The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is responsible for understanding, preventing and combating disease in the United States. Anything from the common cold to ebola falls under its jurisdiction, and this makes it a common plot device for any movie about the zombie apocalypse. But truth is stranger than fiction, and it would surprise many to know that the CDC actually prepares for a zombie apocalypse in real life.
This branch of the U.S. government really leaves no stone unturned, and as unlikely as a real-life zombie takeover may be, the CDC treats the possibility like any other plague or virus. This includes deciding which cities are best equipped to handle such an epidemic.
So are you better off in New York or Boston? LA or San Francisco? Depending on what you’re looking for to fight the looming annihilation of zombies, the right cities to set up shop may shock you.
For Defense
If brute force is what it takes to fight off a nasty hoard of zombies, then there is no better place than Washington D.C. and Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach is home to the largest Navy base in the U.S. (Norfolk), and D.C. is home to the White House and Pentagon, two of the most protected buildings on the planet. Just think about what these two cities, which are geographically close, provide in defense:
-
Secret Service
-
Department of Homeland Security
-
Navy
-
National Guard
-
Elite law enforcement (compared to other major cities)
-
Anti-missile/anti-aircraft defense systems
-
Bunkers and safe havens
Just reading that list makes you feel safer, doesn’t it? The downside to living in a Washington D.C. is that it’s expensive — one of the most expensive cities in the country. But a good renting website can help you get set up if it’s a city you truly want to plant your roots in.
For Containment
If you’re not blasting away at the zombie hoard, the next best move is to get as far away from them as possible. If holing up and hiding out from the epidemic is your style, then Denver, Colorado, is the place to be. Its remote location compared to other cities and natural protection because of the Rocky Mountains make it a perfectly isolated city from the outbreak.
If the outbreak starts in Denver, a good alternative is Salt Lake City, Utah, which carries the same isolation and natural protection as Denver. Plus, the city has a great infrastructure to keep everything organized.
For a Cure
Fighting is good and hiding is nice, but they’re both temporary solutions until a cure is found. If you want to be first in line for a vaccination, then it’s time to start shipping up to Boston. It’s home to some of the best hospitals and doctors in the world, which makes it a prime candidate as ground zero for the zombie cure. Ironically, Atlanta, which is home to the CDC headquarters, is one of the worst-rated cities to live in if you want early access to a cure.
The Last Place to Be
The one city you won’t find on this list in any category is New York City. While it does have good hospitals and some defense capabilities, it’s just too crowded and exposed to prevent a widespread outbreak. And that’s why zombie movies always take place in the Big Apple.
