Nice if you can do it, but that’s just a twist on the “bug out location” scenario.
Remember how folks screamed (and are still) at the government about Katrina?
Gov ain’t gonna make that mistake again. If the SHTF, you can expect the obvious, most apparent government reactions that will play on the evening news to make it look like they’re doing something and in control.
That means:
some form of martial law, including:
rationing
travel restrictions
some kind of policy/workforce to deal with shut-ins and elderly
possible energy policies - very limited gas availability, conceivably having the electric grid offline for some hours of the day or night
Given these kinds of things, I don’t see the practicality of depending on foreign properties. It’s not like you would have six weeks to get your passport in order and arrange for some nice neighbors to watch you place and go to the drugstore to stock up on suntan lotion or something...
>>> I don’t see the practicality of depending on foreign properties. It’s not like you would have six weeks to get your passport in order. <<<<<
Our passports are “in order” and accessible within 30 seconds.
We could be on an international flight by tomorrow morning at the latest.
All financial accounts are online and accessible from anywhere in the world as easily as from right here at my desk.
What more is there?
Oh yeah, drown the cats and lock the front door.
(just kidding, no cats here)
I read somewhere that the reason many Jews didn’t try to leave France, Poland, or wherever when the persecution began in WWII was because they didn’t have passports or other required documents. Making sure each member of my family has a passport is at the top of my To Do list.
Remember how those who heeded the warnings had greatly reduced their losses? It's about paying attention and acting before it's too late.
If you wait until martial law is declared, then you waited too long. Even to "bug out" inside the US. Travel restrictions across the nation make it hard to travel to your retreat, no? And power restrictions, etc.
Me, I'll just pay attention, and if things are looking particularly bad, I'll make sure I'm overseas on a vacation or business so if something does go down, I'm not having to chase those last-minute airplane tickets.
It’s not like you would have six weeks to get your passport in order and arrange for some nice neighbors to watch you place and go to the drugstore to stock up on suntan lotion or something...
For two of the three locales I listed (Thailand and Philippines), you need only your passport; no visa needed. For the third (China), you can get a visa in literally 4 days (the turnaround time for my annual visa). I keep it "topped up" to be active all the time. Chile is also wonderful, and a place I lived for a few years (Vina del Mar, just North of Valparaiso, right on the beach). Just a once-per-passport (meaning once every 10 years) $100 entry "fee" payable when you land.
Get your passport. Get a visa (if needed; few places require it, and most can give it to you at the point of entry to their country). Then what's the 6 weeks for? You can go tomorrow. No need to file travel plans, no need to wait for papers. Just pick up and go.
Oh, and you can find suntan lotion in most countries...:) The local Pharmacist usually has local brands as well as the bigger US brands (J&J, etc).
Having someone watch my place - if the SHTF, I really don't plan to come back for a LONG time. Why should I care if my plants are watered? In fact, I'd tell my neighbors I'm leaving, give them the keys to the place, and tell them "take what you need, and God be with you!".
Yes, it's an asset I would hate to lose; however, it would be a small price to pay to not have to worry about defending it against bad guys or the Government 24/7, or living through a SHTF scenario. I'd rather bug out on a nice, quiet rubber tree and pineapple farm in Thailand, or a beachfront Internet shop in the Philippines or be an part-time English teacher in Shanghai than dodge goons and bullets 24/7.
The biggest issue would be getting on a plane and leaving, and that's more of an issue of scheduling and price. If the worst was coming, I would tell people to simply go to Canada then schedule your flight from there. International travel really does exist outside of the US.
That's my plan, if I'm in the US. Head to Canada (it's a 2 hour drive), then head out from there. I have firepower to get me to the border without worry, and my truck is never less than 3/4 empty (plenty of fuel to get to any one of a dozen border crossings). No need for clothes or other goods (those are also available overseas, for usually a lot less money, even tailored clothes). Just me, my loved ones, and the resources needed to get to the border.
Then to book tickets on the first plane from Vancouver, BC to Asia - anywhere in Asia. And from there, wherever I need to go.
Well, there is always the Sailboat Escape Pod Option.
Then, who cares about going through the TSA's "people corrals" at the airports?
It's not for everybody, but it does work. You can cross entire oceans in a single long slow jump. Leaving from and arriving at small small remote ports, sometimes without govt permission or knowledge.
