Advice needed on housing for recent GI's

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

Recently there have been several postings from people dealing with the issue of housing- can they/should they stay where they are now and if not- how can they find someplace else? Debt load is a factor here; should they take on a new mortage? Should they buy a place near where they now live/work and move there. should they relocate altogether, buy a trailer, RV, teepee, whatever...

I was thinking that perhaps some insight/advice would be helpful to these folks. I know I'm grateful that I made the choice to move where I am now a number of years ago. I know some people have recently relocated to our area because of Y2K type concerns and I've heard that several farms have sold just recently to others from out of state for that very reason. Probably, if money is no issue- this is not a big deal. But it is an issue for most.

So- any advice for those still struggling with this issue? In some ways, this is the hardest hurdle I think for many- having stored food and water won't matter if you don't feel safe. And please- if you think Y2K is no big deal, or you KNOW it's too late to move and they're toast, go on to the next post- thanks-

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), March 31, 1999

Answers

We are trying to sell our home right now. If it doesn't sell, we will be OK, living in a rather small city in the upper mid-west. But if we are successful, we plan to purchase a small piece of property somewhere in an outlying area and a 29' travel trailer. We want to build a large "pole shed", insulated, and live in it until things either blow over or crash (or whatever in between). We would be completely self contained, away from major roads, have an address no one knows, etc. If things turn out well and all this preparation is for naught, we will either build a smaller home on the property or move back into town (rent?). I personally want to be very mobile when the roll over comes. It makes decisions much easier.

-- winna (??@??.com), March 31, 1999.

winna -- good thinking. There was a fine, detailed thread a while back about the various merits and practicality of buying inexpensive RVs, not sure when/where. For $10K, most folks can get out of any city/suburb and do this. If Y2K is a bump, keep the RV and few acres of land purchased or sell it.

Alternatively, many people know family, friends in decent locations who wouldn't mind someone parking a RV for duration, especially if they bring skills and/or other types of preps with them.

Point: this is very do-able for many people. It's just a somewhat larger version of a bug-out plan.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), March 31, 1999.


This strikes at the heart of what you believe is going to happen. We don't know where they are, what the city is like, what they consider important. How vulnerable are their jobs? Do they have skills that might be valuable in a different society? Where are their families (or friends) who can be a support? Do they believe God will provide all their needs... Will they even LIKE living in the country?

Don't go into debt at all over this. We still have a very unstable world economy to contend with. If they do move I would suggest a more modest home with less mortgage.

You can only do what you can do. Some stuff is beyond our means/control. I can't afford a years supply of stuff--so we won't have it. We don't feel like we should move--however, we do have several church members who have told us we can come there if we need to.

Are they operating out of fear? That won't allow clear headed thinking.

In the meantime get to know your neighbors. See if they are open to preparing. Do what you CAN do and go on.

-- Kay (jkbrooks@bellsouth.net), March 31, 1999.


I think there are many factors to consider not least whether the move is being made mainly because of possible storms ahead or whether there is a secondary & reinforcing motivation for trying to escape the rat race.

In the case of Y2K,then being close to natural clean free resources is the most important factor in relocating.

Location,Location,Location. Water,good ground for growing crops,& physically sheltered from the worst of the elements..Study the prevailing wind directions & proximities from chemical/nuclear plants. The next on my list would be making sure that the land was hidden away or remote. I think they would also need to consider what would be the minimum number of acres needed so be reasonably self-sufficient,bearing in mind that grazing animals need far more land & that feed has to be grown also in summer months for over-wintering stock.

The nature of the accommodation chosen could depend on: a)Y2K.A personal decision on the duration of ant problems caused by Y2K b)how much money is available c)The level of investment they are prepared to make.

My personal choice would to be to buy a 15 -50 acre smallholding with its own unpolluted water supply,meadowland and woods.Build some small rustic barns as shabby as you like on the outside but as neat as can be inside.(Concrete floor)Park a large steel snail(RV) inside out of sight & live in that.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), March 31, 1999.


I would suggest that you have a back up plan to get out if you need to. I feel if you are ready to go if need be, you will have enough time to get out, if you stay up on events. I live in a burb of Pittsburgh PA and plan to stay here unless It looks like I have to take on the National Guard. At that point, I'm outa here to Ma & Pa's place in the mountains! People that are cold and hungry will be stopped dead in their tracks, if they are not civil, period! I will help where I can, and shoot when I must!

-- SCOTTY (BLehman202@aol.com), April 01, 1999.


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