I'm going to ask a very sad, depressing question

"i and my family will die - you and your family will die - accept this fully and you will not be OVERLY concerned with how - life is for living, not worrying"
Now THAT is some sage advice.

Ccolon, that is a very valid concern. And, there are others. Over the last 100 years or so, Americans have turned over security, in many forms, to the government. The first step in feeling good about the future is to get as much control of it as you can so you can manage it. Check out www.joelskousen.com. Joel Skousen wrote "Strategic Relocations" and "The Secure Home." The first book might help you decide where to live and the second tells you how to build a home to mitigate various, including nuclear, threats. There are other books but IMO, Mr. Skousen does an outstanding job. Planning to survive a nuke is not a "doomsday" attitude. It is quite the opposite. I have a very positive outlook because I stay as prepared as I can. And, there are many other people who are.

I think you all might have misunderstood what the original poster was meaning. I don't think it is something he/she is dwelling on and laying awake nights worrying over. I think it is just that while taking into consideration all the factors in choosing a homestead site, they are also taking into consideration the safety issues associated with this move.

Just as many people take into consideration the crime issues of an area, I don't think it is unrealistic to consider the nuclear threat or biological threat of a location you live in; especially if your planning to live in this homestead for the rest of your life and considering the way the world is progressing! Who dreamed that just 10 years we would considering the issues we are debating today with vaccines for terrorist attacks, etc. Who knows what lies ahead in advancements for nuclear issues. I think the poster is just being wise to consider all issues in making a lifetime investment in a homestead location. It doesn't mean they are laying awake nights worrying about it, but simply taking all issues into consideration when making a choice. If things were to go suddenly bad, some places will be better than others and if nothing happens, peace of mind is worth a lot too.

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"Challenges are what make life interesting -- overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Being an administrator on a homesteading/conspiracy theories forum, I deal with this issue every day. I stayed depressed about it for a long time, but finally came to grips with the reality. My home is in the country, away from major targets. I've prepared, as much as possible, for whatever eventualities I could. There is nothing more I can prepare for. Whatever happens, happens. I can't control the actions of others, so I quit worrying, secure in the knowledge I've done all I know to do. Now, I enjoy my life.

So my advice is to find a place away from major targets, prepare for the worst, hope for the best, live your life and be happy.

Well, ccolon, I can tell you that when me and dh were planning our retirement we picked up a number of books and compared many locations as to weather, sismic event possibilitities, general quality of life and distance from a likely foreign power or terrorist attack.There were other considerations too. I wanted to be within easy driving distance of the ocean, he wanted good roads to getting to rehersals etc. After a number of years of visiting places we came here.I think it is just common sense to research the place where you want to invest so much of yourself and check out the statistics. You want to love the area, the climate and such too. When you locate in an out-of-the-way-place you still have choices to make. In town? out of town? on a river or lake? Desert? Mountains? Conifer belt? Deciduous belt? And all of that. Go with the place that feels like home to you, after you put in your hours of research.

Then of course get a non-slip tub..don't drive..and don't get a dog!

good luck with your search,.....LQ

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" Live in the Sunshine,
Swim the Sea,
Drink the Wild Air"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing." D. Duck

Karen, my hubby is one of those that does get depressed over these things. He can't and won't talk about it especially when it is in the news. Me on the other hand, I can delve into the Worst case scenarios with not problem at all. It doesn't depress me. I might motivate me to change something but it doesn't depress me.

We are two extremes. Then there are the others who are like ostriches and stick their heads in the sand. They assume everybody else worries themselves to death over it just because they are willing to discuss it but these people just tuck their proverbial head between their knees... :haha: and pretend nothing that bad could ever happen.

Oh, I do know there are people who do get downright depressed and worrisome over it. I feel so sorry for them because there are just things that happen in life that you have no control over and you just can't waste the precious time you have in life living in worry.

I just don't think the originial poster was meaning that. It was my impression (although I could be wrong) that the poster meant that it is an awful thing, and kind of depressing, that such considerations, in where to locate your homestead, should even come to mind -- when not too long ago it never would have. I think it is as valid a consideration as any other safety/security consideration you would make in choosing a homestead.

