- Mike Adams predicts U.S. cities will face financial collapse, becoming “ghost towns” due to economic instability, population decline and crumbling infrastructure, with property values potentially dropping by 70 to 90 percent.
- Rural areas and conservative states, like Central Texas, are experiencing growth and rising property values as people flee collapsing urban centers, seeking stability and self-sufficiency.
- Declining tax revenues, unsustainable debt and mass property abandonment could devastate urban municipalities, particularly in “blue” cities and states.
- Adams foresees a stark divide between thriving rural communities and decaying urban centers, with cities like Chicago and Los Angeles potentially becoming crime-ridden “ghost towns” by 2029.
- Strategic investments in rural real estate and sustainable practices offer opportunities, but delayed action could lead to devastating consequences as societal and economic landscapes shift dramatically.
(Natural News)—Mike Adams is warning of a future United States with cities teetering on the brink of financial collapse and transforming into desolate “ghost towns,” while oft-overlooked rural communities experience a renaissance in growth and self-sufficiency.
Adams explored this stark dichotomy in chapter three of his book and audiobook “Ghost World: 2022-2032,” which paints a grim picture of urban decay driven by economic instability, population decline and the unintended consequences of government policies. As cities lose their tax base and infrastructure crumbles, rural regions are poised to become the new frontier for those seeking stability and security. This could reshape the American landscape in ways that could rival the economic upheavals brought on by the Great Depression a century ago.
The economic collapse of urban centers is rooted in a perfect storm of declining populations, plummeting property values and the erosion of essential services. Cities and states, already burdened by unsustainable debt and reliance on tax revenues, face a dire future as their working-class populations dwindle. Adams argues that the loss of income tax, sales tax and property tax revenue will devastate municipalities, particularly in “blue” cities and states where real estate markets are already vulnerable.
“In some areas, home values might drop by 70 percent or even up to 90 percent, leaving houses worth just one-tenth of their current value within five to six years,” Adams writes. This collapse will leave local governments unable to maintain roads, bridges, sewage systems and public safety infrastructure, creating a vicious cycle of decline.
The situation mirrors the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis but with a new twist: The potential for mass property abandonment. As homeowners face plummeting property values and banks issue loan recalls, many may simply walk away from their homes.
“If you purchased a home in California for $1 million and took out an $800,000 mortgage, but three years later your home is worth only half a million dollars, the bank will require you to pay down that loan to 80 percent of the current value,” Adams explains.
For many, this financial burden will be insurmountable, leading to widespread defaults and a cascade of economic fallout.
Rural America is poised to benefit greatly from the urban decay
Meanwhile, rural areas and conservative states are poised to benefit from this urban exodus. Central Texas, for example, has already seen property values surge by as much as 500 percent in just five years, driven by demand from those fleeing collapsing cities.
“Central Texas acreage that could be purchased for under $5,000 an acre is now fetching prices as high as $25,000 per acre,” Adams notes.
This trend is expected to continue as people seek refuge in regions where traditional values, self-reliance and open carry laws prevail. Rural communities are likely to see a resurgence in sustainability practices, from backyard farming to barter systems, as residents adapt to a new way of life.
The divide between thriving rural areas and collapsing urban centers reflects a broader societal shift. Adams predicts that cities like Chicago and Los Angeles could become “ghost towns” by 2029, ruled by crime and decay, while states like Texas, Florida and Idaho experience unprecedented growth.
“The streets will be empty, with weeds growing through the cracks in sidewalks – a scene reminiscent of New York City in ‘I Am Legend,'” he writes, referencing the 2007 post-apocalyptic film. This dystopian vision underscores the urgency of understanding and preparing for the economic and demographic changes ahead.
Historically, such shifts are not unprecedented. The decline of industrial cities like Detroit in the late 20th century offers a glimpse of what could happen on a larger scale. However, the current crisis is compounded by the erosion of trust in institutions, the rise of alternative currencies and the growing appeal of self-sufficiency.
As Adams warns, “The coming years will test our resilience and adaptability as we navigate these unprecedented times.”
For those who recognize these trends early, there is opportunity amidst the chaos. Strategic investments in rural real estate, local businesses and sustainable practices could yield significant rewards. But for the majority, the consequences of being late to act could be devastating.
As Adams concludes, “Where you choose to reside will significantly impact your future experience in the face of societal change.”
Listen to chapter three of “Ghost World: 2022-2032” by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.
This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
