These days, it seems like just about everything is connected to just about everything else. But for some people, being fully disconnected is a much more desirable style of living. Living completely off the grid is actually quite difficult, simply due to the connectivity of modern living. If going off the grid is something that appeals to you, you’ll need a few key things to get started. Keep reading to learn what they are.
Land
The only way to go off the grid nowadays is to purchase and build on your own piece of land, far from anywhere with strict permit regulations and building codes. The good news is, remote pieces of land are more affordable than land closer to cities and neighborhoods, and property taxes are lower as well. But don’t just buy up the first piece of land you find. You should put just as much thought into this purchase as you would into buying a house. Make sure the land has the features you want, a buildable location for your new home, and a way to access that area of the property—even if it’s via ATV.
Shelter
Most people who want to go off the grid don’t necessarily want to “rough it” for the rest of their lives. Since you probably don’t want to live in a tent, you’ll need a home. Since you’re likely building this yourself, you have a lot of options to find a home that will suit your new lifestyle. This could be a cabin, a traditional wood-frame home, or a tiny home converted from a shed. It’s a good idea to make some basic choices about your shelter before buying your land because it can help you ensure you purchase a parcel of land that will accommodate your home.
Food and Water
Living off the grid doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid ever going to the store. However, since you’ll be living on a remote piece of land, you’ll likely have a long trip to the store and want to minimize how often you make it. This means you’ll need a clean potable water source on your land; generally, this means you need a natural water source and may also want a water collection system, like a cistern or rain barrel catchment. In terms of food, a large, healthy garden is key to off-the-grid living, so start working on your green thumb.
Power
Again, living off the grid doesn’t mean roughing it. You’ll still want power for all of life’s modern conveniences. This means you’ll need your own renewable energy source. The most popular option is an off-grid solar system with backup battery storage. This can supply you with regular power both day and night.
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