In all preparedness planning, we have to sit back and consider our actual physical location and whether or not it’s the best place for our family. Awhile ago, I heard Jack Spirko make a plea to anyone currently living in large cities to, “Get the hell out, while you can.” If you live in places like Seattle, Detroit, San Diego, NYC, or Chicago, then I would suggest you follow that advice.
In recent years, not only have we seen massive “protests” but out right looting and physical assault. There’s no possible excuse to walk up and stand an innocent women or knock out an elderly lady. Yet, in large cities across the United States we see these events taking place. Make no mistake, these are not single occurrences but a sign of a well planned assault on our most vulnerable citizens.
I would submit that if you live in an urban or suburban area, you must make a hard choice sooner rather than later. In order to start down this path, you need to gather the members of your family that are of an age to have a frank and honest conversation. While you may be tempted to include the very young, the reality is they must go where the adults go whether they like it or not.
(1) Sit Down – Do you feel that your current location would be a safe place should looting or rioting occur? Are your neighbors of an “off-grid” and independent living mindset? Are you in a cul-de-sac tucked back up into the community? Do you have a job that requires you to be in one place?
Unless you have an absolute reason to be in the city, you absolutely should get out. The reality, is such that even the most off-grid suburban homestead can’t compete with rural or traveling situations. If you own your home, now is the best time to sell it. As inflation continues to rise, so will the cost of materials to update and repair current homes. A home in a decent middle-upper class neighborhood continues to increase each day making it even harder for some families to afford.
Many Americans have been sold on the ideology of the “American Dream”, which tends to enslave families to life long debt. Most families will buy a large home with the plan on handing it down to their kids, yet those kids never look back once they get their own place. It’s an unnecessary debt for parents and and unfortunate expectation put on older children.
(2) Move Out – Does the idea of barefoot kids running around make you happy? Do you like the thought of fishing with your grandkids out of your own pond? Do you enjoy gardening, animal husbandry, fishing, hunting and roughing it?
While it may be tempting to jump at that piece of rural property up for sale, you should first consider if this is the best option for your family. Owning a rural piece of property comes with a lot of responsibilities and all hands must be ready to work. If you’re lucky, you will find a fairly established piece of property already set up. If not, you will need to inquire about the cost of sewer, water and electrical pole placement. If you are going off-grid, then you will need to look at federal, state, city and county laws put into place.
There’s a reason that so many who went out west, came back running with their tail firmly between their legs. A rural environment has it’s fair share of dangers and city folk must acclimate. If you do not wish to acclimate, you could be harmed or killed by what’s in a rural environment. In the state of FL alone, we find that there are venomous snakes, venomous spiders, herpes monkeys, stinging caterpillars, alligators, bobcats, bears, coyotes, pythons, wild hogs, panthers, kissing bugs, fire ants, mosquitos, geckos, skinks, tegu, ticks, wild dogs and African killer bees. This is just on land, if we slip into the waterways we find sharks, stinging jelly fish, water snakes, more alligators, more pythons, cane toads, crocodiles, stingrays, scorpionfish and lionfish.
People who are used to a city life must come to accept that if you move into a rural environment, you must always keep your eyes open. It’s not they who are encroaching on your space, you’ve simply moved into their territory. It is you, who are their prey. But lest you think I’m discouraging you, because in reality it’s the opposite. I’m simply suggesting that you enter a rural environment with your eyes wide open.
You can have chickies, duckies, cows and piglets all you want! In fact, I encourage you to slowly start building yourself a homestead in a rural area. It’s even better if you and friends can find property that is for sale and let’s you live nearby one another. But again, all family members must be in agreement of a move. As I tell my husband, “I keep my head on swivel and my butt puckered”, and highly recommend you do the same.
(3) Travel About – Does the idea of visiting Mount Rushmore or The Grand Canyons appeal to you? Do you like homeschooling? Are you an outdoor adventuring personality? Are you able to “work from home”?
Personally, my family has looked at all three of these options and we’ve decided that while our kids are young, we should take advantage of travel schooling. Travel schooling is home school as you travel about in your chosen vehicle. The type of vehicle you choose to purchase needs to be based on whether or not you have a small or large family. If you are just a husband and wife, you could get away with traveling in a converted van. If you have children, then you’ll need to go for something like a converted school bus or large RV.
In considering this option, you must be able to make income while you travel about. This is not a cheap lifestyle and should require you to take a pause and consider if it’s a viable solution. You may not consider your job as being mobile but with a very modifications it potentially could be. If your job allows you to travel, you would need to consider what kind of budget you are working with. A cost comparison between converted van, converted bus and motor home must be done thoroughly.
While you may not think about it, traveling has it’s own safety concerns, unplanned financial experiences, vehicle break downs and other logistical issues. With grocery shortages hitting certain areas, where will you stop for food? Will you stop only in federal land or camping sites? Extensive research and planning is a must.
I’m not encouraging you to pick a specific one, because I do not know the hearts and minds of your family nor do I know your life goals. However, as someone who has done a fair amount of research, I would be happy to come along side you as a guide. If you are interested in getting help, please email me today.
Suburban & Rural Homesteading Today 