Idea's on where / How to survive ?

[cycogod]

Where would you try to survive or live at. Home,prison, a Tower? Any cool ideas ?

[Wicked Sid]

A Bank.

Money's useless but security's tight. Its small and manageable until you get a large crowd... Then it gets, uhh... Crowded.

[Mayshod]

For me this one is easy. You guys in the cities are screwed. More people = more potential zombies. If a big outbreak were to occur, I'd be out of here. I live near a lot of woods. I put a pack together and suffer the elements in a state forest out in the middle of nowhere. No people out in the woods thus no zombies or at least very few. Live off the land like the settlers...and Ted Nugent. Sleep up in a tree in a hammock.

[Onslaught]

It would be easy for me too. I live out in the country in the southwestern part of Kansas. I'm 20 miles from the nearest town and I have plenty of non-perishable food here too. I could go down to my grandfathers house and get his guns too. Man it would suck to be in a big city if there ever was an outbreak.

[cycogod]

kinda depends on where you were when it broke out. an RV on a overpass. try to block off both sides of the road. maybe a dam.

[Ra1th]

yeah, the hoover dam would be a good place to be, i was watching a show called life after humans, on the history channel and it was talking about how if humans were to just disapear one day, what would happen to the world we left behind, and the hoover dam, is supposed to be able to supply power for a good hundred maybe 200 years without any maintenance whatsover. also that area would be in the dessert heat of nevada, so im sure that'll help dehydrate the zombies quickly, you on the other hand would have access to the water supply from the river, (but i suppose they would have it to, depends on whether or not they are smart enough to drink or not).

Snow would work nicely too since zombies have no way to keep themselves warm, they'd be screwed in the snow, of course you also face difficulties, such as finding food and supplies, and eventually after all the canned goods run out, theres no way u could start a farm

[tommy_vercetti]

Im pretty much screwed, I live in Montreal, and since zombies can swim.................pretty fast, the fact that Im on an island provides no support

[Brooke Steele]

On a boat you can be pretty self sufficient. You'd have to dock every now and then to get water, but the Zombies would have a hard time getting into the boat without a ladder. I wonder if Cruise ships were affected.

[StepLaugh]

On a boat you can be pretty self sufficient. You'd have to dock every now and then to get water, but the Zombies would have a hard time getting into the boat without a ladder. I wonder if Cruise ships were affected.

Have you listened to chapter 17? haha. ;)

[Hollomandious]

I'm just ill equipped from the word go. I got no weapons. I got no supplies. I got no plan. And i've got no chance.

I'm just hope i enjoy being a zombie.

[nikvoodoo]

I live right down the road from a police precinct that has very few entrances, and very few ground level windows and panes of glass. Right down the street from the station is a grocery store. So if it hits the fan, I'd go shopping looting first and then turn myself in to the police. That makes the most sense to me.

All that being said, I uh...I'm kind of with you Hollomandious.....I'm screwed because in order to get to the police station and grocery store, I have to go through a heavily populated urban neighborhood....damn New York City and your millions of residents....and I'd have to do it weaponless except for a great set of kitchen knives I own.

[cycogod]

police precinct would be great, except how many other people would try the same place? stores would be gone instantly. maybe undergound - -

[nikvoodoo]

police precinct would be great, except how many other people would try the same place? stores would be gone instantly. maybe undergound - -

Underground in NYC would be a death trap in about 3 days or less. The Subway tunnels would flood without people to regulate the pumps that keep the water out of the system...besides there are crocodiles, and mutant turtles in there man...The precinct I live near in Queens would get full quickly. I'm less than a quarter mile from it, and if I were to get a good running start at the very instant of the outbreak, I would still get beaten there by probably 200 people.

Underground bunkers would be a way to survive as long as you stocked it appropriately before hand. Might actually be the best place.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

LOL.. same thread different name here.

[Teethingbiscuit]

police precinct would be great, except how many other people would try the same place? stores would be gone instantly. maybe undergound - -

Need reinforced undergroundedness. If there are jumpers and runners then there are damn sure gonna be diggers!

[nikvoodoo]

Need reinforced undergroundedness. If there are jumpers and runners then there are damn sure gonna be diggers!

I think I want to see some flying ones. That would be friggin' terrifying!

[Craneses]

Give me a fucking sword and I'm set for life.

[Dr Janus]

Grab a few dozen tankers full of diesel and whatnot and haul a few tanks, tour the scenic scenes of the US. But yep. Probably a good idea for the short term to grab a Navy ship or a cruise liner... something similar. Cool idea as the story progresses where we have events of pirates and all that waterworld stuff. (Terrible movie by the way)

[Zombiehead]

A storage/shipping warehouse for a goods/food processing plant or major company. Heavy doors, large stock, security locks and cameras already in place. All I'd have to do is arm myself and build up outer defenses.

@Ra1th
I saw that episode. Smart idea.

[Reddeyez32]

I live on a Indian Reservation, and we have a few cave systems. I would haul all my gear and food to one of them. Also a natural creek runs through most of them. Easy to defend and hard to find.

[Teethingbiscuit]

Caves could be good. I might prefer buffalo jump reinforced shelter. A shelter near a cliff with a "V" to split the zacks moat overboard.
As far as caves a cool one would be one of them salt mines. Salt has probably advanced our species as far as fire.
Teeth.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Gotta agree with you on about the salt Teeth.

[Reddeyez32]

Yeah never thought about a salt mine, that'd be awesome. Should be near some nice hunting also.

[Teethingbiscuit]

If the animals survive! It may not be an issue otherwise. I think without human intervention (deer vs. vehicle) many animals will thrive. Not only in the wild but within the cities as well http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/us/30deer.html?_r=1 However, this setting would allow the infected runners or smarties to cull their own herds.
Teeth

[Reddeyez32]

Also a lot of set ups for ambushes. Hungry people go carelessly looking to hunt food in a forrest like area, plenty of hiding spots for both sides though.

[cycogod]

caves are great ideas. a mountain mine or cave, might be a little less accessible. the salt mines are a great idea, i think they use them for long term storage. wonder what you might find down there.??

[lectio]

caves are great ideas. a mountain mine or cave, might be a little less accessible. the salt mines are a great idea, i think they use them for long term storage. wonder what you might find down there.??

Probably salt. Just guessing.

(ba-dum-dum)

[HomeGrown]

A casino. They have good security, huge generators on site, often attached or very close to a gas station, games, a decent amount of food, and enough alcohol to cover my scent AND stay plastered until that inevitable day...

[HomeGrown]

Another note on the alcohol, it would be good to build a still and produce alcohol from rotten food. It just seems wasteful to make molotov cocktails from fine spirits.

[agent666]

A casino. They have good security, huge generators on site, often attached or very close to a gas station, games, a decent amount of food, and enough alcohol to cover my scent AND stay plastered until that inevitable day...

