Where is the Best Place to Live Off-Grid?
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OK, so you caught the off-grid bug and now you are looking to cut the apron strings, quit the rat race and head for the big out doors to try your hand at off grid living. But where do you go and how do you pick the land to settle on? It's not as if you are choosing an apartment and can just up and leave if you don't like it. So what does a person do, where is the best place to live off-grid? In my opinion the three most important criteria for locating an off-grid homestead are water (or lack thereof), cost and community.
Thank God for the internet! We now have access to all kinds of “off-grid” websites, classified ads and You Tube videos that will help us navigate our uncharted course to “off-grid” living. I have put links to all the websites and pages below. There are sites that will match you with people who are already off the grid who need help and conversely with people who are looking for off-grid communities that have been established already. If it's land you are looking for they have classified ads, if it's information about a well drill, someone out there has that. You have only to seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Off-grid living can be lonely and difficult, people who are living in the wild want to share their experiences and you can benefit from the information and experience they have to offer.
Many people have asked me where is the best place to locate an off-grid homestead. There is no easy answer to that question as it depends on you and what you want. However, having said that, I have my preferences. For example, I would not want to go off-grid in the desert. There ARE people who do it, but it seems to me that the lack of water and isolation would really put you in a precarious situation. The life that people live off-grid, in the desert is not for me. So that cuts out a good deal of the southwest. Furthermore, the isolation that the desert has can be a problem. If the SHTF and we have a total breakdown of our society how long do you think you could survive with NO outside contact? For this reason Alaska and Hawaii might not be the best choices either.
Another consideration is expense. A property can be the most perfect property in the world but if it is too much money what good is it? If you are Ted Turner, I doubt you are reading this article! So the cost has to be right.
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Thirdly, and this is something I have come to after reading many articles about off-grid living...thirdly, I think it's very important to locate where there is a community of like-minded people if not nearby within a short distance. Now, some of you may want to be totally isolated from the world but that gets old for most people pretty fast. I think it's very important to have a community near-by that is supportive of you and your life-style. You can have the most beautiful place, the most independent off-grid homestead known to man, but if you have neighbors that are not friendly or even hostile to what you are doing and who you are it can ruin everything. Face it, we need each other and even in an off-grid lifestyle you might have to depend on a community at some point. This can make or break your off-grid experience in my opinion. After all one of the things that makes off grid living doable is being able to sell your products to your neighbors. Things like raw milk, eggs and woolens from your sheep can bring in some extra money and help you make a go of your homestead. If the local (or state) laws make this difficult, well it is something to consider when choosing your homestead. If the local or state laws are going to make it difficult for you to build your cob house and nickle and dime you to death over permits and fees or the property taxes are prohibitive then another location may be in order.
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Now there are other things to consider but I don't think that they are nearly as important as the three things I just mentioned. Some might say that the growing season is important. And, yes that is important but with the addition of a a greenhouse or two you can overcome this almost anywhere. Another problem for some might be extreme weather. Again this can be overcome and animals can live in almost any climate, including very cold weather. You might not WANT to live in extreme weather but that is another issue entirely. Also, gun laws have been mentioned. Personally, I think that a state's gun laws should be considered however, I would not put that as a “must have” for the simple reason that even this can be overcome. If you are using guns for security you can usually use rifles almost anywhere in the United States. If you need extra security you can use dogs and cameras. If the laws in the United States become so draconian as to make even owning rifles illegal, well then, that is unconstitutional and as far as I'm concerned those laws are not “lawful” and should not be obeyed.
So there you have it, my two cents as to what you should look for when trying to decide where to locate your off-grid homestead.
One of the Best Articles I've Read on Where to Locate Off-Grid
Off-Grid Blogs
- Landbuddy Interactive Map | Living Off the Grid: Free Yourself
Use our interactive map to find others near you interested in off-grid living! - Autonopedia | The Practical Resource for Sustainable Living
The free practical resource for sustainable living with plans, know-how, recipes and networking
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Nice one, I have mailed you offpage!
Yes WildIris, obviously I agree wholeheartedly.
Got it Aguasilver, thanks for writing.
Brie: when I need to go off grid, prayer and meditiation transcend me into another world, another plain of existance far away from our daily rat race.
Me too brother, but still...I dream of a little place where I can have some animals and a garden.
How about Heaven when the time arrives?
That's the ultimate "off grid" location!
