USA States Map

Best States To Live A Preparedness Lifestyle

UPDATE: Poll results are in: (Jump to results)

Many of us live a preparedness lifestyle to varying extents. Some casually, others more seriously.

What is a preparedness lifestyle? From small increments all the way to large effort, it’s basically a lifestyle that integrates:

– aspects of self sufficiency, self reliance
– general preparedness for systemic disruption
– aspiration towards freedom and independence

I could detail this lifestyle further. But you likely know what I mean…

So, here’s a question. Where might be the best states to live a preparedness lifestyle? How would you define criteria for this determination?

Prerequisites?
Must haves?
Nice to haves?

I’ll start with a few of my own thoughts off the top of my head…

Best Climate for Preparedness Lifestyle

The lifestyle will certainly involve growing food at a minimum. Not every place is favorable for this. Factors include natural soil conditions, length of growing season, and rainfall.

Cold climates (north in general) will have a much shorter growing season. Southern climates benefit greatly in this regard.

Desert and arid regions lack rainfall. Irrigation is a requirement there.

Blazing hot climates will have their own gardening issues.

The costs of living in colder climates is higher. Heating, and all the other material requirements that are necessary while living in a cold climate will add up.

Hot climates have their own issues too. Some places can get so hot that outdoor activities become limited. Hot and Humid is pretty darn awful, right? Like heat is needed up north during winter, air conditioning sure helps down south during summer!

We all adapt to our own climates. Those adaptations have their own issues. It’s just part of the equation.

Generally speaking, and logically, northern climates may not be ideal (although do-able). I currently live north and I can attest to the climate issues. But I do adapt. I’m used to it.

Population Density & Preparedness Lifestyle

Fact: The closer people live together, the more challenges there are.

Population density of a region is a big factor in my estimation. Mostly, the risk thereof is “if” there’s a “post collapse” to deal with. Other than that, lifestyle adapts.

Generally speaking, the nicer the climate, the more people who live there. Which begs the question, what is the perfect climate (no such thing)? I live way up northern NH. Not many people live up here comparatively. I like that (“elbow room”). However it’s cold a lot (always trade-off’s).

I drove across country awhile ago. One thing I noticed was that our nation is filled with vast seemingly open spaces dotted with regions of high population density. Yes, the East is generally highly populated. Some regions very much so. But there are regions that aren’t so bad.

Lots of the West in general is arid. The regions that are plush are mostly filled with lots of people (logically). But I know there are “sweet spots” out there.

The South seems to have its advantages. Some of it is heavily populated. Other areas not so much. But the heat?

Politics & Like Mindedness

Politics begins at the local level. Local is probably the most important thing to look at in this category. How many of the people there are of a similar mindset? Any? Some? Most? Due diligence required.

State politics certainly affects local living. Laws generated from the city regions will affect you regardless of where you live in the state (typical of any state). Some states are overly restrictive in some aspects that may be important to you and your preparedness lifestyle. Others, less so.

How does the state rank with constitutional freedoms? Is it an overly regulated state? What about 2nd Amendment rights? What about any of the other rights? These can be indicators…

Cost of Living

This is a big one. It can be cost prohibitive to live in certain areas. Some places very much so!

Typically (but not always) ‘jobs’ in the region will blend with the cost of living requirements for that area. But lets say you want to get more into homesteading and want to give up your 9-5 career and ‘go for it’ (maybe with part time work or a lesser career). It will be quite difficult without your ‘big bucks’ income to live in some regions…

Death and Taxes. They’re both a certainty. Some states have horrible fiscal responsibility and taxes are exceedingly high. Others, not so much. My current state of residence has no income tax or sales tax. But guess what? Property tax is high. The money has to come from somewhere… Dig into the tax burdens of a given state / region. There are lots of hidden taxes and fees too.

Risk Factors of the Region

Seems like no matter where you live there are some associated natural occurring disaster risks. But we’ve been dealing with them as a population and it’s just the way it is. It may be a factor though.

Tornado ally? Earthquakes? Hurricanes? You get the idea…

There are risks other than severe weather. Near a nuclear target? Nuclear power plants? Military base? Energy resources? Other?

Post Collapse Favorable?

I do not wish for “post collapse” conditions. No way. But I have done what I can to offset it should it happen. I need to do more, but I’m not obsessing over it. It’s just part of ongoing lifestyle.

With that said, you might consider the ramifications of where you live with regards to “if” such a thing were to happen.

This would include the availability of natural resources (and/or other resources) to assist in survivability. Population density risks, and other factors.

 
I’ve given you a few things to think about.

What are some of your criteria for “best states” to live a preparedness lifestyle?

POLL QUESTION

Best States – Poll Results are in…

Which states do you feel might be ‘better’ for living a preparedness lifestyle? Even if you don’t live there…

From 2,993 votes cast,

Top 5 preferred states for preparedness

Note the Top-5 stood out from the rest.

1. Idaho
2. Tennessee
3. Montana
4. Texas
5. Wyoming

My own observations of the results:

Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming can be cold weather states with potentially shorter growing seasons. Though micro-climates certainly exist there and will depend on specific location. These states have been popular for the “Redoubt” movement.

Tennessee and Texas (and pretty much anywhere mid or south are more conducive to longer growing seasons. Though they both can get pretty hot and humid in the summer!

Of course there’s no perfect place. I lived in east Texas for a number of years (long ago). Don’t have much of an opinion about it one way or the other at this point.

I’ve also spent quite a few weeks (probably adding up to 2 months) in Tennessee over the years due to a previous career. Eastern TN is hilly/mountainous. Pretty nice there. Decent climate – but hot and muggy summers.

I don’t have experience in ID, MT, or WY. I do know that a part of Montana is a high nuclear target! Western MT bordering ID is mountainous, probably a beautiful place. But the extended cold? I currently live in northern NH so I’m used to it – but don’t like the short growing season. It’s all about adapting to your own geography.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the poll!

Best States for Preparedness

226 Comments

  1. Deep South East. (east of Mississippi river)
    Climate is a huge concern of mine. Growing season length, Easy availability of water for irrigation and consumption, Raising Animals in warmer climates is easier. The animals do not need barns just overhead cover from rain.
    Humans have survived for thousands of years without AC. 100 degrees with 90% rel humidity I just sit in the shade and drink water or bourbon on ice on the weekends.

    Summer time in FL I do all physical outdoor work early in the morning then after 5pm in the evening. Pulling weeds and watering crops can be done throughout the day. Winter time temps (November-March) at 60-80 degrees and dry… The best time to prep crop Fields, complete heavy work and work on construction projects.

    In the South Less wood for heating. Homes are designed and have the ability to resist most large storms down in FL. Yes they will be damaged. (that can be repaired in most cases even with scrap from other structures) Just don’t build right along the coast and you will be OK build inland. Make sure your home always has good elevation to deal with flooding.

