The Best and Worst Places to Ride Out the Collapse

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

A lot has been written about the best bug out locations and the best countries to survive a societal collapse. There are even articles covering some of the bug out bunkers being constructed around the world for the rich and famous.

It all makes for interesting reading with some good advice, but it often assumes that someone has significant money and resources to prepare to such an elaborate degree. 

New Zealand may be the best country to live in during a global societal collapse, and luxurious bunkers converted from abandoned nuclear silos may be the ultimate bug out location, but for most of us, that’s all out of reach.

That leaves us with our determination, available money, resources, and common sense to make the best decisions about how we would survive any level of societal collapse.

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The Bug Out/Bug In Dilemma

Many people have decided to make their home their fortress and have done the best they can to stockpile, learn new survival skills, and acquire the tools and equipment to bug in.

Others have a bug out plan with bug out bags packed and either various bug out locations identified or a dedicated bug out location established. But the big question that remains, regardless of your level of preparedness, is how safe is any location?

It’s Not About Safe, It’s About “Safer”

Regardless of how well we research, plan, and anticipate – the safety of any location can change based on variables totally out of our control.

Let’s say we’ve found what we think is the perfect bug out location in a remote area with ample natural resources. It seems like a safe place to survive the madness of a societal collapse. Unless of course everybody else decides to move to that same location. 

We’ve seen this time and again over history as refugees fleeing persecution, civil war, or starvation converge in the same safe place all at once. What initially appeared to be a safe haven is now worse than the area they originally fled.

The unfortunate fact is that while we may initially find that “safer” location, it will potentially evolve and change as events unfold. If the location ultimately becomes unsafe, the only option is to bug out again.

It’s possible that bugging out could become a recurring event. The key is to know what to look for that defines a “safer” place and what factors make any place unsafe to begin with. Hopefully we get it right the first time and avoid a constant cycle of bugging out. 

The Worst Places to Live

Remember this: The greater the population density of a location, the more unstable it will become.

Stores will be shuttered, local police and fire departments will be overwhelmed, hospitals and emergency services will be maxed out, and schools will be closed. As a large population begins to compete for resources, crime and violence will own the streets. That’s why urban areas would be some of the worst places to live in a sudden collapse.

If the grid is down or unreliable, the situation in cities will deteriorate quickly, and even bugging out could become impossible as roads turn into parking lots overwhelmed by traffic. But here’s the caveat…

If everyone bugs out of the cities to the countryside, it’s possible that the population density of any remote area will suddenly be challenged with the same demands. It almost makes you wonder if some of these ideal bug out locations that are often identified like Idaho, Wyoming, and Maine will become the new mega cities.

There are already complaints from some long time Idaho residents about the sudden influx of outsiders to the state. 

Extreme Factors to Consider

It’s hard to predict what could specifically cause a societal collapse. Five civilizations across history collapsed as a result of drought. Many because of war or revolution. Future threats could emerge along those lines or worse.

Here are some remote possibilities that may be closer than we want to imagine:

• Is the location a potential target in the event of nuclear war? It may seem that cities are the obvious targets, but as was revealed when the Chinese weather balloon traveled across Montana and North Dakota in early 2023, both Montana and North Dakota are the locations of a significant number of nuclear warhead silos (150). That means even a seemingly remote location could be a nuclear target. 
• Does the location have a history of natural disasters including hurricanes, wildfires, drought, earthquakes, or other weather extremes? If it happened in the past, it will happen again, and climate change will make it worse. 
• Are there any other extreme events that would make a particular location particularly vulnerable? 

The Best Places to Live

We’ll identify some generally safe areas in the United States, but it’s important to understand what makes a location “safer” and what may allow it to maintain those characteristics over time.

Here are some of the criteria that define a “safer” location during a societal collapse.

