We just take up too much space. For some reason we here in the good old USA want huge houses. They are inefficient and costly. They are vulgar status symbols showing the neighbors what large wankers we have and how well we are suited to mate.
I think that the dinosaurs that we currently live in will be liabilities soon. New houses are usually particle board and vinyl abominations that will bleed you dry in order to heat them heat in the very near future.
So now I am looking for a smaller place. Much smaller if it is possible. The ideal place would be in the 800 sf to 1000 sf range with an area for a garden. A wood stove would be ideal. A basement would be especially nice. I would like to rent for a while until the dust settles. Buying in this market would be a nightmare.
Buying in close to the city center would be optimal. Like it or not, the cops will defend these areas ferociously…the burbs may very well be left to their own devices. An established community is a good idea. Folks knowing folks is your best chance at surviving.
Gotta look at transit. Being close to the main core transit lines shows wisdom. Keep the car gassed up and tuned up and ready to cut and run, but rely on mass transit to keep the day to day moving.
Wherever you live will have its own set of costs and benefits. I think that perhaps if you took a hard look and a rigorous inventory of your needs, you will be able to establish the infrastructure that you will need to get through the cold times.
9 comments:
To each his own... Personally, I'd rather have some rural land near a small town, where I can ditch the rat race and be self sufficient.
I'd agree with Mayberry. Having grown up in the city I have no illussions about the police being on my side.
FYI Guys...To me a city is population range 100,000-200,000 folks.
I prefer the country, but the city does offer things that I can't access out here in the sticks. What's better? Depends on your priorities and preferences, I guess.
with all due respect...I can't believe that you are still beleiving that the police or government will "protect" you
When it comes to home size it is important to keep in mind the number of people who will live there. An 800sf place for two people is way different then for a family of 6. A bigger family would be far more comfortable in a slightly bigger place.
There are definite benefits to being in the country and different benefits to being in town. I suppose it is a question of what scenario you see happening.
Ferfal of Surviving in Argentina has said that the cities had it better than rural areas in their 2001 crash. We live in the country and our community can defend ourselves, and common wisdom tells me that rural would be better. BUT, Ferfal has lived through it and probably knows whereof he speaks.
There are some small house blogs out there, don't know if they'd be helpful. I love the idea myself and have lived in tiny houses before. Loved it. Good luck finding a rental!
HM
Doc "0":
Just so that you are aware of my attitudes, no, the cops won't protect me in particular, they will however. come down ruthlessly on the gangs and organizations and other such problems once they decide that the ROE has changed and weapons are free.
As I am an old geezer who doesn't have much, there is some camouflage there. I am moderately well armed, and in the city I can create a social network to watch my back while I watch theirs.
theotherryan:
I would posit that "comfort" is not going to be one of the defining factors soon. We in the US have decided that we have a "right" to enough space for our "comfort".
This is nothing but a luxury that through custom has become to be seen as necessary.
Within the last seventy years, familys lived well on much less space. My family house at any time held from eight to eleven people in an 1100 sq foot house. They all seem to have had good lives and even speak of the place with profound pleasure.
If it was just me, I would probably try for the smallest studio that I could find. Cheap, easy to heat, efficient, and low-profile.
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