Living Off the Grid: What You Need To Know In Order To Survive
While our country and the economy have seen a bit of a comeback in recent years, it is still hard to contest the claim that we are living in difficult financial times. Rising costs of just about everything imaginable and a dismal employment forecast are just a couple of factors contributing to a difficult setting in which to make a sufficient living.
Worries like this fuel an ever-growing movement in the United States and around the world: living “off the grid.” Off the grid can be defined as “living in a self-sufficient manner without reliance on one or more public utilities.” In essence, an off-the-grid lifestyle can include things like providing for yourself and your family by growing your own food, generating your own electricity or disposing of your own waste in an environmentally-friendly manner.
So is living off the grid something that is actually possible in today’s modern world? If so, how can it be accomplished? Let’s take a look at some of the most important issues you will need to surmount.
Mindset
Before you even take a step out the door to self sufficiency, you need to make sure that this lifestyle is right for you. While living off the grid may save you a lot of money in living expenses, it is not easy. Expect days filled with manual labor and sacrifice, the levels of which depends just how far off the grid you plan to go.
Location
Do not expect to just be able to go out and live just anywhere. Most areas that are more developed have building codes that need to be adhered to in order to perform any type of construction. Also, be sure that when you select a location, you have rights to existing roads or paths.
Power
Power can be generated in a number of ways with today’s technology. However, you must ensure that whichever system you select is compatible with the area you want to settle in. For example, if you want to use wind power, ensure that you are not living in the middle of a forest, given that the trees will block at least part of the wind.
Fresh Water
Life without water is impossible. Since your plans will most likely put you out of easy range of fountains or supermarkets, you have to make sure that the land you settle on has a potable water source. Usually this is had by digging a well, an activity you will need to learn how to do, or pay someone to do it for you.
Conclusion
Would you ever consider living off the grid? Let us know in the Comments section below!