Dear Preppers and Survivalists,
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photograph by
Sam Hood
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Previously
Last week, I covered some of the so-called primitive shelters that you and your family could use to survive an event, if you lost everything during a disaster.
But, ... What happens "If" nothing happens
Normalcy
For now, most places on our planet are seeing relative peace. Add folks ability to deal with everyday events, your family will probably be able to stay in your home, for a very long time.
So, ... Let's talk about what you and your partner should be looking for in a home.
Good Schools
Folks are going to flip, but those 'normal,' everyday concerns, like good schools, low taxes, nice neighborhood, and such are going to be important for you and your partner. Add a low interest rate mortgage, you and your family may be in nirvana.
But, ...
You also need to look for a neighborhood that is the same 'clan,' ethnic group, religious beliefs, socioeconomic status, or other cohesive factor that will allow easy acceptance by the community.
Yeap, ...
As much as you and your partner would like to move to a mixed 'race' area for the vibe, Don't Do It!
Unless
There isn't any 'unless' because moving to a 'mixed' neighborhood could be the death of you and your family. Just look at the problems in Iraq, with different sects of the same religion, murder and mayhem. The same goes for different 'races,' think Rwanda with 800,00 killed in only 100 days.
And, ...
I haven't even gotten into the problems here in these United States, like Chicago, L.A., or East St. Louis.
Mixed Message
Now, don't get me wrong. If you're 'black' with a 'white' partner, and you live in a 'white' neighborhood with your mixed 'race' children, and you're the only one, you will be accepted, even, during an event.
But, ... Start adding a bunch of other 'black' people, you're going to be in trouble!
Now, if you reverse the situation, a 'white' in a 'black' neighborhood, you need to be leaving sooner than later because 'blacks' don't like 'whites.' Especially when you're the minority.
Doors and Windows
I apologize, about that. Most people already know that little tidbit of information.
So, ... Lets go in another direction.
Next, you need to update your home with items that will increase its ability to stay warm or cool, depending on the season. This means taking a look at the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), windows (double pane), doors (insulated steel), attic insulation depth, and other common upgrades.
Planting trees to shade your home in the summer, replacing incandescent light bulbs with L.E.D.s, and other inexpensive upgrades will allow you to reduce your monthly bills. Something that might be important, some day, during an economic collapse.
Granite Counter Tops
Even though, I don't like granite as a counter top, some folks are going to want to upgrade the kitchen.
That's cool, but don't go overboard, especially if you have children.
Why?
You and your partner will be moving, to down-size, after the children go off to college.
Long-Term
Now, some folks are going to disagree with me. That's o.k because they are planning to stay in their homes, foooooorever.
So, ...
You need to think about upgrades that will allow you and your partner to stay in your home when you two are older. This means replacing doorknobs with lever handles. Possibly adding a stairway lift or even an elevator to get between the first and second floor of your home; installing more lights, to be able to see better; replacing light switches with rocker switches, to make it easier to switch a light on or off; and other accessibility improvements.
Like moving to a ranch style home, if ... you live in Texas.
Longer-Term
I know I have said this before, but some folks are new to GSiEP.
So, ...
Some of y'all might think about creating a multi-generational household. This is where grandparents, parents, and children/grandchildren all live in the same house or closely placed homes.
The grandparents take care of the younger children as the parents go out and make money to keep everyone fed and a roof over their head. Needless to say, the grandparents also work or receive a pension to supplement the households main wage earner.
Specialty Shelters
Like multi-generational household, some families may decide to build nuclear blast shelters to protect their families, just in case of a nuclear war. While other families will settle for having a copy (or two) of Nuclear War Survival Skills.
Another specialty shelter is a hardened home like the French farmhouses of the Thirty Years War, Italian Hilltop villas, or the almost fort-like homes of South Africa. These homes are built to last a few hundred years and protect the extended family from roving bandit bands.
Threat Analysis
As always, look at the possible threats facing your family before deciding on how to spend your family's hard-earned cash.
'Casue, ... It would suck to get prepared for a nuclear war while an economic collapse is a more likely event.
Or, ... a hurricane, tornado, winter storm, summer heatwave, or some other, more likely, natural disaster event.
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