Forget heaven... God abandoned us long ago!
That's not true.
Great hub! This is one of those things that I think about, but never truly think this deeply about. Wonderful information and something to keep in the back of my mind for when the time comes! Thanks & vote up!
Thanks a million cheapsk8chick!
I bought a house in the country 4 years ago for this very reason. I planted a 30x 20 vegetable garden in my backyard. I can vegetables for the winter as well. I have a wood burning fireplace which I use often. I split my own wood with an ax. People should start preparing to live off the grid now, instead of waiting until it is too late.
Good for you mazzastick, I wish I was there!
What state are you in?
Brie outstanding job on this one. I just find it sad that we live in a time where we have to consider this as an option.
Thanks Tony, but I don't see this as a bad thing at all. I'd much rather be milking a cow than sitting in a cubicle and working for someone else.
WOW! This is my 'go-to' article for when I plan on going off the grid! This is fantastic!!! Thank you!
:) Thanks Mochan I hope you voted it up!
Most of Detroit is now off the grid :) Why are all these off grid people middle-aged single men who want to live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere? It's not like you can't add solar power to your existing home. No offense intended toward your hub but most of these off the grind people are very antisocial and the rest of us would prefer to live in a social environment. How many people truly want to live like it's 1900... sure with the economy going nowhere fast we may have to, but I don't think people - normal people - find this lifestyle attractive. It's mostly a survivalist mentality. I can only imagine how nice it is today in upland Minnesota off the grid.
Actually a person who is off the grid would have heat and light in Minnesota...it's only those that are on the grid that have lost power that are suffering.
I think your opinion may have had some truth to it in the past but things are changing. A lot of people do not want to be dependent on the government or on governmental systems, they want to be free. They don't want to be a slave to the corporate grind. I am a very social person which is why I would would to live near a town and many people who want to go off grid are doing so in communities. Just because you live in a city doesn't mean that you are connected to anyone, I know, I live in Manhattan and there are a lot of disconnected lonely people here. Your prejudices are blinding you.
Off the grid I have relatives who have done this, and for some strange reason it really scares me just the thought of it. It seems so very and utterly isolating and depressingly lonely. Maybe it's just me, I like being on the grid I guess. A.B.
To each his own..but we may not have a choice in the future.
My fiance and I are looking for land just for this reason, diability check in handin 5 more months and going natural, chemical free. What I have read so far is very positive. I need to go back up and read from the beginning. We are looking in southern Colorado and Southenr Arizona a little warmer then at the 9800 ft we are at now. Solar, wind energy, heat stove, no more corporate games and growing your own food thats for us.
Good luck to you. I hope you read some of my other articles about this subject.
Another great hub full of info!
Thanks for sharing Brie!
You welcome Rastamermaid
My wife and I (along with a very large contingent of other like minded "back to the land" ers lived in a loose community of people who were largely off the grid - in more ways than one - when we were in our late twenties, in mid Ontario, Canada. Poor farm land, pretty harsh winters, short growing season, vicious black flies in the spring. still, we got land cheap and built an amazing passive solar home on land we shared with 3 other families. Not exactly a commune - we were spread out on our 200 acres - but amazing how much that and the larger community around us made things flow. We had two kids born at home with supportive midwives (friends) and raised them mostly off grid for about 17 years. We are now living slightly more southerly - although still in Ontario - with a longer growing season, fewer bugs - but now back on the grid. Currently our provincial gov't is being very supportive of green energy and one of its programs will pay us a significant guaranteed income (for 20 years) to provide them with electricity which we produce in our back yard from PV cells. Hey. I think we're going back to the land again....
Cool Knowlton, thanks for sharing.
excellent article Brie! i currently live in Dominica & trust me its one of the best places to live off grid. you have acres of land around you, great climate for growing most common veg (including some you wont have heard of probably in US) & the potential for renewable energy is enormous...
anyone ever been there?
Hinazille: Thanks, I will definitely look into Dominica!
We moved to Limousin, S W france to have a simpler life and I still hanker after a way of living that doesn't involve administration! Many thanks for this dream-hub.
Thanks DaisyChain.
