With the future of the world increasingly uncertain, a sturdy survival bunker suddenly seems like a good investment. No longer reserved for just the super-rich, there are plenty of budget-friendly options out there, whether you're looking to stockpile for a potential natural disaster or have a secure hideaway to hand in the event of a global emergency.
Click or scroll on to discover the best affordable bunkers for sale, from underground homes to modular designs and DIY shelter kits...
Elsewhere in the US, this underground prepper retreat in Missouri offers a super-secure living space for an ardent survivalist. Listed with SpecialFinds for $284,900 (£220k), the custom-built bunker sits on 2.4 acres (1ha) of land close to the city of Mountain Grove in the Ozarks.
The outside of the bunker sits on a small hill and looks rather unassuming, but head through the secure front door and down a set of steps and you'll find a homely, 1,250-square-foot (116sqm) property that's both ultra-private and inviting. There's a spacious kitchen with a large pantry and dining area, three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a laundry and storage room.
All of the interior spaces are comfortable and traditionally decorated, so the buyer may wish to undertake a minor renovation to make the rooms a little more modern. Otherwise, it's move-in ready and all you'll need to do is pack your bags.
Plus, the brilliant bunker is equipped with fresh air intake, a central heat pump, a full-size shower, a bathtub and standard toilets rather than composting models.
There are also two garden sheds, an insulated garage and a 1,250-square-foot (116sqm) shop building – all of which could be converted into bunkers and leased out to other preppers.
As for outside space, the grounds come equipped with endless fruit trees, a spring-fed creek, plenty of areas for growing produce, a 500-gallon (1,892l) liquid propane gas tank and an 80-foot (24m) antenna tower – so you can keep guard and ensure you never lose your all-important telecoms access.
The property is also fully fenced and includes a secure gate and security system so you'll be properly protected during your stay.
If you're on the lookout for a shelter to add to your existing home, there are lots of options available. Prices start at around $19,000 (£14.7k), like this model called BombNado.
Comprising four separate parts, the shelter is designed to fit through a seven-foot-high (2.1m) garage door opening, then each section lowers into the hole for reassembly under the floor.
With multiple uses as a bomb shelter, fallout bunker, tornado shelter, storage cellar or even a den, as shown here, BombNado is fully customisable inside. Floor plans start at 64 square feet (5.9sqm) but reach up to 160 square feet (14.9sqm), which leaves room for a toilet, multiple bunk beds and a sitting area.
With prices starting at just $19,000 (£14.7k), BombNado can be concealed almost anywhere. In fact, the module's bulletproof hatch door can be located inside your bedroom closet or even behind a false wall for ultimate peace of mind.
The backyard bunker comes equipped with an NBC air filtration system that protects you from nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. Plus, the unit is so sturdy you could even park a car on top of the hatch.
As well as all this, the bunker also boasts secret storage underneath the laminated oak flooring, perfect for storing extra food and supplies. They really have thought of everything!
Another affordable bunker from Atlas Survival Shelters, this precast concrete version can be buried beneath your garden.
The secure space is multifunctional, it can offer protection from the wrath of tornados and bombs and it can also be used as a root cellar to store food for times of crisis.
This heavy-duty steel hatch and ladder offer a safe and secure way to enter and exit the bunker, while also protecting guests inside from whatever danger lies above land.
For anyone worried about nuclear attacks and natural disasters, it's easy to see why this affordable shelter might appeal for extra peace of mind.
The design is impressively compact, so it'll fit in the smallest of outdoor spaces.
Of course, this means the living area is particularly compact. The interior measures 11.6 feet (3.5m) by 7.6 feet (2.1m), providing around 88 square feet (8.2sqm) of floor space, which is just about enough room to accommodate a family of four for a short stint.
The precast concrete floor is six inches (15cm) thick and the four-inch-thick (10cm) walls are curved for a stronger build, according to Atlas. With a ceiling height of over seven feet (2.1m), the bijou shelter can accommodate even the tallest of survivalists – not bad for just $20,000 (£15.4k).
The bunker is fully customisable and you can add portable lavatories, batteries and water barrels to help ensure survival over a few days. It's also kitted out with this NBC air filtration system.
It comes with a manual crank, so those inside can benefit from a continuous supply of clean air even if the power goes out.
Nestled underground in the wilds of the American Midwest, Vivos Indiana is a vast subterranean shelter that can accommodate up to 80 people. Built within a converted Cold War-era bunker complex, it's strong enough to withstand a devastating nuclear explosion. That's some serious protection!
Places are still available in the 10,000-square-foot (929sqm) complex, with discounts available for applicants with key skills, such as doctors and mechanics.
Each place costs just $35,000 (£27k) per person, which isn't overly expensive considering the underground bolthole is more like a comfortable hotel than a spartan military bunker.
The impressive Indiana facility can accommodate its residents for up to a year, with no need to venture up to the surface. Big on amenities, the shelter has a huge chef-style kitchen, a movie theatre, an open-plan lounge area and a whole lot more besides.
