For those who want to break free of the rat race, be more self-reliant, or even just want to live a more rewarding life, off grid living can help achieve those goals. However, unlike living like everyone else does, living off the grid is hard work. It is a lifestyle that is not easy to achieve, but one that can let you live a life you can be proud of. Yet, in order to make it happen, those looking to walk this path will need to overcome some challenges.
Land
Wouldn’t it be great to live in a different time where you could stake your claim on some land and then just do what you wanted with it? Unfortunately, those times are gone. You can’t just buy any plot of land and start building. In cities, it is illegal to build a home that does not have utility hook ups. In some cities you can use alternate power sources to supplement electricity, but not replace it.
When it comes to living off the grid, you need to find some land that is sufficiently away from the city limits so as to not be restricted by their rules. It is also important to get enough land for what you want to do with it. Naturally, livestock needs more room than a garden does.
Food
Producing your own food in off grid living is a necessity, particularly if you have very few other means of income or if the grocery store is a couple hours of driving from your home. However, while it is pretty easy to start a garden and begin to rear a few small animals for protein, many people who are new to off the grid living often forget that humans thrive with a varied diet. When growing and producing food, it is crucial to make more than you need so you can barter it for something that you cannot produce.
Water
Food and land are important, but neither is more important than having a reliable source of water nearby. You need it to grow food, you need it to stay alive. While land with a stream, river, or lake is ideal, many homesteads survive just fine by drawing water from a well or aquifer with a hand pumps.
There is also the issue of water rights. If you have water on your land, typically you have the right to use it for personal consumption. Unfortunately, if you also need it to water crops and livestock, you may not have the right to it, depending on your area. Before buying land for a homestead, be sure to consult a lawyer to see if your water is really your water.
Power
You can live completely off the grid without a power source. People did it for thousands of years, after all. You could get your water from a lake, use firewood to cook and heat your home, and make your own candles for light. However, most homesteaders prefer to at least have a little power to do things like cool down the house on a really hot day or to run the washing machine.
There are a number of alternate power sources out there, but all of them require a decent amount of start up capital for installation. If you have the money for it up front, solar power is going to be the best long-term investment, but different land might be better for different energy sources.
People
I know, you are likely going off the grid to get away from people. However, while you can spend your time completely secluded, everything is easier with a good neighbor. There are a number of resources out there for people living off the grid to find a good neighbor to share their land with. You end up splitting the cost of your land and having someone to lend a helping hand. Finding someone who shares your respect for the land and the hard work it takes to work it can be a major benefit, particularly if they have a useful skill set that is different from your own.
Living off the grid is already majorly popular among a large group of people. However, it can be a daunting thing for first-timers. Contact us today to learn more about the resources you have available to help you ease into the lifestyle as smoothly as possible.
Be ready for any disaster, threat or civil unrest. You need to ask yourself if you are prepared for when the inevitable strikes? Do you have enough food stores for your family? Is your water supply safe? Do you have a habitable safe haven when the tides turn? Any Disaster can outfit you with every bit of off the grid material and products you could ever need.
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