    During the Great Depression those in rural FL never had food issues due to year round crop production… Strawberry Season is already underway down here. YUM! Just sayin…

    1. Yup, go Deep South.
      Idaho is full, snowing, freezing, much dark forest, wild animals (some are people), unfriendly armed folks, …. :)

      1. Dark forest,wild animals, unfriendly armed folks???? You just described the place I grew up in Montana and Idaho. The forest are not so dark, wild animals yes, but are not dangerous if you understand and respect them. Most of the unfriendly people are from out of state, and all the armed folk I know are friendly, unless you are not. Lots of snow and freezing but I love winter. Most of the true Montanans immigrated from the south after the civil war so you should fit right in.

        1. Wolfgar
          I am just trying to dissuade more people from coming here. Don’t make it sound so welcoming.

        2. It is not the like minded people that come here that I fear, it is all the others lol. I doubt there are too many “other types” that are on this blog.

        3. Shhh. Ada county, where the votes are, is already is purple. Ooohh noooz, so much snow, tiny growing season, everyone carries big bad weapons, we all hunt and raise our own food AND THERE’S NO BEACH. So stay away.

      2. I agree, anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line is horrible, horrible, don’t come here, stay away. In summer we have mosquitoes the size of small birds, hungry black bears roam the woods, Lutefisk-eating Norwegians in some places…

        1. Chevy
          Thanks, I missed some of the more hazardous conditions up here. :)

        2. Most folks think of the Mason Dixon as a southern thang but is really the southern border of Pennsylvania and splits Delaware in two halves west and east.

        3. Don’t forget there are grizzlies in the mountains and they love to eat anything that smells like patchouli. Hehe

      3. I live in Idaho and I’m a vet I am disabled and a vet. Yes were armed our state believes in a republic. But we are also friendly and loving. I ‘ve lived here 22 yrs now and can think of a better place to live.

  2. I would be curious to hear from others regarding where they live and what they like about it.

    This last weekend post had me yearning to go to Texas to hunt hogs and get some BBQ with TXDAN and some others. ( I also miss fishing for crappie and bluegill along with the occasional lunker bass.). Butt, where you find all of these things, you also get chiggers in the uncut grass or other hazards.

    This Spring, I will be out hunting the ground squirrels and prairie dogs on the high plains. Until then I will be staying dry west of the Cascades and working. ( plenty of work to do and I am still getting paid at present time.)

    1. – Out here on the high plains of West Texas, we have plenty of hogs, BBQ, crappie and bluegill and if you don’t mind smallies (we have more smallmouth than largemouth bass in our area – much prefer them) we have the lunkers running around in the tanks. Uncut grass, yeah, bur we have got a shortage of chiggers if thats what you are looking for. Got to go to East Texas for those. Worst we might have is grumpy range cattle. We do have both prairie dogs and a few ground squirrels, more coyotes, foxes and skunks though. Just need friends with land to hunt on. West Texas land is pricey.
      – Papa S.

  3. ACDH has lived in various states during his ‘time in service’. After his TIS he decided we should live in various states: MT, AZ, OR and CA. We both resided in WA but at different times in our lives. I have lived in NV, OR, CA, the only ones we have not put our feet into permanently would be Utah & Idaho. That is about as far to the east as I would want to move due to family. When we lived in the different states they were great places to live, each having their pluses & minuses.

    Montana was beautiful during the spring, summer great golfing season(lol) but fall came quickly with winter snows by Halloween. Driving on a ice skating rink was not my favorite project to look forward to every winter day.

    Arizona winter was not bad, but summers were the terrible, hot, humid and they had armadillo cockroaches! Lived in the swimming pool during the summer from the time got off work until dinner time.

    WA & OR wet, cold winters with rain and snow, spring time was awesome summers not to bad compared to AZ.

    It all comes down to one’s comfort zone, a soggy mushroom or a crispy critter.🙄

  4. I can list some of the reasons we chose the area that we are in, as they pertain to the criteria you mentioned. My wife and I have at times (before getting married) lived all over the country. We met here, and have remained here for a variety of reasons. Although we aren’t in what we would call a “perfect” spot, we do think our location is at the more desirable end of the scale when measured by criteria such as available natural resources, climate, population density (within 30 miles or so) etc. The place we bought is very rural, has densely forested land and a big pond. There were some trade offs, but we’re happy.

    Best Climate for Preparedness Lifestyle- According to Burpee, we are in Zone 8, bordering Zone 7. According to USDA Plant Hardiness Map we are in Zone 7b. Gardens tend to do well in this area generally speaking. We have a long growing season. It does get HOT and HUMID here in the summer, sometimes too hot for outdoor work without risk. We generally have decent rainfall although we usually have mini-droughts in July and August when weeks can pass without rain. Then it’s time to break out the sprinkler.

    Population Density & Preparedness Lifestyle- I tend to think this is more of an urban vs. rural thing. We did live in the suburbs in a Mississippi town (that calls itself a city) that was within 5 minutes of Memphis, TN. Memphis is one of the most violent, crime ridden cities in the USA according to the FBI. Now we live in the same “general” area but much further away. We are now very rural, and several different back roads need to be taken to get to our home. Where we lived a few years ago, prepping was unheard of or laughed at. Where we live now, it’s a normal part of everyday life. If things go sideways, it is generally known that the city folks should avoid this area as it would be hazardous to their health.

    Politics & Like Mindedness- Mississippi is one of the few remaining states where if one is located OUTSIDE of city/town limits one has allot of freedom. We have one of the best Castle Laws in the nation, constitutional concealed carry, etc. The water on our property is OUR water. I don’t need a permit to build a barn, shed, or workshop. I can burn trash, plant a garden IN FRONT of our house, and hunting/fishing/trapping laws heavily favor landowners. In fact, unless one is located inside a city/town limit, the law states that if one owns 10 or more acres, it is legal to shoot on one’s own land no matter how loudly the neighbors complain… which they usually don’t do because they’re usually shooting on their land too!
    There will always be corruption at all levels of government so unless there are some troubling issues such as anti-gun idiots, we don’t tend to rank that very high on the list.

    Cost of Living- MUCH lower here than most of the country. We do have a state income tax, but as far as those things go it isn’t too bad yet.

    Risk Factors of the Region- Tornadoes, the odd hurricane that is still strong enough to be a hurricane this far inland, and the New Madrid Fault which lies a little northwest of us. There are no nuclear power plants or military bases to be targeted near us, although I was taught a long time ago that every major bridge across the Mississippi River has it own warhead targeted to it.

    Post Collapse Favorable?- I think so. It would be rough and initially security would be an issue. I think that applies to most places though.

