@James Mitchner
My community is approximately 50% retired, with the remaining 50% of working/minor children age, and the demographic is moving towards less retired and more younger families.
There are approximately 10 roadside miles of river lots consisting of 2 acres or greater that could support gardens, and the entire HOA consists of approximately 4400 acres, with only approximately 20% of the land developed with homes, the rest being a working pecan orchard.
I believe that compared to most of America’s circumstances and location, this is about as good as it gets without being independently wealthy and owning some bunker on large acreage. I have considered putting together a community SHTF survival plan together, but I have limited time because of a demanding job and single-handily raising two boys. I am well armed, and feel that I am more capable than most in what it takes to defend me and my families lives and property.
Virtually all of the EMS and fire department personnel are staffed with volunteers that live here, although last years the EMS went from 100% volunteer to about 50% volunteer and 50% paid, some of the paid coming from outside of the community. And we have many ex-military and current and ex law-enforcement officials that currently live in the community.
I can plan until the cows come home, but like Mike Tyson once stated “Everyone has a plan ’till they get punched in the mouth”. So in my opinion, there is no way to know how my plan is going to work until something really goes wrong; I think that having the home-field advantage is really important part of prepping, and I cannot think of a better alternative that works for me that my current situation will support.