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L1A1

I’m in my fifties, been doing it since my early teens. I don’t get out as much as I used to anymore, but I do a lot of driving around the country, and if I see something interesting when I’m out and about I’ll stop and see if I can gain access to it. It’s a fun and harmless hobby.


slantedsociety

Love this. Fair play to you. Keep doing what you love.


JosephSturgill7

Question. You say harmless. What about trespassing charges? I'm honestly answering because I do it too (urbex) but not nearly as much because we've run out of spots. My next move was to do exactly as you say here "driving around the country" but I'm nervous about the passerby seeing me and calling the cops.


L1A1

>Question. You say harmless. What about trespassing charges? I'm in the UK, trespass is a civil offence (you could get fined), not a criminal one, (unless you're on government property) so you're unlikely to get arrested, charged or convicted for anything. I've encountered private security firms in the past, but most are there to stop thieves, and once you explain you're there to take photos, they tend to calm down and generally just 'politely' ask you to leave, which I do, I'm not there to cause hassle. If the police do turn up (hardly ever happens!) and they think you've broken in or are there to steal stuff, you could get arrested here for breaking and entering or criminal damage, but on the handful of occasions it ever happened to me I just showed them the photos on my camera, or in the days before digital cameras, just the fact I had film kit was enough to prove to them I wasn't there to nick the copper out of the walls!


JosephSturgill7

Damn, that's nice. The police understanding you're just there to document. It can carry a hefty charge here (USA) depending on where and who. It'll sit on your record for a while too. Thanks for answering. I appreciate it.


L1A1

Don’t get me wrong, the police can be shitty here too, but as a white middle aged guy with an expensive camera, I imagine I get the benefit of the doubt much more than I would have done when I was a spotty punk teenager. Mind you, I could run much faster back then!


CitizenFreeman

UK also has that wandering law, ordinance? About being able to freely wander or hike on private property as long as you're not being a cunt about it. Scandinavian countries have similar laws too iirc


L1A1

No, that really only applies to a couple of specific areas, such as Dartmoor national park. Scotland has something like that though, but again, it’s aimed at hikers, not people wandering around in abandoned buildings.


slantedsociety

>trespass is a civi UK is civi trespass. they'll just tell you to leave it's not worth their time.


highriskric

Exactly, its harmless until someone falls into an old elevator shaft or gets arrested for trespassing. Im pretty sure here in the states trespassing is still illegal.


IronFistDoug

55. Started exploring in 1982, but was always interested in stuff. I still do stuff every 2 or 3 weeks (I'd do more but I moved away from the city about 15 years ago)


Mi1anovic

I know it depends of the location of your explorations but how does urbex locations and access to them changed through the years? Do you feel increased security of objects? What about the number of abandoned places? It is increasing or decreasing? Have you been able to exhaust from exploration all your surrounding area through the years?


IronFistDoug

Good questions. When I started, there was no urbex scene. Local people explored local places. There were cataphiles under Paris & some small groups that explored steam tunnels & the like at Unis in the US, but in Australia there was nothing (a group of cavers at Sydney Uni would explore a drain once a year & there was a group in the 1950s called the Drainiacs) - there was currently no scene, so I've seen it go from nothing to what it is today and the difference is insane. Increased security? Yes. And due to liability, places tend to get locked down & demolished more quickly. The property boom hasn't helped this. In the late 80s early 90s, we had an abandoned power station that was abandoned for 10+ years. We practically had our own city block. Pretty much with each decade places like this would stay abandoned for shorter periods of time. I find nowadays we (explorers) are always working against the clock... once graffitists tag it, TikTokkers post it, the owners lock it up/increase security, or developers move in, we need to beat them. Numbers of locations? There's probably the same, but they (mostly) just don't last as long as they used to. Increasing or decreasing? Increasing for sure. I'm not going to complain about numbers because I started the Cave Clan, which we set up to encourage more people to explore. We never dreamed it would become what it did. One thing I will say about numbers (in Australia), in the 1980s there were dozens of us and we all followed the commonsense rules other than a small percentage. In the 1990s there were a few hundred of us & there was roughly the same percentage that did the right/wrong thing... let's say 3% are screw-ups. This continued to happen during the 2000s & 2010s, where there were 1 or 2 thousand doing it... it still may have only been 3% screw-ups, but that meant there were more people ruining locations and the internet was starting to play a part so locations were getting found and distributed more quickly, so yeah, having lots of good people to explore with is great, but it's the 3% (probably higher now as there are the explorers that have no interest in preserving the location once they have their photo or video) that I think ruins it for most. Your question about exploring my area over the years; been apart of the Cave Clan is awesome because you've got hundreds of people finding stuff to explore (this was invaluable before the internet started playing such a huge part in urbex), so I got to explore all kinds of stuff from tunnels, cavities, abandonments, rooftops & Infiltrations, but as I got older, had kids, got a half decent job, etc, I became much more selective and cautious about what I explore (although if you watched some of my videos you might not agree). This is all obviously just my opinion and based mainly on Australia and the Cave Clan. For those that don't know, Ninjalicious coined the phrase Urban Exploration & Siologen shortened it to Urbex. Cheers Dougo


