It just depends where you spawn. Your best bet is to run until you find the road, as there are lots of fields of resources and Rad Towns near the road. Sounds like you were pretty far out where not much spawns.
Can be a good place to hide your house, but not good early on when you need all the resources you can get your grubby mits on!
Ah certainly no road, i ran for ages and only saw grass and cliffs/trees. Will try again now.
With regards to shacks and doors etc. What is the point of them? If i have one and am in it does that stop people being able to attack me etc? or does it mean i respawn there?