Look at the last 100 years and how the world has rode the roller coaster of peace, war, feast, famine and weather related catastrophes. I do not however believe we are at risk of a TEOTWAWKI event. I don't see a 2nd American Civil War taking place, I don't think the little fat Korean is going to fire a nuke at us, I don't believe the sun is going to explode and I don't think it's likely that the zombies will rise like on the Walking Dead. While I do believe in preparedness and various levels of self sufficiency, I also have a deep faith that assures me of better things and delivers me from fear. If someone choose to live off grid and/or prepare for the worst that is possible but not probable, more power to them. I have a respect for anyone who strives to be part of a solution instead of part of the problem.

 

[joel]

Well my Bug out place in the country on a farm is where I want to retire.

 

[viking]

At 70 & 75 we are where we will be, we have accepted that God has put us here for a purpose, if we live or die at least we've done the best we can to make where we live a better place.

 

[fteter]

Angie, I'm a software guy myself. And security is definitely part of my skill set. So I can see why your acquaintance would be motivated to head for the hills. I could tell some stories that would curl your hair. If I could get the wife to go with me, I'd head out tomorrow. But that's not going to happen, so we do the best to prepare here in suburbia. With both of us in our 60s now, I don't see a move to a BOL in our future. But that doesn't stop me from seeing the wisdom in those that do.

 

[Rick]

Its the age old conflict for preppers.
Be where the good jobs are or move to the boonies.

I believe prepping should not be something that consumes our life.
There is no telling how far in the future a SHTF event may be off.

And I'd feel mighty foolish having given up on income for decades that could help my kids be better positioned if SHTF comes after my death.

So making money is a form of gathering resources.

I have an agreement to pre position tons of stuff at a friends farm and I have done so.
I have enough items there I can show up in my boxershorts and be supplied with all the crucial items out of my own stash.

Being able to make it there during an event (or not) is a risk I must manage in order continue to gather resources.

Also what about a sliding SHTF? many argue we are in it now.. then being able to get resources via job IS the survival struggle that will get harder and harder.
A premature move into the boonies might then be counterproductive...even from a survivalist/prepper perspective

 

[AdmiralD7S]

...

Also what about a sliding SHTF? many argue we are in it now.. then being able to get resources via job IS the survival struggle that will get harder and harder.
A premature move into the boonies might then be counterproductive...

One of our authors (I believe the late Machinist) wrote a fictional story that dealt with an abrupt but non-Doomsday economic crisis. The story mostly followed one family over the course of a couple years as they adjusted their life style to accommodate the new environment. Examples of this in the story included getting property valuation lowered, cashing out bank accounts for material goods, providing several blue-collar services for the area, etc. Regardless of whether or not the future turns out that way (or if we're in it now), it was an interesting read. Perhaps another member here will remember the particular story and confirm the author. If they're very resourceful, they might even provide a link and/or PDF (@Grimm ).

 

[TMT Tactical]

I am too late to this parade, so I am planning for future generations. I don't see a major SHTF shooting event any time soon. I do foresee a major world wide economic disaster and long term food and fuel shortages. I have discussed this in many posts, so I will not bore everybody with the reasons. I have designed and plan to build a comfortable family fortress away from prying eyes. This project as I refer to it as the TIN HAT HOUSE, will be built and stocked in multiple phases. I will purchase the land and start the layout. I will live on the land in a Toy Hauler RV. I will build the septic system, and the water well. Depending on how long I live, I may even get the house built. The main concept is this will be a location for each generation to retire and should it get to the SHTF phase, the rest of the family can live in it too. It has been designed to be totally off grid and self sufficient. Since any SHTF event posses possible danger, the property will also be designed with serious defense capabilities. I fully understand that no fortress is impregnable, but the cost to invade this property will make it the last on the list. You don't break into the house with the Doberman when you can break into the house that has the wiener dog.

As for living away from folks, bring it on, as soon as possible. It appears that each generation is getting dumber and ruder. Since I don't do stupid or rudeness, I will not miss the general population.