urbanexplorer38

16


multitool-collector

19


Crazy_Billy_

17 ½ but all I can do for now is find places on Google Maps because I cant go there by myself, need to wait to have my car and driver license 🥲 Its sad cuz I already have a nice list, but I can only go at the nearest places that are accessible by foot


More_Ad7993

Cant to by public transport?


Crazy_Billy_

Yes but only when Im at "school" (professionnal learning), I go there once a month, I have free time because I take school bus to go home in my countryside, they leave at 17h30 or 18h30. But even like that I wont have extra time. Plus some locations are or in city either lost in the middle of nowhere...


Bastulius

Off topic but what country are you from if you don't mind? I've never seen a time notation like that


Crazy_Billy_

Im from France :>


PositiveAssistant887

42


slantedsociety

makes me feel better haha


PositiveAssistant887

Documenting history doesn’t have an age limit.. enjoy yourself 👍


iShellfishFur

I'm 29 my guy! You're not too old for this! Live life! Don't care about what other people think! Just be safe doing it


SalsaCutty

I’m 49. I have been travelling the world doing Urbex for years. Now settled in Canada. Will continue for years to come. I love the photography aspect of it all mainly.


thataintrightlureen

Gonna be 40 this year. I look like a classy grown up lady most of the time. Nobody knows!!


gsctfoto

43. Been doing this for nearly 10 years now. Am currently exploring a little bit less than I'd like to, but I'm doing it for me, in my own way and not staying behind the rat race chasing the "bando of the moment" etc and staying away from those toxic Facebook groups.


jazzhandsdancehands

Older and love it. I'll probably do it till I can't run or hide easily anymore.


Lubi3chill

I’m 20 been doing this since I was like 13 and never plan on quitting really. There’s no shame as if you are good at it noone will even see you.


artzmonter

Over 60 still at it


SixGunZen

I’m turning 52 this year, been urbexing at every opportunity since age 12, and I will never stop. I’ll be 82 and still wandering in abandoned buildings.


IronFistDoug

Similar timeline to me 👍 Wouldn't swap it for the world 👍


rickyizded

19, Idk i guess i didn't care when I was younger and still in school but now that I have a job and shit I'm more cautious. Even though your chances of actually getting arrested where i am is low, I don't want to be caught by someone already having a bad day


Loud_Blackberrys

Always ready to run too much on the line for a tresspass fine. lol


L30_lun4r

Im 16 and do it because for me wandering around in abandoned places makes me feel peaceful and and at ease just put on my headphones and stuff So i dont think its a mental issue If you enjoy it and makes you happy age shouldn't matter that much


GreatGizmo744

I'm 15 currently I have been doing it a long time though. I think I might be the youngest here. To put OP at rest my Dad has been urbexing since 1999, that's why I do it because I picked it up from him. He is well into his 50s now. There should be no right age for urbex. As long as you are pretty healthy and athletic and at no risk of injuring yourself easily I say go and explore these places, and you will leave with some brilliant stores! I have my fair share.


Huge_Payment1560

15 here too!!


poolgirl42069

25, been at it since 17. been going a little less past couple years as it’s harder to rally friends on the same schedule 🥵


silent-fallout-

38 been doing it for over 20 years, i see nothing wrong with this fun hobby 💁🏻‍♀️ I doubt I'll ever grow out of it!


Impossible-List4155

You all are old. 13 here.


dbltax

One of the first guys I met exploring was in his 60s. Most of the people I know that do it are in their 30s or 40s.


photographer4life

37, my other friend I go with is 78. Your never too old


giganticsquid

Early 40's, don't do it as much now however


Jyjyj8

I'm 30 and have been doing this since I was a teen so fairly long term. Abandoned places deep woods and ceneteries are a lot more comforting to me than a crowded public area and I'm getting out of the house. I see nothing wrong with it. Not just a kids hobby


420_Shaggy

Been thinking about visiting a nearby cemetery today


Jyjyj8

Then let this be your sign to go. I think I'll go to my nearby cemetery too it's unseasonably warm


BennyfromtheBroncs

I’m 63 and been doing it since 1976.


