Retreats on the cheap?

[preppingsu]

I wonder if anyone in the uk already has a bunker?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... blast.html

When tensions between the West and Russia were at their peak and nuclear war seemed a real possibilty, Mike Thomas bought his dream home.

It had almost everything he wanted - four bedrooms, a big garden and sea views. But something was missing.

So worried was Mr Thomas, 56, that a nuclear strike was imminent he decided to build an underground bunker capable of withstanding a blast 80 times bigger than the one that devastated Hiroshima.

pretty good price for all that but don't see much food stored so not a brilliant prepper!

[Technik]

Whilst doing research on my eco home project with the basement as storage / light bunker I came across this house in Scotland http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/v ... NTCMP=SRCH
more info http://www.zerocarbonhouse.com/Home.aspx
Looks very interesting having in mind that it's off grid, with your own veg greenhouse and you can even run your electric car from it (I mean that it has enough electricity for the car too). I'm really impressed with this project.

[janso]

Interesting research thus far Technik....... I have also been debating a basement area at home. Before me and the mrs moved, the occupants had turned the garage into a guest bedroom. Because it was never properly insulated (and because, as a garage its only single skin), it never retains the heat through the winter. After discussing it several times, I'm definitely interested in knocked it down and rebuilding, possibly even bringing it out in line with the front of the house. On top of this, two ideas have sprung up - one, to put a storey on top accessible by a spiral staircase and use it as another bedroom or study with the bottom floor utilized as MY space for kit, as a work room, prep storage.
The second thought of mine was by scatting it down ready to rebuild, a basement level could realistically go in (once foundations have been reinforced for the house itself (quite a price tag I believe).

I'd love to do the whole thing but practically money wont allow for a long, long while me thinks!! It does feel like a pipe dream at present, along with buying next doors HUGE smallholding that envelopes the rear of our garden, but still its a renovation that I think would work at a practical level as well as provide more space internally and improve the house price (on the down side, more council tax will result!!)

Basements, I love the idea - bunker, safe room, study, war room!!

[diamond lil]

Unst is about as far away as you can get, I think they're very brave. Not sure I'd want to go up there at the age of 65, is a long way to hospital if you get ill. I hope she can knit. Will be bloody cold outside !

[Red Doe]

When it comes to isolation, there are pros and cons of it as you age. (experience speaking here now)
We have one GP who covers a large area and she doesn`t ....get on with everyone! So you are stuck with that if that`s all you`ve got, and can`t realistically be referred to another because quite simply, there isn`t one!
But...if an emergency happens and you need to get to hospital fast, they send out the helicopter and you`re there pretty damn quick, which, I understand, can be unlike an ordinary ambulance in a city.
Waiting times for treatment and hospital can be long, but even at Raigmore, in Inverness (the nearest hospital to me) if you go there they do come to know you and I can`t fault the friendliness and feel of it being a small hospital...doesn`t feel so frighteningly impersonal as big hospitals can feel.
I did read a survey lately that said older women in very remote areas have the longest lifespan. Honestly, I can see why...we don`t have the stress of crime that is in other areas (though lately, things like fuel and even hens being stolen is happening thanks to a collapsing economic situation), the air quality is great, life is generally slower paced and more akin to our natural rhythms and if we can grow our own, it`s second to none in freshness and quality.
But, won`t deny, there are particular stresses that come with isolation. Might seem appealling while you`re young but decide if you can hack it later on when you get older and, gods forbid, health turns bad on you.

[diamond lil]

This is it. If you have even a minor stroke, or a broken leg, or take longer than usual to pick up from flu, then life can go downhil frighteningly fast. Can't get a neighbour to pop round to the shops for a nice fish supper to save you cooking Minor problems can suddenly turn into major crisis(es).
But for me, reading in forums of the problems they face in southern cities, I wouldn't have that kind of life in a luckybag. Sounds too much like a hamster on a wheel !

[Technik]

For me the best place would be in the middle - about 1-2 close neighbours and the nearest village/town around 30 miles away. Perfect

[diamond lil]

That's like where I am. Tiny village in the middle of a lot of space, but near a main road.

[Technik]

Would you want me as your neighbour?..... pleeease

[diamond lil]

Are you the owner/manager of a vast sweetie or chocolate business ?