I was a tramp printer back in the late '50s-60s and always made a point to ask the people in the various states I was in how it was for them during the Depression. Almost without variation, it was the same as you mom's, with some saying that while they didn't have any money, at least they had something to eat and a place to stay. On the other hand, those whose folks lived in the city lived in Hell.
I see the same cities burning scenario you do. I'm in a semi-rural area and keep a low profile along with my food and ammo stocks.
I've been living in a rural area for about 25 years now. I grew up on a small farm in Georgia in what was at that time a rural area. It got swallowed by Atlanta's urban sprawl and I moved to a fairly rural part of Tennessee. My parents both drilled their experiences into my head and reminded me almost daily that it could happen again. In fact, in 1978 shortly before my father's death, he warned me that I would see another Depression in my lifetime. He knew he wouldn't live long enough to see it, but I would. He was convinced of it in 1978! That thought has stuck in my head ever since. About 10 years ago I bought a 70 acre farm. Shortly thereafter I started planting fruit trees, grape vines, berry bushes and such. We do a big garden every year, I put in 12 raised beds for non-row crop veggies. I put in a green house about 2 years ago that gives us fresh produce year round. The next step, one that I've been working on for a while now, is replacing old rusty fences so I can run some cattle and goats in certain areas. I've done about a mile of fence so far with another half mile or so to go. A chicken tractor is also in the works. My ponds are stocked. We've also made significant preparations for protecting what is ours. The best part is it's all paid for. We're about as prepared as we can be. What I find interesting is most of my neighbors have done or are doing the same. A country boy can (and will) survive.....