Riding Out the Decline; Why the Northwest?

I’ve had a few comments and messages about where the best places to “ride the slide” of the Decline/Collapse could be. No one place is perfect, but some regions are definitely better than others. I would rule out anyplace 50 feet within sea level. I would rule out the eastern third of the U.S. due to population density. I would not live in a desert unless I was on the windward side (usually west) of the mountain. I wouldn’t live inside a very dense urban area. Living on the east side/downwind from a large ‘target’ city or nuclear power or chemical plant is not wise. There are exceptions to every rule, but there better be a LOT in a site’s favor to tilt the scales against those basic rules.

Everyone has to figure out their game plan. Moving across the country may not be possible. Moving across a state or to a different area of town MIGHT be– so think things through and do your best. And make a conscious effort to have goals like extra storage for food and emergency supplies, or homes with yards where you can garden or keep chickens. Every time you move to a new location, be determined that it be better than the place you lived before, and by better I mean mostly SMALLER, more affordable, safer, with better neighbors, good soil and light for gardens, with easy access to the things you need by bicycle at least. Even if you find your cost of living increasing and your income decreasing (which will happen over time steadily for just about everyone) you can still improve you ability to survive and perhaps even thrive if you’re smart.

But you have to think ahead.

We did. Here’s where I spelled out why we chose the Pacific Northwest several years ago:

Introduction, Why We Moved: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/439314.html

Milder, Steadier Climate: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/439804.html

Lower Population Density: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/440046.html

Independent Rebel Mindset: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/871308.html

Surplus Electric Power, Few Nukes: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/871532.html

I like being in a coastal oasis surrounded by mountains and deserts. We’ve got a major fertile valley for growing crops, an ocean and major sea ports and rivers for trade, abundant fresh water from rain and mountain snow, a low crime rate and high literacy rate. What’s not to like?

Minuses include possible earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, but as long as you stay west of any major volcanoes and live and work in housing made to stand up to earthquakes (we have laws here that say all buildings must be built to earthquake code, just like Japan and California) then the risk is low enough to be worth the benefits.

The only major area I would DEFINITELY LEAVE would be the arid regions of southwestern USA. They have so many issues with finding fresh water already, and other than a few coastal areas with low population (and there are not many of those) the shortages and population issues (super high taxes, fees, cost of living) are just not worth it. Southern California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas and Oklahoma are in for a beating in the future. Climate Change will devastate livability there for generations as it has before in the past when Natives fled during drier periods as evidenced by all those abandoned towns and villages from before the white people came.

Beyond that, you have to take it on a case by case basis and evaluate things carefully.