Living in flat Texas and fairly close to the coast I’m thinking about buying a bug-out location…small piece of land somewhere in the mountains and build a cabin possibly with fallout shelter. I might even consider moving there all together…might be more cost effective.
To my question, what do you look for in a good bug-out location? Altitude, Game, distance from city, climate? Educate me. I’m thinking colorado…
When my father and I were looking, we stayed around Texas and not too far from a I45. We talked about that if there was ever a sudden need to get away, likely from the Houston area as it being a probable target due to the industry, that traveling would be extremely difficult.
We ended up settling on about 200 acres 15 miles east of Fairfield. We considered the proximity of a body of water, in our case Lake Fairfield, Richland Chambers, and some very large private lakes are within 15 miles of us. The Trinity River is 5 miles from us as a crow flies, so the game in that area is thick.
In your case, I would consider the realistic travel barriers you may encounter should you ever need to get away from the city. Air travel wont happen, and you better have beaucoup gas for that trip. Besides, we will need all the gun toting Texans we can get to fight off the maniac thieving illegals.
We live on 10 acres in the sticks currently and have 40 acres in Terlingua but that is a 12 hour drive. I’m really thinking Mountains…
Stay at least 120 miles from the nearest large cities… most folks will have around 2 hours drive time in gas in their car so this way you avoid the Golden Horde. Don’t buy off of major roads, again for access or visibility. Water access would be major concern. Some people think a small community makes sense from the standpoint of mutual aid as well as trade. Remember also that you will need time and fuel to get from Texas to Colorado and roadblocks, unrest and other things will challenge your trip. Good luck in your planning…
Here is some reading material that should be what you’re looking for:
http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html
Also, here are numerous podcasts if you’re in the listening mood:
http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/bug-out-location
Hope this helps!
Terlingua?
That is a real bugout location where you are at. I think Bugging in (or to there) would be a better plan than going to CO. If SHTF, driving will be crappy, and gas would be little. The roads and crowds, plus you already have mountains all around. Big Bend has resources there. You got a good site, unless you are worried about further cartel incursions.
If you are staying in TX and not relocating, Broken Bow, OK area is a game plentiful area and secluded. It can keep you from trying to travel to far post SHTF. And it is a feasible location on a tank of gas or so from Galveston, TX area. I am assuming that is your origination area.
The problem with Terlingua and other desert locations is the lack of arable land. If you’re considering a bugout location that is far away and away from the golden horde, then you’re planning on how to survive a complete collapse (not just weathering a storm) so you have to be able to be completely self sufficient. There is also a lack of consistent and easy water. I’m not aware of many wells in Terlinqua that are shallow enough to be hand pumped. I’ve considered Terlingua, and I love the area, but for the reasons above and the fact that it’s 24 hours drive time for me, it’s out of the picture in all reality…
So to really answer your questions, here’s my thought process:
How can I get there? Driving may be impossible or nearly so in the case of certain attacks. How many people will it take to safely stay there? Two people can’t hold off many attackers. Can my other friends/family get there? Does the area have game, arable land, and water? Is it a defensible position? Other people in the area and will they be friend or foe?
My current situation is that I can’t think of ONE place to bug out to, so I’ve got three different locations (friends and family) that we talked about being the choices, and if the choice has to be made we will choose the location based upon the then current circumstances. I’m actually concerned, too, that if I stock up one and only one place to go that somehow I won’t be able to get there… You know how Murphy can be…
I agree completely. That’s why I’m thinking about relocating altogether. To be honest all the 2012 hype has me a little concerned, while I don’t believe it’s going to be the end of the world I think some serious disasters are going to happen.
Colorado would not be my first choice for bugging out, maybe if I could find something a long way from Denver.
PM sent.
Having different choices, or inhabiting you rbugout property full time are the best ideas. I had my place built up for about a year before we moved there; we love it 100X’s more than the crappy City life we were used to. We splitt our time between there and the city, hopefully doing it full time in San Luis Valley soon
Even just having a small plot of land just outside of town you can hide on and survive on would be a great idea at the very least; if money and time won’t permit better laid plans…
A quick point that is not often mentioned.
A study was done, years back, and they discovered something interesting if there was an emergency of truly gigantic proportions that required evacuations and/or forced the movement of people.
They discovered that people will try to head for the place they go on vacation to or spend their weekend freetime. This is a basic psychological need of feeling safe and comfortable … which is how you feel on vacation. So, the upshot is, stay away from vacation areas, resorts and other popular outdoor locations.
Personally, I’d scope out a location to move to but initially I would bunker down and let the hordes run away causing gridlock, panic and confusion. Then when it was all quiet, depending on the event and situation I would look to move to my site.
In a SHTF situation, WHAT could happen from the border SOUTH? Could that have any impact on states bordering Mexico? What are those people capable of, and how far will they go to get what they want/need? SHTF, might not just impact the good old USA.
Your zombie hordes…
When it come to life people are capable of most things. Remember the plane that went down in the Andes several years ago…the crash survivors ate “long pig” to stay alive. I also know of a story concerning an SAS patrol that unwittingly ate tender rump of long pig.
sandsunsurf
School me as to why I would need a shallow well vs. a deeper well to pump water by hand. How shallow does the well need to be. I have a well now but have been thinking about installing a shallow well.
Gary
I believe if evac a large Metro area you had better have more than one tank of gas to get somewhere. Remember hurricane Ike? It may only be a 2-8 hr drive if traffic is moving but most likely it will take 4-6 hrs plus just to make it past a place like Houston. If heading North on 45… forget it.
If living on the coast in a less populated area. I would probably stay there. There are usually crops planted. Lots of wildlife including Fish. You can always build a desailinization still for water not to mention rainwater collection.
As for myself I will be heading to XXXXXXXXXXXX 
and should do fine there with my family.
Might help to invest in a large capacity fuel tank, if you have a truck: http://www.titanfueltanks.com/. You could set up to 52 gallons for a crew cab short bed Chevy, versus the standard 27-ish gallon tank. Your mileage may vary, literally.
You might also also have a contingency plan in case the SHTF is a result of an EMP. If that is the case, your vehicle won’t be working in order to take you to your compound that is 100+ miles away. If you go to the expense to buy a retreat for this specific purpose (assuming it isn’t also a lake house or hunting ranch or some other vacation-ish spot), you might as well purchase a vehicle made before they were packed with electronics.
As far as the house is concerned, better have well water, a septic tank, and a very large propane tank on site.
I’ve heard this study referenced a few times (probably on survivalblog) but can’t find the original material. I’d love to see a link if you have one.
How do you plan on getting there? Unless your close by your retreat, or have a plane / pilot on hand, that may be a bit more difficult. Between criminal elements/police roadblocks and the starving/unwashed masses, long road trips may turn out to be a failure point in a grid down type of situation.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on the issue.
Moved