You don’t need an amateur radio license to ‘listen’.
You are correct, but it has never been easier to acquire a license and with a little ARES or RACES training, you can possibly pass through road blocks and get in or out of restricted areas as a emergency communications vehicle. Working with the local and state officials in training also gives you a great advantage of knowledge. Knowledge of their frequencies, PL tones, contingency plans, access to supplies and fuel, as well as who you want to be “friends” with when the SHTF.
Buying a radio system is rife with myriad models none of which seem to be optimum. The same applies to PTT handsets for local use. The 35 miler sets are really only 1-2 miles, unless you live on the Utah salt flats.
And if things get really bad a license won't mean anything.