How big is too big?

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If getting out of large cities is a good idea, what constitutes a large city? How big is too big?

-- Karen (karen@home.net), January 10, 1999

Answers

After the LA riots one of the rioters stated on tv that next time they are not going to burn their own neighbor but are going to the wealthier neighborhoods to do their looting and burning. Perhaps this will give you a clue.

-- Mark Hillyard (foster@inreach.com), January 10, 1999.

Karen: Ten people unless you don't know some of the ten.

-- Garry Whitman (whitman@brightok.net), January 10, 1999.

Karen,

If people are hungry/thirsty/cold I doubt that they will read the population signs.

Having said that... the term "city" is a relavent term. In some areas such as Alaska, a "city" is as small as 40,000 people. Any RELATIVELY large concentration of population and commerce could qualify as a city. If you are considering a move, you must also consider how far away is far enough? I have heard some say >= 100 miles from the nearest city. In some regions of the country, this is not physically possible. At this late date, moving and trying to prepare in a new location may prove very difficult. If you currently live in a "city" and are considering a move... time is short.

-- Sue (Conibear@gateway.net), January 12, 1999.


Good replies, all . You are all correct. Obviously, there is more to consider than simply numbers. I live in the most populous city (100,000) in Montana. If you travel 100 miles in any direction, you are most definitely in the boonies. There may be advantages to staying in town, just as there are good reasons to move. I'm going to prepare the best I can, and probably move if I get the chance ($$$)......My bottom line is that I grew up in this city. When I was a kid, people thought my mom was eccentric because she locked the door when we went somewhere. Now, we have gangs, convenience clerks, etc being shot during holdups, and so on... I will be getting a place in the country as soon as I can, Y2K or not. I need more room to breathe. Karen

-- Karen (karen@home.net), January 13, 1999.

Consider that your generic rioter is not typically into aerobics or exercise. Therefore, if there are riots, I would "expect" those who riot to go more than 1 mile (twenty minutes walk) from their refrigerator and TV set. Hunger or thirst increase the "desire to go" radius, but decrease the "ability to go" radius. So don't expect rioters to go too far. Their kicks are in destruction, and not in manual labor (walking) to find more victims.

Looters will be either completely mobile - after first two-three days, riding in stolen trucks and 4WD vehicles, stealing more gas as needed - or completely out of gas after first day. (Walking distance carrying looted merchandise = 1/2 mile radius from storefront.) So the looting threat will change over time.

Refugees are capable of going hundreds of miles afoot - with kids or whatever - as proven during wars and floods. There, desperation and hunger will keep them moving.

Organized "bands" of outlaws - if that happens - will not be limited to simple theft or geographic limits. These are real threats, anywhere - particularly since isolated (distance) houses make easier, readily visible targets far from other help.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), January 13, 1999.



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