• Abundant, natural water resources. These are defined as freshwater springs, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes. The water is relatively clean and unpolluted by industrial chemicals or city sewers. The water rights are also open to the general public on public lands and along riverways. 
• Sufficient arable land for small scale farming, orchards, and animal husbandry. 
• Stable climate without weather extremes measured by temperatures, rainfall or drought, flooding or wildfires, hurricanes or landslides. Climate change extremes should be considered in areas subject to high heat, drought, or extreme cold. 
• Realistic property values and tax rates that the average person can afford at the outset and hopefully manage as events unfold. 
• A stable population size that can sustain itself without becoming overwhelmed by the unmet needs of any part of the population. 
• Community potential. There’s safety in numbers, and while a high population density puts significant strain on an area, there is something to be said for a small community that lives in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. 
• Sufficiently remote from large cities, jails, interstate highways, and nuclear power plants with a minimum of 60 miles of separation generally defined. 
• Hunting and fishing potential as a source of additional food. 
• Abundant trees and forests offering supplies of firewood for heat, cooking, and building. 

All of those factors point to some tough decisions if you’re currently living in an area with a high population density. And those high population areas may extend beyond cities to suburbs and even exurbia.

It’s unlikely that most people are going to abruptly pack up and move right away, but if you’re considering the purchase of a bug out location, think about starting it off as a vacation home or even a few acres of land where you may build someday.

Waiting to make any move after a collapse has occurred is not the best idea. Plan ahead. It’s what preparedness is all about. 

Areas in the U.S. That Meet the Criteria

Rather than list towns and states, we’re going to identify geographic areas that are loosely defined by parts of certain states. 

The Western Appalachian Mountain range of the Carolinas, West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Tennessee (Appalachia)

The Appalachian Mountains are comparatively short and gentle compared to the Rockies. This makes them easy to hide in and easy to hold, but difficult to traverse in the remotest regions for outsiders.

The mild, temperate climate throughout much of this region is suitable for a variety of farming practices, and plentiful wildlife and water combined with widespread deciduous forest offer a good supply of natural resources. 

The Ozarks of Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri

The Ozarks are a sprawling geographic region taking up a significant chunk of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. It consists of gently rolling mountains, expansive forests, and natural resources combined with a relatively mild climate all year. Agriculture is a definite possibility, and hunting and fishing is plentiful.

Ark-La-Tex

Ark-La-Tex is the name ascribed to the intersection of Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana given to it by residents of the region. The area is highly bio-diverse with excellent hunting, fishing, and agricultural opportunities. The area itself is free from the climate extremes that each state is known for.

It is neither blisteringly hot nor too humid, and can give you plenty of breathing room to stay well away from the coast and its dense population.

There are other areas that are often identified, but they either seem to ignore the realities of climate change, or they're described as destinations for the hardiest of survivalists. It’s certainly true that moving to Alaska will put you in a remote area with abundant natural resources, but the potential for weather extremes in a state already known for harsh winters could affect whether you consider the location “safe.”

The argument can be made that uncomfortable places won’t attract as many people, but even people who take a lone-wolf approach to survival may find that going it totally alone is not the safest solution either. 

Additional areas identified in the past with similar weather extremes include New Hampshire, Wyoming, Idaho, and Maine. They offer a similar mix of natural resources and remote areas but are subject to harsher weather extremes that could become worse as climate change continues to disrupt and alter global weather patterns. 

Consider Your Current Location

It’s unrealistic for someone living in an American suburb to consider moving their family to New Zealand or Iceland, but if you apply some of the measures we’ve identified, you may be able to identify some places that are close enough to make the move possible.

What’s important is to start thinking about it now while there's still time. That’s the first step toward preparedness, and it's a step we all need to take.

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You May Also Like:

• The Dangers Of A Remote Bug Out Location
• The Government Will Help These Cities First After The SHTF
• 7 Signs Civil War Is About To Happen In The U.S.
• According To This Study, Civilization Could Collapse By 2040
• Where Are The Best Places for Preppers to Live?

The post The Best and Worst Places to Ride Out the Collapse appeared first on Urban Survival Site.

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How to Tell If a Watermelon Is Sweet

Have you wondered how to tell if a watermelon is sweet? Do you enjoy eating watermelon but hate it when it’s too watery or hasn’t matured enough to be sweet? Some watermelons are flavorful, while others taste more like water than anything else.

Mark has been our watermelon “tester” for years. He’ll tell you that when you tap your knuckles on the outside of the melon, you want to hear a hollow sound. Move on to another one if it sounds “dull” without the hollow sound.