    Mississippi’s physical climate is favorable to surviving a collapse. The cultural climate varies from urban to rural as it does in most states. I honestly thing it is one of the best states to consider. It has a bad reputation, and I’m fine with that. Idaho has a great reputation and look what happened- calirefugees moved in, and now they are trying to change what made Idaho a great place for preppers. Maybe I shouldn’t be extolling the virtues of Mississippi. Hmmmm… nah- avoid Mississippi. Unless YOU are going to assimilate to OUR culture and not try to impose the culture you are fleeing. ;)

    Come to think of it, just don’t bother! The bugs, rain, heat, etc. are all just too much. Too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, risk of earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, getting stuck in the mud, corrupt politicians and law enforcement, folks can’t read or write, all of our schools are still one room shacks out in a field heated with a wood stove and the kids have to hoe weeds during recess, the only soft drink sold in the state is RC cola and the only snack food is the Moonpie. Y’all would just hate it!
    ;)

    1. restoringBrad;
      Sounds like my kinda place, I do love a good old Coon Hunt and deep-fried Catfish :-)
      As long as I can still set up my ‘Still’ hehehehe

      1. NRP- obviously I would never condone any such thing. Now if you’ll excuse me for a moment, I think one of my thump kegs needs attention :D

      2. Hi NRP,
        Just gotta ditto on the deep fried catfish. I get them big yellow bullheads this far north but hadn’t caught one in a spell.

        1. Stardust,
          Good to hear from you :)
          Give dem doggies some big ol’ hugs and scratches from
          me and my critters…
          Best to you!

        2. Stardust aim for the Blue Channel Cats. Lot less muddy. Miss fishing. I like it.

    2. RB your right don’t bother with the deep south too many bugs and rednecks!

    3. restorinBrad
      Spent time in MS when dh & I were visiting his family. Two weeks, it was very pretty, had great food,….but your state has too many critters that are not very compatible to humans.

      1. LOL- we have HUMANS that aren’t compatible with humans ;) Just not too many of them.

    4. My only experience with Mississippi (and it was a good one) was during our road trip cross country.

      A friend of ours (who had lived in Mississippi) recommended we stop at “Old Style BBQ” in Olive Branch for lunch as we passed near Memphis.

      Wow was that good BBQ!!

      1. Okay, sorry Ken but this topic is about the best state for preppers, not for BBQ, there is a weekend topic for such comments, please observe the rules here you will be penalized by spending a weekend stacking toilet paper in NRP’s bunker.
        (Rodney Dangerfield smiley here).

      2. We used to live rather close to Olive Branch. All of northern DeSoto County (Olive Branch, Southaven, Horn Lake, etc.) is starting to go bad from the Memphis bleed over. Sad, those used to be great towns to live and work in. Now? Not so much. Cool to hear that you were that close!

    5. I would imagine the path to and from school is up hill both ways as well. 😜

      1. Indeed! and our school uniforms are barefoot with bib coveralls!

        1. Did the school provide the BBQ sauce to make the stains on the tank tops or was it a required part of the uniform that came from home? Hehe

  5. Restoring Brad, I live in Florida now, but grew up in Mississippi. Whenever any of my Floridian acquaintances make fun of Mississippi, I never dispute them, because I think they would just not fit in. It’s a terrific state with great people and incredibly hot summers!

  6. Seriously, Alaska is probably the worst in my opinion. Everything needs to be shipped there, the all daylight summers drove me nuts and it is expensive. The people however are super nice and there are places, such as Homer, that are warmer than northern states.

  7. I don’t have to worry about people moving into the state. As a matter of fact, they have been leaving in droves the past few years. I hate it here, but stay because of the grandkids. I actually like the snow in the winter. If we were thrown back in time because of an EMP I think most of the Gimmie dat crowd would head south once they realize they have to work to keep warm. “What??? I have to cut wood to keep warm? I think the snow and cold will weed out all but the most hearty of folks.

    1. That is exactly what I was thinking. Climate can potentially be a big barrier. Down south in January, a Golden Horde can cover a large distance in a short time due to the weather. However, up north, they won’t make it very far in January not to mention the large expenditure of energy just to stay warm. Just imagine a horde from the city trying to make it across the land wearing their North Face coat and LL Bean boots in single digit weather. They won’t make it very far unless they have the equipment and skills. Or imagine a single blizzard. Without snow removal equipment, drudging through a foot or two of snow would leave a traveling horde either stuck or have really slow progression. So, it is the north for me.

    2. The one thing I do not like about Tennessee. Right in the middle of Any migration route. Interstates converge in Nashville.

      1. Yeah. I was thinking that even if a place even had migration routes, in 2 or 3 feet of snow, those no longer become migration routes except for the hardiest of people at least during the winter.

  8. Never lived but 2 miles from my childhood home, but have traveled to or thru states.
    I like our four seasons, but the weather here “is like a box of chocolates. Ya never know what your gonna get.”
    Just grown accustomed to it, I guess.
    Auto insurance is the highest in the Nation, good hunting seasons, the land of lakes, once in a while we’re red, most of the time a blue state….too many idiots, not enough hammers.
    Sparsely populated the further north you go. Just can’t do the 7-8 months of winter……and stable flies……

    1. “Sparsely populated the further north you go. Just can’t do the 7-8 months of winter……”
      Reminds me of the two sisters that survived 13 days on girlscout cookies and melted snow for water, stuck in the UP snow in April almost four years ago.

      In October, GF and I traveled that same route, a year later in her 4x.
      A marker is planted where the ladies were found.
      Miles from nothing. A few seasonal cabins..,..an abandoned gas and food store, hundreds of miles of woods.
      Yah never know when your own shtf is gonna happen.

      1. I wrote an article years ago about winter survival in N. MN. When I do my winter walks in the forest or trails/roads I always found wild food to eat. Girl Scout cookies is a bonus! Come to think about it, I was in GS. I tried to convince them to do a survival walk one early fall to where I knew of an abandoned secret garden deep into the woods and a campfire ring I set up to cook the wild growing apple and apricots we could pick with dumplings for lunch, but the scout leader refused. Instead Mrs. Burris took us on a walk around the block in a residential area and we sat on the curb with a sack lunch. That’s when I left the GS.

        1. Good for you!
          Just between you and me….
          The GS cookies aren’t all that great

  9. In the fullness of time, I have considered pretty much everywhere, as I am blessed to be in a situation and frame of mind where all options are available.

    I’m increasingly favoring the mountainous south for this, particularly North Georgia, the Cumberland Plateau and the Appalachians of Tennessee, and Western North Carolina. Also the Florida panhandle, excluding the tourist areas along Rt 30A which are fun to visit but would put you on the X if a contingency happened. The Ozarks are also attractive, as is Eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas, although I have not explored them closely.

    One thing for sure. I have crossed off the following from my list, and consider them REDLINED:

    1) Mid Atlantic – anything along the Rt 95 Corridor from Portland, ME to Washington DC, and 100 miles in any direction. One exception might be the lower Delmarva peninsula.

    2) Anywhere in NY, NJ, DE, MA, PA, AK (remote but iffy from a self sustainment perspective, combined with too durn cold and wet!), CA, and coastal areas of Washington and Oregon. And not because of just the weather.

    3) Anywhere in MN, IL, IN, OH, MI, WI

    4) Any country other than the USA. (been there, done that, no way).

  10. I always have to put a plug in for Southwest Nebraska. In the Republican river valley we have 4 seasons, but usually milder winters than the rest of the state. The area is conservative, low crime, and very low population. The town of 8000 that we live near has 3 full time gun shops, good hospital, and good schools. There are 3 lakes within 30 miles for fishing and good hunting. I always try to recruit more like minded people to our area.