Hello Brie, Love all your articles on off grid living. I may have a solution to some people wanting to try living off grid without bankrupting themselves. I have land for leasing so people may experience homestead type living in south central Illinois. Nearest wal-mart survial store 20 miles, all weather road,good well, ponds, rural water also, and electric lines across property if needed. Garden space included with room for some animals lease is $1,000 per year. Anyone interested may contact me by e-mail with landlease in subject line to sdc@wabash.net Thank You Steve
Interesting perspective--since (heh!) Pam and I live off grid in the (ahem) desert, loving the place but feeling it's BARELY remote enough, etc. Nearest neighbor is little more than a quarter mile away, rooftop clearly visible above the mesquite. Congested!
Rattlesnakes, Mexican drug cartels and other illegal immigrants, sand, wind, heat...now, THAT's the life! LOL!
Voted Up, Useful, and Awesome.
Glad you liked it Ghost and happy rattlesnake hunting...I hear they taste like chicken!
I like your hubs regarding living off the grid.
Water is of course, a great concern. People in the
desert are no more in jeopardy, than those in MANY rural areas, who depend upon well water. Many properties
have been abandoned because the well went dry.
Please, people,everywhere, conserve water. Run a hose from your washing machine to the garden....the detergent is a natural deterrent to garden pests!
I like your hub. It is very educative.
Yes...water is crucial!
I'm looking at maybe (hopefully) being able to buy some land and semi-offgrid house in Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.
Very interesting thoughts and discussion here. :)
You should read all my hubs about off-grid living first...just to be informed.
Thanks for writing.
I think a lot of people have a romantic idea of living off grid without considering how hard it really must be. That's me. But investigation and research is a good start. Thanks for the tips!
I agree but like anything it has it's pros and cons. Thanks for the wonderful fan mail btw!
I think sometimes we all think about running away and living off grid. However, once you come back to reality and responsibility, the answer is evident.
I enjoyed your hub! I will have to look at your others. I would love to live off grid, but I would have to leave my family behind - they don't find it quite so appealing! Thanks for the info.
I think that they might not find it so bad with all the inventions and with a community. The isolation is what a lot of people have trouble with but I think if you can form or join a community it would make all the difference. Thanks for writing. BTW, you can start doing things little by little ..even in the place you are living now.
Thanks for the info, i will be looking at doing this one day, probably not for quite a few years yet but this hub reignited the desire in me, thanks.
I haven't done it yet either..so you and me both!
Brie,
Have you seen the new magazine called New Pioneer?
Very, very cool publication.
No, I'll have to check it out.
Fascinating Hub. I have considered off-grid, but didn't feel I had the resources to get started. I am currently trying to turn my little patch of earth into a semi-urban homestead. Thanks for this hub.
You know, I think everyone must feel that way at some point and I know I have...which is why I did the research. And I was so happily surprised to find these Earthen Homes and all the other stuff that really makes living like this very doable with relatively little money. In fact, just today I was looking at (and I might add this to the article) some property for sale in Oregon that is in a beautiful area that I am very familiar with for $123,000 for 160 acres....If you went in with 16 people you would be paying approximately $7,500 per person for 10 acres! That's completely doable...you could even do it for 5 acres which would be a little more than $3,000!!! I better get to editing this piece :)
Thanks for writing.
Very useful and full of excellent points. Thanks
Glad you like it Sembj.
(this is a response to the youtube Video on this hubb called cabbagegate) and my opinion on it. also the hubb is great...
W.W.J.D (what would Jefferson do) i know it also means what would jesus do but Jesus doesn't need a musket (he can shoot lightning bolts out his ass) LOL, anyway So what would Jefferson do if this was say 1770's and the crown shows up on his doorstep and threatens to prosecute him for growing too many veggies?
A. would he say oh yes me so sorry master please tell King George i shall obey. or
B. pull out his musket shove it up the government sewer rats butt, pull the trigger and laugh as Redcoat entrails fly all over the damn place?
i personally would support option B instead of A mainly for the fun of it :)
I like your attitude turgeo2004!
The hub I love!
Even better than your last one about living off-grid. I really like the ideas your have. I would love to have such place when I get old and no body will need me anymore
Thanks Sam. I think this lifestyle is really catching on but because they are "off grid" it's not as known as it might be. I think it's very doable. After all the Amish have been doing it for years and seem pretty happy.
Cool idea!!!
This is lovely hub post good dear
Thanks KB and tina
There is something I would add and that is to check with the county you want to live in for all the types of permits and hassles you might experience. For example here in the Austin area your septic rules would be cost prohibitive and the process is through the good old boy system that makes for time consuming builds and much more expensive ones.
