Debt free or away from densly populated areas when SHTF?

[Steve]

I sold a fairly modest semi-detached plus some woodland in the South East, and bought a decent smallholding in a nice part of Pembrokeshire. There is a technical skills shortage here, so I got the first job I applied for even though I had no experience of it at all. It's all going pretty well, my morning commute is a relaxed 12 minute drive, my job is interesting, the quality of life is way better than in the South East.

There are downsides, I miss my old friends sometimes but miss my adult sons much more, and they both produced grandchildren unexpectedly after I moved away. Skype is good, but not as good as being there. I'd love my lads to move over here one day, but it's not going to happen in normal times as their wives have big family connections over there.

There are quite a few people here who commute long distances, staying in Cardiff or further away in the week and returning at the weekend. I wouldn't do that, my evenings at home are worth too much to me - but I'm lucky to have the choice, due to cashing in the stupidly overpriced house in Kent.

If you believe that the London boom will continue you could always rent out your house there and use the income to pay for your life elsewhere - I have a friend who has let his house in Surrey out to a local company for £2000 per month, bought a huge motorhome and is currently touring the world for an indefinite time.

I thought about doing something similar, but my fear was that a big crash would wipe out the value of the house and leave me stuck with it. A bird in the hand etc., etc..

Good luck.