The Best Locations To Build A Base In Project Zomboid

Summary

• Diverse locations in Project Zomboid offer unique advantages for survival, such as farming, metalworking, and easy looting.
• Updates in Build 42 have added new towns and features, impacting ideal base locations with improved systems for livestock and crops.
• New locations like the Farm, Military Base, Police Station, and Logging Camp cater to different player preferences, skills, and challenges.

While most Project Zomboid players will opt to live in houses, heavily barricading their walls and doors with planks, metal sheets, and curtains to shield themselves from the decaying world, many survivors have other ideas. Some players might opt to take residence in the rural nature of Knox County’s forests, nesting in their tents with only luck and a fading campfire to guide them.

With limitless possibilities for locations to set up a home sturdy enough to ensure survival, some base locations can provide a long-lasting solution to outlive the ever-growing zombie population.

Updated on February 13, 2025, by Abigail Angell: Recent updates to Project Zomboid included in Build 42 have changed zombie spawning and loot availability and even added four new sizable towns to the map. Echo Creek, Irvington, Bradenburg, Ekron, and Coalfield all contain interesting locations to build a base, especially considering the new and improved system for keeping livestock and growing crops. The availability of forageable resources and wildlife spawn patterns also impact the ideal base locations in this latest update.

15

North Farm, Muldraugh

Secluded With Lots Of Space

• Perfect for growing food
• A sparse local zombie population & located in a secluded area
• An interesting location to experiment with tameable animals

The North Farm is a great location for survivors looking to lead a quiet life, with the added luxury of spacious farmland where typically very few zombies inhabit the area. Found in the northern part of Muldraugh (7857×13171), this location provides space for building buildings and a natural line of sight covered from wandering hordes due to its forested perimeter.

With a cozy home interior, coupled with a barn equipped to store any goods and resources, players can even be well-prepared for the upcoming Build 42 update, which will introduce tameable animals for the first time. Next to the barn sits a ripe field ready to sow the next harvest, proving North Farm to be a farmer’s delight.

14

Lake Manors, Westpoint

Fish For Food & Live In Luxury

• Ideal for fishing
• Large houses make for good bases in group play.
• Includes some natural fortifications

Westpoint is a notoriously difficult starting location for even veteran Project Zomboid players. Its high spawn rates, forcing zombies to relentlessly attack after each turn of a corner, can make settling down difficult. Westpoint’s Lake Manors (9746×6565) are some of the calmer POIs in the locality.

There are three large houses, each accompanied by garages and decently sized gardens, with a mixture of fences and shrubbery surrounding each one for additional protection. The southernmost house borders a lake at the edge of its garden and a river on the north side, making it another valuable position to fish and stay away from denser, more infested zombie populations. With careful planning, clever use of defense, and the right mindset, players can turn one of the lake manors into a thriving little settlement.

13

AMZ Steel, Ekron

A Base Of Metalworking Operations

• Low Zombie Population
• Good For Metalworking
• Difficult Location

The upsides to AMZ Steel (1924×10834) as a base only really became apparent with the update to the crafting system in build 42. The reworked metalworking skill (previously blacksmithing) now utilizes a wider variety of tools and stations that players will need to have on hand. For this purpose, AMZ Steel is a good choice due to already having many of the objects and resources necessary for metalworking, as well as plenty of space to build those still needed. In addition, small living quarters exist on-site that players can convert into their homes. The complex also contains pools of water that can be used for drinking and nearby farms to liberate agricultural equipment.

However, despite these benefits, AMZ Steel has one major downside that is tricky to overcome. It is located on the outskirts of two settlements, Ekron and Echo Creek, and is surrounded by woods and farmland. While this reduces the zombie spawns, it also makes it difficult and time-consuming to get into larger towns. Ideally, this location is a better second base, which players can move to after they have cars to transport large amounts of items and have already looted important supplies such as medicine and tools from downtown areas.

The HOA At The End Of The World

• A gated community perfect for cooperative multiplayer set-ups.
• Semi-secluded area with fewer zombies
• Louisville is within easy driving distance.

Having one entrance can either be a blessing or a curse – depending on the situation. With three gated houses and only one way in, living in the gated communities of eastern Louisville (14152×2639) certainly has its benefits.

Living on the outskirts of Louisville, players are less likely to encounter hordes as the area is semi-secluded, with a forest neighboring nearby. Survivors should expect to create a small, homely community in this location while still enjoying the spoils of living in a loot-heavy Louisville.

11

Church Of The Holy Redeemer, Bradenburg

The Cult At The End Of The World

• Great Early Loot
• Central Location
• Growing Pains In The Late Game

The Church of the Holy Redeemer (2083×6022) in Bradenburg is the perfect base location for a group of players looking to roleplay a cult or someone simply looking for a nice building near important resources. The building is in the center of Bradenburg, with a café and police station across the street for early food and weapons. In the nearby neighborhood, players can also find a Dentist, where medical supplies can be sourced, a tool store for tools and crafting materials, and a post office for maps, notebooks, and pens. In addition, the rest of Bradenburg is a short car ride away and has enough loot to rival Louisville.