Casinos have good surveillance, but security from said zombie apocalypse, one of the worse places to go. The industry has been poorly represented by tv and hollywood giving the impression of government level security and every bell and whistle one could imagine. The other problem with a casino is that the larger it is the more it relies on non-local customers which equals more potentail zombies. Oh and I do work in a casino so trust me it would be a death trap.

[Funny Muffins]

Anything with multiple entrances and lots of people is bad news on Zday.

Shouldn't this thread be located in the EVERYTHING ELSE forum?
This is theories after all...

[HomeGrown]

Casinos have good surveillance, but security from said zombie apocalypse, one of the worse places to go. The industry has been poorly represented by tv and hollywood giving the impression of government level security and every bell and whistle one could imagine. The other problem with a casino is that the larger it is the more it relies on non-local customers which equals more potentail zombies. Oh and I do work in a casino so trust me it would be a death trap.

I guess it depends on the particular casino and location. The one I had in mind is on an Indian reservation outside a town of about 800. Even if the whole town and all of the tourists turned, there would be maybe 2,500 zombies in the area. It's a big concrete and steel building with few doors (most of which are steel fire escape doors) and only some small windows around the main entrances. It might take some time to block the entrances, but after that it doesn't seem like a death trap.

[Funny Muffins]

Homegrown:
Consider for a moment if you will.
Awaking one morning you find yourself fixing a bowl of cereal, suddenly a figure runs by your window.
Upon investigation you find it is an undead monster.
Assuming you can remain unseen from this first one you make a break for your weapons and supplies and even your car.
However this is where the fun begins, how many humans are left alive? Will you find normal roadways or will there be abandoned vehicles littering the sidewalks making motorized transportation in some areas completely useless. Say you make the casino, how will you explain to those still living normally that zombies are approaching? Best yet, you arrived to find people already holding down your position who want nothing to do with you.

What then?

[Eviebae]

I think surviving in the short-term would be a fluke and depend mostly on luck no matter where you lived (IOW: I'd be so very screwed)

Since the Mutant Zombies seem to evolve into the best form to survive in any environment--the big trick would be transitioning into long term survival. Any downside to an environment would be way worse for the humans than the zombies.

No matter where you lived it should be as passively safe as possible. Fewer entrances, but easily protected doors. I'm thinking a temple in Tibet somewhere. Siberia anyone?

[TKD SNIPER]

I am set for the Zombie Apocalypse, first i live in a small town in northern Canada.. in winter it gets to cold for most things to survive and winter in my area is easily 60% of the year, most people up here have hunting rifles galore(including my self) ATVs and other former recreational vehicles including dirt bikes and ski-doos are in nearly everyone's garage. there is a fully functional air force base with a limited but functional ground defense and half the town are military families. hunting is good, we live close to oil refineries and have many people who know how to operate them, and we have farmland very close by. the amount that most farmers own could is so vast that besides reports of zombies on the news and not being able to go into town and talk with people they might never even see a zombie.
basically if you want to live. get to Northern Alberta Canada, but stay close to the Saskatchewan border as that province is not densely populated.

[Eviebae]

I am set for the Zombie Apocalypse, first i live in a small town in northern Canada.. in winter it gets to cold for most things to survive and winter in my area is easily 60% of the year

But, if they were the zombies in this story, they'd evolve to out perform humans in cold weather. They might starve sooner though. Or maybe like wolves they'd start eating mice.

[Hollomandious]

LOL.. same thread different name here.

Conversation, is conversation. Weather it's a dupe or not.

Rite?

[cycogod]

Canada eh? seems good, but what grows up there. Kinda few and far between could lead to getting overrun and no help.
Somewhere next to or on the water. I just wonder how long it could work?

[Eviebae]

Canada eh?

They'd be polite zombies, eh?

[Eviebae]

So, if you look at this the zombies in this story:

You should do be young and fit; if not young, then definitely fit.

Get yourself some guns.

Have a clear idea of where you are going and how to get there.

Get there very quickly.

It should have ambient supplies and toilets so no one gets cholera.

Reinforce & set traps

Start expanding your safe territory and gathering supplies and books (every time they go somewhere they should look for books).

Start trying to kill them off.

One of the main problems with the Costcos and Walmarts of the world is that they have big doors/windows and loading docks

[Solanine]

Well said. Its more aimed at "shamblers" but the zombie survival guide is an amusing and useful guide.
Cholera would be last on my mind but I suppose its a good consideration. The day of the triffids mentions that as a reason to leave cities.
I actually have a dream plan thats been forming in my mind for a while. Its completely unpractical but it would be one of if not the ultimate plan.
This was totally ispired by the gods gardeners from The day of the flood (Margret Atwood) so all credit where it is due.

So you would first have to have amassed a large amount of money to do this the way I imagine it but anyway.
You have a series of apartment blocks built (outside of any known earthquake or tornado zones) with a large amount of roof space between the set of them. You arrange them so connections (some sort of bridge which could be removed if the complex was compromised) could be made relatively easily (the bridges would be stored at the complex with plenty of spares. The buildings would be split up with some dedicated to housing, one to hold submarine batteries (for the obvious solar panels),two or three for crops, one for live animals probably chicken (easy to keep and providing much needed protein to the diets of inhabitants), one dedicated to housing (simple one story with basic commodities) all of the houses would be dedicated to collecting water or energy (solar panelling). Pre apocalypse type event it would be a normal tower block with the exception that it would have a commune type community whose rent would be cheap or nothing but whom would be responsible for maintaining the complex. The place would have to have radio equipment to communicate with survivors. The top floor would act as containment, heavy metal doors with thick locks and re-inforced walls forming a room between the main stairwell and a shaft to allow access to the complex. the room would contain food, medical supplies etc for about seven days and cameras would be placed in the room, shaft and in front of the doorway covering all angles to prevent any possible hiders. An arms cupboard with every weapon that come in handy from hand guns to shotguns to explosives and blades for constructing traps Father Gregory style (HL2 reference :L). Any other improvements/ ideas? hope people didn't see this and respond TLDR!

[cycogod]

nice dream but you would need years of prep time to do it. this all happened very fast. 1 other thing - people don't get along and all alone you die quickly. maybe a bottle of Jim Beam and a gun and call it good.

[Solanine]

Theres an answer to people not getting along. The sheer drop surrounding the roof. It wouldn't have to happen exactly the way I said but elevated housing would come in handy. That was the ultimate dream. I have myself a nice nuclear bunker with my name on it. Know where the key is and I'm not in a very remote are so I might even get some prep time before the infection hits town.

[David Foley]

Don't know if you noticed, but America's got a lot of people- zombies will go wherever there's food, so if a large number diffuse to your area, you're stuck out in the open, and zombies could come from any direction. If you're in a building, you have a small place to defend with only one or two points of entry to worry about.

