I've been off grid for around 2.5 months so far...

[Wooden Indian]

and here are some of my initial observations based off of my experience:

1. I made it a bigger deal than it is.
I don't feel much different out here than I did back in the city and that's both good and bad. The good is that things like lights, heat, food, and even entertainment are close enough to "modern" conveniences to be nearly seamless for me. The bad is that I still feel the anxiety I had back with a mortgage, light bills, etc. That sense of peace simply did not come as I had hoped and imagined.

2. It's more expensive than I had calculated.
Even though I don't have the same bills, I find I have FAR less in my wallet. Before we moved out here, I bought nearly everything I needed to get started and carried it with me... yet, I find myself making so many purchases that within 2-3 days after payday... I'm broke again and nearly counting quarters to get by for another 2 weeks. New pumps, filters, dirt, gravel, batteries, tires, repairs, fuel, it just never ends.

3. The weather is my enemy.
Sure, we stay warm enough using the kerosene heater and the propane and sure even with the limited sun (it goes 3 days at a time without even seeing it), I am able to stretch the battery bank out if I am diligent, I am constantly very aware of the weather and the forecast. I worry about how much more rain I'll have, if I'll get enough sun and how soon, is it going to freeze, and on and on. Put blankets and insulation over the windows, take em down. Cover the door with a drape, take it down. Small things, but don't think the small things don't wear on you, because they do.

In the end, I'm glad I did it. I found flaws with the land itself after I spent time here, but it is what it is and even with the issues above and the many others I didn't go into, it's nice to not worry about a mortgage payment every month... but if you are considering doing this, realize that those worries are simply replaced with new ones, and unless you are perhaps fairly wealthy or single, this may not be the lifestyle for you.

 

[luctor-et-emergo]

Cool, got more information about the building you are inhabiting ?

But yeah, it sounds logical that you have high bills starting off. Should taper down at some point though.

Also, it depends on the comfort level you want.. I once lived for 10 days in the forest in a survival shelter we made in a couple hours.. Wintertime, pyramid shape, hole in the top, fire in the middle. It was great. Now I can see how you can't live like that but in between this and complete luxury there's a very big range of expenses that you could or must make.

Anyways, have fun and enjoy life, that's what it's all about I think. Having to repair something, isn't always a horrible experience, it can be satisfying.

 

[brandon]

Sounds like it's going to be a great life experience, even if it isn't something you want to continue doing in the long term. Takes balls to try something new like that.... good job.

 

[Feelgood]

Good for you and breaking the tether!

 

[Working Poor]

I am working to get off grid. I am about half off now. It did cost going in. Some things I have gotten much better at like for instance scrounging. The only time I am bothered is when I have to go into town for business. I love the quite and being in a community of folks that are somewhat like me who just want to be left alone.

I have much work to do but I am really enjoying it. I hope you will be enjoying it soon too. I think it is more difficult with winter coming on. I think spring and summer will yield some good things for you though hang in there cause I know it will get better. One day I know you will be glad you did it.

 

[phill4paul]

2.5 months is really not enough time to make a clear evaluation as to whether you are suited to living off grid. Give it some time. Much of the work that goes into it we rural folk call "chores." Once you get them down they become second nature and won't seem quite the hassle.
Noticed that your heating is done with propane and kerosene. Do you live in a wooded area? Is supplemental wood heat a viable option?

 

[GomerPile]

Off grid for 3 years. Stressing about the power, heat, water takes a bit longer to get over. Took me about a year, now I only notice when my battery alarm goes off Adding insulation to your house, a good quality 2KW generator (Honda EU2000), and wood stove are all excellent investments BTW.

 

[Steve-in-NY]

I'd love to hear more in-depth on those of you that are off grid. Setup, lessons learned, tips/tricks, etc. I find it to be very interesting.

 

[CaptUSA]

I'd love to hear more in-depth on those of you that are off grid. Setup, lessons learned, tips/tricks, etc. I find it to be very interesting.

My guess is that if they can post in an internet forum, they're not really "off the grid".

 

[pcosmar]

My guess is that if they can post in an internet forum, they're not really "off the grid".

Does homeless count.? untethered and untracked (mostly)

btw,, I am still looking for housing..

 

[Wooden Indian]

I love the chores end of it. Look forward to every one of them really... maybe not the composting lol. But I do still work my day job around 10 hours a day.

We had planned to drive up here in the RV we bought on Craigslist and stay in it for a mere month or two then have an old mobile home hauled back here. But the rain flooded the roads pretty good and even my 4X4 gets stuck every once in awhile just getting off the property. So we'll be in the RV through the winter. This spring I'll clear some more land on the north end and start leveling and bringing in more soil and rock.

Plan is that by next winter the tiny house will be up insulated. So we may just skip the mobile home stage and stay in the RV for the year. Only time will tell.

 

[GomerPile]

Off grid is a very broad term. How you define off grid is very problematic. If you use propane are you off the grid? The propane tank is sitting there in your yard (off the grid) but there is a pretty serious "grid" involved in getting that propane to you.

I have designed my living situation around what will happen if the the grid went down, what systems would be impacted? When I run out of propane, I will have no hot water...which is not the end of the world. When I run out of gasoline my microwave and toaster ovens won't work. I also lose the ability to charge my battery bank in the winter...again not a huge issue. You will notice that I did not mention the loss of water. Thats because I use a super low power pump that can run from PV panels directly if needed. It only pumps 1/2 GPM but it pumps! Had I picked a "normal" well pump it would be a hell of a lot harder to run it if the grid went down. You will also notice that I can run it directly from PV panels when/if my batteries wear out....more fault tolerance.

