What US STATE is the BEST for a Survivalist? PRO & CON...

[Rmplstlskn]

With the Rawles ~ SurvivalBlog Get Out of Dodge post on his blog in mind, I thought we should examine this question for ourselves... It is clear that Rawles believes the western Mountain States to be the ideal... I'm not sold on that yet... Let's discuss...

I will post my pro & con list from my experience living in places or from what I know from friends and family that live there...

I'll start from the lower States...

FLORIDA:
I consider only north-central and north Florida the only viable areas...

PRO:

• Less population
• Lakes, rivers and springs abound
• Long growing season for crops with decent soil
• No harsh winters
• Castle Doctrine for home & property defense

CON:

• Used to have decent gun laws and liberty, but not anymore...
• HEAT & HUMIDITY! Without AC it can be brutal, miserable and even kill...
• Huge populations along coastline surrounding you...
• Only a few major highways heading NORTH for central & south Florida to flee on, most taking them right into your area...
• Not the best growing soil in many areas...
• WILDFIRES & DROUGHT...
• Lots of swamp, mosquitos and critters, but not much large game besides hogs... Deer are small...

GEORGIA:
I have not lived here but I do have friends and family there... I look forward to comments from those here who do live in GA...

PROS:

• All the benefits of north Florida but even better...
• Lots of woods, lakes and wilderness... Open land.
• Affordable land...
• Still brutal hot and humid but cooler seasonal weather...
• Better soil for crops in most areas...

CONS:

• Huge cesspool cities of refugees when it all goes down...
• Hot & humid, AC is needed for comfort...
• Florida's refugees will flood into that State... As will the coastal residents.
• Not much potential for big income outside of large, urban areas without being sales or internet based...

NORTH & SOUTH CAROLINA
I have never lived here but have some family and friends that do...

PROS:

• More seasonal (milder summers, mild winters)
• Good garden soil in most areas

CONS:

• Huge cities and coastline populations...
• Lots of anti-liberty laws and lots of gun hoops to jump through...
• Military HQ... Federal involvment...

VIRGINIA:
I presently live here since 2004...

PROS:

• Seasonal! Hot summers but cool evenings make it bearable... Normally mild winters...
• Spring is amazing here... Lots of fruits, veggies and crops.
• Lots of woodlands, ranch land, farm land and mountains...
• Good soil in most areas... Apples, peaches, and grapes loves this area...
• Lots of natural water: streams, rivers, springs...
• GRANITE mountains shield western areas from nuclear detonation concerns from DC and eastern military areas...
• Caverns and caves...
• Thomas Jefferson and others chose this area to call HOME for a reason...

CONS:

• Too close to Washington, DC, NOVA and huge eastern coastal sprawl...
• Lots of 100% military targets on the east coast for an enemy
• So-so laws and firearm rights retained...
• State income tax...
• Occasionally COLD and snowy winters...
• Clay soils in some areas...
• Not much high-income potential outside big cities & NOVA area...
• DC and east coast people would flee inland...
• Most land is PRIVATE PROPERTY... Bug out issues...

So what do all of the above States have in common?

1. HUGE POPULATIONS...
2. Gov't & Military everywhere...
3. Prime terrorist targets

I know several people in the TN and KT States that seem to be doing some great "Covenant Community" projects, where like-minded people build up a community committed in covenant to mutual defense and community benefits (gardens, crops, greenhouses, livestock, childcare, etc...)
One good example is Pastor Dowell and his group on the TN/KT border...
Pastor Dowell & his community garden...

I'd like to know more about that area... But I have noticed a high percentage of disasters in those States, as well as the New Madrid fault threat... I hope to see some posts on this area...

So what about the WESTERN MOUNTAINS STATES Rawles is a proponent for?

PROS:

• Low population density... Lots of open land...
• Most States freedom & liberty oriented... Good gun laws...
• Lots of wildlife in many areas...
• Affordable land...
• Lots of like-minded people live there...
• Good resources in the ground...
• Decent soil in most areas outside the mountains...
• Low taxes and living expenses...

CONS:

• Short growing season... Not known for being GARDEN-friendly.,..
• BRUTAL COLD winters often with LOTS of snow...
• Wildlife not plentiful enough to supply needs when TSHTF and hunters are out in force...
• Materials and other food supplies need to be shipped in...
• A target for nation-based military strikes (nuclear)...

Anyways, I'm tired of typing and need a break... So what say you?

Rmpl

[Bull]

None of us are independently wealthy so we have financial concerns to deal with up until TSHTF and it is all out survival mode. That being said, Georgia has a state income tax, so there is that much more money gone from your budget. Florida's gun laws are getting better - you can protect your home, and your car(an extension of your home) with a gun now. I basically live in both, because I'm off for two weeks at a time, and I go between my home in NW Florida to Atlanta. I'm trying to find out more about Arkansas, only because there is a nice piece of land next door to my like minded friend, and it has a natural spring originating on it, and it is very inexpensive. But again, they have an income tax so that sucks. I really like the areas of TN that I have seen, around Bristol and nearby areas, but I don't really know anything about the state. I'll be interested to keep up with this thread because I'm really considering buying this property in Arkansas, but that is a big change from NW Florida for me, and ATL for my fiance, so I'm not sure, but really eager to get something and get it going soon. Plus, I don't want to miss this opportunity in Arkansas, but I don't want to impulse buy, arguably, the most important purchase of my future life.

[Rmplstlskn]

I'm really considering buying this property in Arkansas

Only con I have heard and seen about Arkansas is the METH HEADS and METH LABS... (as well as other lower income southern States)... It looks like a nice area in pictures and movies I have seen. Not sure if the whole family clan thing is still an issue there (outsiders not welcome)...