    1. Benkelman
      JoltinJo’s in McCook
      the river valley along there
      always liked that drive

  11. Missouri has some fairly good advantages. As long as you stay rural there are few regulations on building, my county has no zoning. The sheriff’s business card has a picture of a cannon on the back with the inscription of “come and take it”. Low taxes, relatively cheep land and housing and a ok growing season.

      1. aka
        you can in our county as long as you have 3 acres and you are more than 2 miles from town.

        1. Plainsroamer–Your in Nebraska? I’m taking notes!! I’d like to hear about ‘country’ in Missouri too. Thanks

        2. Plains
          Yep, as long as your in the right county. I am not a big advocate of that , but yes.

        3. aka
          If you decide to travel this way let me know, we usually have an RV pad or 2 open early spring or late fall.

        4. Plainsroamer- thanks- if I do this it wouldn’t be until this summer. Need to see if things really “go south” here or what. My plan would be to have a few places to head to and spend a couple of months at each. At least that is what is going through my mind right now.

        5. Just keep a permanent post office box somewhere or other, travel the southern states in the winter and the northern states in the summer. Maybe.

        6. Lauren- I have a friend that would let me use her address. That would cover driver’s license, insurance etc. Not sure if that would be a permanent thing or not but you can’t use a po box for a driver’s license.

        7. aka
          It is much tougher these days to live the roaming lifestyle. More municipalities restriction overnight stays, more vehicle checks, more restrictions in RV parks and higher fees, …
          Dry camping in some desert areas is still possible.

        8. Hermit us- yeah, a definite concern and why I’m not ready to just jump into it. I’m looking at being camp host and there are RV parks that rent by the month Ultimately would prefer finding a place somewhere. Where I at now is becoming impossible. My attorney charges $200 hour and that adds up quickly

        9. aka
          The NE game and parks has a camp host position at many of the lakes RV parks. The host gets to camp for free for the season in exchange for dumping trash and greeting campers, ect.

      2. @aka. I saw a show on TV where full some time rv-ers work at national parks and camp grounds during the peak seasons and make enough money to roam where they want during off peak seasons. They get to park there rigs for free or at a huge discount while working at the parks. That would be a great way to travel and get to see a lot of places, while making a living at the same time! 😀

  12. I live a couple miles from where I grew up and love it here, (great lakes area). We do have 4 distinct seasons with only a few months for growing, but I also live in a more rural area and have deer that walk through my back yard and I live off a river so year round fishing, if need be. One big plus is that we live within a few minutes of those who would be in our ‘tribe’ if shtf. Our place is ground zero and they could all walk here if need be.

    It’s also a pretty conservative area with church bell still ringing on Sunday mornings, calling those to worship. We live a few minutes away from a college town but they’re on the other side of the river, with only two ways to cross without a boat for miles in either direction, so I’m not to worried about them.

    1. Wait, you live in the Great Lakes region and hear church bells ringing, but not “calls to prayer” bellowing from a minaret?
      Sarcasm off.

      1. Steve, you just made me snort coffee on my keyboard lol. We’re far enough away from the Dearborn area so we don’t have to deal with all of that nonsense.

  13. I like where I live way up north in do-tee-do land hearing Swen and Ollie’s “You betcha” echoing across the wilderness. With a little ooof-da, my behind ends up in front of me by September which is confusing to others because people don’t know if I am coming or going.

      1. Hi Lauren, Nice to see you here, I had some free time to see what’s happening. Miss all the older posters but see new opinions on best places to live. Best place to live is *HOME* .

  14. Rural Southern NH is perfect in my opinion. Growing season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, easily extended 45 days with a high tunnel and longer with an actual greenhouse. Water and fuel are plentiful, as is small game, plenty of resources if you know how to get them. Chickens, rabbits and other small livestock tolerate the winter easily in unheated shelter. I do love having four seasons, although by the end of February I am ready for mud season! The winters are not overly harsh, although we are prone to some brutal cold snaps, but they are usually only a few days to week. Overall low tax burden, we do have fairly high property tax, but no sales or income tax, 2A friendly. We do have pretty high electric rates, but it is manageable.

  15. Just a thought about Southern NH, which IMO its WAY too close to the combination of excessive population of Boston, Hartford, and NYC, and all of the attitudes that make them radioactive when they are in, but especially when they leave, the big city…..

    1. New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Maine all have beautiful areas. I consider them great places to live and to survive…except for the nearby populations. These States are far to close to places like New York, Boston, Portland and Hartford….just to name a few. Then you have Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City and Ottawa towards the north in Canada.

      Surrounded much?

  16. Anywhere in Texas a hundred miles or more away from a city, military base (Dyess, Goodfellow, and Fort Hood in particular), or the Comanche Peak nuclear plant. East Texas if you’re on a budget, the livable areas in West Texas tend to be more expensive for land and water. One hundred miles west of San Antonio and all the way to the border has always been considered the safest spot on the continent if you are worried about a full scale nuclear war. Rural Texas counties have absolutely no zoning restrictions. Everybody around me has cows, chickens, sheep, goats, burros, pigs, ducks, geese, horses, cats and dogs. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are more Elk on Texas ranches than in the whole state of Montana. And all of you would get warm soft feelings in your bodies if you could sit on my back porch and listen to all the semi-auto target practice that goes on around here.

    1. Regarding your comment, “One hundred miles west of San Antonio and all the way to the border has always been considered the safest spot on the continent if you are worried about a full scale nuclear war.”

      It’s interesting because years ago (2011) I had researched and concluded similarly (among a few other possible spots) regarding potential safety from nuclear war / fallout patterns (other factors were not considered for this map).

      Nuclear Survival Map:

    2. 100 miles west of SA is desert. Especially down by Cotulla. If it weren’t for oil, there would be nothing there. Too close to the Southern border and freaking hot in the summer. I worked down there and was so happy the day I left.

  17. Do not know how to vote as I have only lived in Tennessee and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Been west to NM, North to Chicago and New York east to Myrtle Beach. Don’t care for the cold. Tenn. is as cold as I care for. I like hills and hollers with water and green trees. So I am where I am and it will fall out as it is suppose to…

  18. I hear ya Oldhomsteader. Even though I’m a recent transplant to Montana, I came knowing I would finally “be home” and would completely assimilate (I think it took 8 hours). So Montana is a terrible place to move to, completely full… except my dear MSB folks- those I would relish having close by so I can learn a few things.

  19. Dang Ken. You nailed it! I do think a blotch of yellow is due in the area where FL, AL and GA meet, in a triangle starting just north of Marianna FL. East to Bainbridge GA, Northwest to Dothan, AL.

      1. Dang it! Thanks for pointing that out. That said in my little triangle as described Dothan AL would be at the northernmost tip. The prevailing winds in that area are west to east, maybe a little bit southwest to northeast, so any dangerous plume would be to the north and bypass the rest of the triangle. Still, its worthy of note, and that area gets downgraded in attractiveness because of this factor, IMO.

