Strategic Relocation - A Synopsys

Author: Minuteman
I have been doing a lot of reading this summer and wanted to give you
all a review of two very good books that I have recently finished.
They are "Strategic Relocation: North American Guide to Safe Places"
and "The Secure Home" both by a Joel M. Skousen. His website is at,

http://www.joelskousen.com

I believe that both of these books are probably the most valuable that
I now have in my survival library. The information contained in these
two books is massive and something I wouldn't want to be without. They
both provide real world practical advice for pre-SHTF preps.
I have other books that I would not part with in a post-SHTF situation
but these two are ones that we need today.
I highly recommend them both as they compliment each other.
"Relocation" will tell you just how secure you are at your current location and
advise on the safest places to be or get to in your geographic area and
also the safest place to be in the US. Based on a short, mid-length,
and long term crises.
They are expensive but well worth the investment. About $45 each.

Who is Joel Skousen?

The following is from his website;

"Joel Skousen is a political scientist, by training, specializing in
the philosophy of law and Constitutional theory, and is also a designer
of high security residences and retreats. He has designed
Self-sufficient and High Security homes throughout North America, and has consulted
in Central America as well. His latest book in this field is Strategic
Relocation--North American Guide to Safe Places, and is active in
consulting with persons who need to relocate for security and increased
self-sufficiency. He also assists people who need to live near a large city
to develop contingency retreat plans involving rural farm or recreation
property. "
"Joel was raised in Oregon and later served as a fighter pilot for the
US Marine Corps during the Vietnam era prior to beginning his design
firm specializing in high security residences and retreats. During the
80's he took a leave of absence to serve as the Chairman of the
Conservative National Committee in Washington DC. and concurrently served as the
Executive Editor of Conservative Digest. For two years he published a
newsletter entitled, the WORLD AFFAIRS BRIEF, and served as a Senior
Editor of "Cogitations" a quarterly journal on law and government . The
World Affairs Brief is now back in publication and is available as a
weekly email newsletter or in a monthly print edition. "


" In today’s bookstores, it’s easy to find information about the "best
places" to live. Such literature undoubtedly will concentrate on the
positive aspects of life, such as numbers and ratings of golf courses,
doctor/patient ratios, warm sunny climates, availability of cultural
activities, status of educational institutions, and the growth potential of
the local economy.

But while these highly-rated metropolitan areas may offer ample
opportunities to enhance your lifestyle, what happens when a major crisis
strikes? What if:

a labor crisis halts the inflow of food and business goods? Will these
communities provide the basic necessities of life?
an economic crisis that threatens your pensions, investments and other
so-called "guaranteed" income?
a major earthquake or other natural disaster suddenly upset the natural
social order for months at a time? Could you get out of harm's way if
massive social unrest erupts in the wake of a crisis?
the area’s freeways are clogged during an emergency? Do you have
contingency plans to exit the area?
if the "unthinkable" happens—nuclear war? Or have you thought about the
potential of a major terrorist attack on a U.S. city with chemical or
biological weapons?
It’s easy to dismiss these threats during times of peace and
prosperity, but they are real. Not only that, but the probably of such events
coming to pass increases every year. Strategic Relocation: North American
Guide to Safe Places is an in-depth analysis of North America’s safest
places to live. This book will help you look ahead for potential
threats that most other people fail to see or choose to ignore. It contains a
complete discussion of the strategies and relocation contingencies
that will help you avoid or mitigate each of the major modern threats,
from national disasters to economic collapse to nuclear war.

As a relocation expert, Joel Skousen also offers personal paid
consultations for those who want advice on selecting land or working out
special contingency retreat plans. He recommends that anyone interested in
these services read the book first. Contact Mr. Skousen at joels NOSPAM @
joelskousen.com to talk about the book or for consultation. No
appointment is necessary.

Some Strategic Analysis:

WORST 25 METRO AREAS FOR CRIME:

1. Miami, FL

2. Baton Rouge, LA

3. New York, NY

4. Tallahassee, FL

5. Los Angeles, CA

6. Jacksonville, FL

7. Gainesville, FL

8. New Orleans, LA

9. Little Rock, AR

10 Jackson, TN

11. Tampa/Clearwater, FL

12 West Palm Beach, FL

13. Baltimore/Washington DC, MD

14 Albuquerque, NM

15. Chicago, IL

16. Dallas, TX

17. Lakeland/Winter Haven, FL

18. Charlotte, NC

19. Pueblo, CO

20. Fresno, CA

21. Flint, MI

22. Jersey City, NJ

23. Kansas City, KS, MO

24. Orlando, FL

25. Riverside, CA

THE TOP 5 MOST DANGEROUS METRO AREAS FOR EARTHQUAKES:

1. Mexico City, Mexico

2. San Francisco/Oakland

3. Los Angeles basin, CA

4. Anchorage, AK

5. Seattle WA

Now for some good news: Here are my current ratings for the TOP 10
MODERATE GROWTH, MEDIUM SIZED METRO AREAS that are relatively safe from
strategic threats, or where you have a good chance of mitigating those
threats. This are not the best areas, but the areas where most people who
need to stay in the job markets will find medium term security:

1. Boise, ID

2. Provo-Orem, UT

3. Beaverton, OR

4. Santa Rosa, CA

5. Greenville, SC

6. Winston-Salem/High Point, NC

7. Austin-San Marcos, TX

8. Grand Rapids, MI

9. Reno, NV

10. Madison, WI

For those of you on a tight budget, here are the TOP 10 MOST ECONOMICAL
STATES to live. These ratings take into consideration overall taxes,
housing, and cost of living. These ratings also exclude most large metro
areas, where costs are much higher than the state average. However the crime rate may be
higher in some of these areas...

