I was born and raised here fity-mumble years ago, been all over the world, and I'm back. Not leaving again so folks can shoot at me, or to stand in line for chow. I've done my time doing that.
/johnny
—...I don’t know the weather patterns, critters, plants, etc....—
I checked all that out before I moved here. Interestingly, I still screwed up. In my old home of 45 years, Seattle, you can wander in the woods with impunity all year round, fearing only the occasional banana slug between your toes or the temporary pain of nettles.
Here we have ticks and Chiggers and, as I found out, Turkey mites. I knew that once it warmed up I needed to be careful. I knew this was especially true in the transition areas between the woods and meadows. But I forgot.
I spent an entire day expanding our “meadow” area into our woods using a weedeater while wearing shorts and a t-shirt. A week later I was at the doctor where I got a steroid shot and a bottle of steroid pills. That was a month ago and the rash has pretty much subsided. The doc said “it looks like we have both a bug and plant thing going on here”. I could not wear shorts for a couple of weeks just because of what my legs LOOKED like. And did I mention the itching?
But I knew better. I’m still doing the clearing, but I wear long pants and use the bug stuff. No problems now. I’ll REALLY go to town after the first frost.
—...but I’m not running...
To be frank, fear of SHTF was only about 20% of the reason for our moving here. It was the deal closer for me, though.