I'm living in the middle of nowhere Virginia that I don't even have a fabric shop other than Walmart, and yet I'm close enough to the TN boarder that if the Oak Ridge facility were to go we'd probably be glowing in the dark. Between all the nuclear waste, power, bomb making facilities -- there's so much crap out there everyone, is somewhere, around something any more.

By the way, that comment about railroad tracks was a good point. A train tracks runs right behind our property and I didn't think a thing about it when we first looked at the property. We were thinking noise -- but it was far enough away we don't hardly even hear it. Turned out to be a major shipping freight track of chemical (and only God knows what else) freight. You would not believe all the EPA and warning stickers on some of those tankers! Many even come by in tankers in metal sided crates, so you can only imagine. If one of those trains ever derails you can bet we'll be goners! We often see freight cars go by that look very strange and you just can't tell what they are. They are some sort of heavy dark thick metal - kind of between a tanker and freight car shape with a steel cage around them. I don't even want to know!!! It does kind of irk you that such things can pass right next to your property and no one even has to alert you to the danger. But that's another issue. We do, however, get to see the circus train pass by each year which is very cool!

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"Challenges are what make life interesting -- overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Ok... I am looking at this topic with a skewed look... because I dream about this type of thing all the time... my dreams, however are influenced by the way i was raised, not so much by what is happening in the news today....

I was raised from the time I was 5 yrs old that this old world was going to be destroyed any day now by the Wrath of God... in fact at one point, this cult believed it would happen in 1975... I was 18 in 1975... Armeggedon was coming and everyone was going to die...

I read everything on survival, because my loving parents (dripping sarcasm here) made me read everything they could get their hands on about Hiltlers Death camps, Anne Franks Diary, etc... because they told me repeatively that this is what was going to happen to us, because we were the only true religion...

To this day, i still read survival manuals, herbals, have several books on identifing edible plants, their medicinal uses, etc... as well as shelter plans, etc...

My life has changed so much since I have found out that cult is a cult and I am free of it... and I know the God of the Bible much better than what they taught.. but it hasnt stopped the dreams or the need to feel like i could take care of my family if a WHAT IF happened..

my suggestion.. find someting that makes you feel comfortable... and gives you peace of mind... and let that comfort you

Lynn in Texas

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If you want to make GOD laugh, tell him Your plans.

First of all, folks, thank you very much for all of your replies. I have never posted much on this site and was overwhelmed by the amount of response.

Let me say that nuclear attack is not something I dwell on or worry about constantly. However, if the purpose of homesteading is to make oneself self-reliant, then to me that begs the question, shouldn't we be prepared for a worst-case scenario?

One day when I purchase land and begin living this dream, I want to know that it will not be easily destroyed by someone I don't know who has decided to wreak havoc on me due to policies carried out long ago by someone I wouldn't have supported. My question was meant to ask those who have begun homesteading before me if they had considered this possibility and HOW exactly it affected their thinking. Thanks again for all the comments. Please feel free to post more thoughts as they come to you or email me directly.

I can't tell you all how much I appreciate the availability of this forum. The few people I know personally who know of my interest in this lifestyle think I'm crazy!!! lol

I had heard that there are several Russian nuclear devices that are unaccounted for. I assume that these are in the hands of terrorists. Even if this is not true, it probably won't be long before they do get their hands on something "sophisticated".

Also, I've thought that it might be hard to get a device into the US but I wonder how hard it would be to, say, put it on a ship and sail it into NY harbor or some other location. A large nuclear device would do some pretty good damage even if detonated miles off shore. Just something (else) to think about.

Besides, how hard can it be to get hold of a nuclear weapon? They do it all the time in James Bond films!!! lol

Preperation and planning is always good especially when your planning a homestead that you will be on for many years. Avoiding a target rich environment seems like a really good idea in this day and age, but how many homesteads will actually be in areas terrorists would want to hit?

Terrorists will be looking to get the most bang for their buck so they'll be hitting places they can do a lot of damage with a single blow. Basically high value, high population density areas. Now a nuclear attck from China or Korea will be a different story but what is the true likliehood of that happening.

A more realistic threat is natural disasters like tornados, hurricanes, floods, wild fires and earthquakes depending on where you are living.

The most realistic danger is the daily commute to work. A hundred mile a day round trip is way more dangerous over a period of years than the likelihood of getting hit by a terrorist. Second worst danger is probably the crap food and chemicals we ingest that cause diabetes, cancer etc..

