My wife and I have been considering buying a few acres for a family vacation spot. While she's thinking travel trailer, which is OK for now, as far as a place to stay on the property, I've been considering maybe an old school bus et into a concrete slab for foundation, gut it out and turn it into a sort of cabin.

When I go to look for a property I'm considering the following:

Proximity to other people- I generally don't like people in the first place. When I go camping or for vacation, I don't want anybody coming to ask me for jack sh!t. I don't want to even SEE other people. In order for me to relax, I need peace and quiet (not from my family, but from other people). Of course this isn't to say I hate all people, I just as a general rule dislike most I meet. Once I do meet them, if they're a decent person, I'll end up liking them. But, as for property criteria, no people.

Water- Must not be difficult to obtain water. Either drilling a well or running water like a creek, but I must be able to have water.

Proximity to decent hunting: Must be able to hunt at, or not far from, this property.

Location: While running over to eastern washington may be OK to do, likely cheaper, I need it to be closer for several reasons. Terrain around here tends to be much greener and more mountainous. I like this, as it's easier to stay hidden. Also, the ammount of rain/snow we get is acceptable for growing stuff, we won't have to irrigate as it's not a dry region. And last but not least, if we for some reason have to walk to get there, I don't want to be walking for a month. I want 2-3 days walking, tops. Less if I can, but no more than 2-3 days. This is, of course, walking without issues. Not taking in to account the notion that things will be screwed up, people will be panicy, and there may be shooting and such. These sort of things will be cause to take more time. Must also be accessible via backroads. I refuse to take freeways during an emergency of the bug out sort. Chances of getting caught up in traffic, of getting robbed, or making contact with anybody other than local peopleis much greater. I want the ability to pull off a side road or down logging roads and hide/camp for a night.

Fuels- Must be able to cut firewood at or near the place.

With these thngs in mind, my thoughts was this: I could buy an old school bus and take it out there and set it in foundation, after taking the wheels and tires off. I could then guy the bus out and rebuild the inside for living, even if the kitchen needs to be outside. I could instal a wood stove and insulation, and while I'm at it, see if I can do something about hardening the outside of the bus so it will take bullets better. I could then, after this, concentrate on storage, outhouse, and root cellar. Along with lamp light, I could just as well get it set up with solar power. Paint the bus in some sort of earth tone, then build a roof, porch, car port for 2, and wood shed, all attached to the same structure (wood shed on one side of the porch so it isn't much of a walk to get to firewood).

Going back a few lines here when setting the bus down on something that will prevent it from moving: I could, at that time, build a bunker of sorts that will go under the bus. This way I can cut a trap door in the bus and have access to storage and safety under this bus.

In doing this it would, in the end, I think, be cheaper than trying to build myself a log cabin, like I had originally considered. For one, the trees, if I harvested them myself, would need to be about 8" around or more. I can't promise I'll find that many trees on the property that size. Also, the wood would have to dry and season before I could build with it. That would take quite some time. I could, of course, just buy the logs, but again, that'd be more expensive to do. I could do more with this ghetto azzed method of having a cabin, money wise, than if I built a stick frame or log cabin. And in this manner, I'd have a spot set up and ready to go. Just have to figure out how to secure items there and not have it get stolen so easily. All one needs to do is cut locks off a shed or root cellar and they're in, if I'm not there all the time.

ALSO, if I'm in the dog house, I could end up staying there until things blow over Proximity to my current job is also important... That is another thing to consider. If we set up fuel there at the property for the vehicles, I wouldn't have to worry about gassing up, just make sure I replace what I took. Then family vacations could take place at the property, and I could, if I needed to, still go to work. And in a SHTF situation, I'd also be closer to possibly some good trade or salvage. Lots to think about. Building a bunker of sorts may cost as much, if not more, than the logs for a log cabin, so that may get scratched. Heck, some good blocks set in the ground for the axles to sit on as I let the air out of the tires would probably do OK too, if they're sturdy enough. And if the engine is decent running, that could with modification, make a generator on site as well I suppose.

Bah, one thinks of many things now and again.

I see shipping containers down here that are great starter projects. They are waterproof, steel construction so they are secure. Was thinking of using one in my back yard but I know the neighbors would call code enforcement. I just saw 40 footers for $2500 on Craigslist.

I've considered those as well, 3 different things for them, 1) was to build something as a shelter (cabin) out of 2) for sorage on the property and 3) to make underground bomb type shelter out of. I'm still not done with that thought either, it's certainly not off the table.

Have done exactly what you are proposing, for long term you want some sort of permanent housing.
If you start small with a core module you can add to it for future.

Have you though about sewage? Local codes sometime apply on what is considered a habitable dwelling.