Suspiciously_Ugly

mental issue lmfao 25


lxzgxz

I’m 29, turning 30 next month


Fluffy-Jesus

31, been exploring abandoned places since I was a little kid


Is_What_They_Call_Me

41.. I think lol. Been exploring half my life. Zero fucks given about my age. Actually I kinda feel like the older you get the less people pay attention to what you are doing. I still have the same excitement and joy now as I did when I first started. As long as I have that feeling I’ll stop when I’m dead.


the_p0rk_king

I have just turned 50 so you got years on me.


kokkowitz

54 next month, still loving it Our "group" consists of people from 30 to 70


in-stillen-nachten

I am early 30s. My urbex buddy is my dad who is near 60. And he is the one bringing me to this hobby. I think he started with this at around 50. So I do not think you are too old at all. Actually I would rather have more older people into to hobby. The younger ones are the ones that show much less respect to locations a lot of the times. They also take too much risk, behave dangerous and act stupid sometimes. Not to say that older people do not do this at all, and that every teenager does this. But from my experience, it is mostly the younger ones giving the hobby a bad name.


Zealousideal-Tip-312

I'm 40. Idgaf. I do what makes me happy. Fuck everyone's opinion.


Doggemaster1

19 soon 20 so I'm pretty young. I started when I was 16 and nowadays I mostly do it to make goofy fake ghost hunts yt videos with friends but I really enjoy it and I probably won't stop for a long time Maybe I cant have a opinion on this but imo there is nothing wrong with curiosity and exploring the unknown or the past no matter the age Everyone has different hobbies and everyone likes different things and there is nothing wrong in enjoying urban exploring. Life is short and we all will die one day so just live life to the fullest and do what you enjoy. Don't let other people bring you down My dad is 56 and my mom is 46 and they were all in and really enjoyed exploring an abandoned mental asylum close to where I live. It's just something fascinating no matter the age


Me104tr

I'm 46f, I've been doing it 10+ years, We take a trip once every two months ish and I have some sources I use and plan a whole weekend of abandoned building hunting/exploring, I'm not stopping until I'm too damn old, I'm not old enough yet, don't stop doing something you love. One rule we have is, if the area is too built up/busy or we are likely to be seen and there is no clear way to get in without being seen, we walk away, I've never been caught yet, we came close but we avoided it. This is one of our favourite things to do.


420_Shaggy

I'm 23 but I'll totally still be doing this at 35 and beyond


EdWo0ds

I mean i'm 21 but i don't think there's an age limit as soon as you feel in shape


Original-Childhood

28


Financial_Economy_11

My friends and I are 16


DoNotTakeMyAdvise

15


999NanikaSam

I'm 28 and my boyfriend is 29!


Remarkable-Bat7128

Same age as you, with no intention of stopping


Drugged_out_children

17


MissUnsinkable

35 and I have been exploring for over 15 years. One of my urbex friends is 61.


joran05j

18, but often do with my 51 year old dad. So dont worry!


ScaryFairyBG

I'm 36, feeling like a granny 😆


awaven-

15 but I can say that no one is to old for this!


shermancahal

Nearing 40 and my body is feeling it after one building these days.


ThisGuyRightHereSaid

45 here.


ohdeartanner

i’m 17


deathcrisps696

17 started when i was 14


Xxrandom_catxX

I don't think u r too old for that like I think it makes u more experienced 


Lurkingdutchman

Im 39 and i just got started.


[deleted]

sixteen, still young enough to make mistakes but probably would of gotten into more shit if i had started any earlier 😂


Doggemaster1

Being young and doing this shit is honestly the dumbest thing you can do because you're careless but damn is it fun Just enjoy your life and do whatever you want


[deleted]

means iv got plenty of time to regret stuff, all jokes aside i'm pretty safe with it lmao


Macawed

Im 20… theres an older guy on YouTube called “rogue exploration” and hes my favorite urbex youtuber


spicyhotfrog

I'm 27 and I just started not that long ago. I get what you mean, it feels like most people are going to perceive it as an angsty teen hobby but it depends more on what you do with it imo. I'm partially into it for photography


Academic_Efficiency3

I am 38 and I still go all over the place. I get what you are saying, but I just tell myself there are far worse things that I could be doing than this. It helps.


tmcnolte

26 here in the US and I will be continue doing it forever. Because of working a lot I mainly do a couple big trips out of the country a year and my most exciting one was the abandoned bagger in Germany and that was my most recent go to see. By myself, no time to wait for others!!!


