Where to live?

Sharon Astyk has some intersting observations in her article "Adapting in Place - And When Not To" here: http://sharonastyk.com/2009/03/03/adapting-in-place-and-when-not-to/ - more about *whether* to move than *where* to move.

Let us know if you find that ideal spot...you're likely to have a lot of neighbors from this board!

 Thanks, Giraffe!

That was helpful and just the kind of thing I'm looking for. I guess people have survived most everywhere long before fossil fuel. I'm one of the ones torn between places and without strong community in any one place. 

I'd love a post-oil perspective on the different regions of the US, examining core issues like agriculture, water, alternative energy, transportation and other resources. I imagine this kind of thing will be coming if it's not already out there. 

But I liked the perspective in the link you posted! That might be more the point.

David

Hey DavidM --

Certainly Cali is an attractive option in many ways.  Something to consider is post-crash or post-oil, California is going to be chock-full of people who've migrated there from out of the rest of the dry Southwest.  I'm in upstate-ish NY, and one of the reasons my wife & I are adapting in place -- apart from the effort we've put into this place already -- is that the winters will make it inhospitable for people to simply show up and squat/start from scratch.  Surely, there are challenges involved w/the weather (surviving the cold, shorter growing seasons, etc.) but at the same time I believe they'll likely make the NE an unattractive option for the Lurching Masses once the S begins to HTF.  

By the same token, because the environment is challenging, I believe that people are more likely to cooperate in important ways.  I'm not saying that won't be true of N.Cali/Oregon/Washington states, but all those people in San Diego/LA/Vegas/Phoenix are going to (try and) go somewhere -- and IMO it won't be Tegucigalpa...  

Viva -- Sager

 Great point, Sager. Thanks. That makes sense. There were a lot of people going to CA during the dust bowl days and many did not fare well I suppose...

I'm also in upstate NY, and planning to stay in the north east. 

Learn how to preserve food.  So you won't be hungry AND cold ;) 

I'm looking into ways i can change my house so that it will make better use of the sun for heat.  That is, passive solar.  So, you could look into building/buying a place in your current area that has passive solar heat and good insulation so that you can heat it minimally with just a small wood stove or such.  There's lots of information out there on this sort of efficient use of the sun for heat if you do some searches on google.  Other ideas - earth berming, straw bale construction...

At least the north east makes it easy to do water collection from your rooftop...

The food growing season can be extended quite a bit (even winter gardening is do-able) via hoop greenhouses and such.  Potatoes, apples, carrots, and squash can be stored well through the winter and I don't know about where you are, but where I am there's an abundance of deer (although, who knows when that will change).  You can also raise rabbits/chickens, etc for food in the winter.  Also, the northeast has a decent small-farm infrastructure, which will definitely be helpful should TSHTF. 

I should read the sharon astyk article... maybe she covered all that (probably).

JMO

California has some very serious budget problems these days.  And, a drought. 

becky

I have friends who moved to California decades ago when they first married.  Since retiring they have uprooted to Oregon because its too expensive to remain in California.  In fact, Oregon is being populated by many Californians for the same reason. 

You might want to consider a couple of areas in North Carolina. We have four seasons, including the occasional snow or ice storm, but winters are relatively mild. We've had droughts, but nothing like out west. Asheville has a thriving local economy/sustainability movement, as well as an active arts community and gorgeous scenery. Less well known is the Chatham/Orange County area just west of Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park area. It is a magnet for sustainable farming, biofuels production and self-sufficient living. There's even a local currency! For a first hand account, check out the book "Small is Possible" by Lyle Estill, a local entrepreneur.

If you're not familiar with the South except through the media stereotypes, you may be surprised that there are progressive, liberal communities here.

Hello all!

I was going to start a new thread but, I thought this may be better to revive this one.

I have an opportunity to take a transfer OUT of New England to North Carolina. Specifically, New Bern (or vicinity). I am going down in a couple weeks to "interview" but that is a formality. From phone calls I have had with them explaining their situation, I am EXACTLY the person they are looking for. Same company, same benefits, different location.

My positive thoughts for going: Long growing season, small community, near the ocean with plenty of boating. (Think fishing) NO snow. My company would move me so I am not worried about that. Employment is as secure there as it is here in my field. The local retirement community actually gives me more "clients" unless Obama-care ruins it. Cost of living is about the same except for housing. Yes all you southerners, your cost of living ISN'T that much different than up here in the great wintry north!  Housing isn't that much different either for the community I am looking at. (near the water)

The worst part(s): NO family outside of our own nuclear tribe. I know no one there except for those I would be working with. We would have to go down to one income and acquire debt (another house). Yes, it's hotter than hades in the summer there, but here winter NEVER knows when to go away. New schools for the kids. Closer to hurricaines.

I would go in a heart-beat. My wife is the one who is skeptical. And, I have two school aged kids. Extended family support is here. Yet, the city I live in here could get ugly if there is an all out collapse.

Some help from the "community" would be appreciated. Please share with me the good, the bad, and the ugly. What could I be missing with the move?

Thanks in advance - C.

 Slightly contrarian but well argued articles on the rural vs urban issue here:-

  http://patternliteracy.com/urban.html

 http://patternliteracy.com/urban2.html

I'd recommend browsing the other articles on that site for anyone still in "Panic mode" about PO..

 it certainly helped me get things into perspective.