SHTF: Where to go?

I read lots of survivalist and preparedness posts about "bug out bags" and "get out of dodge" bags. The idea is to quickly grab your 72 hour or 2 week emergency pack, a trusty firearm, jump in the Mad Max vehicle and hit the high road.

But where do you go then.

The most fortunate have a "retreat" someplace else out of harm's way. This location will be remote, have land fit for growing food and supporting edible wildlife, a permanent shelter, clean replenishing water source, and adequately covered to avoid detection.

The next "sort of fortunate group" will have a friend or family member who has a ranch, farm or other rural property with the welcome mat out for select friends and family.

The last group will be the least fortunate. They will be the refugees. They will head for the hills (translation: anywhere rural and outside of their urban or suburban environment) and attempt to live off the land.

In most cases, the land refers to..

..Any small towns and facilities including grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, etc...

and/or any farm or ranch which happens to be in their path.

First the refugee will ask for water, directions, a piece of open ground or a some food. As they become emboldened, they will act more like locusts, straining local resources to point of breaking. Eventually, remaining towns and villages will blockade roads in and out of town to preserve what little they have left.

Some refugees will be more creative or downright dastardly. They will target state and national parks and take over cabins, shelters and campsites and convert them to permanent dwellings.

Yet others will claim empty vacation homes, lake houses and fishing and hunting camps. Some will resort to violence when the rightful owners arrive. Some will use violence to take the home or camp site in the first place. These refugees will have graduated to "raider" status at this point.

So where can you go so you will not degenerate into this sort of pariah?

First, rural and remote are is the right description for what you are looking for.

My advice is to find a county within 100-150 miles of your front door. Google real estate agents in those target counties who specialize in "rural land, vacation homes, farms and ranches". This will help you avoid the Century Remax agent looking to sell you a 3/2 with garage in a community of 22,000 residents with good schools.

Search for a minimal 2-5 acre parcel of land preferably with water (might be a stock pond, creek, lake or river access), some elevation, local game and fenced.

Visit the land and get a feel for it. Is there some sort of road access? What is on the adjoining acreage? Farm? Ranch? Meth lab?

If you like the land then how you buy it is your business, but my advice is to consider it an investment and part of your retirement savings.

Once purchased, search Craig's list for a used travel trailer. I just checked and there are plenty of fifth wheel models available. Haul one out there and camouflage it well on your land.

Bring out some barrels of water and store with your trailer. If you feel adventurous, consider caching supplies on the land, but a better be would be to rent a storage space in a nearby town.

Stock the storage space with..
- Shelf stable food like canned goods, dry foods, rice, beans, etc.
- Long term storage food like the Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak.
- Water, water filters, water storage, bleach.
- Home supplies like pots, pans, cleaning materials.
- Clothes.
- Tools, garden supplies, seeds, and fertilizer.
- Protection equipment.
- Medical supplies and medicines.

Put the supplies in water proof containers like Rubbermaid totes. This will also keep the bugs out.

If worse comes to worse and you cannot get a trailer, purchase several high quality tents and plenty of camping gear and stock some building material in your storage shelter. Perhaps you can put together a temporary shelter which would sure beat being in the radioactive wasteland of the big city.


Yes, this is not a casual endeavor. It will take some planning and budgeting. However, I know several people who have done this or are in the process of putting together a similar retreat as we speak. It is far better than "living of the land". Like a locust.

Tell me what you think!

Leave a comment or click below!