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If you live inside a city you are unprepared

11K views 139 replies 46 participants last post by  bdcochran 
#1 ·
No matter how prepared you think you are you'll still be far behind a family or community that's in a rural setting.

This is something that's been weighing on me because my family is 100% dependent on the existing supply chain to deliver food and water to our small pocket of the city that we live in.

I'm contemplating what to do for the future. Should I continue to stay here in paradise dependent on the system or should I relocate to a place that allows me to grow my own food and harvest my own water?

Has anyone here traded city life for rural life? How is it?
 
#3 ·
We moved from the greater Chicago area to S/W Missouri over 20 years ago; greatest move we ever made! It is a very different life-style, and keep in mind that job opportunities are very limited unless you get into ranching/farming, and THAT takes some serious coin to get started. Most wives of ranchers/farmers work away from home to help make ends meet.

Depending where you settle, it may be several miles for stores, gas stations, etc. (16 miles for us!) However, you don't have the insanity of city living, and your family life will probably improve. It was easier for us as my kids were already grown and on their own; young families will probably struggle for years. You should give the idea GREAT thought, and include the family in your discussions. Good luck!
 
#4 ·
[QUOTE
Has anyone here traded city life for rural life? How is it?[/QUOTE]


Yeah.
I grew up in Baltimore. Actually I always hated it.

In 1964 I came to Texas for Army Flight school. I never believed people (strangers) could be so nice.

A couple years later I got the opportunity to come back to Texas as a flight instructor.

My Wife and I settled down here. Bought a little land and enjoyed the heck out of living here.
I still do.
 
#5 ·
If your life circumstances permit it, why not? Most of us have ties to at least suburban areas and can't just buy 40 acres and a mule 100 miles from nowhere. Jobs, family, finances, whatever.

If your main concern is food and water there are ways to prep for that, even in the city.
 
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#6 ·
Seamaster: You have several subissues within the question:
1. Do you have some rural skills? I live in the city. 15 fruit trees on a small city, hilly lot. I have raised bees, had a vegetable garden, trapped animals. If you have the skills, doesn't matter where you live. If you don't have the skills and experience, won't matter if you are rural.

2. Do you expect to be so rural that you will never be bothered by fleeing people? I manage a family farm and have a separate tree lot. Rural, of course. And they will be overrun within the first week of a major disaster by people seeking food.

3. Do you know your state's water code? In my state, every square inch is within a water district. You don't have the right to simply dig a well, divert water from a stream, put a pipe into a river to get free water.

The dream of most people is to "retire" to a rural area and live off the land. Having been a licensed real estate broker at one time, I will relate to you why it is a pipedream.
1. If you are in a relationship, it takes two to agree. If one is sick and has a favorite doctor, you aren't moving. If one has children in the city, you are not moving.
2. I sm 70 years old this month. I mulched around one tree yesterday. I mulched around two today. I am not lazy, just don't have the endurance like when I was 20. Retirees don't have the energy.

I have an expression that I coined after reading so many "bug out scenarios" and "living off the land". If a person, living in a rural area, behind a drawbridge, can get to the nearest city of 50,000 on a half a tank of gas, any one of the 50,000 who has a 1/2 tank of gas can drive to your crib and make an effort to take it away from you. Ok, you don't think it is real. One day, I was with a former member of the OSS in extreme western Red China. I had our driver stop in the middle of the highway. It was a concrete reinforced road that would support tanks. I stood in the middle of the road for 10 minutes before the next vehicle came. I was laughing. The road that leads from Beijing to Xian that can support tanks also leads from Xian to the Forbidden City. And . . . now you have locals from Xian attacking the Forbidden City/attacking Han in Han Cities with knives, and so forth.

Do you know why most people end up living in an urban area? Jobs, doctors, amenities.
 
#8 ·
Smokeross is quite right. We have a "drought" with the government paying people to get rid of lawns. The woman at the corner dug up her front yard (yep, in West Los Angeles) and planted a garden and fruit trees.

I put in two semi dwarf Navel Orange trees last year in the front lawn area and one semi Dwarf Navel and an Avocado in the back lawn this year. Today, I put rubberized fake mulch (guaranteed to keep color) around three of the trees, so that they are/will be attractive.

Today, I harvested the last of this season's pomegranates. Tomorrow, I pick the last of the fruit from one of the four guava trees on the hillside.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Why do so many prepper always seem to assume the "Mad Max", everyone for themselves, packs of roving thugs scenario?. . . .
Well, technically, that was Road Warrior (known in Aussie-land as Mad Max-2). Per Director George Miller, it was explicitly a post-nuclear apocalyptic survival tale set, chronologically, another 5-6 years later than the first Mad Max film ....