[cycogod]

how about atlantis ? fish are nice. fish only have 3 second memories. neato jimmers

[Solanine]

And then when your last clip drops to the floor... Mobility would be essential. Having your easily defended corner is great but I'd rather not be the guy who dies far to early on because i didn't spend enough time preparing. Also "The complex" As I like to call it is strung together on the top of tower blocks with 20-30 floors to set traps, obstacles and generally confuse any attackers. Also living far enough away from a major population centre reduces the likely hood of the infected getting to you. And then when they do, if you have an open landscape around you, you will have early warning and a chance to take them out before they get close (assuming you have ranged weapons). Eventually the infected population would diffuse across open plains and rural areas, at which point the concentration of infected should be low enough that you could live pretty much anywhere without to much danger, as long as you don't go dropping plant pots or otherwise attracting un-wanted attention.

[cycogod]

nobody knows how long zombies are going to last/live? so you have to live in the complex for the rest of your days... i predict madness within a year. with the total collapse of the world , people's ability to deal with it would fade fast. all life gone within 5 years.

[Eviebae]

nobody knows how long zombies are going to last/live? so you have to live in the complex for the rest of your days... i predict madness within a year. with the total collapse of the world , people's ability to deal with it would fade fast. all life gone within 5 years.

Given that you probably wouldn't be able to do this pre-zombie outbreak, how would you convert existing structures?

As far as insanity etc, I dunno, people can get used to a lot. Most people in the world make do with a lot less than we do here. There are people dealing with war on a daily basis. I think it would be essential to have a safe place to retreat to. You would have to eventually get around to killing the zombies.

btw: I dream up Utopian cities all the time too. I wonder if it's part of our genetics.


If it's an infection, is anybody immune to it?

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Isolation can drive people mad, but you also have plenty tales of POW's and Kidnapped people surviving because they had a strong will to survive. I'll tell you one story of a guy kidnapped and held in Iran: All the years he was being held and tortured, he endured by building a house in his head. Whe he was finally rescued, he built that house.

[Eviebae]

Isolation can drive people mad, but you also have plenty tales of POW's and Kidnapped people surviving because they had a strong will to survive. I'll tell you one story of a guy kidnapped and held in Iran: All the years he was being held and tortured, he endured by building a house in his head. Whe he was finally rescued, he built that house.

I remember hearing about someone that survived by playing golf in his head. He got out and when he played he got an insane score.

[Teethingbiscuit]

Adapting your complex would need to funnel the flesh biters to a bottle neck for offense/defense, or be "invisible".

[Eviebae]

Adapting your complex would need to funnel the flesh biters to a bottle neck for offense/defense, or be "invisible".

I agree you'd want to kill as many zombies at once as you could, I just think you'd want any mass killing traps to be as far away and as remote from where you lived as possible. So if something didn't work you weren't surrounded by zombies where you lived. Where you lived, it would be more focused on handling incursions. I wonder the tactics would differ? I guess--as you said--you'd want to camouflage and repel as much as possible. Then make your self nigh on invincible.

I like Eternal Winter's idea of buildings with gang planks between them so you can get between buildings, but isolate them if you have to.

[aprilhw3]

Perfume factory, baby! Or the warehouse for thereadystore.com!

[Private Parts]

this is me (and eternal winters- i think so anyway we haven't discussed it in a while...) realistic plan. hear of outbreak in major population centres eg london (uk), glasgow etc. gather as much food suplys etc and head to our village hall. go up to the attick where they have the stairs that fold down from the roof. stay hidden. once we have our shit sorted we (now im just thinking out-loud) go to nearby nuclear bunker ( only possibility as there is no real source of supplies there) or go to remote house in middle of no-were were they have guns, a diesel tank and lots of livestock - cows + sheep - and a local supply of deer to kill. yeah were sorted! im all for the stay hidden option until i turn insane from boredom and go out Rambo style!


Parts zom:(

[Solanine]

Perfume factory is good, perfume/ other strong smelling compounds would be a brilliant defence mechanism to hide yourself with. MRE's are a good Idea especially in a city but in the long term either farming or a hunter- gatherer life style would be most suitable. I reckon give it long enough and the zombies go the way of the dinosaurs. There is simply not enough wild food sources to sustain the huge population of zombies. Factor in the amount killed by survivors, collapsing infrastructure and any disease that might evolve and your looking at a complete collapse in there populations. Which leaves any human survivors to populate much of the earth. If there are any survivors. And they have a wide enough gene pool to prevent major inbreeding problems. So anyway, run for the hills and start a farm.

[Luna Guardian]

Perfume factory is good, perfume/ other strong smelling compounds would be a brilliant defence mechanism to hide yourself with. MRE's are a good Idea especially in a city but in the long term either farming or a hunter- gatherer life style would be most suitable. I reckon give it long enough and the zombies go the way of the dinosaurs. There is simply not enough wild food sources to sustain the huge population of zombies. Factor in the amount killed by survivors, collapsing infrastructure and any disease that might evolve and your looking at a complete collapse in there populations. Which leaves any human survivors to populate much of the earth. If there are any survivors. And they have a wide enough gene pool to prevent major inbreeding problems. So anyway, run for the hills and start a farm.
You're assuming the xombies don't eat everything and the whole planetary ecosystem doesn't die.

Well, ok, obviously the ENTIRE ecosystem can't die, but it could be set back to the time of the last major ice age. Humanity as a whole may well not survive

[Solanine]

Yeah, but some how I feel that the zombies might not love to eat there game. Assuming that 30% of our diet comes from plants, thats 30% less food available which equals 30% less food available to the zombies. Then a huge proportion (in the western world at least) of the meat is from farms. The zombies have a riot in the farms and eat all of the animals (assuming they get there before the animals have died and rotted away). Then say 40% of our diet comes from the products of farmed animals, thats 40% less om-noming for the zombies. Which leaves wild food sources and of course humans. Even if the zombies can go twice as long as the average human without food, within a year or two the population of zombies has dramatically dropped because of limited food sources (each other and humans). Marine life is starting to boom again because overfishing and human pollution in the oceans is non-existent. I am assuming that zombies aren't great fishermen because of the state the zombies that crawled onto the boat Michael and pegs took a ride on. Then assume that the zombies are still adjusting to hunting the remaining wild creatures that man hasn't currently domesticated or wiped out. After all this the zombies are down maybe to about 20% of the starting population. -5% for accidental or human caused deaths. 15%. Now I will make another big assumption. Zombies can't breed. So maybe a zombie can live up to sixty which is pretty generous. Human survivors have to last sixty years before they are free of the last zombies. At the most. Also assume that they lie in a remote area. They can start farming and hunting (in Scotland we have huge populations of pesky rabbits, deer and sheep (sheep would be pretty much wild after humans died as they live in fields for the majority of there lives and have low amounts of contact with humans). As the population of zombies goes down year by year and they adjust to a new life style survival becomes easier. Until there is a large population of humans in certain areas. To keep things easy we start to spread out and slowly regain our knowledge and teach the next generations of our technologies we have lost. Eventually new civilisations rise from the ashes of the old. As we re-build we learn from the problems of the last civilisations until the next collapse. Each time civilisation collapses there is a 50/50 chance we die out. But it is possible that we gain new technologies that make it easier to regain our footing and stop ourselves before the collapse.

