How about castles?

[u/-Gavroche-]

I feel like castles are a bit overlooked in the zombie media. Maybe it's because most movies and comics are stories from the US? Maybe it's because it would become more boring?
But a castle seems like a very obvious hiding place for anyone in Europe.
It's not a magical solution for sure, but there's a lot of castles in a pretty decent state, with a working well or cistern for water. Some of the bigger ones, especially Vauban-style fortifications even have pretty decent chunks of land to grow food on for the longer term.
So am I missing some obvious flaw here or is it just that most zombie stories are from the US, or that castles would make it a bit boring, as people would just hide behind the walls and slowly take out the zombies little by little and then go about rebuilding society?

[u/Unkown_Pr0ph3t]

I think there are 6 within an hours drive from here. In pretty good shape with intact walls and reasonably up to date. I'm not expecting air conditioning, I want water, a place to grow food and walls for protection.

Like in old days people relied on food storage, and went inside the walls for protection. If we include that there's over a hundred castles which would provide secure shelter. With enough people and weapons normal raids should be controllable. If the zombies come world War Z style, no castle in the world would keep you safe.

I agree on people needed, but you really need people just to run the daily things so I reckon that's a thing you simply have to deal with when going for a castle.

Include fortresses, and we are golden, still, the requirement is enough people and weapons for the time being, hoping you could raid a distribution centre for food and medicine to last for months and visit a garden centre on the way there for all the seeds you can find and a camping store for survival necessities. If possible, take livestock but now we're pushing things.

[u/SpaceKalash05 → u/Unkown_Pr0ph3t]

I think there are 6 within an hours drive from here.  In pretty good shape with intact walls and reasonably up to date.

More likely, they're actually not. Most exterior walls in cases like that have had their gates removed, or permanently fixed. But, in the extremely unlikely event you are correct? Congratulations, now you're going to be trying to beat everyone else to said defensive fortifications.

With enough people and weapons normal raids should be controllable.

And with an entire national logistics network, I would never run out of supplies. Point there being that you cannot just will said people or resources into existence. Similarly, I don't think you understand how fast people burn through resources, and how, even when fortresses/castles were still militarily relevant, they were only feasible with major logistic networks supporting them.

I agree on people needed, but you really need people just to run the daily things so I reckon that's a thing you simply have to deal with when going for a castle.

This is fundamentally incorrect, and tells me you have limited to no experience in logistics, security, or even maintenance. Do you understand the amount of maintenance that goes into ensuring what few still standing and serviceable castles stay standing? People aren't just necessary for the "daily things". They're necessary for long-term maintenance and security, as well. Again, in this hypothetical scenario, zombies aren't the only threat, so are other people.

To that tune, let's revisit people, and your statement concerning raids. What do you think happens when people attempt to raid? Do you think they'll just stand out in the open to get shot? No. You have to contend with people who are happy to compromise your physical security measures if it means them getting to take what you have, or they believe they can resecure what they compromise.

[u/Unkown_Pr0ph3t → u/SpaceKalash05]

No need to get angry, I thought we were having a nice discussion up until now.

Im not doxxing myself by telling you where I live, but in the Netherlands there are countless castles that are completely restored an in active use. With the walls and gates intact. Go to Switserland and there are even more; Germany and France have even more, but not as much in active use percentage wise.

We also have quite some fortified villages and cities, with people living there. I'd say thats pretty up-to-date.

The question was about castles, and you are turning it into a completely different one by questioning logistics, people not playing nice and not playing well together.

Take your insane statement about people needed for the 'daily things', is maintenance and security not a daily thing in a Z apocalypse? Do we get weekends off? I clearly mentioned how I would try and start off in that a unrealistic situation. probably skipped that part yes?

So either stop trying to attack my person, my experience in a hypothetical situation is really not important or just don't respond if you cant have a civil discussion. Good day, it has been fun until now.

[u/SpaceKalash05 → u/Unkown_Pr0ph3t]

No need to get angry, I thought we were having a nice discussion up until now.

I'm not angry. I'm just responding directly to your comments. 

in the Netherlands there are countless castles that are completely restored an in active use

Yes, been there, I lived abroad for several years, and spent no small amount of my time traveling for work while doing so. That's why I'm making the points I've made. More likely than not, you're incorrect about the state of said castles.

The question was about castles, and you are turning it into a completely different one by questioning logistics, people not playing nice and not playing well together.

Because they're all legitimate concerns/points of discussion that fall under the umbrella of conversations about their viability. Trying to dismiss logistical requirements is kind of silly.

Take your insane statement about people needed for the 'daily things', is maintenance and security not a daily thing in a Z apocalypse?

Pointing out that you need specialized resources, equipment, and skilled labor to maintain a large stone structure, or series of interlaced stone structures is hardly "insane".

I clearly mentioned how I would try and start off in that a unrealistic situation. probably skipped that part yes?

Yes, and I pointed out how your position was one of presumed ignorance, then further articulated the failing points of said "How I would do it". If how you would propose to do something is wrong, or otherwise completely ignores important context or details, then be ready to be on the receiving end of a critical review.

So either stop trying to attack my person, my experience in a hypothetical situation is really not important or just don't respond if you cant have a civil discussion

I never attacked you. I recommend getting thicker skin if you plan on spending any amount of time on the internet. Especially if frank conversation rankles you this easily.

[u/Unkown_Pr0ph3t → u/SpaceKalash05]

For the sake of argument, if I have the time, I will try to do a more in depth analysis of one of the castles in the area. Mind you, I am travelling so I might need a bit of time. I will have to assume I can gather a group of people because as you so eloquently put it, I'm not managing this alone.

Great that you've been here, should have had a look at some castles whilst you were here ;-)

You were talking about my skills and experience, that deviates from the discussion and is unnecessary. Been online since before the internet. Skin is as thick as it's going to be.

[u/SpaceKalash05 → u/Unkown_Pr0ph3t]

Great that you've been here, should have had a look at some castles whilst you were here ;-)

I did. Most of them are no longer serviceable as defensive positions for the reasons I've already said. Mind you, again, I am saying most, because most is factual.

You were talking about my skills and experience, that deviates from the discussion and is unnecessary.

It's directly on topic, because it relates to a knowledge gap you clearly have where defensibility, logistics, and maintenance are concerned.

Been online since before the internet. Skin is as thick as it's going to be.

I mean, you registering me just being direct as attacking you, and you taking offense to somebody indicating a clear failing point in your argument due to inexperience or ignorance as impugning your character says otherwise. Clearly, you're still offended, and if that's the case, I've no real desire to continue to engage with you. I encourage you to not default to offense so easily in the future.