If anything, we are more likely to experience a economic failure that would look more like Argentina 1998-2002, than Mad Max.
True, which was Miller's premise for the original Mad Max (MM-1), the 1979 film based on the effects of the 1973 oil embargo/gas crisis. It is suggestively post-apocalyptic, but not yet post-nuclear. It projects a disintegrating Aussie society "a few years from now," by which Miller has said he meant the late 1980s. He was trying to convey an economic and social breakdown stemming from acute fuel shortages, which have trigger a depression, as depicted by the buildings falling apart (like the "Halls of Justice" bldg) as well as the roads seen in bad disrepair. The remaining "civilized" zones or territories (called "sectors" in the film), where the "normal people" still live, are protected by the Main Force Patrol - essentially young cops with minimal training and little self-discipline whose mission is to "Maintain Right." They patrol the roads armed with what remains of issued weapons (double barrel shotties, one bolt action Winchester, and some S&W revolvers), driving whatever V-8 cop cars and motorcycles that still work.

When I first saw the 1979 movie in the theater, it made me image what sparsely populated areas of a southwestern state might look like during a very severe depression, with acute shortages of fuel for everyone - police & sheriffs departments included - with rationing most likely and very little money or funding. Traveling any great distance on the roads outside of a protected zone (unpatrolled territory) would be a high-risk undertaking due to gangs of bandits and outlaws (or "Scags," as they're called in MM-1).

And the film depicts that sense too, with signs posted on various highways forbidding entry into a "Prohibited Area," which divide the populated, civilized sectors from those unpatrolled or little patrolled areas which the Scags frequent.
 
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#11 ·
I traded a 5 Million metro for the boonies. While I always was a city guy, this is much better, healthier, and provides more options if things go down. I can fish the lake behind my house from my patio. Obviously plenty of water and room to grow. I could also hunt successfully within a radius of 1 mile, or escape in all 4 directions without running into potential checkpoints or having to path dangerous areas. Unincorporated is the way to go.
 
#13 ·
I hope that was sarcasm.Been living the lifestyle for quite a while.It requires hard choices.'08.
 
#14 ·
We moved to the rurals to get out of the city congestion. Had acreage in North Ga, then moved to acrerage in Texas.

If you're looking at planting food for the long term, take into consideration how much land you're going to need. You can grow tomatoes in a planter; but that's going be a challenge for larger crops (also to get any significant volume) Also consider how you're going to put up the results of the garden. Who's going to do the canning, and do you have a place for storage.

For us, it was easier to get several months of Wise foods (25 year shelf life), just add boiling water. I figure, I'd supplement that with the large number of deer we have in the area.

Run a full scenario. If you're going to hunt, where is your ammo coming from? Can you butcher? How will you store? How will you protect? How will you cook?

We have a well; but it's over 400'ft deep. Pump is electric, what are the backups (plural, not singular).

All said, we don't focus on the full prepper life style. Just try to be prepared for shorter outages.

We much prefer the rural life style; but it's not for everyone.
 
#139 ·
We moved to the rurals to get out of the city congestion. Had acreage in North Ga, then moved to acrerage in Texas.

If you're looking at planting food for the long term, take into consideration how much land you're going to need. You can grow tomatoes in a planter; but that's going be a challenge for larger crops (also to get any significant volume) Also consider how you're going to put up the results of the garden. Who's going to do the canning, and do you have a place for storage.

For us, it was easier to get several months of Wise foods (25 year shelf life), just add boiling water. I figure, I'd supplement that with the large number of deer we have in the area.

Run a full scenario. If you're going to hunt, where is your ammo coming from? Can you butcher? How will you store? How will you protect? How will you cook?

We have a well; but it's over 400'ft deep. Pump is electric, what are the backups (plural, not singular).

All said, we don't focus on the full prepper life style. Just try to be prepared for shorter outages.

We much prefer the rural life style; but it's not for everyone.
Only problem with that is without law, everyone will be shooting every deer in the area without any restriction or controls and the deer will be gone and just about anything else the walks, flies, or swims.

We have a thousand acres of wheat fields in rural Kansas along with a wood lot and protected wetlands. We were having problems with poachers as no one is there everyday. We finally agreed to accept the state of Kansas' offer to manage the wildlife on it. They patrol it and we get a little income from the state.

I also live in the foothills of N California and see flocks of turkeys and a few deer every morning and evening. I know they will be gone as a food source if I am living here when the SHTF.
 
#15 ·
The question the OP has to ask himself is what realistic threats or problems he foresees that would preclude him from staying where he is. I started prepping when Jimmy Carter got elected and so far (40 years later) nothing has ever happened that has made me have to move.

Having said that I've had land and a place in the woods for about 20 years. I am now retired and spend about half my time there. I've built it up over the years to be pretty self sustainable. I am about two years away from a permanent move.

My suggestion is to the OP is to stay where he is but start looking for a place in the country. It could be cottage on a lake, a vacation home, cabin in the woods, etc. Buy something, spend some time there and start working on transitioning for retirement. That way at least there is a plan and somewhere to go if something happens.
 
#16 ·
In most cities, riots & disorder tend to be confined to one area of the city. During the Martin Luther King riots in Chicago, my uncle had a store at Homan & Madison. That area exploded & still hasn't recovered. He loaded his truck & took his wife, my grandmother & a couple of hunting dogs to our house . Just a few miles to safety.
The same condition happened during the Rodney King riots. Chaos in one section & peace in the rest of the city.
There have been a few cities that exploded as a whole Detroit & a city in New Jersey. In those cities though, a total explosion was foreseeable & any rational person would have gotten out of Dodge.