If you use a composting toilet you don't need a septic system. See my hub on Off-Grid Toilets.
But, yes I would agree with you certain areas and states are much better about these things than others.
i think nevada or montana someplace beautifull yet isolated at least 100 miles from civilization for me would be a great place to live. only problem would be getting supplies, shopping and deliveries, so i guess make sure fedx or ups delivers out there and you can do all your shopping online.
(forgot to mention) that you need a Log cabin, a horse or two, maybe a harley. that would be sweet. my perfect retirement solution.
I'm thinking Idaho.
Awesome hub! I've always thought about going some place where I could live without all the distractions that our modern lives bring.
Very informative hub - I can tell you are really passionate about the subject.
I completely agree it's important live where there is a community of like-minded people close-by, for both social and for safety reasons. Although I enjoy back packing and being in the wilderness, I can't imagine living totally isolated for months on end.
Thanks "theprintcetner". I can't either Trisha and I don't intend to live an isolated life.
I would too be trying to take the retirement at the age of 35 and will go at some green place where there is no mess like a crowded city.Trisha, you are right that you would need a community there, but after certain age, it can be done but atleast you should have something to stay engaged, take your wife...have some children and tame some horses!!! weekly go to city for shopping and enjoyment...
It seems to me that Idaho (and perhaps Oregon) are the best places to live off the grid.
That's what I think too.
Great hub. Nice to see someone writing info on this.
Thanks allstayathome.
This Hub was absolutely fascinating. I've considered living this way but I don't think I'd last very long. It seems ideal but I can imagine that it's much, MUCH, more difficult then we know.
I think its much easier than you know. You just have to have the right set up.
Nice place to live that house, you can make you calm and piece of mind.
Brie, I think that you've covered some of the most important bases. One more consideration is the forest fire danger, if any.
How safe would any of us feel if we had lived in a eucalypt forest in Victoria during the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009? Extreme heat, extreme dryness, and the most flammable trees on the planet. And that's ignoring the Druids in the local government, who would not allow you to clear away the sacred native trees on your own property, near your house.
It was a disaster waiting to happen. On that day, there were spot-fires miles ahead of the main fire. One minute, everything seemed normal. Then the next minute, there were walls of flame approaching from all directions.
It's not that bad here in Northern California. However I've driven through some places in the Sierra Foothills where I've thought: If I lived here, and there was a big forest fire, how many escape routes are there? In particular, if I lived on the end of a dirt road, and that's where the fire was coming from, I would not feel very safe.
For many of the forested areas in the Western US, the natural fire cycle is once every 10 or 20 years. Forest fires are more of a when-question, rather than an if-question.
Well Larry no place is perfect but duly noted.
Very interesting idea,have always lived on a farm with cattle and horses. Have flirted with the idea.Cut the cable tv, phone, electric, city water, whoa there's already a huge savings. Raise most of your food and sell the rest. More savings and income. Chunk the car, get a buggy, no more gas, more money in the pocket.The Amish do it very well. Quit your job, oh yeah and work for your self. Could be a great life. PRAISE THE LORD. AMEN TO THAT. VOTE UP.
That's the idea livinlifegoingup! Also, I think I put a video on this hub about a solar car...very doable. Just think of how much money you could save. Don't forget, cut up the credit cards.
Living off-grid does not necessarily imply that you get your electricity from solar, from DIY hydropower from a nearby creek, or from a bird-and-bat-killing wind turbine.
There's a semi-off-the-grid place called Iowa Hill, in the Northern Sierra Foothills. I know about it, because it's also a trailhead for a segment of the Stevens Trail, which goes down to the North Fork of the American River.
It was the first time in all of my years of hiking that I saw a bar next to a trailhead! The AC and television in bar was powered by a slightly noisy generator. So much for getting away from it all.
I was too preoccupied with keeping a canine friend out of trouble to take a close look at the nearby houses. That said, I did not notice any solar panels on them.
I checked up on Iowa Hill a few months ago. According to Wikipedia, they've recently become connected to the telephone grid. What is this world coming to?
How I wish I can go of grid. But definitely I need to slow down and find the right place for me, my wife and the family.
Its a lot of hard work, but once done.. you have a whole new life to enjoy.
I think if you are overwhelmed by it you should implement it in steps, a little at a time.
