How To Live Off the Grid?

To live off the grid means a life of freedom, independent from the system, to become self-sufficient, living sustainably off the land and connected to nature and its seasons.

However, off-grid living isn’t a lifestyle choice for the faint-hearted. It requires careful
planning and preparation, and the right understanding of how to create systems that will
provide a comfortable and sustainable way of life.

It also means that, once established, you will have an ongoing commitment to the physical
work needed to maintain how you want to live in your off-grid home.

Despite this, people who live and have embraced off grid living, the rewards are
numerous, and it’s where a true sense of resiliency is born.

Off-grid living means cutting your ties to the public power grid and other utilities,
such as water and sewage. It incorporates the production of clean and sustainable
energy, and may also include growing, foraging, hunting and farming your own food.

In this article, we’ll break down the basics of where, and how, to live off the grid.

1. Purchase Land with Natural Resources to live Off the Grid

Purchasing a piece of land in the right location, which is suitable for off-grid living, is the most
important foundation to start from.

The right property will provide you with the resources you need to go off grid and live comfortably off
the land, as well as a base to expand and build upon.

Think in terms of natural resources you can utilize.

Land with a fresh water source- such as a spring, clean river or lake, or a well is a huge
advantage.

In some parts of the world with high, year round rainfall, water tanks can be used to
collect rainwater.

Trees, or an established woodland can be chopped up for firewood, and used for
heating and cooking. Alternatively, they can be milled to build your dwellings, barns or
even chicken coop.

Fertile soil for establishing gardens or growing crops, or accessible land that can be
farmed, is also important.

There’s no point in purchasing property with a barren, rocky hillside, if you are wanting
to keep cows or plant out enough potatoes to last a whole year!

2. Build or Purchase Property

There are many options for the kind of dwelling you might choose to live in your homestead, and it all depends on your budget and core values.

A simple and affordable option for couples or singles (that requires no construction)
might be a camper or RV retro-fitted with solar panels, water storage and waste
disposal.

For those wanting more space, or who have more dependents, there are ways to live as options are wide and varied.

One is to buy a property with a house or homestead already built, which is suitable
for conversion to off-grid.

But if building your own home from scratch is part of your off grid dream, work with
contractors (such as builders, plumbers and electricians) who have experience building
and setting up off-grid housing and systems.

Build options obviously range in price and budget, but any home can be turned into an
off-grid habitat; from a cheaper tiny house, to a modular home- or even a log cabin!

Alternatively, if you’re savvy enough- and want a way to save money on the cost of a qualified builder
(and if the local regulations allow)- building your own home yourself might be a hugely
rewarding experience. Think cobb, adobe, cordwood or straw bale homes, all built from
natural materials.

However, it’s important to think carefully about the amount of energy, effort, time and
money the process will take to build your own home- so be realistic!

3. Produce Your Own Energy

Going off-grid means developing your own power source by using a renewable energy system.

In some remote locations, a stand-alone system may be cheaper than connecting to the grid through extending the power lines.

The most popular option these days is to fit your home with solar panels to absorb the
energy from the sun to power your home. Solar panels can be installed as a DIY project or by a
professional installation contractor or company.

Once set up, a solar system can power a hot water heater for showering and bathing,
provide heating and cooling, and for powering appliances.

If you live in a location where the sun doesn’t shine all the time then you will need to consider a system or back up for those days if the power goes out due to lack of sunshine, these may include factoring extra batteries or the use of a solar generator.

4. Establish a Water Source

Installing an off-grid water system can be costly, depending on where you live and the
choices you ultimately go for.

If your property already has a water source, you will need to install a system to collect
the water and pump it through pipes to the property and dwelling.

One option is the installation of a solar-powered water pump. These have seen
increased popularity in recent years due to being low maintenance, especially when
compared to a generator.

If there is no available water source, driving or drilling a well might be another option.

The laws in each state, county or country vary, and depending on the depth of the water
table, it may be possible to dig a well yourself and drive a pipe into the ground.

However, dug-out wells usually only reach 10-50ft (3.0-15.2m). A professionally-drilled
well will provide you with more water reliability and safety, as they can reach 1,000 ft
(300m) or more! This means it is less likely to contain contaminated water.

5. Install a Septic Tank

In rural areas around the world, which lack access to public sewers, a septic system is
the norm.

A septic tank is a large, watertight chamber that is installed underground to store human
waste. Solid waste stays inside the chamber, while the liquid leaches into the
surrounding area.

The cost of a septic tank all depends on the system’s size and how much water you
use.

In addition to the installation cost, you will likely foot the bill for other costs- such as
permits, soil tests, and the excavation equipment.

One novel technology worth considering is the Solar Septic Tank. The system uses
passive heat from the sun to raise temperatures inside the tank, improving the
degradation of solid waste, and resulting in a cleaner effluent.

There are also some states that allow for alternatives, such as composting toilets, which
may also be a viable option.

An outhouse can also be dug, the pit should be at least 3 feet deep and 4 feet wide should be located at least 100 feet away from any water source, such as a well or stream, and should be on a slight slope to aid in drainage.

