Spokane, WA

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

For a single individual or family looking to hunker down, Spokane offers several practical advantages. Water is the most critical resource, and the aquifer provides a deep, renewable supply that is less vulnerable to surface contamination than rivers or reservoirs. Many homes in the outlying areas have private wells, and the city’s water system is gravity-fed from the aquifer, meaning it can function without power for a time. Food security is strong: the Spokane Farmers Market and local co-ops provide direct access to regional produce, and the area has a thriving hunting and fishing culture—deer, elk, and trout are plentiful. Energy resilience is mixed: the grid is served by Avista Utilities, which relies on hydroelectric power from the Columbia River system, making it relatively stable but still vulnerable to cyberattacks or physical sabotage. Solar potential is decent, with about 200 sunny days per year, though winter cloud cover reduces output. Wood heating is common and practical, given the surrounding forests. Defensibility is moderate: the city’s layout, with the Spokane River cutting through the center and hills on the north and south sides, creates natural barriers. However, the sprawl of suburban developments means that a relocator should prioritize a property with a clear line of sight, limited access points, and good soil for a garden. The local gun culture is strong, with many residents owning firearms for hunting and self-defense, and Washington state’s laws are relatively permissive for concealed carry and magazine capacity compared to coastal counties—though recent legislation has tightened restrictions, so a relocator should check current laws.

Overall, Spokane presents a mixed but workable strategic picture for the survivalist-minded relocator. It is not a bunker—it has real exposure to military targets, wildfire, and potential contamination from Hanford. But its water abundance, agricultural base, and distance from the most chaotic coastal cities make it a far better bet than Seattle or Portland. The key is to choose a location carefully: avoid the Air Force base’s blast radius, secure a property with a well and wood heat, and build a network with like-minded locals who value self-reliance. For someone willing to put in the work—digging a root cellar, stocking supplies, and learning to hunt—Spokane offers a defensible, resource-rich base of operations in an increasingly uncertain world. The region’s conservative lean (Spokane County voted +2 R in 2024, with rural areas much redder) means you’ll find neighbors who share your concerns about government overreach and societal fragility. Just don’t expect a utopia—expect a place where you can carve out a resilient life if you’re prepared to handle the cold, the fires, and the occasional F-16 flying overhead.