The imposition is that we all are channeled to live in “cookie-cutter” houses, plopped down akin to so many Hershey kisses in a row: identical construction in an approved, regulated, homeowner’s association-sanctioned manner.
We’re referring to the end of the society, and if you’re a multi-millionaire and you want a house for each member of the family retreating to your location, more power to you. We do what we can in life, and do the best we can. In the absence of millions, there is another route. Let’s go over the basics first.
The principle is for all the family members (and anyone close to that family) having a place to meet up and reside together when it all falls apart. From a logistics perspective, unless you have a gigantic manorial-type residence, your space and resources will be stretched thin. What I propose here are sheds…cabins, if you prefer. You can build them yourself or you can buy them.
Once again, much of this is going to depend on the geographic location you reside, and the social and legal impositions placed upon you. Only you know them. Armies of bureaucrats who want to tax you into insolvency are behind the hordes of conformists (commonly labeled as homeowners’ associations) and “friendly” neighbors who wish to impose their wills upon you.
To succeed in this endeavor, you’re going to need to have a tight family that will help one another, even if many live in different states with their immediate families. You can stick-build these sheds out of plywood and lumber, roof them with steel roofs, insulate them, and throw them up on top of footers to prevent them from becoming “permanent structures” and taxed by your happy community.
Each shed can be fitted with an aperture to run a stovepipe to the outside, and the stove and pipe can be placed into each cabin/shed. Each shed can contain several mattresses and sets of linen and blankets, as well as bed frames. You can place into the sheds a few folding chairs and tables, and a cupboard or two. To the untrained eye, it will all appear to be storage. And add to the camouflage! Place some tools and supplies in each one…different stuff…that can easily be removed if need be. Give the appearance of storage sheds. Then your family members can arrive and set up shop.
If you have, for example, two brothers and a sister…then each family group can use a shed or double up with two families to a shed. To be on the safe side, as many family groups as possible should set up sheds on their own property to enable the whole family to flee to their property if the need arises. Situations change, and what may be the optimal location today may not be when everything occurs. By duplicating this “template,” you up the chances to enable your family to have a retreat in at least one safe area.
Sheds can be purchased that are already fully constructed, but if you do, you’ll need to insulate them and modify them in to have a wood stove in each of them. Bathroom considerations are another factor. One shed can be built or purchased and converted into a water storage facility that can be used for bathing, showering, and the like. I strongly recommend investing in several (or building several) composting toilets to save the water and have something that will yield a beneficial supply of fertilizer when the warm weather returns.
If these are not within your budget, the only tents I would recommend are either Wall tents used for expeditions and/or hunting, or military-issue GP mediums or GP large made of canvas that can resist all the elements. In the end, it’s your decision that you’ll have to weigh in your own mind and heart. Food for thought, in the perilous times in which we live. We’d like to hear any questions or thoughts on the matter. JJ out!
This is the dumbest idea I have ever heard!! everyone in my family lives in a house…so i’m gonna build sheds for them in my backyard?? this russian hacker/troll who writes this crap just needs to stop. jermiah johnson!?! what the fuck kind of name is that?? you watch too much tv, there, scooter.
On the other hand, my son and I built a 10X12 storage/work shed with a cement slab, fiber glass insulation and a heavy duty roof for $3500. It could serve as a “motel” for a few people in a pinch. Generally speaking, however, I can’t imagine anyone constructing a series of units like this on limited property.
ag buildings don’t get taxed like housing – build to convert to housing eazy and make practical use of the building in the meantime …
There are many good ideas here. One thought though, is why heat several cabins? Perhaps in winter, a large family would just have to suck it up and be under one large roof, or turn the attached garage into a living space with a wood stove. Depends on your supply of wood I suppose. I have several spaces in my home where I could make more sleeping areas. I thought of when I had a truck camper, and the table converted into a bed. So, my banquette seating area can be turned into a bed. I built it myself, and the table is on casters to roll out, and I have a piece of plywood that will fit down between the seats. I sewed seat covers to go over the 4″ foam you can buy at fabric stores. It is really quite comfortable – and kids can generally sleep anywhere.
I had valid reason myself troll. too bad you are incapable of understanding that. bye troll
oh by the way, troll, I am no liberal…I am sick of foreigners pretending to be Americans to plant seeds of dissent with asinine ideas like building sheds for family members to abandon their homes for.
Seriously though, if you ARE truly what you say, think before you write.
Sheds in my yard…yikes!
They used to call them “Bunkhouses”….
Some people totally missed the concept!!
I get the point here. The author did not say to create a housing development in your backyard to put up a shed or two. I happen to live in a large house and we have a few buildings on the property, but it’s 3.5 acres. If you can only build one shed, you use it for storage or people. If your house is still livable then you stay in it. My point is you can take the advice or not. Maybe you and your family will have to find some property to share. People do what they can. Every idea and bit of knowledge can be helpful.