  20. I like what I see on the northern edges of Nevada. This area is a good zone for the garden, very sparsly populated, and very highly armed. Unfortunately it has been Californiazed and now Nevada has a mob boss for a Gov and an alleged criminal for an AG. The Gov has already said he will fight the 2nd amendment.

    Nevada has no income tax but a fairly high sales and property tax.

    It looks good for growing if you can find water. I was surprised to see a variety of almond tree can grow there. 4 seasons too, and not super cold.

  21. From everything I’ve read here it looks like Mexico might be the best place to live.

    1. Chevy
      I remember when they interviewed people that moved to the Falkland Islands after the mini war that took place down there. They said they moved there because they felt it would be the safest place to live on earth. oops

    2. I just read an article where there were something like 33,000 murders in Mexico last year.

      1. They would say most of those are drug related. There are 1.5 million U.S. and Canadian citizens living in Mexico and there are “Gringo” communities where they outnumber the locals.
        The reasons why people move there is perhaps the same reason why anyone should move anywhere if other factors aren’t present, because you like the people and culture there.

        1. Chevy,

          You are correct, most of those murders are drug related. Same is true of the murder rate in the U.S.

          You are also correct about those choosing to live/retire in Mexico. I know a few of those folks. Their retirement in U.S. dollars translates to a fortune in the interior of Mexico. People I know that have retired there, their retirement checks would have placed them in the lower middle class in the U.S. In Mexico, that same income, after being converted to pesos, allows for a large home, a full time cook, maid, and gardener/lawn keeper in a gated community. The first of these folks that I met, had come back on a trip, to Texas to buy a used car. He told me of the lifestyle he lived in Mexico. His only lament was that they (Mexico) charged an exorbitant tariff on U.S. made new cars imported into Mexico, in effect doubling the cost of a new car. This did not apply to second owner (used) cars, so he returned to Texas every couple of years to purchase an “almost new” car every year. Most times, he said, he bought two cars, one to tow back, for resale back in Mexico for a hefty profit.

        2. Anytime Mexico wants to they can take back the gringos communities. ANYTIME.

      2. INPrepper;
        I read somewhere there were 30,000 murders in Chicago last year. Just most were not reported.

        1. Could be. There are parts of Chicago that don’t make the news anymore because shootings and murders happen so much in those areas.

        2. Chicago shootings, tabulation, and historical data, delivered with a goodly dollop of snarkiness, can be found at heyjackass dot com.

        3. It was amazing on the news last week. A woman in Chicago shot a would be robber (who later died) while waiting at a bus stop. Evidently, She had a carry permit. The robber certainly didn’t expect that. She must have been one of the five licensed carry permits in the city. That story was the talk of the news for the night. I believe it was because one person involved in a weapons incident in Chicago actually was allowed to LEGALLY carry a firearm.

  22. I loved growing up in NW Ark (near the little osage creek) and would go there again if my DW was able. I learned life time survival lessons there and have used them my entire 70 + years. Alas, it has all changed now and I must keep us close to medical care for her chronic illness., etc. So here we sit in SW Ca. doing all we can to build a secure, sustainable home in a small community. Wishing I had planned better earlier. Don’t be like us! If you can find your “ideal” bug out location. Do it. I feel/think our country (and the world) is going to change for the worse.. soon. thanks for listening

  23. I ended up in the Central Western Dakotas. Getting a job lined up was HUGE, as many know.

    My family were original homesteaders up here. The weather is brutal in the winter, but my family was able to farm and homestead for decades during the early 1900s. I figure if they could survive then, I should be able to survive now.

    The weather has its benefits, it keeps people AWAY! I believe that people will be the biggest problem in SHTF! I also believe they will be the biggest asset!

    We have very few hazards and a low risk of natural disasters. We have Constitutional Carry, a Conservative Majority and good homeschooling laws!

    These were my must haves…MANY States can provide these.
    1. A Good Job.
    2. An Agricultural Area.
    3. A Low Population Area.
    4. Be within 5 miles of a Farming Town, with a population of less than 2.5k.
    5. A Conservative Majority.
    6. Good Pro Family Laws.
    7. Low Hazard Area.
    8. Plot of land with access to surface water.

  24. Stardust is right. Best place to live is home. When I found this place six years ago I just knew – this would be home. A few miles from WA coast just south of the rainforest there’s plenty of water, rich soil, not too hot, not too cold, lightly populated, heavily forested. Hunting, fishing, and lots of dead end roads.

    Since for me the preparedness lifestyle includes acquisition of supplies, no income tax is a bonus. Some local taxes here are significantly lower than in the more densely populated counties.

    And it’s what we don’t have – scorpions, fire ants, Zika and other mosquito-borne viruses, venomous snakes – that helps too. Not a lot of jobs, no big city amenities, almost no medical specialists are obvious drawbacks, as is the number of addicts who tend to congregate in town.

  25. Think there are remote areas in some of the Commie states that might be better than the near-city areas in some of the better states. As for weather extremes, if you can build new / smart, you can go a long way toward mitigating heating or cooling needs.

    1. Very true, good States have bad areas too.

      I also agree about the weather. Sometimes I get frustrated that others believe cold weather climates are not worth surviving in. With a little thought put into your home design, you can mitigate your heating or cooling needs greatly. The problem is modern homes are typically designed for aesthetics and not practicality. So most people have never lived in a well built home.

  26. Maybe I can save someone some effort. I would stay as far away from Appalachia as possible. I would avoid that area like the plague that it is. The people are backwards, suspicious, tribal, secretive, just a bunch of miserable humans. They say most of them are kin. Rumor has it there are some places in the mountains that daylight has to be piped in. I would not waste my time.

    1. Hey old man was from there. We visited and there is some great back county out there. And the people were great, although he was kin to most!

    2. I have been around some Appalachia types and once you are friended it is for life. Like any human group there is always the lower end of the scale. Problem is Meth. Terrible terrible drug.

    3. I had some correspondence with Remus about Appalachia. He detected my interest and politely, but FIRMLY, told me not to come and stay away. I didn’t take it personally.

  27. O.K., go ahead and come to Idaho. But be polite, and don’t try to change things. It’s to nice to change.

  28. Say what you will,
    Im beginning to think i live in the absolute best place for living the lifestyle,,,
    As long as you position yourself properly you can live quite well and very little.
    The weather is excellent, year round growing, and you can hunt and fish year round

  29. I was on a job years ago just into Idaho from Montana in the Lochsa past Lolo Hot Springs building a logging road. I kid you not, the woods had a constant hum. After a few minutes I saw them, yellow jackets. They were everywhere. One of the crew operating an excavator dug up over twenty nests in just a few hundred feet in virgin ground. Beautiful country, but no thanks. I’ll stay away from that place.

  30. I hear ya.

    Been lucky here in the Dakotas so far. The only large group who came in are oil worker Texans, who are welcome anytime. A bit rowdy but they have common sense. They don’t do well in the cold though.

    Still a few DAPL protestor leftovers around. Most though have ran from the cold. Plus the locals won’t give them work…imagine that.