My point is that in most cities if you can get from the center of the riot into a safe area, your going to be OK. Additionally a lot of times an area of disorder can be predicted. In Chicago if the Cubs win the World Series (or lose by one game), the area around Wrigley Field is going to be a drunken brawl. If Trump wins, I'd expect the Garfield Park & a section of the South Side would explode. Circle Campus might also have some disorder. There is also one heavily Hispanic section that might go postal.
I expect other cities are like this.
 
#17 ·
To answer the question, probably. Mainly depends on what you want to be prepared for?

I'm unprepared and don't live in a city. I prefer 10 to 20 rural minutes from a small town or supercenter. We have grapes, fruit trees, vegetable garden, and poultry varieties. We have the knowledge and facility to raise pork and beef (again) if needed, but I still depend on town and society like almost everyone else.

For us it's a lifestyle. We'd rather drive 15 minutes to town... and have a nice walk with the dogs, hunting, fishing, horseback, 4 wheeler, and motorcycle riding, shooting, or flying a drone right outside our doors... than vice versa.
 
#19 ·
rural life??? F*ckin A!!!

I've always been into the outdoors and a couple yrs ago moved out of the DC metro area to a mountain. My First Alert system is the sound of tires on gravel, cuz that only happens about 5x a day at my house. I have well water, I can shoot in my yard, and my neighbor never locks their doors. We take care of each other's animals and at times I do work w/ another neighbor. We pick up each other's kids at the bus stop...

sounds horrible- huh???

and if thats not enough, we have Scooter, the pet deer who is currently sporting an orange hunting vest so she doesn't get shot...
 
#20 ·
Which was Miller's premise for the original Mad Max (MM-1), the 1979 film based on the effects of the 1973 oil embargo/gas crisis. It is suggestively post-apocalyptic, but not yet post-nuclear. It projects a disintegrating Aussie society "a few years from now," by which Miller has said he meant the late 1980s. He was trying to convey an economic and social breakdown stemming from acute fuel shortages, which have trigger a depression.....
All of which was fiction. . . A movie. . . Just like "The Road".

Yet so many preppers seem to be convinced that any breakdown in America will lead to that type of scenario. Argentina is reality. Big cities filled with poor. A corrupt government. Yet their financial collapse didn't even come close to a Mad Max scenario.

I have seen people argue that "In the MOVIE The Road, gold was worthless, hence they don't buy silver or gold because of what was portrayed in that movie proves that PM will be no good in a SHTF situation". . . :headscratch::headscratch::headscratch:
 
#22 ·
My wife enjoys the city while I enjoy the country. It was an easy choice to buy hunting land out in the country. Been getting it livable and sustainable for the last 4 years. Have extended family members that are farmers within 15 miles of the land. Have numerous alternate routes to get there. I don't see it as an either/or thing...Just do both.
 
#23 · (Edited)
It's all about location, location....
Urban city lifestyle is more for the disconcerning, live for the day mentality.

My husband being an avid hunter and active outdoorsman introduced me to that "live within the outdoors" attitude. I coming from a southern girl love of horses, ranch style up-bringing took to it quickly, because I love and respected him for his overall knowledge.
35 years later I am just use to it, find being outdoors and living off the land more acceptable than being within a city lifestyle. And it doesn't bother me getting a little dirty. The human body adapts to conditions of natural earth, and it's unclean imperfections. If anyone can survive with just plain soap and water for bathing, and maybe just water, it's a fine start.
BOTTOM LINE - I'll take living in a cabin weather it's located in the woods, or mountains over some high-rise condo, or some house that's built 12 yards from your neighbors house.

BUT !! One main thing is this. An individuals personal HEALTH CONCERNS are a concerning matter.
A diabetic, or someone with a heart condition, or any pharmicudical medication dependant individual would find it more difficult to reside far distances from certain needs to survive.
Being and staying in good physical condition, and a proper low sodium/suger diet is a huge priority. Rule of thumb - A thin person is a less hungry person.

Just something else to consider. Today times, just be prepared for the worst case scenario wherever you are at any certain time. Always keep and have around some type of survival bag, even inside your vehicle.
There are many survival videos on the internet...check them out.
And in the words from R Lee Ermy "KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY, AND EYES ON THE TARGET"
 
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#25 ·
Thanks for the replies.

I don't have any grass. My yard is gravel, on the north side with hardly any sunlight!

I love being right downtown but I realize how dependent I am on having things delivered. That's what's frustrating!

Growing up my family grew a lot of our own food. Even today my mother lives alone in her 70's and she's still living off her land. She across the country from my location.

I have it in me!
 
#26 · (Edited)
I read a book called "One Second After" a very quick and dark read about the complete
degradation of society in this country within 60 days without foreign troops ever landing on US soil.
It's well worth reading. It completely forever changed my thoughts about survival in the event of an EMP attack or devastating protracted long term power outage.
Most know one can go a lot longer without food than you can without water.

Never been a city dweller here, after reading this book, never ever will be.
 
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