Bugging out in the South Downs

[Jamesey1981]

With storage units isn't there going to be a problem accessing them if things go bad?
I have only very limited experience of them when my brother stored his house contents during a move a while back, but it was a secure warehouse sort of place, I can't see similar places being open in a SHTF sort of situation.

This is true, would probably require breaking in if society has collapsed, but for your more everyday kind of screw up, supply problems at supermarkets or just losing your job it'd be fine. Even if society has collapsed and you need to break in to get to your unit, at least you know that there will likely still be a supply source there, and breaking in to a storage place in that kind of situation probably wouldn't be that hard, if someone hasn't already broken in to loot it for valuables, they're not all that secure if there's no staff or security on duty or monitoring the site, and no police response.

[Deeps]

Or just come to an arrangement with the missus that you won't use any cupboards that are being used now and get inventive with underbed/top of wardrobes etc. especially when you're starting out and trying to get her onboard.

[Arzosah]

If you rent storage space, you may also get your own key or combination to the lock ...

Just want to emphasise what yorkshirewolf said - prepping isn't just about prepping for the end of the world - its also about prepping for terrible weather, cyberattack, transport strike, bank run, pandemic, all that sort of thing. A flash drive that backs up your computer, notes about your finances, your NI number, medical stuff including blood group - there's a lot of prepping to be done that doesn't take any space at all. And after information gathering comes skills learning. Even practising how to produce edible meals with storecupboard food is a skill.

[Gunrax]

Thank you guys for all your precious advices I was not expecting so many replies

I think the best option for me would be a storage location close to my home. Maybe hiring a garage where I can start with the basics and then get more advance preps.

Cheers

[PreppingPingu]

Prepping isn't just about having 12 months worth of food and water stored, or having loads of different knives, axes, bows etc.

I'd say you're better prepared by using the old grey matter.

Bugging out or running off to live in the woods/wilds might sound like a good idea, but you can only bug out with what you can carry/fit in a car, and that'll run out pretty fast.

Look at where you live, even in a one-bedroom flat, you have a roof over your head, a secure, safe, comfortable place to stay, you have loads of resources, or things that can be turned/adapted into resources, you're familiar with your surroundings both inside and outside, you know what stuff you have and what you need, and more importantly, you're not expending calories on the move every day to find a safe place.
You can keep your head down, move about and find resources in an area you know at your leisure.

Get yourself familiar with what you have within a mile radius of where you live, shops, food stores, police stations, water sources, DIY stores, ironmongers, I bet you'd surprise yourself if you did some searching at just whats around you.

I couldn't agree more. Also things such as maintaining your own fitness, learning new skills be they self defence or bushcraft will help you in a city environment. Yes even bushcraft skill - how to make fire, keep warm and watered, how to build a shelter, catch a fish/make a snare are things that may be useful even in a city. Roof top/balcony gardens are also a useful thing to look at as is how you would rig up rain water catchment. (Packets or water purifying tabs are small and easy to store.)

[Deeps]

Prepping isn't just about having 12 months worth of food and water stored, or having loads of different knives, axes, bows etc.

I'd say you're better prepared by using the old grey matter.

Bugging out or running off to live in the woods/wilds might sound like a good idea, but you can only bug out with what you can carry/fit in a car, and that'll run out pretty fast.

Look at where you live, even in a one-bedroom flat, you have a roof over your head, a secure, safe, comfortable place to stay, you have loads of resources, or things that can be turned/adapted into resources, you're familiar with your surroundings both inside and outside, you know what stuff you have and what you need, and more importantly, you're not expending calories on the move every day to find a safe place.
You can keep your head down, move about and find resources in an area you know at your leisure.

Get yourself familiar with what you have within a mile radius of where you live, shops, food stores, police stations, water sources, DIY stores, ironmongers, I bet you'd surprise yourself if you did some searching at just whats around you.

I couldn't agree more. Also things such as maintaining your own fitness, learning new skills be they self defence or bushcraft will help you in a city environment. Yes even bushcraft skill - how to make fire, keep warm and watered, how to build a shelter, catch a fish/make a snare are things that may be useful even in a city. Roof top/balcony gardens are also a useful thing to look at as is how you would rig up rain water catchment. (Packets or water purifying tabs are small and easy to store.)

I probably keep too much crap in my pockets and wallet but I do keep some puritabs in there with a few plasters and the like, they don't take up much space although its getting a bit 'bulgy' again.