  31. Folks who have already chose their “the end of the world as we know it” location and have already set up their homestead are unlikely to admit they may have chosen wrong. Those who are only wishfully thinking about a move have probably waited too long, and are choosing a location to flee to, are going to be no more than refugees when they arrive.

    Where I live now was chosen, not because of any prep for shtf considerations at the time, rather for the seclusion and natural beauty, and a desire to get away from what my native region was becoming (interestingly enough, an area that many consider a place to survive now).

    Where I reside now, happens to have many, if not most, of the features I feel are conducive to hardscrabble survival, if access to resupply is shut down. I’m acclimated to the lifestyle, have built my home and outbuildings, and have food production already in place. I have a combination of pasture and woodlands, a fairly abundant supply of small and big game that will help, at least early on, in providing table fare for my family. I have three year round springs on my property. I have developed friends and neighbors to share burdens with.

    It would take a pretty catastrophic event to make me flee. I will most likely make my final stand on familiar ground. While pondering the question of “the best states to live the preparedness lifestyle”, I vote for the state you currently reside, with the people you already know, on ground you are familiar with.

    1. Dennis,
      There is a lot to be said for familiarity and roots,
      I know full well i would never in a million years be able to re create the place i live in with the resources i have aquired if i up and moved to the Redoubt or somewhere like that

    2. Dennis
      How many preppers have bitten off more than they can chew?
      I know of three couples that set up remote lifestyles, only to find that they aged out. Too much fiscal labor (animals, gardens, canning, …) , too far from medical services, too far from maintained roads, inconsistent utilities for heating and cooling, …
      So, where you finally choose to bunker down, look down the lifestyle road about ten years and see if the location still fits.

      1. hermit, Really good point. Make it 20 years or more. Time is flying by. We humans are in an accelerated time.

      2. Agreed. As we age and SHTF has not happened yet, we need services – specifically medical services to keep us alive longer.

  32. Dennis,

    Very well said. Moving should not be taken lightly. During my considerations I ended up with two options. I arrived there because I have family from those two areas.

    I think most people can find good areas nearby where they already live. It is easy to fall into the trap of romanticizing prepping scenarios but it’s not realistic.

    I would also caution people against moving away from friends and family just to enjoy better state laws. Truthfully with the way the Country is headed…some States may fall first but the rest will follow.

  33. Most on this site, are already where they’re going to be. I’ll not be moving from where I’m at. We all try to live the “lifestyle” as best we can. For some, it may require a greenhouse. Others are more concerned with water availability. It may be poor soil or intolerable temps. My long winded point being, if ya know your surroundings, you can adapt. You already know what issues will be of concern.

    Likely all of us have already made adjustments for those potential problems. We make these adjustments without even thinking. It is simply what is required for living where we live.

    I live in a very rural setting and wouldn’t consider a move to town. I would have to give up too much. Like most of us, I’ve acquired many useful things through the years. Many of these things are of little value to the casual observer. Bolts, screws, nails, lumber, sheet metal, wire, etc. etc. etc.

    I’ve read about the “redoubt” area for years. Sounds like a great place to live. I’ll not be moving there though. Like anything good, too many cooks ruin the stew. Sad to hear about the changes to that part of the country.

    Like Tommyboy says “wherever you go that’s where you are.” or something like that.

    1. Plainsmedic
      I’m sure you would be welcome in any part of the Redoubt.
      Prepping is also about being able to cope with changing circumstances – maybe that forest fire takes out your entire place, maybe that drought killed your water source, … I guess I’m saying, one should add up the pluses and negatives before making that lifelong decision as to where to die in place – err I meant live the happy lifestyle. :)

  34. We spent about 2 years searching for a relocation place . We are where we are going to be for the rest of our lives . We had a little bit of adapting to do , but not much. We moved from a large population to a much smaller one, a socialist area to a conservative one as well as a different climate . We live in a rural area , small acreage, garden, trees and a spring and a creek. Thank God both of us are pretty healthy. We know health declines as we age , so that was a consideration in our move.
    One of the constants in life is that things always change, nothing stays the same as it was. We are in Washington state so unfortunately we are governed by the fruit loops in the Seattle area . Idaho would be my choice today but the state is governed by the larger population cities such as Boise and Twin Falls so I expect to see change over time and probably not for the better.

      1. Annoy Mee,
        We just have to keep persevering over the opposition. Blessings to you .

        1. Bluesman, thank you.
          Blessings abound. Sun came out and elk afternooned in the back pasture.

        2. Presume neither of you are going n the Seattle metro area. I’m in south SnoCo for the nest several years due to work and family. The Nutters in Oly are more than matched by the King County crowd. Disliking snow, SW WA, or maybe more coastal, is my current place to return to when things permit.

  35. We live in a small town of 1500 in western KY. There is a city of 60,000 about 20 miles away. We have a regular city lot with neighbors all around us. Our city counsel is a pain in the butt with all of their restrictions but the state is 2A friendly. I would like to live several miles out of town on a dead end road. We inherited this house when my Dad passed away. We have no mortgage or any other debt to speak of. DW is in bad health and I have a bad back. I am not willing to take on a mortgage at this stage of life. So we will stay here until we die provided we can pay the taxes because you never really own anything with out the .gov permission. KY is a good place but beware of small town city counsels that try to be big time.

  36. I live on the Canadian prairies. Definitely not the warmest spot in winter but no hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, poison snakes or spiders. I can’t grow oranges, pineapple or avocados but with cold weather varieties I can grow most vegetables, & many kinds of fruit. Our area has bush land so we can cut our own firewood. We are of an age we don’t grow our own meat & grains but we buy those from our neighbours. So while even many Canadians wouldn’t choose to live here we like the rural life, friendly neighbours, & relaxed lifestyle without a lot of regulations.

  37. When we moved here thirty years ago, I felt like I had come home. I love seeing the seasons change, I love the friends we have made in this rural community, and some of our family is here. As the years rolled by, we found this area provided us with a wonderful income and the ability to purchase and start our farmstead – living the lifestyle we prefer. We are far enough away from the large cities, but close enough to smaller towns to shop when needed. The down side is we live in Cuomo’s stepping grounds and he wants to make a name for himself as a Dem so he is really pushing the envelope. But he will move on and we will stay because it is what we make of it. No matter where you go, there will be a downside.

    Do I love it when I am battling the snow and slush? Nope. But that is just one day that passes quickly, and I much prefer that to battling heat stoke, bugs, snakes, and roaches. Our soil is good and most everyone around us farms so lots of trade options and a wealth of knowledge. The cold climate will keep many away, which I see as a bonus. This area has always been depressed so people are used to getting by with what they have and growing or hunting their food. And while the state is anti-gun and is always attempting to take away our rights, the people don’t go along with it and simply ignore the unconstitutional laws. Sheriffs, and now even local communities, have contacted the governor to let him know they will not enforce his unconstitutional mandates. People here in our area have a brain and the ability to feed themselves and those they care about.