Like the other rooms in the complex, the bathrooms are full-sized, so residents don't have to compromise on their personal hygiene.
Other highlights include kennels so residents can bring their dogs, a gym area and an indoor garden for growing fresh fruit and veggies.
When it comes to sleeping quarters, residents can choose from a bunk in a shared room if they're single or a double bed in a private room if they're coupled up.
The essentials are all covered too. The bunker is stocked with vital medical supplies, enough food and fuel for a year and a well, to provide fresh water to the entire community.
If you want something a little closer to home should the unthinkable happen, installing a shelter in your garden may be the way forward.
Texas-based Rising S Bunkers offers one of the most affordable options, with their Mini Bunker coming in at just $50,900 (£39.2k), excluding delivery and installation charges, which vary depending on where in the world you are.
Unlike a simple tornado shelter, the Rising S Mini Bunker is designed to protect its occupants from bomb blasts and nuclear fallout too.
Installation is remarkably simple and the solid steel structure can be dropped into place in the ground for an instant shelter that can stand up to the worst.
Measuring just eight feet (2.4m) by 12 feet (3.7m), the bunker offers a basic survival space that can be decorated with homely touches for a more welcoming feel. The snug living area has an air filtration system, a bunk bed and a stove to keep residents toasty and warm in the colder months.
There's also a compact kitchen, a composting toilet and a shower unit, plus a TV and DVD system to keep the whole family entertained.
It's worth noting that the bunkers are made to order, so buyers can select their ideal floor plan and amenities. For those with bigger budgets, Rising S provides a range of more spacious bunkers...
Measuring 500 square feet (46.5sqm), the 'Silver Leaf' shelter (pictured) is one of the company's finest models, with the two-bedroom base model costing $145,900 (£112.5k).
Additionally, The Fortress, part of the company's Xtreme Series, will set you back a cool $1.6 million (£1.2m) but for your money, you'll get 42 bunk beds, 15 private bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and three kitchens.
In addition to Vivos Indiana and a secretive bunker for billionaires in Europe, Vivos also operates the world's largest private shelter community, Vivos xPoint. Situated in a remote corner of South Dakota on the former Black Hills Army Base, the company claims that it's one of the safest places in the world. The 18-square-mile (46.6sqkm) complex is a high-altitude, non-seismic haven, located far away from any large bodies of water and known nuclear targets.
A former army munitions depot, the community boasts 575 incredibly tough concrete military bunkers with space for 5,000 survivalists to ride out the worst. Accommodating between 10 and 24 people, each bunker was built to withstand a 500,000-pound (226,769kg) internal blast and provide total protection from nuclear fallout.
An entire bunker at Vivos xPoint is priced at $55,000 (£42.4k), with an annual ground rent of $1,091 (£842).
Surprisingly spacious at up to 2,120 square feet (197sqm), each bunker offers enough room to house residents in comfort for a year or more, with no need to go outside. There are also plenty of options to add custom touches such as a mezzanine or attic, so you can live out the end of the world in comfort.
Clients can select from several floor plans, configurations and decorative options, which can include everything from a fully fitted kitchen, pool tables and plush sofas to LED 'windows' that simulate outdoor views. Vivos has put together a show bunker to give buyers an idea of what they can expect. As you can see, it's pretty swish.
If they ever have to hunker down in their bunker, residents won't feel like they're roughing it. Vivos can install a proper bathroom in your shelter, complete with a spacious tub and stylish décor.
Offering relative luxury on a shoestring budget, residents can even request a sizeable master bedroom with more than enough space for a king-size bed. We can think of worse spots to shelter during an apocalypse!
Another design by Texas-based Atlas Survival Shelters, the company's modular shelter range is a cost-effective subterranean design that can fit snugly into a backyard.
The model pictured measures 10 feet (3m) by 20 feet (6m), but unlike similar-sized designs, it contains a decontamination room – a must-have when it comes to surviving a nuclear disaster.
Each shelter has an impenetrable gas-tight door, a state-of-the-art air filtration system, a generator pod and enough solid steel to make it impervious to bomb blasts, fire, floods and disease.
The shelter can be installed in no time at all and for an additional cost, Atlas can fit out the space to the buyer's exact requirements.
Not so different from home sweet home, these well-appointed bunkers are as cosy as they come. Buyers can opt for a stunning fitted kitchen and diner, stylish sofas, an LED TV and DVD player, throws, cushions and other creature comforts.
The modular shelter is priced from a very reasonable $80,000 (£61.7k) plus delivery and installation, however, smaller models can cost as little as $40,000 (£30.8k).
One of the biggest draws of Atlas is the company's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Each shelter can be fully customised to suit your needs and style.
What's more, they are built to withstand extreme weather conditions and potential threats, making them highly durable and secure.
Several potentially life-saving options can be added too for an additional charge. These include camera surveillance, short-wave radios, solar panels and, last but not least, multiple radiation detectors.
There are countless models and sizes to pick from, so you're sure to find one that meets your needs.
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