Every prepper here has their own reasons for being on this site. I don't look down on anybody that has a different plan from mine. They will do what is best for them, at this given moment in time. I am sure there are those that may think my plan is a bit off the wall and that is okay too. I would love to have the resources of Pess and Venom Jockey, but as stated I am a little late in becoming a serious prepper. We are all here to learn and this site is outstanding for that purpose. JM2C

 

[Sonya_6]

We all know that gas could be stretched a long ways by just running the genny to fill water containers and then shutting it down (maybe a year or so). We do have a permanent spring fed creek pretty close in an extended emergency.

Have you seen the PVC well buckets to get water out of a standard drilled well? You can make one for $10 or so. Would be some work if the well is 100+ feet down, but still better than a creek in a serious shtf situation when clean drinking water is a priority.

 

[TMT Tactical]

Have you seen the PVC well buckets to get water out of a standard drilled well? You can make one for $10 or so. Would be some work if the well is 100+ feet down, but still better than a creek in a serious shtf situation when clean drinking water is a priority.

Sonya_6: I think I know the design you are referring to but if you happen to have the link to your well project, I sure would appreciate your posting it.

 

[Sonya_6]

I live a fairly modest on-grid lifestyle now and I don't plan to ever move off-grid (unless of course I had plenty of money to set up alternative power sources and internet). But even then I would not want to live in too remote a place where it could take an hour or two just to drive to a store.

Realistically I would not survive long term if society collapsed (nor would I want too) so I don't see the need to take things to an extreme when there is a good chance it won't happen in my lifetime.

 

[Sonya_6]

Sonya_6: I think I know the design you are referring to but if you happen to have the link to your well project, I sure would appreciate your posting it.

It is a piece of PVC pipe with a fitting and toilet flap on the bottom (so it fills from the bottom up). Course once folks are familiar with the concept they could probably make something similar out of a variety of things around the house if they were desperate.

Here are the instructions: https://preparednessadvice.com/well/make-your-own-deep-well-bucket/

 

[backlash]

I would love to move to the boonies but it's too late for me.
There is no way I am physically able to do all the hard manual labor required.
I was, like most everyone else, chasing the almighty dollar and not smart enough to see the error of that.
Now I am living with the consequences of decisions made when I was 19 to about 40.

 

[Cascadian]

We are somewhere in the middle. We live in a nice rv on a large property that is not yet paid for. I still have a 9 to 5 job but we are working on getting the land to provide what we need. We are not completely nuts but it does keep us busy.

 

[Amish Heart]

I am very ready to retire to our farm near our relatives. But I believe we need to work a few more years before that happens. I'm not terribly worried about surviving without electricity, my relatives don't have electricity and live comfortably. Although I would prefer electricity.

 

[Homesteader33]

I am with Amish Heart in that I don't believe I need electricity but boy I sure do prefer/enjoy it! We live on our bug out location so our plan is to bug in. We do have the capability to get water from a well but we currently have city water. We could heat our entire home with wood but we augment with wood for now (we have about a 2-3 year supply cut to heat the entire home if needed).

My $.02 on when/if is kind of odd I guess. About 8-10 years ago I thought we were headed for a financial collapse that was unfathomable. Now I believe that it will be a slow decline, someone above said higher interest rates, higher inflation, etc and I believe all of those will happen but at what pace and what outcome I have no clue. We just continue to garden, preserve and prepare at our pace and whatever happens...well it just happens! mankind is resilient, more resilient than what most believe! I am not a big believer in doomsday events.

 

[Swing]

For me, I'm rather stuck here due to finances, etc. Still hoping for being out a bit more (this was out of town 20 years ago, but subdivisions are invading now). And I want to lower the electricity, and stuff that I need to lower how much money I need to live comfortably. Also, being knowledgeable enough to adapt should power go out for a bit, or other such issues. So, I'll like to be a medium status moving out. Right now I'm stuck due to living near parents so they can stay in their home. etc. (I know others of you have family issues that tie you to where you are also.)