I’m not sure that’s a foolproof approach or that you’ll find a perfect melon. But if you’d like to take most of the guesswork out of finding a sweet ripe watermelon that satisfies your craving for fresh and delicious fruit, check out these helpful tips. You can use these tips to tell whether a watermelon is ripe and will taste sweet most of the time. In case you missed this post, How to Dehydrate Watermelon

How to Tell If a Watermelon Is Sweet

Check the Size and Weight

Check the size of the watermelon and compare it with others, whether in your garden, at the grocery store, or at a farmer’s market. Some assume a giant or heavier melon is the best, but that isn’t necessarily true.

Realistically, a heavy watermelon often has a higher water content than smaller ones, meaning they won’t taste nearly as sweet. In this case, bigger isn’t better and may indicate the melon is overripe. A smaller and lighter melon may not have reached its peak ripeness. Instead, look for an average-sized watermelon to buy. You don’t want an oversized or too-small watermelon. Instead, the goal is to find that average or medium size.

Check the Shape of the Watermelon

Carefully look at the shape of the watermelon. While the fruit is typically round, some are more elliptical than others. If you see oblong or oval watermelons, don’t bother getting them because they’re likely less sweet because they contain more water.

When you’re craving the sweetness of this fresh fruit, choose a round watermelon. If you spot the perfect round watermelon, it’s the one to buy!

Look for a Field Spot

Always check for a field spot or ground spot on your watermelons before buying them. Not all watermelons will have this spot, but if you can find some that do, they can provide you with more valuable information on the fruit. Read on below.

What is the field spot?

The field spot you want is a large yellow spot in an area outside the rind that appears on a watermelon and shows where it’s spent most of its time resting. Some watermelons won’t have this spot. On the other hand, some will have a slightly orange spot, and others will have a white field spot. Knowing the difference between the colors of these spots is a must. Look for the yellow belly or field spot for the best chance at prime ripeness.

Stay clear of melons with a brown or black spot on the bottom. It is a sign the melon has belly rot, which is caused by a fungus.

What does the orange spot mean?

If you find a watermelon with the orange field spot, it’s a better sign than white. The fruit is likely as sweet and flavorful as the yellow spots because it stays on the vine longer, giving it time to ripen and taste better.

If the melon is dark green on all sides, it hasn’t had time to ripen. Note that watermelon doesn’t ripen well once it’s been picked. That isn’t the case with cantaloupe; they’ll continue to ripen.

What does the white spot mean?

When you see white specks or white spots on the watermelon, don’t bother buying it. The spot typically signifies that the watermelon spent more time on the ground and likely tastes more watery than sweet.

Be sure to look closely at any spots that you might see on the watermelon. Sometimes, the orange spot looks more yellow than orange. As long as it’s not white, you’re good to go.

Examine the Exterior Color

While looking at a selection of watermelons, check out the exterior color of each one that catches your eye. Naturally, you’ll need to look for darker watermelons. The bright colors might catch your attention first, but those watermelons often taste more watery than sweet since they’re more likely to be overripe.

You may have heard the old saying, “The darker the berry, the sweeter the fruit.” It applies to watermelon as well. If the outside of the watermelon has a darker, duller appearance, it’s likely already ripe, sweet, and ready for you to eat.

Also, check the texture of the melon’s flesh. If the outer rind has soft spots, the melon is overripe or wasn’t nourished adequately during the growing process.

Pay Attention to Any Shininess

Have you ever noticed that some watermelons have a shiny appearance on their skin? The shininess often makes people believe these are the best watermelons to get, but that isn’t the case. Unfortunately, if you see a shiny melon in the batch when shopping for fruit, that fruit isn’t fully ripe. 

If you buy them, they won’t have the sweetness of a watermelon that’s dull in color. If one store only has shiny-skin watermelons, don’t buy the fruit there. You can head to a different grocery store or farmer’s market to find what you want.

Gently Shake the Watermelon at the Store

It sounds silly, but shaking the watermelon at the store can help you decide whether to buy it. Please don’t shake it too roughly to cause damage to the watermelon. Instead, hold the watermelon with both hands and gently shake it from one side to the next.

Sometimes, the size of the watermelon causes you to hear the water. If you can listen to the extra water, you’ll want to avoid that watermelon because it won’t have the naturally sweet taste you crave from the fruit.