Too long didn't read? I thought so :L

[kafu288]

Your kidding yourself if you think marine life is booming after only 2 years of no fishing. It takes a lot longer than that for fish stocks to regrow. That and pollution would take many decades to correct themselves.

[Solanine]

ok so thats an estimate. I love cellular biology, not marine biology. I reckon your probably right about some but not all pollution. I meant to say that the pollution (except nuclear pollution) would go in to decline. So the ocean would start to recover some what. Back to nuclear. I'm wondering whether nuclear plants might not go the way of chernobyl? I'm don't know an awful lot about nuclear reactors (only basic stuff you would learn in high school). What is the likely hood of the control rods being placed in before the infected reach the plant? If not there would be a large likely hood of the china syndrome? or am I showing my ignorance?

[Bulldog711]

I was bummed when we found out the Zombies could swim.....I would have figured having the ocean to your back could be a good thing.....or live at sea just outside the harbour, oil rig, or island off the coast.......having access to a bay full of fish and shellfish would be HUGE for the survivors.....I feel as though an area with greenhouses would be their best bet...pretty sure zombies wont bother their tomato plants......

[Teethingbiscuit]

What is the likely hood of the control rods being placed in before the infected reach the plant? If not there would be a large likely hood of the china syndrome?
I think this was slightly addressed with the water plant operators continuing to operate the facility. Even with a mass of zombies headed somewhere I think that the nuclear plant is somewhat isolated and has security (though not against a big one) enough to give them time to secure the rods? How are they stored if when not being used? It has to get to and from the plant in that form I just wonder if a Nuke plant can store all the rods at the same time with minimal outside help.
Teeth

[Adventureless_Hero]

Okay, sorry it's so long, but I love to write:
My hopes are that I'd hear about the outbreak in it's early stages. I'd hate to wake up Saturday at like 11:30 to the sound of some undead neighbor pounding on our apartment door. Assuming that it's a zombie scenario where the creatures can run at max of about 12 m.p.h. (not bad for something that isn't regenerating it's muscle tissue) I'd have my wife and 2 1/2 year old daughter hold up in a quickly devised "attic".
My apartment doesn't have an attic but I know from testing that there is a large hollow area between our ceiling and the roof. I have a saber saw that I may use (or a kitchen knife to keep noise low) to cut a square hole in the ceiling so that they can remain there while I obtain the items for the next part of my plan. We live on the second floor and have a single stairway that leads to our apartment so I pray they would be pretty safe. Thank goodness our front door is a light metal or alloy rather than wood.
Once they are secure I would hope to escape from a window, front door, or my balcony (depending on which looks the safest) to my car. It has a silent door unlock so I would be able to ensure that the door is unlocked long before I reach it. I own four firearms, but unfortunately they are small caliber and a headshot would be a must in order to stop any undead (A Beretta Neos .22, a Phoenix Arms .22 with both a six in barrel and a four inch barrel, a lever action .22 Magnum rifle with a scope, and a .22 Phillipene made semi auto rifle that looks like an M-16 but is hella accurate). For the run to the car I'd opt to take my Beretta and the semi auto; the Beretta has the longest barrel of the pistols, is very accurate, and I have two spare clips, so it's a must, and the semi auto rifle is pretty quite and can double as a melee weapon (briefly).
Once in my car, the plan is to draw attention away from my apartment. I would hope that there is no clutter in the parking lot or other survivors clinging to my windshield shouting prayers and pleads for help. Aside from drawing the undead away from my apartment, my other reason for leaving is to search for a proper vehicle. My Dodge Calibur is hardly a zombie apocolypse capable ride. Thankfully there are several SUV dealerships in my area, including a Hummer lot. With luck I hope to secure something in 4x4.
I'd then head back to the apartment and try to get my family in the vehicle. This will prove very tricky since my actual apartment is at the back of the building, furthest from the parking lot. There is too much ground to cover and no way to get a vehicle positioned under my balcony for a jump. This is where the saber saw comes in handy. I hope to cut a hole into the adjacent apartment and use thier balcony. They walls are just sheetrock supported by 2x4 studs. Shoud I encounter any survivors, this is okay. I know the people that live in that apartment; a nice single woman and her 15 y.o. daughter who I'm certain will be happy to have someone to help them out. I also have no qualms about putting them out of thier misery if they've turned.
Once the hole is cut, we travel to the balcony where I would have parked my vehicle (if I'm lucky, it will be a tall vehicle). I'll be the first to hop do so that I can lure any lurking dead away from the rest of the bunch. If I'm lucky, there will be none, but if there is, I know that I can run a run a great distance for a good deal of time. For this though, I will likely leave the rifles with my wife. She's been to the shooting range with me and my pop so my confidence in her aim is pretty good, especially with a rifle. Besides, running with a rifle would slow me down; this wouldn't be like the sprint I made to the car earlier.
Anywho, if I am not needed to lure zombies away from the car, then we will hop down, jump in and begin the hardest part of my plan; travel 140 miles south of where I live to my parents house. Unfortunately, that is a lot of highway between here and there, not to mention a good stretch of freeway before I actually reach the outskirts of town. I can't really say much here on strategy because I have no idea what the conditions will be. Like much of my plan, I will require a great deal of luck combined with quick, smart thinking.
If by some miracle we should reach my parents door step I hope to find them alive and well. Chances are good because my father has a rowdy arsenal and is very open minded to crazy shit, like a Z.A. His weapons cache would be best compared to that of Burt Gummer from Tremors 1. Thier house has no attic or basement but my father is a welder and has put steel bars up on all windows, metal gates on the two doors, an rod iron gate leading to the backyard, and a rod iron fence surrounding the whole house. Hopefully this would deter most hordes. He has a large F-350 truck that I know has the potential to reach the coast on a single tank, as we've done it before. Should he be low on gas, not a worry, cuz the ol' man has a drum of unleaded he keeps at home (he likes to stock up on gas when the price drops!).
So the plan from there; we take my pop's arsenal, load up his truck and my "borrowed" SUV and head for the coast. It is very fortunate that between the city I live in, the city my dad lives in, and the coast, there are practically 0 heavily populated places. The highest population of one of the towns between us is probably about 2,000. So when we arrive at the coast, my hopes are to secure a boat; if my dad is alive, we can get a sailboat or motor boat, but if he's lost, then it'll have to be a motor boat because I don't know how to man a sail boat.
Once that is aquired, the next move is to head to an offshore Oil Rig. It is here that I hope to set up a long term home. It seems like a safe haven from your typical zombies. It is high enough off the water that nothing can reach up, and it is virtually unclimbable. I do need to research these structures better though as I admit I don't know what thier fresh water situation is. Do they pump from the mainland, have a limited supply, or have thier own desalinization pump? Either way, we could probably set up some kind of evaporation system to seperate salt from ocean water. My father has experience working oil rigs but not offshore oil rigs, so I can't assume that we'd be able to run the place. Plus there is the threat of pirates (mallers) attacking and setting the place on fire...major downside.
But so far that is my plan, and I know it relies a lot on luck but without knowing what lay ahead, how can you not hope for luck. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

