My family is selling our existing home and moving into a different home in October.
My existing home is in a very upscale country club community, but we are on one of the main roads through it. Due to the # of people moving in / out, visitors, delivery drivers, etc... it's impossible to know exactly who belongs there and who doesn't. You can never tell which vehicles have no business there. Also, there are too many different ways in and out of the subdivision, so access couldn't easily be controlled. If SHTF and a zombie horde starts heading North from Houston, my house is too close to the parade route. Also, if National Guard (or other) decides to move in and "help", my subdivision will definitely be on their list of places to secure. Nope. We decided to just face reality and understand that the neighborhood is a great environment, nice upscale showy location... but it's indefensible and too open... so better to move before the November election and the possible chaos following it in 2023 and 2024.
New home location isn't very far away, less than 2-miles. However, it's in a more out-of-the-way location and isn't along a zombie horde parade route. We looked for a home that is off of smaller secondary streets, and found a nice one in a looped section of four small residential streets, with only ONE 2-lane entrance/exit to the whole subdivision. If SHTF, access to the entire loop subdivision can be controlled by a check point and/or barricades on that one road. It's easy to tell exactly who belongs there and who doesn't. There isn't heavy vehicle traffic or visitors or constant deliveries... it's off the beaten path. Still better, there are heavy woods surrounding the subdivision on 3 sides. Also, I know and trust the local law enforcement. They don't play games and are very responsive.
It may sound irrational to some, but if people begin getting desperate in 2023 & 2024 (shortage of food, economy going into a Depression after the November elections, joblessness, lawlessness, etc...) you don't want to be in an uncontrollable environment. The chaos and crime will eventually reach my new place too... but it will affect everywhere else first and our home will be last to see it. Meanwhile, it is a neighborhood community where we can coordinate with neighbors and work together.
I urge everyone to consider that politicians have an interest in preventing the economy from going into a recession before November elections. After that, particularly if Republicans take over the House and Senate and State Governments, the outgoing Democrats will have 60-days remaining in office to cause as much chaos as possible. Watch for fuel prices to double, watch for environmental whacko laws to be passed, watch as energy prices increase, housing interest rates may go over 8% to 10% (knocking the life out of housing starts and existing home sales and driving the economy into a serious recession)... and then the Democrats who did it will watch the incoming Republicans get blamed for the recession. Things could get far worse than that. A serious recession would be the mild form of what is possibly on the near horizon.
My family discussed and decided that it's a good opportunity to move now. We wanted peaceful, quiet, plenty of nature around... and I wanted an area that I KNOW can be defended by a small group working together if need be.
Mostly, I just wanted to urge everyone to look at your own surroundings now. Look at a map of your subdivision. Think in terms of how crime might move in, or where desperate people may tend to wander if SHTF. Decide for yourself how comfortable you would feel if your situation changes overnight. I believe we all have about 2-3 months left to make good choices. Possibly more, because any outgoing Democrat decisions to cause chaos and destruction could take a few months to destroy the economy. However, I feel it's coming. Wherever you are in Spring 2023... there you are. Choose and prepare wisely. Remember also that any neighborhood area that isn't along a major street can be access controlled if everyone involved works together. I don't count on more than a dozen families cooperating together. Therefore, I wanted to be where that will be sufficient.
Time is getting short for preps. Make the best use of your time and think clearly about what you have, what you need and where you are located.
"all in this together"... NOT if they are totally unprepared with no useful skills.
Then they are a LIABILITY.
also a good reason to know your neighbors.
Yes, knowing your neighbors will tell you who is a liability and who is not.