1. Arkansas

2. Alabama

3. Louisiana

4. Texas (except Dallas Metroplex)

5. West Virginia

6. Oklahoma

7. South Carolina

8. Mississippi

9. Wisconsin

10. Tennessee

SOME STATES WITH TAX ADVANTAGES: This doesn't tell the whole tax story
since all states collect a lot of taxes. However, a person whose
financial structure or income structure is different from the average person
can take advantage of this by living in a state which doesn't tax his
particular form of income or spending patterns. There are more details
in my book, "Strategic Relocation"

STATES WITH NO INCOME TAX: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, New
Hampshire (but has 5% tax on div/int) , So. Dakota, Texas, Washington,
Wyoming.

STATES WITH NO SALES TAX: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire,
Oregon,

STATES WITH NO INCOME OR SALES TAXES, BUT HIGH PROPERTY TAXES: Alaska,
New Hampshire.

STATES WHO SHARE A BORDER WITH NO SALES TAX/NO INCOME TAX STATE: In
these states, you can live in a no income tax state and shop across the
border in a no sales tax state: Washington/Oregon Wyoming/Montana So.
Dakota/Montana

As you can see, it can be rather enjoyable or frustrating doing this
kind of analysis, depending upon where you presently reside. I hope you
will enjoy the entire book, which offers many more areas of interest to
analyze."

The book itself contains much more info. There is a section that lists
every single county in every State in the US> it breaks down factors in
each county such as,

Total population
People per square mile
ethnic make-up % of White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native-American
Crime statistics for each county
political make-up % of Dems, Reps, Independents, Liberals

It has a section devoted to "Threat Analysis" that lists every known
nuclear target in the US. It has maps of fallout patterns and prevailing
winds.
I think the most valuable section has maps of different geographic
areas of the country and shows the "Safe" places in those areas. All
graded with an A thru F ranking. The criteria for this assessment is listed
and considers such criteria as population make-up, distance to
metropolitan areas, etc.
I can't break the whole thing down but here is a basic (very basic)
synopsis of each area.

North Western

There are several spots strewn throughout this area but the primary
safe areas are located in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. There are some
lower ranked areas in Washington and Oregon but no "A" ranked areas due to
several factors such as political environment and the threat of massive
population surges from California and Nevada in a long term situation.
The best rated areas are (not a complete list)
Most of central and northern Idaho, the western half of Montana,
specifically around the Kalispell and Hamilton areas. The North West corner
of Wyoming. Specificaly the Wind River range and the Tetons, and more
specificaly the Star Valley area south of Jackson Hole.

North Eastern

Very few places at all in this area and only one "A" rated area that
being far northern Minnesota/Canada border area. Lower ranked areas would
be the northern woods of Michigan, Northern Maine, the Adirondack and
Catskill mountains. But the main idea here is get somewhere else if you
can. And that goes pretty much for all the Eastern half of the
country.

South Eastern

Again, only a few "A" places here. And very few of lower ranks.The
predominent ones being; East Texas Piney Woods, The Ouchita Forrest of
S.E. Okla., and S.W. Ark., the Ozarks of N. Ark and S.W. Missouri. The
only other "A" rated areas are in the Appalachian Mountains. Eastern
Tenn., Western Carolina's and Virginia. And specifically mentioned is the
northern edge in Kentucky near the Lexington area.

South West

Numerous places scattered around these states. The only "A" rated areas
are one in Nevada, the Ruby Valley area South of Elko.
Arizona is ranked lower each year due to political factors and
poulation increases. But at this time it has one "A" ranked area ledt that
being the Gila mountains in the central part of the state around the cities
of Prescott and Payson.
No "A" rated areas in Colorado or New Mexico. Primarily due to
political factors and nearness to major military targets.
What surprised me was the area recommended as the most secure in all
the US for long term survival was in Utah. Every area in the state is
either an "A" or "B" rating with the top ones being the Wasatch Mountains
of central Utah. With the southern half of this area having an "A+"
rating. A moderate climate with good growing seasons. Sparse but adequate
rainfall, and a high dry desert environment that would not necessarily
appeal to a large group of uninformed people. Low population density,
cheap land, and good conservative people. The only draw back is low
employment opportunities in a pre-SHTf world.

So there is a good summary of just a little bit of the info contained
in this book. There is tons more. It is definitely one that will be in
my bookcase from now on.