Thanks for commenting jpcmc and hathibelagai.
hiiii nice hubbbbbbbbbbbb
Thanks, glad you like it.
nice post suggest for living
Excellent Hub!
Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii would be a cool place to live off the grid. You can grow your own stuff and the people are entertaining to say the least.
I long for the day I can look into my backyard and not see another person. I'd take an island any day!
Really? I like having people around so I would want to have a community with me.
I'm new in hub pages. But there are so many good articles.
I love your hub
Brie,
Great Hub. We are currently not far from being off the grid ourselves. We have a large plot of land in the hinterlands looking over the pacific. Cant wait to leave the hustle and bustle. Thanks for the info.
Living in South Africa, the most important to us is water. Here water is always a problem and you have to make sure of a sustainable source of water before you even think about living off-grid.
We had a bad experience with trying to grow vegetables and then we found out, too late, that there are times of the year when there is no water!
Hendrika, I have a hub about catching rainwater, you should read that and get the books I've mentioned on it...it will help.
Thanks Brie - Yes, I'll definitely do this one day. Creative people such as we all are here at Hubs, need seclusion. At the end, Candide (Voltaire) realizes that planting and gardening is the only true way to happiness....
You're welcome.
Brie,
Fantastic article, I am in the Solar Electric business as a sales consultant. After viewing all comments, I did not see any mention of Bio-Diesel as an possible source of energy, i.e. generator for solar electric backup, vehicles, home heating. The source for Bio Diesel is discarded cooking oil but if you're out in the wilderness you will have make good use of land to grow vegetables.
I have a friend who converted an old 1985 Mercedes turbo diesel wagon to run on discarded cooking oil. Luckily, there are a good amount of restaurants around where he lives and they gladly give him the used vegetable oil in 4-5 gallon containers.
Do you know how to make vegetable oil? I wanted to do a hub on that but I wasn't sure how to make it. When the SHTF I'm not sure if you will be able to find a restaurant :)
Yes, off-griders could grow beans, sun flower seeds and other crops and have them pressed by machinery into vegetable oil. Here is a Youtube link that describes an Oil press - the cost of the machinery. The cost of electricity to produce 1 gallon of vegetable oil is 0.005¢ a gallon and the machine produces 20 gallons in a 1 hour period (even though the oil trickles out at a slow rate). Solar electric could power the motor of the Oil press. The manufacturer even has a version that can be powered by a wind turbine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTAX-R2QEq0&NR=1&fe
Here is another Youtube video that describes Palm trees, being used - Free fuel at Nature's Gas Station
Great and thanks for the links Solar Awareness.
Nice hub good info, voted up and useful. I love the life of off the grid, have lived it before and are setting up to do it again. I believe the most important thing is having water. We have had to haul it before for everything (cooking, bathing, animal water the works), and believe me it's not something you want to do. So my best advice is to make sure your land has it's own working well run by a windmill or solar pump. And I'm one of the ones who loves the solitude it's wonderful and quiet.
I agree water is primo! But, I don't think you have to have a well if there is enough rain water that you can collect.
Hi Brie, You are right collecting rain water is an excellent thing to do if you live where it rains a lot. Where we live in Texas it hardly ever rains. So that option is out for us. But you can use the condensation collection from your metal or tin roof here and this proves to be a very good way to collect water in the desert.
I wonder, could it be possible to off grid yourself without moving? I think you would still have to have some property but, I wonder.
Susan, there are books specifically for collecting rainwater in drylands...you can find it on this hub:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Water-Catchment-System
SaMcNutt: I think it would be difficult if you didn't own the property but you could do some things...like solar panels maybe and collecting and using your own rainwater.
Hi Brie, after 30 years in Alaska and a lot of time in the bush and on the fringes of civilization I think you can live anywhere off grid if you put your mind to it. Maybe not 100%, but not many can. With the world population over 6 Billion it will be alomost impossible to not have contact and interaction with folks. Better learn to live with it I guess, unless we have a mass extinction of the human race we got to depend on each other. Good advice and good HUB thanks, Peter
Thanks Peter, I'm very flattered considering your past and knowledge from traveling all over the world.
Although I don't plan on moving off the grid at any time soon, one can dream.. Thanks so much for this thorough and well-thought out article.
Thank you for your kind comments Janellelk.
thanks for this hub! I want to live in a small town!! :)
Lots of wilderness left in God's Country with plenty of water. Interesting Hub!