[Luna Guardian]

There've been a few discussion about surviving in a zombie apocalypse on this board and on the We're Not Dead podcast about how people would survive in an actual zombie outbreak. Now I think it's time to pool our wisdom and intellect together and think of ways for us to survive if suddenly on May 8th the fleshbiters emerged.

Maybe you'll see something you didn't think of? Maybe you'll be able to help a fellow survivor out by pointing a flaw in his/her otherwise clever plan? Perhaps you didn't have a plan and realize that one of these suits your needs and situation perfectly?

What's your current plan? What're your options? Who can you trust and why? What's the item right next to your right hand (this is your first weapon when the outbreak begins, trust me)?

My plan: As soon as reports start coming in that people are attacking each other, victims have been found with bite marks or any other zombie-level suspicious at all, my plan goes into action.
Phase 1) I take out my map with the closest two pharmacies, food stores, gun shops and hunting good stores marked and I call my group (closest friends whom I know I can trust and who will be very useful in the case of society's breakdown, whatever the cause).
Phase 2) I then assign tasks for everyone, making sure that everyone knows what they are responsible for and organize a rendezvous at my place.
Phase 3) Once my group's gathered, we load up our cars with the essentials they brought as well as what I have at my place (obviously I've been loading my car with the essentials I already have, such as firewood, food, and massive quantities of water)
Phase 4) We decide on the best option out of the populated areas. The most likely is by boat (we live very close to the harbor where my parents' boat is), but if that way's already been cut off, we have the option of cars, motorbikes, bicycles or bipedal locomotion.
Phase 5) Get the hell out of dodge and move to our designated safezone (there are several options to choose from, depending on which is most accessible to us)
Phase 6) Secure the safezone, set up the parameter, set up food supply, power and water and hole up tight. Be ready to fight, but also make sure that the "flee" option is always open.
Phase 7 [optional]) After the initial panic is over and most people are dead, send small raiding parties to gather what we may need/want. The reason this is optional is that if everything has gone according to plan, there's no need to leave our safezone. However, in case it becomes necessary, never send less than two and never leave too few people to guard the safezone. Returning raiders must relinquish their weapons and submit to a full body search for bite/other marks that may be a sign of infection. If a person has a bite mark, he'll be euthanised. If another suspective mark, he'll be locked in solitary for a period of surveillance. If they don't comply, they'll be executed.

Who can I trust and why?
The aforementioned group. I've known them for ages, we've all been through the military (different branches, but still) and I know what they are capable of and what they can do. I feel that with these people by my side, I can get through whatever hell awaits us.

What's the item right next to my right hand?
My officer knife. It's a place of honor, but sure turns out to be handy (hehe...) when the the excrement hits the rotating oscillator.

Share your thoughts and ideas. Ask for clarification if needed. Be creative, let your inner zombiephobia run rampant. You know you want to survive...

[dpg171]

i Would Go Get A Rv Reinforce It aka armor it And go out to the countryside atleast 25 miles away from any cities and barricade the house and then convert a small room into a garden

[lkiam]

There's a TA base near my house (next to a refueling depot). I'd go there, at least to get some supplies (guns are illegal in the UK).

[Luna Guardian]

TA? I'm assuming it's some sort of a military installation. It's not a bad idea, but there are usually soldiers on bases and they may be reluctant to hand over their guns to wandering civilians.

[lkiam]

TA = Territorial Army.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_Army_(United_Kingdom)
Even if they were unwilling to hand out firearms, they could at least offer protection.

[Luna Guardian]

Have you noticed how good regular militaries have been at fighting zombies? You'd have better chances running AWAY from the Redshirt Army (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RedshirtArmy):p

In all seriousness though, it's not a bad idea. Just don't count on it being your last option. Like Q said "Always have an escape route"

[Solanine]

I would be keeping AWAY from military. With the collapse of goverments large groups of heavily armed strangers don't seem inviting. I like to know I can run to last another day. There is a reason true heroes are uncommon. They die. A lot. Look at the victoria cross, how many recipients are still alive? Natural selection favours the cowards who live another day.

[Teethingbiscuit]

The thought there Eternal Winter with collapse of gov and large groups of armed strangers does seem intimidating. I don't think in that compound that they would have all the guns locked up like a certain colony I know of. The worst in people seem to come out in such scenarios. I'll do what I must but I hope it doesn't come to a phrase like, "For the greater good."
Teeth

[COsurvivor]

Between the Militias and US Military I would stay away from either... who knows who would be in command and what plans they have for you.

I am sorry to say I would look for single survivors or some group that is moving away from populated centers.

[Rock Daddy]

I really do think it is up to lady luck if you survive in Kc's roided-up zombie world. If it was standard zombies, it'd be a lot easier. I had a plan for that. I live close to the water, so I'd hold up in one of the beach houses on pilings, destroy the staircase, and use a rope ladder. Get supplies when needed... But with W/A zombies. This isn't possible. They can jump and climb, not to mention if a Behemoth came along, he would just knock my safe house to the ground. And if it happens while I'm at work, I'm really screwed! I think that's where Kc wanted to take it, when he made his zombies. There is no perfect, safe place! They can adapt, and even think. These are the scariest zombies of all!

[ilanagl]

It's sad how much I've thought of this. My first stop would be my best friends house soon followed by a local pet co. It may seem disgusting now but after being chased by zombies for a day some canned dog food wouldnt be to bad. Then after a few weeks I'd head to cost co maybe hit wal mart, safeway, and fred meyers before heading east towards the beautiful small desert town of Fossil OR.

[ilanagl]

I agree with this. Just look at how screwed up the group of military/army was in 28 days later.

[riskbreaker23]

For me this one is easy. You guys in the cities are screwed. More people = more potential zombies. If a big outbreak were to occur, I'd be out of here. I live near a lot of woods. I put a pack together and suffer the elements in a state forest out in the middle of nowhere. No people out in the woods thus no zombies or at least very few. Live off the land like the settlers...and Ted Nugent. Sleep up in a tree in a hammock.