Great dream, took us 20+ years and be aware that you will end up with two houses to take care of, and won't be around in either/or for periods of time.
Good luck

When we started looking for a place to move, work was (and still is) a consideration. We wanted:
our own water and septic system
no real neighbors
few ordinances/zoning/regs
some promise that there wouldn't be a development next door in the future
wood
clear land for a garden and orchard
water source (besides a well/spring)
mountainous region
not likely to flood

We took a map and made a circle at our farthest point out for a daily commute. I scoured the internet for possible properties and we'd take drives to check out the area. If one looked decent and was priced well, we'd contact the realtor for a closer look. It took two years to find the right place and we couldn't buy it until our place sold. It took 6-9 months for the old place to sell, but we made it hear. I won't mention the three years it took to talk my husband into moving. If we were looking for a piece of land for a BOL, I would use the same criteria and go with a camper to please him.

Hey Phunky, enjoyed the chat the other night. I think you have some good ideas and options there. I had been considering a few of our own, depending on the situation, none of them good so far. My side of the family has a roughly 40 acre area; covered with woods in WV but has been abandoned since 1976. It used to be a productive small farm since 1932 up to that point. Had considered it as a bugout location since it is close but due to the neglect, not an option. The bickering between the senior members of the family has refused sale at the property when the market was high and no one was willing to maintain it. Good water and game but overgrown and crawling with copperheads now. Bears decided to move into the area also.

My other half's location is several hundred miles away; up in the fingerlakes region of upstate New york. 3 cottages along one of the lakes, but non winterized. Got to make my first visit back in July. Plenty of water, plenty of wood but no game. I got to meet the patriarch of the domain; which my other half insisted that I meet. I am glad I did. An exceptional man at the age of 78. Many folks of the family from Conn. would be heading there if the weather was good. Don't think many would survive if it went bad.

Best immediate choice is to fortify our development area and unify it. Our area is definitely on the grid but we are on the edge of a wilderness as well.

The guy that I once laughed at only has his preps set for roughly 45 days and he was the guy who got me started He was the former police officer who cautioned me about visitng these sites. Got to give the credit to him though. We served on the same ship once at different times, handled riots in LA with Rodney King, and was at Katrina. He was also a hiring manager for the govt. I once took his word as gospel. He said he wanted to organize a bbq with like families and we had 4 on the block. Well, response is slow and sluggish. It never happened.

Since I have company store priveledges, I decided to make gift contributions to every one one the block; using my store stuff; in small baskets. That would break ice with anyone. It costs us, but what what better insurance could you have? That would lead to thank you cards, conversations, innocent dinner parties, and eventually the unexpected dinner conversation about what do you feel about what is going on? I am not trying to stomp on the toes of my friend but I feel more urgeant action is needed.

Mike, in many ways, that is a better idea. If you can manage to at least start to pull folks together into community, you've got a much better shot and bringing control back to your region by pulling together and working through it. My wife and I are set up to bug in for the moment, and I will probably keep that plan. My thought with the property is that if all fails, we'd have a place to displace to. If it turns out my neighbers wouldn't do anything to save themselves and refuse to pitch in, to hell with them. It's not safe that way, so it would then be best to put some distance to the chaos and rabble.

It might very well be worth setting up a little spot on that WV property of yours just in case. Even a camp spot and a few tools would do quite a bit to help you out. If it's available, I'd make a go of it. It's always better to have plan B my friend :)

Here is something different, When my wife and I bought our small farm we couldnt build like we wanted right away. We picked the spot we wanted the house on a small rise and built the basement 1st. To start with it was one big open room underground house about 1500sf then we put up a few walls for 2 bedrooms and about 4yrs ago we were able to build our house on top while we lived below the only bad thing is now we have two college boys living in the basement apartment. You would think they would at least try living on campus rather than staying at home, but as the graduate they are getting the boot. Sad part is my daughter will be in college when the move out but some our dream of a hillbilly cave for me and the wife will be realized. If we get them all out we are going to move our Archery tackle from the barn to basement and setup our own indoor archery range (climate controlled cause we are getting old)

HP said,
"I won't mention the three years it took to talk my husband into moving."

I can't wait! I dont really care about what will likely be very hard in function.

Thanks Phunky! I guess my plan B is last man standing for me to bug out but am trying to come up with a plan in case something happens to me. My other half commutes to DC and has medical issues. Some elderly folks will be coming to our house and some young adults so for me, it will literally be the Alamo. I am trying to prepare for 20 people in a bad case scenerio but there are so many scenerios. The event, time of year; even day of the week makes all of the difference. I have been looking at our block position with a fresh eye since I started this. Tactical, strategic, and long term. I think we could hand marauders a pretty nasty surprise; once we are properly coordinated; of course cooperating with our police force and military .

I hope to strike a deal with the wilderness owner; once I find out who he is. A guerilla garden and maybe thinning out some of the deer herd. With a gift basket and a good offer, who knows where it could lead?