Here’s a fact about bugging out: not every location you can think of is a good place for a bug out location.
A bug out location is simply a location outside of a major disaster area that you can evacuate to if you are forced to do so or if ordered to by the authorities.
The idea is that you can then wait out the disaster by remaining in your location for the long term.
With that in mind, here are the best and worst places for a bug out location:
Here are some of the best ideas for a good location:
OUTSIDE OF THE DANGER ZONE
Fundamentally speaking, you always want your bug out location to be outside of the “danger zone.” A good rule of thumb to follow is for your bug out location to be outside of your city but also located within the driving distance of half a tank of gas.
HIGH GROUND
Your location should always be located somewhere on high ground so that it’s easier to defend. The trick is that although you want to seek high ground, you also want your bug out location to be…
WELL HIDDEN
Anywhere that’s well hidden is also a good choice. Ideally, the location should be surrounded by trees, brush, mountains, and tall hills so that it’s not easily spottable from a major road (more on this in a bit).
BY A CREEK OR RIVER
You will always want to have a running source of water on or near your location. A pond or lake could technically work well too, but a running source of water will definitely be preferable.
AGRICULTURAL LAND
Agricultural land will be necessary because it enables you to grow your own crops, which means that in the event of an extended disaster that lasts for several months or years, you’ll be able to last on your own without needing to hunt or forage (and you should definitely have a stockpile of seeds at the location as well).
A CABIN IN THE WOODS
A cabin out in the woods, specifically one that has the above three criteria, would be a good choice because it would offer you immediate shelter instead of forcing you to build your shelter on your own. And cabin will also always be preferable over a tent, right?
A RELATIVE’S HOUSE OUTSIDE OF THE CITY
If it’s possible, it would also be nice for your bug out location to be the home of a relative or friend living outside of the city or “danger zone.” The idea is to stay at that house before heading back once the danger has subsided.
Next, here are some of the worst ideas for a bug out location:
ANYWHERE IN THE CITY OR DANGER ZONE
Specifically: anywhere in a city or urbanized area where the disaster is taking place. If you want to bug out to your relative’s house in a city away from your city, that’s fine. But bugging out to anywhere that is still located within your city limits does not count as a bug out location (because you’re still within the immediate danger zone).
ANYWHERE BY A MAJOR ROAD
A good bug out location would be a couple of miles away from a major road at least, and furthermore, it would be well hidden by mountains and forests. Otherwise, if you’re located by a major road it would be very easy for other people to come across your location to compromise it, and that’s not at all something that you want.
A VALLEY OR LOWER GROUND
A valley is a terrible place for a bug out location for one very simple reason: it is incredibly difficult if not downright impossible to defend. In fact, you’re essentially ceding the high ground to the attacking force, meaning it could possibly be suicidal to choose a valley or really anywhere downhill.
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