In the last installment of “My Story” I explained how my SHTF partners and I came up with an agreement on how to acquire a Bug Out Location.  If you missed it, click here.  If you recall, I was tasked with finding a location that fit within our budget.   In total I spent 6 months searching, an experience that was not only exhausting but had some unique experiences.  In this article we will look at the basics you must consider when searching for you bug out location.

Before starting any search you should first know that for which you are searching.  When considering a bug out location there are a few simple musts that cannot be ignored.  Your current residence might fit all but one of the criteria but missing just one is the difference between making it or not.

Location

It is said that real estate is about location, location, location.  This tenant holds true when choosing a Bug Out Location.  We’ve determined that urban areas are no-no’s and it’s the reason you are looking in the first place.  In my mind this leaves us with two distinct types of properties, the ones where you can see your neighbors and the ones where you can’t.  There are numerous theories on which type is better for SHTF and they all have valid points.  It really comes down to which types of threats with which you are willing to deal.  Do you want to have people close by that can cover you?  Do you want people who didn’t prepare close by to try and take what is yours?  See, it is a catch 22 of sorts.

The second consideration is distance.  Distance from the hordes of unprepared city dwellers.  The only rule of thumb we have here is to put as much distance between you and them.  This can be tough to quantify but there is a little trick.  Take a look at the picture below.  It should give you some ideas of target areas where you can pick a BOL.  The further away from a major light source, the better.

Acreage

The main reason you are searching for a Bug Out Location is probably your current abode’s lack of resources.  In most cases this is land.   Plain and simple, if the property available to you can’t support you and your family it is game over.  Land is of utmost importance because the laws of nature are unbreakable.  A certain amount of land is required to support a person.  While there are many factors involved, fertility, growing season, individual crop characteristics to name a few, if there is a rule of thumb you need 1 acre per person.  This 1 acre is assumed to be dedicated to food production so things like livestock and firewood will require additional acreage.  Again, I am using a rule of thumb because folks reading this will be spread over the entire world, each with their own unique situation.

If you are like me you probably can’t afford enough land to support your family when all is said and done.  Don’t despair, again, get creative.  There are a few types of properties on the market that put you in a position, should SHTF, in which the land you need will beavailable. 

The first is the old family farm.  A very common occurrence in rural America is when a farmer’s children have no interest in continuing the family business of farming.  As this farmer ages he may no longer be able to farm and will typically sell most of his acreage off to some corporate entity.  As you will find if you take a look at these types of properties, they will leave a two or three acre parcel with the farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings.   If you choose this type of property you might be surrounded by hundreds of corporate owned acres.  While I would never suggest any improprieties, these corporations may abandon these properties in a major calamity or they may simply cease to exist.

The second type of property is the one adjacent to State or Federal land.  These types of properties generally have the widest range of choices, from an acre of unimproved land all the way up to mega mansions with everything in between.  Since there are so many choices out there your easiest bet will be this type if you are trying to fit it into your budget.

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