Something to try if your stuck in the city.

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I have read about alot of people here who say they are not able to move out of the city. The reasons can easily be imagined. The urban environment can be particularly challenging if thing get bad next year. If you can't or don't want to move out of an urban area before roll over, try doing the next best thing. Arrange to have a place to go. No single family can prepare as easily as several. If you can get five or six families who are willing to band together in the event that the brick drops in the bucket you have the luxury of spreading the responsibilities around. One group could be in charge of having a rural home. This works best, of course, when they already do live in the country. This is where you could stock pile most of your supplies and only bring what will fit in your vehicles in case of trouble. How you find people who will work with you in this manner depends on your individual situation. Most likly it will be a family member or friend. Start networking now. The more people out of the cities the easier it will be for relief agencies to aid those who are left.

Watch six and keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.net), July 05, 1999

Answers

This is good advice, eyes_open, for those who simply will not make the jump from urban to rural. But let me tell you, if there is anyway that you can make that jump, you should. It takes time and money to develop your Y2K survival property -- the more time you can devote, the less you have to spend. Getting to know your neighbors, becoming part of your rural community, are potentially as important as stocking up on beans.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), July 05, 1999.

eyes_open,

I heartily second that motion.

Recently, speaking with a niece who lives in a large city, I asked if she had any good friends who lived out of that city. Alas, all of her close friends also lived in the city. However, among her many cousins, one who is a "semi-GI" lives in a small town outside of that city. Another phone call and the city niece now has a Y2K reservation at the home of the suburban niece. It's not rural, but it's better than city center.

Jerry

-- Jerry B (skeptic76@erols.com), July 05, 1999.


To all those with thoughts of bugging out.

Most of you have never been face to face with the moment of *desperate* action. I strongly urge you to rehearse, at least twice the entire drill, including plans B and C. If and when the time comes, the emotions may overwhelming for all those abandoning the familiar, for the safety of the unknown. Each member of your tribe will be facing a personal crisis never before encountered. This can and probably will be traumatic, even with practice.

But without practice, it will possibly be fatal. Authority must be defined and assumed without question. Plan to have at least one hysterical member, and have contingency plans to deal with that accordingly. Assume that plan A will not be effectual. Be prepared to execute plan B with as much accuracy and timing as the original plan. Roads may be blocked by traffic or security personal. Commit to knowing the alternate routes finitely.

All exercises in preparation for crisis must include these criteria (and more) to assume the best possible posture for success. We all assume that this crisis will be the biggest challenge to our ingenuity, strength of purpose and character, we have ever faced. Your suggestions for effectual planning are appreciated.

As much as I feel confident in my ability to accept the reality of a situation, and act in a decisive and forceful manner to create opportunity for success, I still have fears and reservations when confronted with the unknown. I have been there and done that. I consider myself fortunate to have been unfortunate in the past.

Personally, I will have to practice the drill myself, as I cannot depend on those I would help. They have not expressed a desire to be helped *yet*. I assume they will when the time is nigh. It is not a good situation, but it is the hand I'm dealt, so I will persevere.

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), July 06, 1999.


Excellent, sensible thoughts, eyes_open and Michael. Think I'll print them out and add them to my family letter . . . Network; Rehearse. Yes. Synergy. Good ideas here. Thanks.

-- Faith Weaver (suzsolutions@yahoo.com), July 06, 1999.

Faith Weaver....how was your trip? I hope your son is recovering.....glad to see you back! You guys have both made some excellent points. My parents have picked up County maps and traveled to our farm via 'back roads'. They quickly became aware of which ones may not be available and which ones should be avoided in the event of bad weather! Travel logs have been created, with more than one path, to avoid mistakes in times of emotional duress. Remember, there may be NO 'do over'. So avoid 'if only'.

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), July 06, 1999.


There are lots of possibilities avaialble to those who have at least some assets and who want a place to go to if need be. An obvious one is teaming up with a friend or relative who is a GI and lives in the boonies. Just don't plan on showing up empty-handed and expecting to be fed and cared for. If planning this, beprepared to shoulder your share of the expenses and risk- share in the preps- food, gas, supplies. If no need for use- you can always use/eat your share later on......

Also- a popular thing to do up here, rural as it is, is for a bunch of guys to get together and buy a hunting camp or two- in or out of state. these places are often quite simple, very remote, and could be a wonderful retreat/bug-out/vacation home. Consider getting together with some friends/relatives and getting one- you can pick up a camp in the far Northern New england region on a couple of acres for 20 grand or so. Or even less. I've seen basic property- 5 acres or so, often with a stream, woods, etc go for under ten grand. add a simple "trailer"- the type you can pull with a truck, and you've got your retreat. And you can always use it to vacation in or sell it at some time.

Basically- unless you're living totally hand-to-mouth- minimum wage type- or on welfare- these are real possibilities. So- if you're concerned that LA, Boston, DC or wherever may not be such a hot place to be in times of trouble- there are possibilities that don't require you to sell your current home and relocate if nothing happens.

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.net), July 06, 1999.


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