For cooking I use a denatured alcohol stove which is far more convenient than wood. If the grid goes down, I can distill it from things I grow. I could have used propane but decided that this was better...I'm also not a gourmet chef

I guess what I'm saying not to worry so much about being disconnected from the grid, worry about what happens when the grid disconnects from you and everything will be fine.

My guess is that if they can post in an internet forum, they're not really "off the grid".

 

[klamath]

My guess is that if they can post in an internet forum, they're not really "off the grid".

Off the grid refers to the Power grid.

 

[klamath]

Off grid is a very broad term. How you define off grid is very problematic. If you use propane are you off the grid? The propane tank is sitting there in your yard (off the grid) but there is a pretty serious "grid" involved in getting that propane to you.

I have designed my living situation around what will happen if the the grid went down, what systems would be impacted? When I run out of propane, I will have no hot water...which is not the end of the world. When I run out of gasoline my microwave and toaster ovens won't work. I also lose the ability to charge my battery bank in the winter...again not a huge issue. You will notice that I did not mention the loss of water. Thats because I use a super low power pump that can run from PV panels directly if needed. It only pumps 1/2 GPM but it pumps! Had I picked a "normal" well pump it would be a hell of a lot harder to run it if the grid went down. You will also notice that I can run it directly from PV panels when/if my batteries wear out....more fault tolerance.

For cooking I use a denatured alcohol stove which is far more convenient than wood. If the grid goes down, I can distill it from things I grow. I could have used propane but decided that this was better...I'm also not a gourmet chef

I guess what I'm saying not to worry so much about being disconnected from the grid, worry about what happens when the grid disconnects from you and everything will be fine.

This is the original and true meaning of "Grid" in "off the grid".

An electrical grid is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from suppliers to consumers. It consists of generating stations that produce electrical power, high-voltage transmission lines that carry power from distant sources to demand centers, and distribution lines that connect individual customers

I have been off the grid for 48 years.

 

[NapoleonIII]

I grew up on a farm with no electricity.

 

[Wooden Indian]

Off Grid- I use solar to power my home, propane tanks I exchange and rotate out to primarily heat it, my water is pumped from my stream to my tank to my home, my waste is composted, and I use cellular phones for data. Now, I do want to heat and cook on wood but it's not time for that just yet.

Not a wire nor a pipe extend to my property from any outside service.

And God willing things will stay that way.

 

[goRPaul]

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! I've considered off grid living for some time now, not sure whether or not I'll commit.

 

[Wooden Indian]

Thought I'd update a little-

Though I lived in the city, and some major ones, for most of my life, I've only received one ticket... and here I am already heading to the courthouse in "Po-dunk", NC.
I Pulled out of the hardware store onto the 25 MPH little road, decided on which route I would take into town, when the blue lights fired through my rear window.

"Noticed you didn't have your seat belt on, sir- Here's you're ticket- Have a nice day."

$179.00

Can't escape the man. May have been better hiding in plain sight. Maybe not. Interesting just the same.

Oh, and this happened the other day; I was picking up a well point at the Tractor Supply (which is more like a GAP or American Eagle store these days) when the guy looks at me and goes, "Now, you know you're not allowed to use this if they can get city water to you, right? You can get in trouble for that. You'll want to call and make sure you're allowed to drive it." I searched his eyes for any sign of sarcasm, even a "wink-wink nudge-nudge" curl of his lips.... there was none. He was serious and undoubtedly would turn me in if it were convenient and or he was asked. So, I agreed, made my purchase with cash, and made my way home.

Well trained. Obedient. Good dogs. Even out here in the sticks.

 

[tod evans]

Well trained. Obedient. Good dogs. Even out here in the sticks.

Big government do-gooders abound in rural areas, how many there are and who they focus on depends on the area.

Here in the Ozarks your family are foreigners until you've been here for 3 generations, longer if you're from Yankee stock......

 

[luctor-et-emergo]

Thought I'd update a little-

Though I lived in the city, and some major ones, for most of my life, I've only received one ticket... and here I am already heading to the courthouse in "Po-dunk", NC.
I Pulled out of the hardware store onto the 25 MPH little road, decided on which route I would take into town, when the blue lights fired through my rear window.

"Noticed you didn't have your seat belt on, sir- Here's you're ticket- Have a nice day."

$179.00

Can't escape the man. May have been better hiding in plain sight. Maybe not. Interesting just the same.

Oh, and this happened the other day; I was picking up a well point at the Tractor Supply (which is more like a GAP or American Eagle store these days) when the guy looks at me and goes, "Now, you know you're not allowed to use this if they can get city water to you, right? You can get in trouble for that. You'll want to call and make sure you're allowed to drive it." I searched his eyes for any sign of sarcasm, even a "wink-wink nudge-nudge" curl of his lips.... there was none. He was serious and undoubtedly would turn me in if it were convenient and or he was asked. So, I agreed, made my purchase with cash, and made my way home.

Well trained. Obedient. Good dogs. Even out here in the sticks.

Well, there's libertarian arguments for why you shouldn't be able to pump up all the water you want since you'll also lower the water table for properties which you do not own. Apart from that, it's ridiculous you can't use one if you can be hooked up to city water. At least around here in many cases city water also comes from ground water... Much deeper than you'll need for your own well so I don't understand why you'd need to use city water in that case except for control. I know you need a permit here if you want to drill beyond a certain depth or pump up more than a certain amount of water.


Don't eat yourself up over that ticket. The world isn't fair and it will never be. You've got your spot with your off-the grid home. Enjoy it.

Hope you'll have a nice Christmas there ! Nice and warm hopefully.