Thanks dgicre.
Great places and ideas. I go on my sailboat. I have all the comforts of home, but peaceful, quite time. I love it.
Sounds like a dream, thanks for writing Dianemae
Hello Brie..Thank you for sharing this wonderful article. Keep it up!
Thanks Buy House
I like your video
Which one?
I find it interesting that there are comments about people who want to be off grid being anti social. In reality, we arent anti social. I am a very social person. I love people and love to interact with them. However, that being said, I truly have no faith in the government. I prefer that they stay out of my business and my life. For me, I've been looking at going off grid for close to 20 years now, and I'm getting closer to it. It takes time to set up and get things ready, but also to be ready for it yourself. Many people who want to go off grid are simply looking to the future when things go very very bad, to be able to protect and provide for their families. I for one, do not want to be in the city when things go bad, because if riots occur, the first places that will be hit in a city or town, will be the places that are self sufficient and off grid. I much prefer the country life anyway. I dont usually drive in the city nor go there by myself. Friends always take me because I tend to get lost easily.
Now, so you know, I actually grew up in suburbia and I've lived in and been to many major cities. NYC and Philly to mention just two. I lived upstate in NY and visited the city many times during my time there. I lived in Philly for a while and just lost my taste for city life completely when I was there. To this day, I dont go to a city often.
People, who want to be off grid are practical and thrifty, they tend to like things simple and basic, but still want to have the ability to be in touch with society. I will always be around on the internet and be able to contact people I know through here, until it too is shut down by the government. Thats just the way it is and how it will be for us. When that day comes, I want to be on my own land and have the ability to provide for my children and grandchildren without having to worry about going to a store and finding nothing there. Perhaps everyone should think in terms like this. It might actually change what our government is doing to us as a nation.
Thanks Brie for all the great hubs you've written. You have inspired me to begin my own writing and including things on here as well.
You're welcome Dawn..actually my one hub "How much does it cost to live off the grid" has more than 7000 likes on fb..so a lot of people are interested in this. And I'm right there with you; I'm looking at this for the freedom from the government not to be anti-social. I happen to love the cities but I am right there with you...I think things will get really bad and the cities will be hard hit.
I just bought my Dad a book about 'Living off the Grid' for father's day. He owns a hobby farm and has experimented with solar power since the early 80's. I saw your Hub and e-mailed him the link to it. All your information is right up his alley. Drawing off other peoples experiences has well as contributting your own will only solidify the whole movement.
Thank you!
Great, welcome aboard Jagerfoods.
how beautiful and peaceful place one day be in a place like this
Thanks for this Hub. I was raised in the country, and I've always loved living somewhat "off-the-grid", but I've seen magazine articles or TV shows about people who really are out in the boonies and I'm somewhat jealous. I would love to be somewhere where the cell phone waves won't get to my brain, where I can't hear any vehicle traffic, where I won't have to worry about thieves or loud music. Thanks for the Hub... Would love more photos!
Thank you for this very useful and informative info. I have been wanting to move for a while now and after reading your hub I have gained a better idea of where I would like to live. Thank you for this Neat Hub!
On the gun issue.I have no problem with losing my gun.Why because I use the oldest weapon the bow and arrow.it can be made any where and with some practice it can even be use for self defence.the Native Americans used them for hundreds of year.and even in our day when you have 15 to 20 people who can use a bow it can be very devastating.and arrow will penetrate right threw a bullet proff vest if need be.
A gun is faster.
Interesting article. I have read about homeschool family who has brought up wonderful children by living off-grid.
It's interesting to read many comments from off-grid people here. Looks like they get internet access from somewhere, and they are still connected to the rest of the world.
You can get it via satellite. Thanks for commenting
Hello Brie.
I think living off grid is great. If it were not for people living off grid in the early history of our world, we might not be the same world today. I have to assume, and I know I should never assume, but, sense I wasn't there I have to assume that when settlers came west all the way from Pennsylvania to Kentucky (a long way, huh?) they were not accepted well by the neighbors in the community. By the efforts of a few off gridders to get along with residents and a few residents, accepting the off gridders into the neighborhood the entire planet was transformed into the wonderful place we live in today. I love off gridders. Off gridders have what it takes to bring change where change is needed, and stand up for that change, like the man growing vegetables in Illinois. I guess I might be considered an off gridder. When I got tired of living in a small town in Oklahoma, I decided to off grid with my wife of 22 years and son of 11 years to the Philippines. We have been here for over a year now and love it. Many American parents think their teenagers speak a different language, mine does.
