You both make good points. It's important that you be honest with yourself and your ability to carry a load. A pack, water, firearm, knife, etc. is going to get really heavy after a very short time. Your physical condition is paramount; most folks are not in the condition they think they're in. In a real catastophe many deaths will result from heart attacks due to over-exertion. We aren't as young as we used to be!

I believe that "bugging in" is the best choice for MOST of us; we have shelter, fire, water, and food covered. If you have neighbors, form an alliance with them. There's greater safety in numbers, but be prepared to help each other with needed items.

If you are faced with no other choice but to leave (a 1,000 member gang, etc. is approaching), get out of Dodge with a vehicle loaded up with supplies and fully gassed up. Try to retain the "gray man" status and not stand out. Have a pre-determined place of safety to retreat to instead of relying just in luck.