6. Produce Your Own Food

Off-grid permaculture is a time-consuming and labor-intensive feat, but once crops, food
forests and small livestock farms are established, they can sustain you throughout the
year.

Soil that hasn’t yet been cultivated is generally unproductive, so building it up with
compost, biochar, seaweed and grass cuttings is key.

Set up an area for composting, install an irrigation system, and erect fences and garden
beds.

Consider using solar power for lighting, irrigation, greenhouses, and more!

Raise livestock (such as goat, cow or pig) and chicken or duck will provide you with meat,
eggs and milk.

Establishing larger crops, such as potatoes or sweet potatoes, may yield nearly a whole
years-worth of starchy vegetables. Planting perennial flora and creating a food forest
will produce nuts, berries, fruits and mushrooms for years to come.

Consider preserving your fruits and vegetables, such as bottling or making jams and
chutneys.

Turn a large yield of tomatoes into paste or sauce.

Also, think about venturing off the property for hunting and fishing, or wandering the
nearby forests and live off the land, foraging for edible weeds, mushrooms, nuts and berries.

7. Staying Connected and Earning a Living

While living fully off your homestead is possible, you will likely have to find creative
ways of making money  in order to pay for the cost of living, such as an internet connection.

In today’s modern day-and-age, there are many options available for remote work. Yes-
with satellite internet available in the most remote locations these days, anyone can
earn a living online.

Other options include selling meat, eggs or vegetables that you produce on the land, or
building a cabin or tiny home and renting it out, residentially (or even through AirBnB).

You might need to use your imagination, innovation and creativity here. Perhaps,
through art, pottery, woodwork, or even blacksmithing, you could earn a living. Or, you
might enjoy taking on a few shifts at a local cafe or retail shop.

If funds and location allow, Bitcoin Mining using Solar power maybe a viable source of income.

Staying connected to the community where you live is also important, especially if
you’re living in a more isolated location.

Getting to know your neighbors, and even trading or bartering the food you grow and
produce, can be a great way to stay connected.

8. Transport for Off-Grid Living

There are several types of off-grid living modes of transport which are more sustainable options for off-grid living, where living in harmony with nature is important.

• • Bicycle: Bicycles are a sustainable and efficient way to travel off-grid. They do not require any fuel and are easy to maintain.
  • Electric Bicycles: If you need some pedal assistance, especially if you live in a hilly or mountainous area, or near forests and you do a lot of hunting to provide food for yourself and family, then consider an hunting e-bike not only are they robust but they are built with enough power to carry heavy loads, so they can also double up as a general cargo carrying vehicle around your property. 
  • Electric Cars (EV): EV batteries can be powered by solar panels or wind turbines but likely to have long charging times, but are a more comfortable and faster mode of transportation. However, they require more maintenance and are more expensive than bicycles and may not be practical for more remote areas.
  • Electric ATVs: Also known as Quad bikes, they have zero emissions, are quieter, and require less maintenance than gas powered ATVs. They are great for off-road and rough terrain and getting around in remote areas. They can also be work horse around your property, carrying and fetching as required, so a very versatile asset. A selection of Electric ATV recommendations can be found here.
  • Electric Dirt Bikes: Like their 4 wheeled ATVs counterparts, great for getting around quickly off-grid.
  • Horses and horse drawn carriage: Horses and horse drawn carriages are a traditional way of transportation, and can be used off-grid in rural areas. They can be messier but then this can be used to your advantage for producing your own food.
  • Boats: Of course, you need to live next to a big enough water source, but boats can be used for transportation on water, and can be powered by wind or solar power. They can be used for fishing or other activities and can be a great way to explore nature.
  • Human-powered vehicles: These include things like kayaks, canoes, and rowboats. These are great for exploring waterways and can be a lot of fun.

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In general, the type of off-grid transportation that is best for you will depend on your location, needs, and preferences.

9. Understand Local Regulations

Generally speaking, it’s not illegal to live off-grid.

However, depending on which state, county or country you live in, you still have to abide
by local regulations.

While governments don’t prevent you from living off-grid, you must have running water,
electricity, and sewage systems, and you still have to pay your property taxes.

While building codes may vary from state to state, you still have to build according to
the code.

It’s important to get familiar with the local zoning codes- meaning what you can, and
can’t, do on your land.

These may include, but are not limited to building, livestock, water collection, and more.

Hunting and fishing may require a license.

10. The Advantages of Living Off Grid

● Low utility bills
● Independence and freedom from the grid
● Food resilience and self-sufficiency
● Connection to the natural world and its resources
● Better for the environment

11. The Disadvantages of Living Off Grid

● High initial cost
● Labor intensive
● May be isolating
● Inconvenience

In Conclusion

Living off the grid is not for everyone. You’ll need to plan carefully, and work hard!

However for many, the rewards are great. Living off-grid can provide a deep sense of
connection to the natural world and its abundant resources, and true knowledge of what
it means to live and survive with resilience.