Ely, NV

Practical resilience for a relocator: food, water, energy, and defensibility

For those serious about self-reliance, Ely offers several practical advantages that are hard to find in more populated areas. Water is the most critical resource, and while the region is arid, the surrounding mountains receive significant snowfall, feeding several perennial streams and the Steptoe Creek that runs through town. A well-drilled property with a hand pump or solar-powered pump is ideal, but even rainwater collection from a metal roof can yield enough for a small family in this dry climate—plan for 10-15 gallons per 1,000 square feet of roof per inch of rain, which averages about 10 inches annually. Food production is challenging but possible: the short growing season (May to September) limits crops to cold-hardy varieties like potatoes, carrots, and kale, but the abundant public lands support livestock grazing, and hunting (mule deer, elk, antelope) is excellent with a license. Energy independence is straightforward—Ely averages over 300 sunny days per year, making solar panels a reliable choice, and the low population means minimal grid competition. Wood heating is also viable, with firewood permits available from the Forest Service for a nominal fee. Defensibility is where Ely truly shines: the town is compact, with a single main road (U.S. 50) providing the only easy access from the east and west. The surrounding terrain—steep canyons, sagebrush flats, and mountain passes—makes it easy to monitor approaches and difficult for large groups to move through undetected. For a family or small group, a rural property a few miles outside town offers both privacy and a natural buffer zone, while still being close enough to town for occasional supply runs or community networking. The local population is largely conservative, self-reliant, and accustomed to hardship, which means you are more likely to find like-minded neighbors than in a coastal city—but also that you should expect to earn trust through demonstrated competence, not just talk.

The overall strategic picture for Ely is one of high potential reward paired with significant upfront effort. It is not a place for someone looking for a comfortable retirement or easy access to amenities—the nearest Walmart is 150 miles away, and the local grocery store is small and expensive. But for a relocator who values true isolation from the chaos of urban collapse, who is willing to invest in off-grid infrastructure, and who has the skills to hunt, garden, and repair equipment, Ely offers a rare combination of natural resources, defensible terrain, and a community that will not panic at the first sign of trouble. The risks—fallout from distant targets, economic fragility, harsh winters—are real but manageable with preparation. In a world where the most dangerous places are the ones with the most people, Ely’s emptiness is its greatest asset. If you can handle the loneliness and the work, this is one of the few places in the lower 48 where you can truly disappear and build a life that depends on no one but yourself.