Demand for bunkers sharply increased during the pandemic in the USA: how much does shelter cost and what is inside

Real estate sellers in the event of the end of the world note: because of the coronavirus, their business went uphill. People buy bunkers in the American outback or establish shelters right in their backyard, writes "Voice of America".

“When I arrived here, I immediately felt: I was safe. It’s so quiet, peaceful and the bunker is just phenomenal,” says Mary Soulbye. “And when you’re inside, you clearly feel: nothing threatens you.”

Mary and her husband Tom are the owners of one of the bunkers in South Dakota. Previously there was a military base here, now the bunkers are private property, which is being turned into a city of the future. Voice of America filmed this place 2 years ago and then all 575 bunkers were still empty.

Now there is an active construction site. Mary and Tom decided not to wait until the bunker was ready, they sold their house in Georgia and drove to South Dakota, where they live in a trailer next to the bunker.

“We were in Georgia when the pandemic started, and we realized that due to our age and health conditions, we were at risk,” Tom says. “So we decided to trade a place with 4 million neighbors for this.” There are only 30 of us here.”

Photo: video frame "Voices of America"

Photo: video frame "Voices of America"

According to the owner of the bunkers, the Soulbay family is far from the only one who was pushed by the pandemic to the decision to buy more reliable real estate.

“We're getting 20 times more requests for bunkers,” says Vivos owner Robert Vicino. “Sales are up 400 percent, not just at the South Dakota bunkers, but at the other bunkers the company offers around the world.”

On the subject: End of the world: what will happen if electricity is cut off worldwide

The increase in demand is also confirmed by the seller of bunkers in Texas. He says that the structures will not directly protect against a pandemic, but it was the coronavirus that made people doubt global stability.

“Oh yeah, my phone rings every 2-3 minutes,” admits Ron Hubbard, owner of Atlas Survival Shelters. — People ask about bunkers. Many people believe that this pandemic is just the first stage. It will get even worse. So they are trying to prepare for the future.”

Ron is sure that his own bunker is the only option to escape from global disasters.

“You have to keep in mind that if American security is threatened, where do the politicians go? To the bunker,” he says. — What is plan B for the president? Take him to the bunker. What else can you do? You can’t leave the planet.”

Preparing for the worst-case scenario is a trait of preppers. This is the name given to sequences of movements whose followers stock up on food, basic necessities, and build shelters in case of the end of the world. In a pandemic situation, many of their actions no longer seem funny.

“Preppers are now saying, look, we’re not crazy, we were right,” says anthropologist Chad Huddleston. “Many considered their behavior strange, but now it is clear that they should be followed as an example.”

Photo: video frame "Voices of America"

Chad Huddleston is an anthropologist who studies the prepper movement. In his opinion, purchasing a bunker is not such a crazy idea. But it is important to be really ready to move there.

“Many people, especially billionaires, buy bunkers in New Zealand,” he says. “It helps you feel safe.” But in reality, quickly getting to the bunker and closing it seems like something out of science fiction.”

Bunker sellers say their facilities can be delivered directly to the backyard or accessed by car. The price of basic models is much lower than for ordinary real estate.

“For bunkers that need reconstruction, we have reduced the price by half,” says Robert Vicino. “Now it’s $17 for a 500 square meter bunker.”

Tom says he and his wife spent a third of their savings on their bunker. The first wall has already been installed inside. A few more months - and their daughter and grandchildren will be invited to visit.

What are the bunkers

The creator of bunkers in South Dakota claims that equipped with a protective mechanism and furnished like ordinary houses, the complex can save thousands of people in the event of an asteroid crash or nuclear war.

Although the structures look unfriendly outside, there are all the usual home comforts and cute little things inside, including sofas, a coffee table and paintings on the walls.

Bunkers are even equipped with “virtual windows” with LEDs to simulate different types of the outside world.

They are being built by Vivos, which has 29 square kilometers of military territory in South Dakota. They use the old bunkers built by the military in the middle of the XNUMXth century and modernize them.

Bunkers about 8 meters wide and up to 24 meters long have enough space to store the supplies needed to survive from 10 to 20 people (which can fit in one bunker) for 12 months.

California-based Vivos is one of the world’s leading bunker builders. They are protected by heavy-duty reinforced concrete and steel walls and doors.

The company began construction in 2016.

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How much will the bunker cost in 2020

Bunker Indiana is one of the world's most fortified shelters, an impenetrable underground complex built during the Cold War to withstand a 20-megaton explosion. The bunker can accommodate up to 80 people for at least one year of completely self-sufficient survival without the need to go to the surface. The cost is $35 per person.

Vivos xPoint bunker - personal bunkers on a base consisting of 575 such structures. Each can accommodate 10 to 24 people and provide them with enough supplies for a year or more to self-sufficiently shelter without having to venture outside. The elliptical shaped compressed concrete bunker includes a massive front wall with a solid concrete entrance and a steel impact door. Cost - from $17 to $500.

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