 

[hiwall]

Have you seen the PVC well buckets to get water out of a standard drilled well? You can make one for $10 or so. Would be some work if the well is 100+ feet down, but still better than a creek in a serious shtf situation when clean drinking water is a priority.

Our well is 300 feet deep but the static level is only 45 feet. Hard to anything without pulling the pitless adapter and the existing pump (a very big job!).

 

[Grimm]

One of our authors (I believe the late Machinist) wrote a fictional story that dealt with an abrupt but non-Doomsday economic crisis. The story mostly followed one family over the course of a couple years as they adjusted their life style to accommodate the new environment. Examples of this in the story included getting property valuation lowered, cashing out bank accounts for material goods, providing several blue-collar services for the area, etc. Regardless of whether or not the future turns out that way (or if we're in it now), it was an interesting read. Perhaps another member here will remember the particular story and confirm the author. If they're very resourceful, they might even provide a link and/or PDF (@Grimm ).

Most of his stories were like this. Not Quite Eden might be the one you are referring to.

 

[Swing]

I've let his daughter know of this thread. He was a member of a small forum of friends, also. Was sad when he stopped posting and then passed.

 

[CrackbottomLouis]

I am not tied to where I am economically. While it would be more difficult to earn in a more rural setting property is bought and sold everywhere. So while I would take a hit in my real estate biz I think it would be offset by a lower cost of living from a more self sufficient lifestyle. We have other income that would not be effected at all.

Our issue is we are very close with both my wife's family and mine and they all live within a 15 mile radius. Add to that we are planning for a kid sometime this year and both our parents are getting on in years and do/will need more family support and that gets to be a tough sell to the wife and, if I'm realistic, myself as well.

We have made a compromise to the tune of staying in our area and having bol options. We are currently looking for a different "intown" property in the suburban area we are in that will allow us to smaller scale garden, keep some animals, and generally become/keep being proficient at skills that we could then transplant and expand at our different location should that become necessary while laying the ground work for being able to do so at our other spots (preparing soil, infrastructure, developing relationships, etc).

This presents some challenges. Mostly making sure we can get there in a manner that would allow a successful transition in a timely manner in many different scenarios. Trying to plan for Murphy is challenging. This requires paying attention to the world around us in a way that would provide as much early warning as possible. Having a coordinated plan with loved ones. Choosing a bol that can be accessed easily by us from our area but far/tucked away enough to keep the hoards from knocking at our door (harder on the east coast than in the more sparsely populated west). Staying current with the condition/situation of multiple routes for access. Vehicle/transportation planning for specific scenarios. Cloaking legal ownership of remote properties and opsec. Having enough necessities (without all our eggs in one basket) to carry us through a lengthy transition period. Contingency plans. The list goes on.

It's not a foolproof plan but it would take a whole lot to beat me down to my skivvies. And I do believe it is important to prepare for all scenarios. That includes the scenario where life and society keeps on keeping on while we all bitch and moan about the direction society is heading on the internet from our couches close to our jobs and families while living as best we can.

As to how close is shtf? No clue. Half of me is surprised it hasn't happened yet. The other half is dismayed at the slow demise I see going on around me. I abhor the thought society will just lay down and accept the direction we are headed as much as I abhor the possible consequences of the responsible majority of our country making a stand.

In a perfect world I would convince the whole family to go in on several thousand acres outside, but with access to, a small town I deemed acceptable where we would all live a simpler life without being cut off from the positive aspects of society with good distance from the negative. The chances of that are nil at the moment but I continue to gently push in that direction. Sooner or later (hopefully much later) my wife's grandmother and both our parents will pass on, our child will be older, our siblings may be more amenable and the dream will come to fruition. For now though I just do the best I can with the reality I must accept as the people I love in my life are priority. Being in dire straits with my loved ones is better than being safe without them.

 

[The Lazy L]

Back when gasoline hit $5 a gallon a local sold all that he had and moved to a South American county. Convinced the world was ending and all of that. Two years latter he moved back, wife divorced him (smart woman?) and son was arrested for assault. Now I wonder if he moved back on his own free will or the South American country forced him?