Be aware of all the potential dangers but be realistic about what the true dangers are.

Eric

First I don't think you should live your life in fear of death---whether death comes from natural aging or atomic bombs or car accidents.

However, this is still an interesting subject. I have followed some of the predictions of John Titor. I also just finished reading a book a friend of mine loaned me called Alas, Babalon which is about nuclear war between the US and Russia written back in the 1950's ( I might add unbelievably like the predictions of John Titor----wonder if he read the book )

You know that the largest cities would be hit first because so much of our main infrastructure is located there. So, I would first look to locations of the Federal Reserve and Government offices. Next look at major military base locations. Look at locations of oil refineries and major power plants.

For those who are thinking of relocating to a safer place this is an interesting site with lots of information to consider.
http://standeyo.com/Our_Books/PPusa/MAPS/PPusa.html
I think there is more danger from biological weapons than nuclear ones. The last I heard, (I think it was 19) of the top microbiologists in the world have died of mysterous causes. These people would be the ones to develope the vaccines if there was some kind of global pandemic.

If at all possible try to homestead as far away from major cities as possible; as far away from major highways as possible; as far away from railroads as possible; and just enjoy your homestead and do the best you can. If you are on a homestead and some disaster happens, at least if you aren't killed initially you will be better prepared to deal with the aftermath because you will have food,medication, and other needs in your home supply to help you get by.....

We must all just live the best we can and prepare as best we can and then trust in God. No one's future is assured. I could live on a homestead way out in the middle of nowhere and an asteroid or something could crash into my cabin....but we shouldn't dwell on those kind of things...

Our EMA director, a great and humble Vietnam vet, always tells everybody the same old adage: It's better to be prepared and a disaster never happen than to have a disaster and not be prepared.

Mudwoman- I first read Alas, Babylon (by Pat Frank, who was an intelligence expert) when it came out in the 60's. Added to my Randy Weaver type paranoid survivalist exhusband and my mind set after growing up in the D.C. of the 50's, it spurred me into becoming read up on survival skills- and from there into homesteading. Recently reread the book when my son in law read it for the first time. Fort Resolute was either deLand, FL or Arcadia FL- both of which may've survived a literary nuclear holocaust but neither of which did not fare well in the recent hurricanes....

Good grief! If you are worried about that to the extent it sounds, then you just don't have enough real worries to distract you. More apt to be smeared by some crazy on the highway or choke on a hot dog. I live down river from a nuclear power plant in an earthquake zone. It is best not to dwell on the what could happens and enjoy the blue sky and autumn weather, rather than obsess about the mosquitoes and ticks lurking under that sky.

Grandma... Randy Weaver was paranoid??? His wife was shot in the head and his son in the back by gov.thugs. And, he's paranoid?

Yes, he was.

Just as people get sick even if they are hypochondriacs, people can have something to be afraid of even if they are paranoid.

I realize that what I said is rather convoluted. When I say that Randy Weaver was paranoid, I speaking of the number of harmless things that he was afraid of, not the truly dangerous things that he was afraid of.

This is not a safe world. But, not EVERYTHING poses an immediate threat. His neighbors were not all out to get him, but he treated them like they were.

The SWAT team WAS armed and dangerous, and WAS out to get him, and he was right to fear them.

You cant defend against everything, but history has shown those who prepare for hard times survive better. I would suggest people are your worst threat. The further you are from people the less chance you have to be robbed, raped, or otherwise harmed. Secondly I would have a underground shelter, not necessairly 'bomb', but the stronger the better. And preferably air tight with a filter.

The nuclear scare is mostly scare. People talk about the end of the world, but really people in the stix would survive pretty well, for a while atleast. People survived the bombs in japan only a few hundred feet away in the sewers. New bombs are bigger, but underground shelters will still protect you from the blast if your over a mile or two away. The US and russia only have lots of nukes, enough to cause widespread dammage, china only has a few and there are few others. Keep in mind probably over a hundred nukes have been detonated in 'tests' already. The real damage will be in the cities, and when the people leave afterwards.

So , live in the country, have a big, well stocked 'basement', some ammo, reliable neighbors, lots of fencing.

If you can stay undergorund 6mo to a year, you could probably survive a full out exchange for 20 or 30, if 'people' didnt kill you.

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