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radiation-free areas in Europe?

 
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Anyone one who might know about an area, somewhere in Europe where there is no or just little mobile radiation? I would prefer a home with no wifi and no mobile phone connection, but with a landline instead, and broadband (or maybe without it, depending of the situation/availability). I am looking for places either to visit, or maybe, to settle down, rent/buy something and try out to make a forest garden and small natural house buildings. Would be nice to connect with others permies out there. I have a bit of savings to buy land etc, but would love to do this with others. Wouldn't mind finding something a bit more south, like Portugal, Spain, Italy, France. But I am open to different solutions and areas.
 
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There are some great salt mines in Europe that can shield you from a lot of radiation, especially solar.

If its not underground, you're being bombarded.

Oh, and detour around that area called "Chernobyl," and anything downwind or downstream. I hear there isn't much wifi there.

I am being facetious at your expense, but I couldn't help myself.

For the kind of radiation you're talking about, all you have to do is find someplace without power lines, and where, when you check with your phone to find a wifi signal, there aren't any wifi signals, or a service signal at all.

There are many places here in Canada where this is the case. All one has to do is leave the Quebec-Windsor Corridor, get away from the border, leave even small towns behind, and get off a major highway. Of course, in many of these places, the infrastructure doesn't exist for normal broadband.

I think there must be some places like what you're looking for in Europe, though with so many people, I imagine they might be more difficult to find.

I wonder, are you also concerned about the localised EM fields surrounding electrical motors and other equipment? Are you planning to use any of these? Are you expecting any sort of power grid?

Also, how do you feel about seasonality? Do you want a winter? If so, how are you planning to heat?

I am afraid that you'll be looking for a place without many people, without much infrastructure, and without much interest in the outside world. Sometimes that sounds like paradise to me, but others, not so much.

But let us know if you happen to find a place that has eschewed smartphones and tablets in favour of landlines and plug-in internet access. It might sound cumbersome to some, but I know some people are looking for exactly that.

Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

-CK
 
pollinator
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I think the OP was specifically talking about cellular radiation.

I can't speak for Europe, but yes, here in Canada where I live there is most likely more land that does not have cellular coverage than does. For example, 5 mins out of town here and you're in the no-cellular zone unless you're on the main highway.

Typically to find such a spot you're looking for hilly / mountainous terrain. To get good coverage in this type of geography there needs to be a lot of cell towers. If there is not a high population in that area, then the expense of putting the infrastructure in just isn't worth it.

My father lives in such an area. He is 15 mins drive from a town with a hospital. He has electricity, the ability to connect a landline phone, but there is no mobile coverage. You need to drive about 5 km before you can get a signal.
 
Chris Kott
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As I mentioned, I was taking it a bit off the rails, but just for emphasis.

I included the bit about WiFi because there are some who view it as largely one in the same where it comes to unintended consequences of exposure to EM radiation. The bit about EM radiation from electric motors and such is a reasonable extrapolation.

I  would like a similar situation myself, to be honest, where I have no cell signal, broadband to the house and maybe outbuildings at need, and Wi-Fi hotspots where needed, but nowhere anyone is required or tends to spend hours on end.

I intend to use a network of sensors eventually to log environmental conditions over time all over my property, because I think it critical to be able to extend permacultural observation to that level of intricacy.

I don't know what I will do for connectivity, especially as how I want to incorporate the strategic use of video and sound for security, documentation, and environmental enhancement.

To be clear, I never meant to suggest that the concern was silly. If our skin can burn from too much of some kinds of radiation, I don't think that it's unreasonable to wonder about the effects of other types of radiation on the body, subtler effects than a skin burn, affected over time, or to express concern over extreme concentrations of new graduations.

-CK
 
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Rookhope , Weardale , Co Durham UK has no signal I used to live there.
Plus areas in the borders between England and Scotland also have poor or no signal .

David
 
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It's been over 15 years since I lived there, but there were places on Dartmoor, UK that fit your requirements. Don't know what it's like now. Rural locations with low populations most likely are the best regions to check out.
 
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You might be able to find maps of where there is no signal and then drive into town periodically to communicate with the world.  Hoeever, If you're worried about radiation I would suggest taking into account the natural radiation that escapes bedrock in the form of radon gas.  It measurably contributes to lung cancer and might also be implicated in a type of leukemia.  You can get your house tested and you can find maps indicating which geographic area are at risk.  This is one for Canada

radon_gas_map_Canada2.gif
[Thumbnail for radon_gas_map_Canada2.gif]
 
pollinator
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For blocking radiation, metal is great. My old house had a metal roof and aluminum siding, and despite being only 1/4 mile to the cell tower I often had to go outside to get decent cell reception. It was kind of a pain in the winter and on rainy days since I didn't have a land line phone.
 
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Theres places in Wales with very poor mobile home reception. I struggled for signal in some of the valleys around Llanidloes for example. You might be best looking for hilly/mountainous areas in general like Wales, parts of Yorkshire, the Peak District, and Scotland in the UK. I expect the same may be true for any European country with rural and mountainous terrain.
 
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Chicken wire on the walls is also surprisingly and incredibly good at blocking EM. Apparently a lot of the turn of the century, plastered row houses have had to be remodeled bc of the chicken wire that supported the plaster. Creates a faraday cage.

Might at least give you a reprieve. Perhaps use chicken wire wallpaper in your bedroom or something.
 
Lana Weldon
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Thanks for all the info... Yes, I know about Canada, could be a place to visit, but difficult to just start a new life there. Plus, in places where there are no landlines, you'll need to use radio as a means of communication? Maybe also learn how to sail a boat or to fly a plane, as there isn't that much infrastructure I've heard?
The Uk is not really a country that would work for me, would need a bit more sun, and bit less expensive costs.
Well, yes, I know there is all kind of radiation, but I am mostly concerned of high frequency radiation in the form of mobile masts, wifi and dect from others etc...
And yes, all the equipment you can use can be pricey, and as don't know if I am going to move soon from my currant place, I do not want to invest in expensive radiation blocking paint, special fabric/curtains, metal netting etc.  I don't need to live in an exciting place with lots of action, I am stressed and my health is suffering, so I just dream of anything far from the grid. And yes, underground living could be an option,  like a cellar? I know also there are cave homes in Spain.
But I know there are others having this kind of problem, and would be nice to try to do something together.
 
Chris Kott
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Lana, there are some stretches of two lane highway in northern Ontario where I don't like to drive in bad conditions because you can't get cell service. It's really not anything like what you're describing.

Yes, some areas are less developed than others, infrastructurally, but that usually means that you might not be able to get high-speed internet. There are still roads to most places there are people, trains and buses to and from most communities, and various levels of air travel.

See if you can find a community of expats in Canada, online, people originally from your neck of the woods who settled here, and get their opinions. That will be much more helpful for you than anything I could offer.

It was so hard not to make an igloo joke.

-CK
 
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