I actually thought about this. After watching the walking dead, I would not do this. You can't hear/see zed coming until they are on you like white on rice. I also thought about mountains and had this dream, very cool dream actually. I was in a zombie apocalypse and was worried about where to go. I see a police officer trying to herd a group of survivors up a mountain. He says there are caverns and the Zed can't get us. So we're going up this mountain and I'm the last person in this line of people. I'm kind of lagging behind and I stumble into this cave that I think is where the group of survivors are going. I hear all kinds of zombie moans and groans so I run out and try to catch up to the group just in time to see them nom nom'd by the zombies.

So I'm running down the mountain and am getting chased by zombies but I wake up before they get me. But here was my thought after I woke up. In my dream I was being very careful running down this mountain. I didn't want to fall and break my legs and have the honor of becoming the next meal for zed. But the zombies... they aren't being careful. Their nerves are dead, they can't feel pain and they also have no sense of self preservation. They are zombies. They aren't being careful, so they will be practically falling on top of you.

Here's my zombie plan. I'll outlive everyone on WND lol. This nation has TONS of fertile land and some areas have few humans. I'm about 4 hours from Idaho, which has some extremely fertile land needed to grow potatoes. Pick a spot, largely wide open. You're going to have MAX visibility for MILES. Keep sight enhancing equipment/sniper rifles. You'll see Zed coming towards you if you get stragglers. But if you play your cards right, you could be far away from any sort of detection capabilities of zombies. You might get stragglers, but you should never see a huge horde bearing down on you and if you do... you can escape. This plan has long term sustainability, plus safety/peace of mind. It's the perfect plan. I can't think of anything wrong with it so if anyone does find something wrong with it please let me know.

I'll also point out that the midwest is also a great option, it does not have to be idaho.

[riskbreaker23]

I really do think it is up to lady luck if you survive in Kc's roided-up zombie world. If it was standard zombies, it'd be a lot easier. I had a plan for that. I live close to the water, so I'd hold up in one of the beach houses on pilings, destroy the staircase, and use a rope ladder. Get supplies when needed... But with W/A zombies. This isn't possible. They can jump and climb, not to mention if a Behemoth came along, he would just knock my safe house to the ground. And if it happens while I'm at work, I'm really screwed! I think that's where Kc wanted to take it, when he made his zombies. There is no perfect, safe place! They can adapt, and even think. These are the scariest zombies of all!

Oh, my zombie plan depends on the slow lumbering zombies of walking dead. Not the fast city jumping KC zombies. If KC zombies have taken over it's bullet to the head for me man.

[Eviebae]

I think one reason zombie apocalypse stories appeal to me so much is that it's basically what tribal warfare looks like if the others are truly non-human. It's what life was like for most of our history and what we evolved to deal with. I may not be aware of it, but The tiny Triassic mammal portion of my brain is constantly scanning my surroundings for threats. This is at least related to the part of my brain that thinks some people (people I know) are more "human" than others (bullies, politicians, Lindsay Lohan ). So, you have basically what tribal warfare looks like if the others are truly non-human.

Consider any fast fall from civilization and all those strangers who cut you off in traffic and don't pick up their dog's poop would turn into hungry I-want-to-kill-you-and-take-your-stuff people. Based on history, I think we'd have to wait a really long time for democracy.

[COsurvivor]

Why do people think that after any type of apocalypse that they would remain in a Democracy? I can see why people hang on to such "High Ideals" but that gets you killed quickly and most likely in a horrible way.

I can see why Michael had thoughts once he returned to go that way... Ultimate power corrupts all, even those who yearn to be "better" at the job. And people will follow any single leader, regardless how they know how wrong it is...

People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference.

[nikvoodoo]

I'm pretty sure the point eviebae was trying to make was society would plummet into anarchy and it would take generations upon generations to reform any semblance of the society we know today. No one said democracy would live on through any apocalypse scenario. In fact, I'd bet there's almost no way it would because humans are animals and animals (even in herds/prides/families etc) default to one leader, or act on their own.

The thing that would bring society back together is what brought it together in th first place:a guaranteed protection from one another's primal urges in order to lead better and safer lives.

[Cody Edwardson]

have fun finding resoucres lol i'd stay here http://s-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/terminal01/2011/4/22/11/enhanced-buzz-28659-1303486730-4.jpg i just need a farm and people to hang with

but the jumpers would clear the buildings with no prob!!!!

[Pikepaw]

Well I'd call up my friends here in Sherwood Park and go to a church on the edge of town. I already have ample weaponry, at least for myself. Once all the Zed's are going through the front of the church, I go to the walkout basement to make my escape, seeing as the undead are busy on at the front. There are no outside door handles on the basement doors, so I'm confident they will not be waiting in the basement for me. Run through a short patch of woods and stealing a vehicle from one of the rich houses on that side of the woods, there are quite a few. I'll take the side roads down to Calgary, because those shouldn't be clogged. Might sound stupid, but I have a few promises to keep in terms of people to rescue. From there we swing around to Banff and go on the gondola to Sunshine ski hill. It is not a very accessible mountain, the gondola is the only practical way up. Shut that down once my people are all up. I can snowboard down if I really need to escape.

Once in Sunshine, my biggest problem would be food, but I'll improvise something. The lodges can be fortified for the limited number of zombies that can make their way up the mountain. Also a limited number of bandits would be making it that far and I wouldn't have to deal with other people because who would think of going to a ski hill when zombies come?

My alternate plan is to go to the Native Reserves near the Rocky Mountains, I've been there before. One house I remember, both the doors could only be reached by wooden stairs and ramps. It was a good story off the ground and that wood wouldn't be that hard to destroy. Only a Behemoth would get me in that house. That option is at least good for a short term plan

[Ra1th]

I'm going here. Or i'll die trying


http://www.buzzfeed.com/somenorcalguy/transformer-safe-house-e6x

[Eviebae]

Creative criticism...or me being a jerk, you decide. But seriously, the points I've made are why I feel I probably wouldn't survive.

Things you might now have thought of.


Well I'd call up my friends here in Sherwood Park and go to a church on the edge of town.

Through zombies? What if the phones are out? What if one of your friends can't make it--are you meeting up and going or going and all meeting up? How long should you wait for them all to converge? When do you give up on someone?


I already have ample weaponry, at least for myself.

Can you carry it all? More importantly, can you carry it and fight effectively at the same time? What if someone tries to take it from you so they can survive? I think you'd also need armor of some kind.


Once all the Zed's are going through the front of the church,

Why would they pick just the front door? Do they know what a front door even is at this point? How do you know there are no zombies inside the church? What if the people there won't let you in? Are the front doors glass?


I go to the walkout basement to make my escape, seeing as the undead are busy on at the front.