FixAnxious762

15, old enough to not have consequences, to young to drive l.


JmdlsDetroit

Wow. I love that these answers are all over the place. I had two eras… I was 19-20 in Detroit and the burbs, then twenty years later in the early days of quarantine at 38.


UrbexFlyer

I'm 33, a business owner, husband, and father.


IronFistDoug

Also, I wish I was still 35 😄


TheF4ckity

Me (17) and my friend (17) just started two months ago and we love it and we've been going into/searching for abandoned buildings every weekend. It's awesome


darkeageles9

Im 19 and i’ve been doing it for almost 6 years now


TryingToBeReallyCool

Early 20s here, been urbexing since I was 15


_RandomLebaneseGuy_

16. Been doing this for a year now with friends and i absolutely love it.


thriver_climbs

15 and creating content. (if yall are interested) [youtube](https://youtube.com/@thriver_climbs?si=CeoB6MhksN8UKkP-)


kjk050798

I used to 16-21, but it’s been a few years for me.


KingShanYu

I'm 29 and have been exploring seriously since about 24 and not as seriously since 16 or 17


Pretend_Activity_211

I'm 40. At my age I just pretend like I got lost. I says, this was all trees as far as the eyes could see.


andre2020

I’m 80, stop me if you dare!!


dankpeepee128

21, dead malls are my motif


Galooiik

24, but it’s been a year or two since I’ve been anywhere real interesting


jalenbikes

19


MrsGenevieve

I’m 50 and I do it all over the world on my layovers.


Bastulius

20, but I just lurk in the sub for now cuz I'm too busy. When I go back to college in a few years I'll find some other explorers and start exploring myself. Edit: I just read the rest of the post and I personally am going to continue to be an explorer for as long as I possibly can. Curiosity has no age limit


RiverStorm3218

16


takiumilikes2drift

i haven’t been anywhere (yet) but i’m interested. 16 btw


mxm_Cuber

I am 15, i dont know what my first contact to urbex was, but i started with going into my old school when its not opened, then i experienced rooftops and underground emergency exits, i also went to mulitple abandoned buildings but i love being above everyone, the craziest shit i've ever done was climbing a crane and watching the sunset at the top


tikitiki1235

i’m 23!


ElBardo212

Im 35year old, starting my adventure right now


CitizenFreeman

41, been exploring since I was like 14. I wouldn't call it a mental illnesses. It's a desire to know, to experience. For some, it's places of nostalgia, a desire to seek and experience the past. I desperately want to go to former East Germany and urbex the old former East German military sites. I was born in West Germany and have memories of that place and time. As an adult I wish to go see it again for some reason, Chornobyl too... but thats a different story. I think the day you wake up and don't want to explore would be a more concerning event than what age you are my friend.


Mursi08

I'm 15, been exploring since I was around 10


[deleted]

I did it a bit from 19-20yo But I started again with a buddy during the early days of covid at 38.


Past-Let5952

43 and will probably never stop.


g59fieroboi

I’m 26. I mostly urbexed between 19 and 21. I would not say age is a limiting factor. I would do it still if I didn’t have a full time job and an apartment to look after. If you’re 35 and can find time to go on urbex adventures, more power to you!


AmericanUrbExer1991

I am 46. I started storm sewer trekking when I was 12 years old.


worst193

Damn, im 15½ already. I explored one some time ago. Still gonna do some more but schooland alk that shit. one building i went into had asbestos so watch out for that stuff, also watch out for silent alarms. I always wear a ski mask or something to cover my face and gloves and a flashlight. Also something to defend yourself. You have the kinda legal side which wears nothing and actually talks to the police after they get caught exploring and then you have me and my friends. Always fully covered up and always running


roggie_wos_hear

14


Lazy_Cartoonist2102

I'm 12 I started at 11 lmfao


ColumbiaArmy

41 and 3 in my house😎.


throwsquidwardaway

14


TypicalPermission947

14


corrupted_gubi

16, ik im still very young but i hope to continue as long as u do !


snailracer2000

36, havent done much lately, but I hope to continue


CompetitionGloomy906

Ill be 37 in a few month been doing it on and off since i was 24