posted on Jan, 1 2007 @ 04:31 AM
I am in the process of relocating and shopping for a new (to me) home. I originally placed survival as the #1 priority that would determine location
and the features of the home.
I found a place that I consider a survivalist's dream come true, and I looked at it with a realtor yesterday, but reality is hitting home...
How many factors can be sacrificed for the sake of a home that will probably enable the occupants to survive any disaster?
My only reason for not pursuing this home any more is that it is a little too remote and secluded. I am thinking of fire/EMS/police response in
case of an emergency.
BUT...
...might the "survivability" of the place make it worthwhile?
Here are some of the pros of this home (purposefully vague on some details so nobody can narrow it down):
Over 100 acres abutting state and national forests on 3 sides.
Home is at the end of an old logging road, located about a mile in from the property's gate.
6 miles from the nearest public paved road (remote narrow back road); about 11 miles from nearest traveled road.
Nearest "neighbor" is a seasonal hunting cabin 2 miles away.
Home is 4 years old, 100% solar (200A system installed last year), 100% wood-heated (two chimneys), spring-fed water supply, LP water heating, LP
appliances w/electric backup capability, existing LP generator professionally installed and wired into home (I own a large gasoline one as well).
Home has concealed basement (home appears to be sitting on a slab) with entry/exit below kitchen cabinets (basically I can't imagine anyone finding
it unless they know what to look for...I am a seasoned law enforcement officer and have served as an MP in the Army and know how to search buildings,
and I could find absolutely no clue that such an access portal existed).
Now the one HUGE con...
Final approach to the home (last 1/4 mile to 1/3 mile or so) can not be navigated with any vehicle I own, and probably 90% of most civilian vehicles.
I imagine that one would need to park a large-displacement 4WD ATV near where the car park is in order to be able to access the home quickly after
parking a car-- and even maneuvering an ATV may be impossible. A "deuce and a half" probably could not make it, I know what those are capable of.
Even a 5-ton I am not sure could do it. I think an HMMWV could, but I am not sure, I would be hesitant to attempt it...and I've been driving HMMWVs
for 12 years and know what they can do! We are talking an old logging road with skidder-tire-sized ruts (about 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep) that are
eroding. Oh, and did I mention this is all uphill, about a 12% grade I'd say! I don't think there is a vehicle I have driven in my life that I would
feel 100% confident attempting to drive that with.
The slope of the hill and how the "driveway" winds makes me believe that even if I had all the money in the world and top engineers working with me,
I do not think I could ever make it into a road that normal vehicles could access...well, without sacrificing the rustic environment. I refuse to
make the front of my wilderness dream home into a huge concrete ramp.
I can not imagine how a fire/EMS/police department could respond right up to the house unless they had extremely heavy-duty off-road trucks with high
ground clearance. I inquired about this to the realtor and he is going to have the local fire chief call me (volunteer department, this is a VERY
rural area) this week. I suppose if they have some hardcore forest-fire trucks in the department, those could probably get to the house, but I really
worry about that.
And we aren't even talking homeowner's insurance yet!
So where do I draw the line between my dream home/survival paradise, and practicality? What would YOU do? Any questions I could ask the realtor for
more info (already sent him back with a huge list)?