Rmpl

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Said it once, I'll say it again
Don't care, I'm either gonna make it here or die here. I'm resolved and at peace, this is my home

[Mikeg175]

I have been really looking into West Virginia , once into the mountains it is very rural , but close enough to civilization to visit family . The season's are pretty decent and if on the other side of the mountains it should be pretty safe from nukes . I can bug out to my retreat ( if my offer goes through ) in about 2 hrs and it has fresh water and abundant wildlife . Not a good typer , so pro's cheap ( for where I live now ) to buy , pretty low population , easy to get to , close enough to make it back the east coast in a short time if needed .

[Bull]

Outsiders not welcome and meth heads. Sounds like paradise, LOL. I definitely need to do some research.

[Knobster]

Michigan
Pros:
Plenty of areas for hunting, trapping, fishing.
Huge number of folks who enjoy the outdoor life.
Affordable land.
Plenty of trees.
Did I mention plenty of fishing?

Cons:
Shorter growing season: snow on the ground from October to April, even longer in the UP
Clay soil
State income tax

[Rmplstlskn]

Thanks Knobster for the addition...

I have friends in MI, up in the mitt, and cold and snow do seem to be an issue... But it is wooded and lots of game for sure.

Rmpl

[Sunshine]

What about the great state of Texas? No one mentioned Texas? Gun laws, income tax, hunting, fishing, crops, and chicks in big trucks!

We've lived (6 month periods) in Big Sky Montana, Breckenridge Colorado, Rollo Missouri, Beckley West Virginia, Winchester Virginia and Little Rock Arkansas. Beautiful places! But we always leave after the first snow fall. I'm a southern belle. I don't handle the cold weather very well. (Or driving in snow, LOL)

I've been all over the world, could live anywhere I want but I choose to call Texas home.

[Hidden Agenda]

With the [URL="https://www.survivalandpreparednessforum.com/showthread.php?1689-Rawls-urges-quot-Move-to-Mountain-States-quot"]

FLORIDA:
I consider only north-central and north Florida the only viable areas...

PRO:

• Less population
• Lakes, rivers and springs abound
• Long growing season for crops with decent soil
• No harsh winters
• Castle Doctrine for home & property defense

CON:

• Used to have decent gun laws and liberty, but not anymore...
• HEAT & HUMIDITY! Without AC it can be brutal, miserable and even kill...
• Huge populations along coastline surrounding you...
• Only a few major highways heading NORTH for central & south Florida to flee on, most taking them right into your area...
• Not the best growing soil in many areas...
• WILDFIRES & DROUGHT...
• Lots of swamp, mosquitoes and critters, but not much large game besides hogs... Deer are small...

Rmpl

I can attest to all of the above.
Additionally:
Pros:
Most of N. Florida is very rural, with very close knit agricultural communities who look out for each other.
Lost of preparedness minded folks, to varying degrees. Folks are pretty self-sufficient, as I imagine they are in most agricultural areas.

Cons
Most of N. Florida is very rural, with very close knit agricultural communities who look out for each other. If your family hasn't been here for many generations, you may find it hard to fit in and get along with the good ole' boy networks that run deep. This can be offset to a degree by getting involved in the communities via church, coaching little league, CERT, ARES, etc...
Limited employment opportunities.
Florida's "contra-flow" evacuation plans (where they reverse the flow of traffic on the interstates during mass evacuations of densely populated areas of central and south Florida) stop in North Florida. Thereby forcing multitudes of refugees from down south into our quiet little counties.

All that being said, I'm glad we made the move here years ago.

[Rmplstlskn]

I've been all over the world, could live anywhere I want but I choose to call Texas home.

I'd like to know more about Texas...

But from what I have seen and heard, here are my concerns:
1. Lots of arid land (gardens without irrigation would be tough) Game will only go so far... even fishing.
2. Border problems / desire by some to reclaim Texas for Mexico & Mexicans
3. Unemployment and crime in big cities...

Rmpl

[Tarakian]

Texas is not as arid as you would think, especially north and east. Most movies and television about Texas, were actually filmed in states further west and in Mexico. We do have droughts, but there is also the very good chance of being able to drill wells, even artesian wells in some places.

There are large populations in the cities, but you have that problem in most states. The other problem with the cities is that their water source is almost entirely in man-made lakes. If you lose enough lakes, the cities would probably become untenable.

The border problems would be the same in any of the border states (and in some other states as well). One of the things Texas shares with Florida is the heat. It can be brutally hot here, and humid (not as humid as FL, but bad enough.), with no A/C many would find it unbearable.

[Boyd]

Thanks Knobster for the addition...

I have friends in MI, up in the mitt, and cold and snow do seem to be an issue... But it is wooded and lots of game for sure.

Rmpl

going to have to agree with Knobster... In Michigan (mid mitten) I survived with a fam of 8 on 17k a year by supplementing my food with gardening, hunting and raising my own meat. My tax lady was almost in tears after doing my stuff.. We didn't go hungry, and I have a new BCS?! Oh well..

Another Pro for mich is that property costs are down, but that is also the con....... there are no jobs here either.

[Urban Survivalist]

I vote for Arizona. 10 month growing season. good fishing, lots of wildlife. elevations vary from 1200 ft to 8000 ft within a 2 hour drive. August is the only crappy month of 120 degrees. Best gun laws on the books (open carry state and no permit concealed carry). Best state for solar not bad for wind generation as well.

Cons: border issues and Palo Verde nuke plant.

[Rmplstlskn]

Oddly we have not had any strong pro-western mountain States votes... I think the Montana posts were both a praise and a warning... I saw that JWR reinterated his primary pro-western mountain State factor: low population density. I still need more than that...

Rmpl