Looking for a New Bug-In Location

[1sadamerican]

Am in Northern Illinois today, and definitely do not want to remain. Now that I've convinced my in-laws to move in with us at an out-of-state location, which is why I'm still trapped here in Obamastan, am looking for the right location. As wife and I are in our 50s, with in-laws in their 80s/90s, and wife has health issue (COPD), I believe "bugging in" (i.e. staying in our home in a SHTF scenario) is best choice.

With all that said, am looking at locations that give me acreage (20+ acres), a 3 bdrm., 2 bath, basement, out-buildings/workshop, barn or other facility, etc., with well water, spring or other natural water source and can support small game hunting and fishing, and lastly allow me to farm/garden enough to support the four of us. All of this on a $300,000 budget.

Am thinking about the Ozarks (Southern Missouri, Northern/NW Arkansas), as I want to avoid state income tax, crazy-arse gun laws (today at least), and large manmade dangers such as nuclear facilities, and large military bases that could become targets, etc.

Would welcome any ideas or suggestions that other good folks here would have.

[Zeus-Ra]

The ozarks are a great place to have a rural palace........ Lots of like minded preppers every where you turn.......

Cost of living is super cheap in the ozarks of missouri compared to illinois.....

[1sadamerican]

Thanks Zeus-Ra.

Sounds like perhaps you are in that general area and have some local knowledge. Should the wife, her parents, and I end up there, I'll be looking for like-minded folks with local knowledge, etc. What my profile/bio doesn't tell folks is that I was raised in the South, so having a love for the outdoors comes natural I think. Am looking forward to being able to step outside and just enjoy the peace and quiet and see the natural beauty that a night sky brings without lots of street lights, sirens sounding, etc.

[jronwood]

I would think moderate winters as well. Not directly in a full force impact zone from Hurricane winds, perhaps rainfall (inland "enough")

[1sadamerican]

Sure hope so. Am leaning towards Northern Arkansas (mountainous area).

[tight-group]

Find a house of brick, it should be on high ground, prepare to change the
apperance to look more like a castle, think how they did it in midevil times.
have enough food and water with fuel to NOT VENTURE OUT for 6 months.
This can easily done even if you have to build the main structure.
Now you migt have a chance. But stay away from the madrid fault.

[ZombieHoneyBadger]

We also have decided that bugging-in is our only option. Too old and crippled up to be sneaking through the woods in facepaint...

Our choice was to be in a semi-tropic coastal area, so that a year round growing season, plentiful fish and a shallow water table would make feeding ourselves reasonably do-able.

[RZRBACK]

I'm in N Central AR. Land is plentiful and very reasonable. Resources are vast. I would stay away from the extreme NW corner of AR, personally. There are a lot of like minded people anywhere from Conway north.

[SunwolfNC]

Originally Posted by 1sadamerican

Am in Northern Illinois today, and definitely do not want to remain. Now that I've convinced my in-laws to move in with us at an out-of-state location, which is why I'm still trapped here in Obamastan, am looking for the right location. As wife and I are in our 50s, with in-laws in their 80s/90s, and wife has health issue (COPD), I believe "bugging in" (i.e. staying in our home in a SHTF scenario) is best choice.

With all that said, am looking at locations that give me acreage (20+ acres), a 3 bdrm., 2 bath, basement, out-buildings/workshop, barn or other facility, etc., with well water, spring or other natural water source and can support small game hunting and fishing, and lastly allow me to farm/garden enough to support the four of us. All of this on a $300,000 budget.

Am thinking about the Ozarks (Southern Missouri, Northern/NW Arkansas), as I want to avoid state income tax, crazy-arse gun laws (today at least), and large manmade dangers such as nuclear facilities, and large military bases that could become targets, etc.

Would welcome any ideas or suggestions that other good folks here would have.

I wish you the absolute best in your upcoming adventure, and if you have the ability, you may want to document it posterity and sharing!

As to where? I'd suggest you start looking in Wyoming, Especially if they get that legislation passed.

As for reactors, I looked around and found some info that might be useful for you?

Arkansas: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/mass_d..._usa_mark.html
MO: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/mass_d...r_usa_mmo.html
US Map: http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/mass_d...r_usa_map.html

[Illini Warrior]

you should check into the SB archives and the previous posting concerning earthquakes .... that entire area, starting in Southern IL is overdue for a major quake .... being a newbie, not sure if you're aware of that SHTF potential .....

[DuneElliot]

Living in Wyoming where we plan to bug-in should SHTF I wouldn't recommend it for any but the hardiest people - bitter winters, short growing season, large distances between ranches (difficult to barter) or other preppers (which I am finding). However, if you can live with those things it is exceedingly remote with very little chance of violence etc encroaching on us in rural areas. If fuel becomes scarce or non-existent you will certainly what some other form of transportation.
One more benefit is the easy ability to live off-grid. Every place has it's pros and cons so you have to decide what to gain for what sacrifice.

[bunny]

Sons lives in the foothills of the Ozarks in Pacific Mo. Gorgeous. He has access to water, fishing,hunting etc. and the scenery is beautiful.

[ignis fatuus]

Id say eastern AR, East of LR. Id stay far enough from St Louis #1, Ozarks close enough but not too close as lots might plan on that from Little Rock, Tulsa, OkC and KC. And stay just far enough away of the major interstate runs like 40 as it will get bogged anyway with people trying to get out of TEXAS Should Dallas get hit.

[1sadamerican]

RazorBack,

Thanks so much for your counsel. Am looking at properties in the Mountain Home area. Would very much appreciate other areas that you would suggest I consider.

[TAKEZO]

Am thinking about the Ozarks (Southern Missouri, Northern/NW Arkansas),

You want to move into the heart of the "Bible-banjo-belt?!"

Are you out of your freakin' mind???

Not only is there a long-term drought going on there, but it is the heart of the toothless-goofs-region where meth-cooking and corrupt police abound.

Yeah there's lots of preppers down there (who would love to leave BTW), and that's because land is so cheap that no one wants really to be there.

I had one person email me last year and described the rural status--her one comment to me was that... "did anyone actually have a job in Missouri?"

Visited a friend of mine in the Collins area of Missouri a couple years back--and quite frankly it is a ****e-hole in every respect.

If you really want to "live free" --then go out west. West of the Rockies.

Go to the Carson Valley in Nevada... gun friendly. Wonderful climate. No state taxes. Lots of hunting and fishing opportunities. Little or no snow in the winter and so on. Or go to Idaho.

Get the Ozarks out of your freakin' mind.