Why are they busy just at the front? They could be hanging off the gutters singing barber shop quartets for all you know. Maybe recon and see where they are. But, say you travel all that way and the church is swarming because it's a place of comfort and safety for lots of people...what do you do?


There are no outside door handles on the basement doors, so I'm confident they will not be waiting in the basement for me.

Unless they got in through the front door, or were turned inside.


Run through a short patch of woods and stealing a vehicle from one of the rich houses on that side of the woods, there are quite a few.

They will probably want to keep their vehicles. They might have guns. They might be zombies. It's hard to run in a forest, are you in shape?


I'll take the side roads down to Calgary, because those shouldn't be clogged.


Except, you thought of it, and I bet others will too; plus, everyone has GPS' now.


Might sound stupid, but I have a few promises to keep in terms of people to rescue.

Here's an obnoxious thought, you battle through miles of terrain filled with rampaging zombies only to find they left already. They never expected you to actually come for goodness sakes...plus, they didn't know if you were alive or dead! It's not their fault you decided to come!...etc, etc


From there we swing around to Banff and go on the gondola to Lake Louise ski hill.

Will it have power? Do you know how to operate it?


It is not a very accessible mountain, the gondola is the only practical way up. Shut that down once my people are all up.

Why is there a gondola? Is it a destination/vacation spot? What if people are there already and have turned off the Gondola? Why only your people?


I can snowboard down if I really need to escape.

Escape to where? Through zombies? What if there's no snow?


Once in Lake Louise, my biggest problem would be food, but I'll improvise something.


...


The lodges can be fortified for the limited number of zombies that can make their way up the mountain. Also a limited number of bandits would be making it that far and I wouldn't have to deal with other people because who would think of going to a ski hill when zombies come?

How would you fortify it? Can you really predict how many zombies would make it? What if some had already turned inside the lodge? Hey, you thought of it...expect people to be smarter than you, that way you are prepared...kinda, cuz if they are smarter than you,...they're smarter than you...hmmm, gotta think about that one...


My alternate plan is to go to the Native Reserves near the Rocky Mountains, I've been there before. One house I remember, both the doors could only be reached by wooden stairs and ramps. It was a good story off the ground and that wood wouldn't be that hard to destroy. Only a Behemoth would get me in that house. That option is at least good for a short term plan

Don't you think the Natives would mind? Sounds like the Hopi Indians--that's what they did when the Sioux would raid. It worked well I think. Rather than traveling all that way, why not adapt those defenses to your use without the risk of travel?

Again, I'm pretty sure I'm toast. I don't own weapons and I'm not in good shape. My strategy would be to hide and make my house look like it's unappealing. One thing in my favor, it's shell is made of concrete, but the inside is flammable.

[Pikepaw]

Well actually they are Cree, and I am in shape. Friends respond to the first call or are given up for dead. Plus, those are only two of my plans. I think that is plans A and C. I have more. F through Y are top secret. Also I'd make an alliance with the Natives, since I have several friends out there.

I appreciate your criticisms, gives me much to reconsider. I do know my path will be bloody. I can actually carry all my weapons and fight with them. I prefer speed to armour and I keep in shape and practice. Plan D involves poorly thought out bushwhacking, where I go out on hit and strikes, killing as many zombies as I can. Plan D will probably eventually lead to plan Z, my last resort plan where I lure as many zombies to me as possible and find the nearest industrial device or gas station or whatever I can get to make as big an explosion as possible. There I blow up as many zombies with myself as possible. Again, last resort to go out in the blaze of glory.

Plan A at the ski-hill does have several kinks I admit. Honestly I figure the reason I will die sooner is because I will be busy trying to save one of my friend's butts. Need to coordinate with my people, each make part of the plan and then we combine and effectively communicate the total plan. Maybe laminate it. Yes, memorize and laminate the plan. Oh and Plan E is Greenland, I think Greenland is cool. Plan E hasn't been thought about too much

[Eviebae]

Oh and Plan E is Greenland, I think Greenland is cool. Plan E hasn't been thought about too much

Last time we had global climate change (due to a volcano) the Vikings lived in Greenland, so why not you.

[Pikepaw]

I like vikings too, lol

[Eitri]

Well if you go to somewhere cold the zombies would freeze due to having no body heat, They would be Corpsicles.

I personally would go somewhere strategically perfect, meaning it's near a water source, has ample provisions in and near it, easy to defend and has places for you to scavenge near by. Im thinking somthing like the tower, there are hotels like it, like the Double Tree hotels. Which are one, sometimes two square/rectangular towers which, if properly fortified would be easily defendable

You could also head to a military base, those places are stocked high with supplies like ammo, food, water, and materials for building. Plus you have well trained military personel to protect and help you out. Yes they are tought to take body shots, but it is well known by Every human being that the quickest way to kill a zombie is to destroy the head.

Boats or large ships would also be good, yes you would have to dock to re-supply, but you have almost unlimited food right under your feet, fish, you could also get water by using evaporation, a pot and some plastic wrap placed in a dome like shape above. The salt will be pulled out and the fresh water would drip down into a pot.

Some other possiblilties are
Islands
the country
A supermarket(Cotsco, yes hundreds of people would flock their, but its like a fortess. but this is the lowest on my list.)
A wearhouse
Underground bunkers
And Many more!

I rest my Case.

[Teethingbiscuit]

Eitri,
hello welcome and I wanted to comment on your comment about the military taking body shots. They do this because it is effective. Easier target and it will put most mankind down. Zacks have typically been slower than in WA and would have made a headshot an easier target. Even in B-ball they teach to watch the chest as the head is too quick. All I mean is what you've already said about the effectiveness of taking out a Z, it is a typically a headshot. Military personnel will adapt to what is effective, as will anyone who wants to survive, ehe?
Teether

[Eviebae]

Disneyland!

[Solanine]

Disneyland!
OMG Zombified Mickey and Minnie Mouse anyone?

[Don Man]

Id take the first guys idea and go to a bank vault. very secure

[Solanine]

Bank volt is secure but only one way in and out means that the zombies could wait you out. Then one day your skeleton is found locked in a vault by survivors.

[Drew227598]

For me this one is easy. You guys in the cities are screwed. More people = more potential zombies. If a big outbreak were to occur, I'd be out of here. I live near a lot of woods. I put a pack together and suffer the elements in a state forest out in the middle of nowhere. No people out in the woods thus no zombies or at least very few. Live off the land like the settlers...and Ted Nugent. Sleep up in a tree in a hammock.

Ah yes the "live off the land" What a lot of people tend to forget or don't know about living off the land is that when our settlers and native American did it they each require 10 square Acers per person to live off the land. I have this discussion with a lot of people and those they say they are going to take a knife and gun and head for the hills normally don't know how difficult it really is to live off the land. The people who came before us and where able to do it did so because they had a life time of knowledge that was taught to them so they knew what plants they could and couldn't eat, how to track game and the best way to start a fire when it's been raining for a week straight. I am not saying you can't do it I am just saying it's a lot harder than most people think.