    I would not encourage anyone to move here because the land taxes are so high that you need a good income to pay them. We also have a high state tax, along with local county taxes. And they charge a fee for anything you can think of. Again, many people simply refuse to cooperate or participate with these requests (laws).
    But if you already live here, stay if you are able because eventually we will be the guiding force.

  38. Some are asking what is the best planet to live on and have decided it would be Mars. I fully support their decision and will gladly contribute to their Go-fund-me account to get them the heck out of here.

  39. I live in Ohio and while it’s full of Dumb-ocrat Politicians I have made a good life by not living in the bigger cities. I live a few miles outside of Toledo and am slowly working for a more self reliant, simple and off-grid lifestyle.

    Doing this and being debt free has made where I live not too bad.

    Other then Kalifornia and other highly left-leaning governed cities (Detroit comes to mind) I think a person can build and have a good life in most states.

    1. Chuck says: “I think a person can build and have a good life in most states.”
      I agree, it really isn’t a matter of what state you live in, but what state of mind you live in.

      1. Agree fully on that Chevy and Chuck
        I still dream about moving off to Mt or Id and building a log home with my Wood mizer, and exploring the northern US, but in reality, right here right now whe i live is not so bad as long as i dont dwell in that dark spot in my mind too long and only look at what is wrong with this place.
        Perhaps the state some folks live in is a state of denial? One way or the other it could be,
        Theres something else here, are we really preppers? Or just homesteaders? I kinda think of myself more as a homesteader, and homesteaders are just naturally more prepared than the average hominoid,,
        Personally, i think it boils down to where do i feel the most at peace, where can i escape from the insanity that makes up our society today? That place is where i need to be,

        1. Tommyboy;
          You asked “Theres something else here, are we really preppers? Or just homesteaders?”
          I would have to say most here are neither….. ‘Lifestyle’ I would think most would be if a Hat was to be assigned (Maybe a Tin-Foil hat for some). A strong combination of Homesteading and being Prepared.

        2. NPR, you didn’t ask me, but this question comes up a bit in our circle. We are home/farmsteading prepp3rs because we determined that for any long term need, we must be able to take care of ourselves and those in our circle, and we recognize that at some point – it will happen.

          We grow our own food, meat, and medicine. We prefer that our shelters be tucked away when possible and that we have natural water sources available to us. Our shelters must be able to manage without elec or gas and we must be able to protect them. We utilize freeze dried and dehydrated, along with our grains (or grain substitutes), grasses, and canned foods. We grow our veggies and our animals or we trade with others that also use our healthy methods when growing food.

          We have learned to blend the old ways with our newer life so we can manage a healthier lifestyle. We stay fit working our farmstead and walking/
          chopping the woods and pastures hunting, foraging, and maintaining the land.

          We are freedom lovers and illegal government intrusion concerns us greatly. Nosy, lazy, and/or self-gratifying people are our bane. We are willing to help those who are willing to work hard towards their own self sufficiency. But we are extremely cautious about who we share any deep sense of what we are really about…we hold our cards close to the chest. Any many of us, are disillusioned with where our beloved country is headed, but will continue to pray for God’s blessings on us all.

          We take it one day at a time, enjoying our lifestyle and those who are a part of our lives, while gathering and preparing for the great fall that we feel is coming. We are farmsteading prepp3rs.

        3. DAMedinNY;
          I have no problem with someone inserting a commet of 10 into a conversation, particular here on MSB, 99.99% are here with good intentions.

          As far as “Lifestyle” I prefer to use that word for many reasons, but mainly it’s seems to be fairly flexible as to what someone is doing in their lives and does not bring up the stereo typical vision of a ‘Prepper’, ‘Survivalist’, or ‘Homesteader’.
          In addition each of us may be living our particular “Prepping” slightly different than others in the “Prepping” world. I know that some out there are so fixated on “You have to do it this way” or you’re not preparing correctly. Or the “Best” this or that, and if you don’t have it my way your all going to die when TSHTF.
          PLUS if I decide to life slightly different that you or whoever, what difference does that make, as long as we feel we’re doing the very best we can?

          Here are 3 definitions of “Lifestyle”;
          1. Refers to the way a person lives. This includes patterns of social relations, food consumption, behaviors and interests. A lifestyle typically reflects an individual’s attitudes and one’s interaction with the world
          2. The habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group.
          3. The typical way of life of an individual, group, or culture

  40. Chevy
    The report is in on which state(s) have had the greatest influx of new folks moving. It was done on the amount of new homes purchased this past year….Utah, then North Dakota, following up on that would be Colorado(sorry Pioneer woman).
    After looking at the temperature map yesterday I happened to catch what is was for the Alamosa area, it was a warm 13 or 19 degrees yesterday when I was looking at this data. This where dh & I were looking at purchase land after the fire.

    1. Antique Collector;
      FYI Alamosa is a fantastic place for sure, yes a little cool, but it was 9 here two nights ago, and -11 a month ago, but it’s a dry cool air, so not as bad as some places.
      AND if your moving from CA, the taxes will not kill ya so much there. not as cheap as NM but reasonable.

    2. AC,
      Colorado is a lovely place to live. The politics are odd to say the least, but there are soooo many wonderful things here that you can discount the sadness of govt actions. I work in the Alamosa Valley. I love the people there, the brightness of their eyes and determination to live a good life is highly prevalent. Folks are polite and caring and gentle. This tells me a LOT about the available lifestyle regardless of the politics in Denver. Visit it before you move. See if my assessment is not correct! Yes, it can be cold. Yes, it can be hot. but see (look at, interact with) the people. Even the people of Walmart are polite and helpful and make good eye contact. I have seen this in El Paso as well. There are places in this country where people still care, and see the value of their fellows. While I can NOT say this of Denver, I CAN say it of many parts of Colorado still, and I will continue to call this home. Let me know if you are passing through and would like to say hello.

      1. Pio woman
        Thank you.
        If ACDH & I are able to travel that long of distance will be sure to let you know. We did love that area, to us it beautiful. Reminded us of the areas we grew up as kids before all the others showed up. I really do miss the ranchers and their lifestyle, dh was indoctrinated when he married me…my dad saw to that..lol.😂 Oh course he will disagree to a point, he worked at a dairy farm when he was a kid.😊

  41. Response to: BigBadCat and hermit us:

    Before the Calirefugees hit the Southern Border of Idaho and encounter your Saber Toothed Mountain Lions, They have to travel through a lot of country before getting there.

    My wife continues to adopt big old alley cats from the humane society. Several are over 22 lbs. They have their teeth and claws so they are more difficult to spin on the wood floor. They are big and scary looking enough that the dog just leaves them alone.

    Me being an asian guy with many giant cats, the locals think I am a Rancher. ( I got the pick-up truck, I got the boots, I got a rifle in the rack and my faithful dog to move the herd along.).

    Intruders are in danger if there is catnip in their pants pockets. ( a 24 lb cat can reach your groin and do some real damage when excited.)

    1. Hey there Asian rancher
      I thought you were bringing your herd to Idaho one day? We need more protection – your medical and law enforcement experience is most valuable.

