So as I've been working on educating myself on basic preparedness and survival issues, I have come across an interesting assumption in the material I've read:

(Booming Megaphone Voice) YOU MUST LEAVE THE CITY AT ALL COSTS!! REPEAT, FLEE THE CITY AND RETREAT TO YOUR PERSONAL Rural-Bunker (TM), etc..

Well, what do you do if its not possible to leave? Or even if you could, you don't have anywhere to go? Or even if you did get out, traveling to your destination may be more dangerous?

So if you have to stay in your house, townhouse, apartment, etc.. How does that change one's survival strategies? How do you keep it legal when there is no emergency (weapon and carry restrictions within urban areas)? What are the resources that are unique to the urban environment that you should be aware of and/or befriend? What should you carry at all times? (as you won't be at home most of the time). Are there perhaps any specific advantages to staying?

If the city has become a dangerous place, due to flooding, fire, etc. Than yes, getting out is good.

But if there isn't a danger, except other people and there is enough food and water. Tthan fleeing the city, is more or less an inrational behavior, caused by fear. Although the media reporting things like widespread looting and killing and stuff. These incidents usually turn out to be incidents and on very small scale. During crisis there are in general fewer incidents of crime than in a normal situation.

A more dangerous aspect during crisis can be considerd armed people who (irrationally) fear other people, because this is one of the things that ingreas instead of reducing during a crisis.

"One of the most dangerous aspect during crisis can be considerd armed people who (irrationally) fear other people."

That has yet to be a problem anywhere that I have seen, at least in the USA. Here the only armed people that I consider dangerous are the ones that want to appropriate your money and/or stuff (or worse.) You are absolutely right on about the media though.

My absolute first priority is to stay put. Besides a modest cache of supplies and gear, I have a network of friends and family here that are well able to help one another. Why leave unless there is absolutely no choice? In fact, it is when I contemplate bugging out that I get a little apprehensive.

Most people don't have an emergency cache stored at a remote place.. I believe most people, if they have anything, would be in their home for a shelter in place scenario.

With the fort being your home, you have to understand what it takes to get from place X to your home. NYC requirements are different than most other cities. Most people don't drive to work in NYC, thereby requiring you to carry more. When I say more, I mean what you need to carry to get home in an emergency. Most other cities require people to drive to work, hence, they can have their BOB in their trunk versus on them.

You must understand what type of emergency you expect to have. I personally believe that a bandana, first aid kit, and a whistle are the primary items. For most cases, right after an emergency, believe it or not, the criminals aren't looking to kill/rob people, instead they want to get out of dodge just like you. The bad things start happening later, and hopefully, you're already home.

In regards to keeping it legal, I don't quite understand. In an emergency, you shelter and stay at home. You don't go out to buy milk at the local grocery.. If you could, it's not really an emergency. In the States, for the most part, you can have loaded firearms in your house <- This of course is not allowed in the most dangerous city in the United States (Washington DC), but that's probably one of the few..

Just curious why a bandana would be on top of the list.

A bandana deserves its own thread of useful tips.

The simple Goverment issue triangular bandage, O.D. Green...is the worlds best bandana.

Splint, headcover, backpack, mitten, wick, poltice holder, potholder, scarf, sock, sunblock, minnow trap, weapon....

...the list goes on and on.

As long as you have adequate food and water, and there's no nukes floating around, staying in the city is a viable option. You'll have greater access to technological resources when things calm down and the surviving rural populace comes to town to trade <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Suburbia would be better, but hey, surviving is about making it with what you have!

Yes, there are a ton of uses for a bandana.. Not only that, but a bandana can be an everyday carry item that won't "freak" people out. One use that Fallshirmjager left out is an improvised dust mask in the event of building collapse etc.. I guess you can always carry dedicated particle masks, but feel in an urban environment, single purpose items add volume and weight..

I think your best bet is to stay put, if you can.

You may be ordered to evacuate and you will have to leave. You need to have Bug-Out items ready to go.