9 Best Places to Be If Earth Gets Invaded
So, let’s say the worst happens, and Earth gets invaded by aliens. Not the friendly kind offering galactic peace treaties, but the laser-zapping kind. Surprisingly, survival goes beyond just weapons or sci-fi tech. It comes down to geography, resources, and the kind of infrastructure that can actually keep people alive. And some places have turned out to be more promising than others.
We’ve rounded up the best locations around the world where your odds might actually improve when the motherships start circling.
Virginia, USA
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If you want to be where the big guns are, you’d definitely want to be in Virginia. This state happens to house the Pentagon, Langley (yep, the CIA), and one of the highest military-to-civilian ratios in the country. Plus, western Virginia hides thousands of caves across the Appalachians.
Alabama, USA – Where the Ground Swallows You Whole (In a Good Way)
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Alabama is where the ground swallows you whole and in a good way. This place is practically designed for survival. It has more than 4,200 charted caves and the highest percentage of forest coverage among all U.S. states, so you’re looking at a natural maze of shelter and camouflage.
Massachusetts, USA
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Massachusetts may not seem like an alien apocalypse safe zone, but when you realize it has the highest density of scientists, engineers, and medical researchers per capita, it starts to make sense. This state is decoding the mothership’s tech and synthesizing alien antidotes. MIT, Harvard, and biotech corridors in Cambridge are where you go if you think humanity can outthink its way out of trouble.
New York, USA
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For the first time, we don’t want you to think about Times Square but maple syrup, dairy farms, and forested hills. Upstate New York produces massive quantities of food, and rural counties have high per-capita law enforcement. The infrastructure is strong, the communities are tight-knit, and the terrain is easy to disappear into. Basically, the aliens can keep the city while the survivors will be sipping cider near the Catskills.
Tennessee, USA
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Tennessee is practically hollow, with more than 10,000 caves beneath its surface. That’s not a problem if the Earth gets invaded, but an opportunity. This state lets you vanish underground while above, military bases like Fort Campbell keep the skies monitored. Add a robust healthcare system and one of the strongest National Guard units, and Tennessee becomes a smart option.
Florida, USA
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Sure, Florida has gators and hurricanes, but it also has one of the most diverse natural environments in the U.S.—and that’s exactly what gives it an edge. Dense mangroves, freshwater springs, and over 7,800 lakes offer serious natural shelter and water access. If the aliens don’t mind the humidity, they’ll still have to deal with locals who already survive everything else.
Wisconsin, USA
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It may seem unassuming, but Wisconsin is one of the most resilient states you could hunker down in. It ranks in the top five for healthcare professionals per capita and has a strong food production infrastructure. Rural terrain keeps you low-profile, and locals know how to get through with resourcefulness.
North Carolina, USA
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Here’s a state that balances brawn and brains without bragging. With Fort Bragg—one of the largest military installations in the world—North Carolina comes prepared. It also has a high concentration of engineers, medical staff, and research facilities across Raleigh-Durham’s Research Triangle.
Alaska, USA
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Alaska’s nature hides you better than any bunker. The state has the lowest population density in the U.S., with more wilderness than civilization. That alone makes it ideal for staying hidden. But it also has strategic defense outposts, a trained survivalist population, and vast natural resources. It’s unlikely any alien squad would want to stick around.
Georgia, USA
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Georgia has thick tree coverage, hundreds of caves, and one of the strongest agricultural industries in the Southeast. It’s also home to multiple military bases and one of the busiest logistics hubs in the country, meaning food and supply chains won’t vanish overnight. And yes, if it comes to it, Georgians know how to defend their ground with grit and grits.
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
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If you’re thinking underground, think big. Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system on Earth, stretching over 400 miles (and still being explored). This hole in the ground is a full-blown subterranean maze. With the right prep, this place could become a secret alien-proof colony if we just add flashlights and freeze-dried snacks.
Sơn Đoòng Cave, Vietnam
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This cave’s so massive it has its own ecosystem, including clouds and a river. Sơn Đoòng is tucked deep in central Vietnam’s jungle, and is nearly untouched and wide enough to fit a Boeing 747. If survival means going remote, this is as remote (and epic) as it gets.
Scottish Highlands, UK
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The Highlands are sufficiently strategic to consider it home when aliens invade. This region has rugged terrain, unpredictable weather, and very low population density. It’s difficult to navigate for outsiders, and the locals know every mountain pass and loch to make it a secret hideout.
Canadian Rockies, Canada
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The Canadian Rockies were designed to keep things out (including aliens), thanks to their large mountains, icy lakes, and dense forests. The sheer scale of wilderness here makes it easy to vanish without a trace. Plus, Canada’s infrastructure is solid, and if you stick near Alberta or British Columbia, you’re not too far from supply lines.
Amazon Rainforest, South America
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The Amazon is a challenge for humans, so good luck to extraterrestrials trying to navigate it. With over five million square kilometers of dense jungle, poisonous plants, elusive wildlife, and unpredictable terrain, it’s one of the hardest places on Earth to locate anything or anyone. If you can survive here, you’re already built differently.