The major downside to this location, and why it doesn’t rank more highly on the list, is the plentiful zombie spawns in Bradenburg and the lack of primitive amenities nearby. Players will likely not be able to farm animals in this location, as there are no nearby farms to find livestock on, and they must be transported for great distances. The only reasonable option for long-term food production is the Gardening Store in a strip mall to the South, where players might be able to find seeds, fertilizer, and gardening tools. In addition, stoves that work without electricity are unlikely in the city and must be crafted by someone with sufficient skill.

10

MASS GENFAC, Muldraugh

Oodles Of Storage & A Rooftop

• Ideal for a rooftop garden
• Nearby Muldraugh’s town center for loot
• Spawns large amounts of loot.

The MASS-GENFAC warehouse (10612×9312) provides dozens of storage crates with plenty of loot to settle down and start planning for any journeys that lie ahead. With a large, multistory building, players can even choose to grow their crops on its roof rather than on the surface of the grass outside.

With the rooftop access comes the additional perk of being able to leave out pots, pans, and rain barrels in order to collect valuable rainwater. GENFAC is just a short walk away from Muldraugh’s various and now defunct establishments, which are crawling with resources ready to be looted.

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9

The Military Base

Well Fortified Once Cleared & Secluded

• Remote Location
• Well Fortified
• Zombies here are likely equipped with military armor and guns

The Military Base (5475×12605) is extremely well protected and hidden. Tucked away in the far reaches of South-Western Knox Country, getting here is quite the journey, so bring a vehicle in good condition with plenty of fuel. While players will have access to a deadly arsenal of guns and ammo once the area has been cleared, doing so is no simple task.

Much like Knox Prison, the base is teeming with the undead, so players will want to strategically eliminate them with cunning precision or look to bring in some friends and some heavy firepower. With the expansiveness that the Military Base offers, for solo players, the place can feel a little overwhelming should they decide to clear it themselves and live there. The cost of living in such a well-guarded perimeter is its loneliness, as it’s one of the most rural and isolated areas in the game. Players who choose to live in the Military base should plan on having a working car and gas at all times to secure important loot.

8

Kentucky State Prison, Rosewood

A Giant Complex With Challenges

• Comes with premade fortifications
• Difficult to enter and clear of zombies
• Plenty of space for farming and storage

Knox Prison (7718×11881) is the most heavily fortified area in the game, surrounded by layers of unclimbable protective fencing, iron bars, and metal sheets. Getting inside requires calculation and wit, all while being able to fight hordes of undead inmates as players carefully route their way inside. With a long fence perimeter, it’s easy to be backed into a corner with no way out.

Players should be warned that this area is incredibly dangerous and should come prepared with a well-equipped arsenal, as hordes will be looking to sink their teeth into unsuspecting players from all directions. Once the area has been cleared through sheer firepower or lured away in groups via horns or alarms, players can rest assured that zombies won’t be able to claw their way through the fences.

7

Central Apartments, Louisville

An Easily Barracaded Neighborhood In Lousiville

• High Loot Density
• High Difficulty due to Zombie Density
• Plenty of creative opportunities for building

Louisville has hundreds of apartments, many of which will be one-time pit-stops for the night, areas players decide to loot, or places to try to recover in while dozens of the dead wander the streets searching for their next meal. The Central Louisville Apartments (12844×1472) is an ideal location for players seeking a more urban destination to increase the difficulty and intensity of their survival.

However, one such apartment complex right next to a busy, retail-heavy street is a great candidate for a more permanent home. Because of the complex’s central location in Louisville, getting enough loot there will be no issue. Additionally, fortifications can effectively cut this small neighborhood off from the rest of the city for defense purposes. Building fortifications in the right places and or even utilizing cars as a means to block unwanted zombie access can turn the area into a flourishing settlement. While central Louisville is one of the hardest areas in the game due to its insanely high zombie population, living here and thriving can feel extremely rewarding.

6

Ovo Farms, Echo Creek

A Simple Country Life For Simple Country Survivors

• Comes With Farming Equipment
• Proximity to Spawn Locations
• Two-Story House

Ovo Farms (3988×10792) is a livestock farm on the outskirts of Echo Creek, the new starting town introduced in Build 42. This farm comes ready with tools, feeding troughs, and fences for livestock raising. Its proximity to Echo Creek makes loot runs in the downtown area very easy while simultaneously being far away enough to avoid zombie hot spots. In addition to being well-appointed for animals, the two-story farmhouse on the property contains comfortable accommodation for a solo player or small group, and the stairs can be barricaded for airtight defense.