[Drew227598]

Give me a fucking sword and I'm set for life.

To quote Max Brooks "blades don't need reloading" but are you properly trained with a sword? I am not saying you aren't but a lot of people think you can just pick one up and master it in a few hours which isn't the case. Also another point people tend to forget is that a 20 decorative sword is just that a decoration and not a weapon! That 3 piece samurai set that younger guys tend to buy and put on a shelf or above the TV because it looks cool probably won’t last past the first zombie they try and behead.

[Solanine]

Ah yes the "live off the land" What a lot of people tend to forget or don't know about living off the land is that when our settlers and native American did it they each require 10 square Acers per person to live off the land. I have this discussion with a lot of people and those they say they are going to take a knife and gun and head for the hills normally don't know how difficult it really is to live off the land. The people who came before us and where able to do it did so because they had a life time of knowledge that was taught to them so they knew what plants they could and couldn't eat, how to track game and the best way to start a fire when it's been raining for a week straight. I am not saying you can't do it I am just saying it's a lot harder than most people think.
While this is true, many people live in rural places in which they can "live off the land" to an extent anyway. I live in the highlands of Scotland and many of the people I know are shepherds, gillies and crofters whom know the land and make a living off it. Most people wouldn't be able to. As John Wyndham pointed out in "The day of the triffids" we may not know to much about living off the land but we can learn, using technology as a crutch until we can survive without it. The knowledge is still out there. But make no mistake just "running to the hills" surviving in the wild is a BAD idea. The zombies would have the advantage over the most of us in that the as environment would be unfamiliar.

[Survivor]

In the mountains, somewhere in Tibet.

[Solanine]

In a monestry. With self dependant monks. Although it won't help in 2012 XD

[Cabbage Patch]

My local comic book store is in an old bank building, complete with a working vault. I always thought they picked the spot because it's on a busy street and it was available cheap. Now I realize those nerds were planning ahead!

[Bravo Team Leader]

Cruise ship now that's a idea. I always thought a Wal mart or Sams warehouse would work. That is the place where all of the stuff gets stored until it gets shipped. I saw one yesterday when I was one the road.It was in the middle of no where. = less people less zombies

[Solanine]

Maintenance could be a problem on a cruise ship, that and storms. But If you could secure it properly and had a reliable fuel source you could start to travel, collecting survivors. Also some cruise ships have swimming pools which could be used as fish farms. And a large surface area means solar power and farming would be no problem. And obviously keeping fit would not be as hard because of the facilities (I can't imagine being cramped in the tower has left some of the survivors at a high level of fitness.

[Bravo Team Leader]

So what is the ideal place? Costco? Aircraft carrier? Your mom's house? any ideas?

[Ctatyk Frost]

I think that I'd have to opt for the aircraft carrier. It could be buttoned up tight and has plenty of supplies for a VERY long time. Not to mention some significant armament. Yep, going to have to go with that.

[smalls kenobi]

i'd go to Disneyland, i gotta drive down there anyways to pick up some friends. there is plenty of food, and a lot of stores and restaurants nearby. i'd live in Walt Disney's apartment above the Fire station on Main Street. it's gated, so that would help a bit. and there are lots of supplies, i'm sure there is more than one power generator. Pirate Island would be my Fail safe in case something goes array. but yeah, it would take some time to clear it out, but the friends i will pick up are well armed and trained, and it will be safe.

[7oddisdead]

Local post office...large flat roof..loading dock..very few windows. Brick building...and a good way to find supplies is looking at peoples mail...;)

[HardKor]

I live near a large sport shooting complex and I've got a buddy who runs a gun shop out there (think a strip mall of nothing but gun shops). The place is open but its flat and you can see anything coming a long ways off. Plus I live in a rural area (only about 4500 people in my home town) so I feel pretty safe going there with a group of survivors.

[Cabbage Patch]

I'll see your Costco and raise you one Costco Regional Distribution Center in Tracy, CA. That's in the Central Valley, south of Sacramento, east of the Bay Area. This is the place that feeds product to all of the Costco stores in the region, which I believe is all of California. I took a look at the place on Google Maps, and it's one giant warehouse building, in an industrial park full of giant warehouse buildings, including one for the Safeway supermarket chain that looks twice the size of the Costco building. The entire complex looks to be isolated, surrounded by farm land. There's a security fence that surrounds the perimeter of the complex, and there are branches of the California Aquaduct flowing on two sides of the complex, providing both a ready source of water and a giant moat around the place.

Here's the address if you'd like to see for yourself: 25862 Schulte Ct, Tracy, CA

[Solanine]

I'll see your Costco and raise you one Costco Regional Distribution Center in Tracy, CA. That's in the Central Valley, south of Sacramento, east of the Bay Area. This is the place that feeds product to all of the Costco stores in the region, which I believe is all of California. I took a look at the place on Google Maps, and it's one giant warehouse building, in an industrial park full of giant warehouse buildings, including one for the Safeway supermarket chain that looks twice the size of the Costco building. The entire complex looks to be isolated, surrounded by farm land. There's a security fence that surrounds the perimeter of the complex, and there are branches of the California Aquaduct flowing on two sides of the complex, providing both a ready source of water and a giant moat around the place.

Here's the address if you'd like to see for yourself: 25862 Schulte Ct, Tracy, CA

Security fences didn't seem to bother "them" when they attacked the military base. Having to exit your building would be bothersome without a way to secure the perimeter, especially if it was necessary to get water. The large amount of valuable supplies would make it a popular choice for looters and others who have better planned for the situation. Also other people is a must. You need someone to cover your six when in dangerous situations.

[Cabbage Patch]

No question that it's going to take a considerable effort to fortifiy and hold a place the size, and value of the distribution centers in Tracy. It's not something that an individual or even a small group could easily do; it's going to require a substantial team, weapons, and time to properly fortify the place. But the basics for success are there, and the potential benefits are enormous.

[Solanine]

Basics but how would you round up a team of panicked people and organise them, then start before looters start to attack or even worse, "them". If you were to stay in the distribution centre you would have to create three or four panic room with weapons around the premises and create long firing galleries out of shelves. If it has walkways and a second floor that would be a bonus, high place overlooking most of the warehouse. Another thing to think about is cover, do you clear everything to the sides of rooms to remove hiding places or put some boxes etc out in case of attack from other humans?

[cPT.cAPSLOCK]

And what about this?
Some solar panels, some fishing rods and you're settled.

http://www.tasteofawesome.com/images/content/64638.jpg

[Solanine]

Yeah, looks... Interesting. I would want to make some modifications before it became my evil lair. Like maybe a green house. A really big green house. And a landing pad for helicopters. And a cool paint scheme. Oh and a mini fridge!