Look for Webbing on Your Watermelon

Don’t forget to look for any signs of webbing on your watermelon. While this isn’t something you’ll see on every watermelon you find, it’s a noticeable pattern worth paying attention to.

If you see slight webbing on different parts of a watermelon, the best thing to do is avoid buying it because it will have a watery, bland taste. If you see extensive webbing on the watermelon, buying it is a good idea. Watermelon with more oversized webbing tends to have a sweeter taste.

Perform a Thump or Sound Test

You can find a ripe watermelon when you thump the rind, and it makes a deep sound. When tapping, the deeper sound means the flesh has the texture you want without too much water. If the melon still needs time to ripen, the sound will be higher-pitched, whereas an overripe melon will have a thud or flat sound when you tap it with your knuckles.

Perform the Smell Test

It may seem strange, but you can test if the melon is ripe by smelling its aroma through the rind. If you don’t smell a sweet aroma, the melon is likely underripe. If the smell is very strong, the melon is past its prime and overripe.

What does the tendril look like?

A watermelon has a curly tendril, which is where the melon connected to the vine as it was growing. If the tendril is still green, the melon was picked too soon. A dried-out tendril indicates the melon was ripe when picked and should be sweet-tasting.

Canning Books I recommend: USDA Canning Guide or the Ball Canning Guide

Are there any health benefits from eating watermelon?

We all love eating the flesh, as in bright red flesh, of sweet watermelon. It tends to be a favorite cool summer treat for most of us on a hot summer day. I wonder how many of us consider the health benefits of this delicious fruit. Let’s jump in and check off a few things that will make this fruit even more attractive to eat.

Watermelon Is Full of Nutrients

You can feel good about eating watermelon since common nutrition facts show the flesh and watermelon juice are good sources of the nutrients we need. You can benefit from potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, C, and vitamin B6. There is also the amino acid citrulline, and many antioxidants like carotenoids, lycopene, and cucurbitacin, which make up the food chemistry in watermelon.

Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which can be harmful and cause inflammation and related muscle soreness.

Watermelon Is Low in Calories

Although watermelon is pretty sweet, it is relatively low in calories—only 46 for a one-cup serving. Due to its high water content, watermelon doesn’t have much dietary fiber.

Aids Hydration

Yes, water is about 92% water, so if you eat watermelon, you’re adding to the hydration you need to support all your body functions. That includes organ operation, nutrient delivery, proper temperature regulation, digestion, and heart health.

The high water content and low daily value of sodium (like salt) found in watermelon make for a good combination for preventing high blood pressure (hypertension). That means you’re lowering the incidence of heart disease and helping with weight loss as part of a daily weight management plan.

May Have Some Anticancer Benefits

Some studies, although not conclusive, have found that plant compounds in watermelon may have anticancer benefits. Those compounds include lycopene and cucurbitacin, as mentioned above.

Watermelon Promotes Good Heart Health

Athletes should be happy to hear that watermelon may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing cholesterol levels. As mentioned, watermelon is a good source of vitamins A, C, and B6; others also help support good heart health.

It Can Reduce Pain From Inflammation

Since watermelons contain a great combination of antioxidants and vitamins, eating watermelon may reduce the incidence of inflammation and the related oxidative damage that other foods may cause. Pain is often the first sign of inflammation, so if you’re feeling muscle pain, try some watermelon to see if you get some relief.

May Help Prevent the Common Age-related Diseases, Macular Degeneration

Some studies have shown that the lycopene found in watermelon MAY, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, help prevent macular degeneration in adults. Watermelon isn’t a substitute for professional care, so see your doctor if you have any vision issues.

Final Word

If you love watermelon but are tired of eating the watery ones that don’t taste sweet or have much flavor, use these simple tips to your advantage. You must carefully inspect your watermelon to check its size, shape, and other features.

These features are essential to consider because they signify whether the fruit will taste sweet. Reviewing the watermelons carefully can take time, but it’s worth ensuring you get what you want. Now that you know if a watermelon is lovely, you can ensure you always get the most flavorful fruit at any store.

Maybe you use other methods to find that particular sweet-tasting watermelon. If so, please let me know so I can pass on your “secret” to my readers. They’ll appreciate it. May God bless this world, Linda.

The post How to Tell If a Watermelon Is Sweet appeared first on Food Storage Moms.

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