Players looking to start here will want to prioritize their foraging, agriculture, and hunting skill sets, as having these will allow them to gain the most benefit from Ovo Farm’s location. They should also quickly find a working car, as trips into town for crafting resources and tools will be both necessary and laborious on foot. Livestock to start using Ovo Farm’s agricultural operations can be discovered in the rural areas around Echo Creek (or even already inhabiting Ovo Farms) and can be tamed and brought back using a rope.

5

Smith & Ferrier, Coalfield

A Relic of the Past With Tools For The Future

• Secluded/Low Zombie Presence
• Contains Tools Useful For Crafting & Building
• Room To Expand

While Coalfield is not a starting town, it can be reached quickly by car if players start in Echo Creek. Its main advantages are the sparse zombie presence, large wildlife, access to primitive tools, and its interesting backstory. The town of Coalfield is a grouping of about 30 locations, built to resemble an old Wild West Town. Players can find a Saloon, Sheriff, Grocery, General Store, Hardware Store, Bar, and a Blacksmith. This, combined with the reenactment style of the park, means plenty of low-tech tools suitable for an apocalypse – including wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, animal troughs, an anvil, rain collector barrels, and animal traps.

These characteristics make the location of Smith & Ferrier (3615×8267), the local Smithy, an ideal starting base. Then, on a multiplayer server (or for particularly ambitious solo players), the entire town can be fenced off and built into. Because of the livestock and hunting mechanics, as well as the farming system, players can easily set up for the long haul using animal traps for food and crafting what they need. The downsides are, of course, the lack of TV and other modern amenities, so it is best to head there after the power cuts and not before. Players will also need to ensure they have the skills to make use of the tools in Coalfield, so choosing a blacksmith background or similar is encouraged.

4

Police Station, Riverside

A Quaint, Newbie Friendly Base

• Located in an easy start location
• Nearby the Police Station
• Near a local Gas Station

Riverside is one of the easiest starting towns to begin a character’s journey, which makes the Riverside Police Station (12844×1472) a good early base contender. With low spawn rates and an abundance of houses and loot, it makes an ideal location for players looking to create a base where they can lie low or knuckle down with their skill development.

With easy access to the police station’s firearms cache after clearing the place of zombies, players can level up their firearms skills efficiently and in this location, with minimal risk. With access to a gas station across the road, players should strive to acquire a generator early on to continue to manually power the gas station when the electricity turns off.

3

Western Lakeside Houses, Louisville

Ideal For Fishing & Well Fenced

• Scenic houses make a beautiful base.
• Piers in the nearby lake provide fishing opportunities.
• Just outside Louisville for Looting

The lakeside houses (12016×2825) can be located at the westernmost point of Louisville, right next to the river water source. There are 19 houses, each unique in its own way, with tennis courts, lavish drives, and even one with a mechanic’s garage. Different fence types suit each player’s style, including wooden fences, white pickets, barbed wire, or spiked metal. Fourteen of the houses have a pier, perfect for someone looking to kick their legs up and fish to maintain a steady and stable source of food.

These houses sit on a long and accessible stretch of road on the edge of the chaos that is central Louisville. This makes coming and going easy, and it’s just a short drive north from St. Peregrin Hospital, which can house a lifetime supply of medical supplies if players can successfully scavenge them.

2

The Pleasant Motel, Irvington

The Best of Both Loot Worlds

• Outfitted With Private Bedrooms
• Easy To Fortify
• Balanced Location

Players looking for the best of both rural and urban environments should consider the Pleasant Motel (2528×14538) as a potential base. It is located on the southern side of Irvington, perfectly between the urban and rural sides of town. Between the nearby farms and the farming supply store up the road, players should be able to find all the agricultural tools they need for either a gardening or livestock operation. Other important locations include several restaurants, a pharmacy, a liquor store, and a gas station across the street. By following the road further up (and turning left at the end), players will find a Hardware Store, Metal Workshop, and two gun stores.

The location is also easily big enough, no matter the group size, with private rooms for 18 people pre-built. For smaller groups, simply choose a room on the second floor and barricade the staircase for defense. In larger groups, players can finish the partially built perimeter fence and close off the entire area.

1

McCoy Logging Camp, Muldraugh

Ideal For Builders & Surrounded By Trees

• Flush with Building Materials & Resources
• Nearby Muldraugh’s Shopping district
• Chance to locate a Sledgehammer

The McCoy Logging Camp (10266×9743) is perfect for players selecting classes with an aptitude for carpentry and building. It has three large warehouses, each housing dozens of storage crates packed heavy with materials, weaponry, and resources. A short walk east will lead to the town of Muldraugh and its many shops. Heading south will lead to a large lumber mill, which has hundreds of heavy logs ready to be cut into planks to help any fortification efforts. Follow the road west to find a construction site.

In either of these places, players have a chance to locate a sledgehammer, which is a crucial asset early in the game, allowing the destruction of gun store security fences and any other walls that players wish to destroy to expand on existing locations. With all these places within walking distance from one another, the logging camp is the perfect location to hammer down for the long haul.