The perfect bug out location is an absolute must for the serious preppers of the world. A lot of rural areas may seem like they will suffice, but without certain qualities, they may not be perfect. We’re going to walk through the ways to find the best bug out location so you can take care of yourself when the time comes. There are a few different things that you need to consider before getting your bug out location that will bring it from sufficient, to perfect.
If you already live far out of the city, it’s worth making the accommodations to build your home into the perfect bug out location. This guide is going to help you make that transformation and turn what you already have into gold.
Table of Contents
1. Location
Location location location. While it’s a completely different game than normal real estate, the location you choose to be your bug out spot is the most important thing. It will determine your ability to protect yourself, feed yourself, and sustain a long term stay.
As the location is the top consideration is finding the perfect bug out spot, there are multiple different things that go into what makes the best location.
Distance
There is a fine balance between being far from the city and being close enough to get there when the time comes. People fleeing from the city in the heat of the moment of survival will be difficult to navigate, so you don’t want to have to travel hundreds of miles amidst the chaos to get to your refuge.
However, if it’s too close to the city that means you’re closer to the chaos itself and the people that stay inside the city. The closer it is to the city, the more likely someone may also wander upon your spot and create more issues. A higher level of seclusion is important to be separated from the problem at hand.
Buffer
A good buffer from main roads and cities is key to keeping yourself secluded and safe from human threats. Keep in mind that when everything is going down, people will stick to trails, railroad tracks, or main waterways to help guide their way. Staying a safe distance from that will keep you hidden from anyone wanting to start trouble.
Getting There
Your bug out location should be a reasonable distance depending on your mode of transportation. If you have a bug out vehicle, which I highly recommend looking into, you shouldn’t need to travel further than a single tank of gas will take you.
If you are travelling on foot, 60 miles will probably take you 3-4 days to get there and is the maximum distance your spot should be.
The access to your bug out spot should be easy, but not too easy for others to follow. On top of that, you should have multiple different routes in order to get there in case of any obstacles that come up on your main way.
2. Shelter
Whether you build a cabin or utilize a local cave on the property, you will need to ensure that you have the proper shelter available at your bug out location. There’s a load of different options when it comes to shelter and you just need to be prepared for everything.
If you are wanting to build a cabin to keep you holed up comfortably for years on end, you will need to buy the land and build according to the local codes. If you are more willing to make a stash at an incredibly remote site, it will take a lot of reconnaissance to get the right spot.
The proper shelter also means self-sufficiency. Shelter needs to be completely off-grid so you don’t rely on anything coming from larger plants because you can’t predict what will happen. Solar, wind, or water-powered electricity make a shelter the perfect one.
A shelter that has easy access to gardening and even an up-to-date maintained garden will mean food is waiting for you upon arrival.
3. Water
Water is going to be the first thing to run out in a disaster. Storing water for long periods of time can be difficult, as bacteria tend to grow quickly in stagnant water. The perfect bug out spot will have a natural source of water that isn’t seasonal and will have reliable water flowing throughout the year.
A well is a great option if you are buying land and building a home on the property. It will give you water for as long as you need it and is easier to stay hidden than next to a river. You can also find a space that is in close proximity to a water source, just make sure you also have the necessary tools and skills to properly treat your water.
4. Security
We never know what is going to force us to our bug out location. If it ends up being a human-based disease, the ability to defend the location may be unfortunately necessary.
A defendable location is surrounded on all sides and gives a good amount of visibility of the approaches to your location. A defendable location can also mean it is secure by being incredibly well-hidden and hard to find. This way, you may be able to slip into the background of the chaos and never have a need for physical confrontation.
Setting up a system to know when someone is approaching is a great way to keep yourself alert. Harmless tripwires and security mines can be set that will alert you to any movement on your property and can easily save your life.
5. Natural Threats
The final thing on the list is finding a space that keeps you well-protected from any natural threats such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, avalanches, or even volcanic activity.
If you put yourself in the way of any natural disasters, you are looking at potentially having even more issues further down the road. The best move is to find somewhere high up, but incredibly well-sheltered from any harsher elements.
Picking a place right next to a river or up against a cliffside can be tempting for the water access and natural protection. Doing so will also put you at risk for any flash flooding or rockfall that can turn the perfect bug out location into the worst in the blink of an eye.
Conclusion
A serious prepper is always thinking about where they are going to go and what they are going to do when the world turns to madness. Having a bug out location picked out and set up for longevity is going to put you far ahead of anyone else that is in a panic at the moment of disaster.
It doesn’t need to be a million-dollar property, but it also doesn’t have to be a hole in the ground in the closest state park. The perfect bug out location can be almost anywhere if you know how to make the proper accommodations and are a safe distance from the chaos of the general population. Follow this list and start looking for the best spots around you to get yourself setup and to be truly prepared.