I loved your article, thank you for writing it.
Great hub. Actually all your hubs about off grid living are fascinating. I love the idea. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Hubertsvoice and Gryphin
Thanks Brie for the great info ,Great
I'm glad you like it, don't forget to rate it up and thank you for commenting!
Hey I got to say what a wonderful post thank you Brie I've had my homestead now for better than 30 years and for the most part all sel-sufficient except still on the grid. http://homesteadingbacktobasics.com Goods news is this next spring we will start our off grid experience. I am doing my homework and getting my plan together, Thank you for this great post.
Do you have any suggestions on places to move?
Here is an article about where to live off the grid: http://brie-hoffman.hubpages.com/hub/Where-is-the-
Him, Brie, I have been looking to go off grid for awhile wish I had someone to go in on land with but anyone I spoke to about this and building my own cob cottage thinks I'm crazy. also I'm not sure where to go where I wouldn't have a problem with trying to build one. so unsure now. my kids are 17 and 15 so I would like to have everything in place for when they leave for collage just not sure anymore.
Well, there are sites that try and match up people..one is on http://www.off-grid.net
The other thing to do is to save up as much as you can and get the education you need. This area is becoming more popular each day so hang in there you might have to wait a little while but it will get better.
Also, pick an area that you are interested in and call the Chamber of Commerce to see what their zoning laws are.
i would do well off grid but cant afford to go i offer my skills insted strong smart builder hunter fisherman to the right person an asset worth more than gold
You can advertise your skills and possibly match up with someone who is already off-grid on www.off-grid.net
Good luck geoff reed
Hey Brie, did anything come of your property search in Oregon ? You mentioned it here about 10 months ago. Group deal like that would work for me and my current budget. There are smaller lots for sale but many of them have limitations on what one can do on the property. CCR type property I would avoid. New to this site.
Hi Sculptman: Well, I'm now looking into providing raw milk shares and certain states are not as conducive for that so I'm still researching it. What is a CCR property?
CC&R. Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. Is a legal term. A provision in a deed limiting the use of the property. This goes beyond zoning. Many of these type of properties end up have P.O.A too, (Property owners ass). Along with Architectural control commitee's. Telling one where, what and when you can build. Best to find area's with the least building code B.S. also.
Oh yea..I think that people who are looking for rural property with an off-grid homestead in mind will not run into too many of these..don't you?
Hi Brie; I've been a little familiar with this subject over the past few years but you really put things in perspective, especially the point about community. Like-mindedness is a great thing to be around and celebrates other diversities. That being the case when venturing into something like being off the grid being within a familiar group can be helpful and reassuring. Thanks!
I agree, now accomplishing it..is another thing :)
So many ideas ,love the flow of your hubs , so useful ! Thank you also to so many like minded people sharing ideas and experience , such a diverse topic ! Voted up shared on face book and pinterest too !
Thanks again FirstStepsFitness.
I have spent many years living off the grid, in the sense that I didn't have electricity. There are many areas in California where lots of people are living this way. The place that I lived without electricity the longest was in the high desert, we were lucky to have a spring and a gravity fed water system. It was less than 10 miles to town, so though we didn't have a neighbor within 5 miles it was an easy trip to the grocery store and civilization.
Sounds ideal, thanks for commenting Sherry.
Thank you Brie for your thoughtful comments. It's heartening that people are getting on the right track. We can live well by reducing consumption, reviving traditional ways and combining those with appropriate technologies. I am another one that has lived without power and water for many years. Things can change for the better. The grassroots needs the liberty and support to experiment, to set up new systems that work better than the crumbling one we are in. Draconian regulations are severely impeding progress just when we need that freedom the most. The majority populations in the big cities need to be aware that this is happening and help turn it around. Revive the right of the grassroots to solve our problems by living simply in cooperation with nature. To begin, people need places where they can safely experience the joys of simple unhooked living and shake off their reliance on corporations.
I agree and it is a dream of mine to provide a place like that..sort of like an off-grid B&B.
WildIris 16 months ago
I'm glad the words community were in bold. The community you move into when moving off the grid matters as much if not more than moving out of town. You new community will be the people you will depend on when there is fire or a medical call. Meet the neighbors before you sign the papers.