The LA Times has an interesting story today about the revival of ad-hoc communities by the infamous Salton Sea, especially Slab City.

Several hundred people — ranging from the free-spirited young, retired "snowbirds" from colder climes and the tight-money crowd of all ages — live in a ramshackle collection of tents, trailers, aging mobile homes and other ad hoc dwellings. But this unlikely community appears to be growing, perhaps because of the troubled economy.

"It has a post-apocalyptic look and we like it that way," said Don Case, 41, who worked as a chef in Colorado and is planning to move to Alaska — someday. "It's peaceful here, people have it together."

Case has put together a small kitchen and cooks for several neighbors. His specialty: quail fajitas, made from the tiny birds that are prevalent in Slab City.

The community is spread out over 600 acres. Its has internet and cell-phone service but the US Postal Service won't deliver there. (FedEx will.) Nobody pays property-related rents or fees. It's off the grid, but the local sheriff doesn't have a problem with people living out there. It has Saturday-night talent shows, movie nights, a church, hot springs, cafes, and the local school district sends a bus out there to pick up and drop off Slab City kids. In their off time, some of the kids catch rattlesnakes.

If the economy gets worse and government austerity gets more severe, Slab City might be the town of the future.