      On the cat talk – I have an in-law that got his shoulder tore up badly by just a 10 lb. barn cat that went nuts. I have a lot of respect for felines.

      1. that’s a good point on injury by cat. A cat can be a really bad hombre. A friend of mine went to the hospital after he caught 2 feral cats for rabies shots. Somehow he ended up with one in each hand during removal from cage. He looked like he had been cut up with a knife. A cat is not an animal to trifled with.

  42. The U.S. Southern border is turning Blue (Dem) due to many illegal immigrants changing the demographics. Hard up against the border (where I’m at), 80% Dem voter in my county is the rule. Texas has no state income tax, but property taxes are pretty stiff – almost a wash. Gun friendly yes, but for how long ?

    Many of its major cities (San Antonio / Austin / Houston / Dallas / El Paso) are Blue, while the rurals remain Red. Very small amounts of public lands to hunt / camp, so private property land owner majority. Good point – Texas has its own electrical grid, so is quite independent of West – East influence.

    1. Have a brother whose son is to marry a gal from South America, just became US citizen by legal route. She argues adamently that the illegals have the right to enter the US freely. The rest of her family is now here, they feel the same way. Escaping a socialist country and they still do not get it!

        1. Tommy boy, it really doesn’t matter where anyone lives.
          We are in a Civil war now.
          People just ain’t getting shot at…yet.
          I traveled alot in the last 3 months.
          Met and gave talks at quite a few groups in a few different states.
          Mob mentality and food security being what was most on the people’s minds.
          The leftist/commie ideology has spread like cancer. Even to the most rural areas. You have to be aggressive when fighting cancer if you expect to beat it.
          Expect violence to start from the leftist very soon. The question is how much of a stomach they will have for it once the rest of us push back.
          Unfortunately, no matter how remote we may be it will affect us eventually…

  43. My wife and I are transplants from Missouri (MO) to Alabama (AL). [After 21 yrs in AL we may be moving back to MO to be nearer grandkids and other relatives as we are entering that inevitable slide into the golden yrs.] Crime, taxes, pot-holes and traffic all worse in St Louis than in Huntsville. We love northern AL for primarily those reasons given in the former sentence. People in Huntsville and northern AL generally very hospitable. As far as strictly prepping and survivability, I once read an article about the most livable place in the continental U.S. and it claimed deep southeast AL was just about the best for growing crops/food because of great annual rainfall totals, weather, etc. [Although AL has a tornado alley and the coast gets hit with hurricanes, occasionally.] If you like karst topography (caves/cave systems) Missouri (primarily south of the Missouri River), Kentucky, Tennessee and northern AL may suit you.

  44. I Think there is no one state or group of states that are better than others for Prepping. It’s a question of be able to sustain your self in that area and be able to adapt.

  45. Ken
    You just had to bring this survey up again. :(
    I’m sending a suggestion to the Idaho gov – if they grind up all the highways from Sandpoint going north, they can recover much of the oil – much needed energy since there is no sun for solar here in the winter. Gravel cart trails should also reduce the number of traffic deaths.
    If you all agree, send money to our Senators because that seems to get their attention.

    1. Hahaha hermit us, We’re all coming to your house when SHTF! We know you got those special garden planters – enough to feed us all, right?

      1. hermit us;
        Dude, your sounding mighty inhospitable ya know? Wont even put Ken up in the old Milking Shed???? Come-On-Man.

        1. Yup, true hermit. If things go bad, I will put up a sign saying we have an infectious disease. More civilized than shooting the interlopers.
          But If you and Ken want to make that perilous journey through all those less desirable States, bring all your preps in semi trailers, and agree to work under my direction, yes, you would be welcome.

        2. I could just see the caravan of semi’s… One just for NRP’s TP stash alone… Another for all those ‘tools’ he finally found at the bottom of the lake – that he lost in those multiple boating accidents. Would need a small army just to defend the ‘rolling thunder’ of supplies ;)

        3. C-130’s, about 5 of them would do, hence the “Fly Over States”.
          Only problem, hermit us is wayyyyy to totalitarian “agree to work under my direction”, I’d be the one directed to clean the Latrines and Pig Pens, you know the poop-patrol, UGHHHHHH

        4. NRP
          Every person has a talent. If yours is fertilizer collection, and parts cleaner production, you would fit in well. :)

  46. PL:
    I have to disagree. Look at population maps and if people flee high population areas, they will come to every paradise anywhere remotely close. Most of the east coast would be taboo for me. JMHO

  47. I would have voted but i didn’t see the Great State of Jefferson listed.

      1. Agreed.
        My sister got married in Key West a few years ago. Wow, that place was nice.

  48. Seeing Tennessee as number 2 looks like padded votes from all you folks out West that do not want people to move there………..hummm………

  49. Mrs. USMCBG;
    Nooooooo, how could you ever say such a thing???
    Ohhhhh boy fellies we got caught…. hehehehe

    1. It’s not like we can’t find your place. Just go to google maps and put in “US bright white spot” and your TP stash shows up on satellite view. 😜

      1. INPrepper;
        Yeah, I been kinda concerned about that 48,000 rills sitting in the yard…. DANG!

  50. I pretty much stayed where I was born and raised…….hahaha……small town girl. Don’t plan on leaving Texas.

  51. Stay away from the southeast
    We have bugs,lots of bugs, gators, snakes heat and humidity.
    Yeah, ya gotta kick the gators and snakes away just to get in your car!
    Oh yeah– and too many damn yankees
    Did I mention the bugs??

    1. yep and the skeeters are growing as large as Crane flies now days. Coyotes are eating all of the pets. West Tn now has Armadillos. Not to mention the poisonous snakes. We have em all. Cottonmouths/Black Moccasins, Copperheads, and several species of Rattlesnakes. They find West Nile Virus all over Tenn. every year and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever because the fleas are now large as beetles. Rabies in every town. Really bad politics I here they are gonna take our guns away. Whew not here. All of the interstates converge here which means any migration will go through Tennessee and many will just stop and stay. No not here ya’ll. You would be sorry.

      1. Mrs. U. You left out Lyme, fire ants, mountain lions, panthers bobcat, and many speies that carry rabies inclluding bats in some areas and …coon and possum that carries leprosy. thought i’d fill in the gap.

      2. I was chatting with my friend from TN a while back and he said he was going out hunting with the shotgun. I asked if it was ducks or doves? He said “nope” going out huntin mosquitos. Hehe

    2. Don’t forget to mention that you have to beat off the mosquitos with a baseball bat while trying to get to the car.

  52. Stay away from TEXAS! Besides the heat in the summer, we have strong castle /property laws. We also have rattle snakes, cotton mouths, copperheads, coral snakes, chiggers, and mosquitoes with Lyme disease; Along with alligators, armadillos, skunks, racoons, and possums, and a lot of them have RABBIES! We still have laws on the books where if you violate the law it’s an automatic hanging offence i.e. cattle rustling, horse rustling. Oh and property taxes keep going up too. The state legislator has a session every two years and the budget has to be a balanced budget for the state. So ya, STAY AWAY FROM TEXAS!!!

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