The current financial state of the country has meant that it’s getting increasingly more difficult to just get by. That’s why more and more people appear to be turning to living off-grid and getting away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. In this article we’ll look into what it means to live off-grid, the best ways to get started and how it could save you money.
What It Means To Live Off-Grid
Wikipedia defines off-grid living as “not being connected to a grid, mainly used in terms of not being connected to the main or national transmission grid in electricity”. In its most basic form it simply means you’ll be living by your own means and making your own energy / heating.
If you, like thousands of others, think this way of live sounds appealing here are some basic tips to get you started.
- Find / Buy Your Own Land.
It may seem obvious but in order to build and maintain your own house you’ll need to first find some land. The ideal type for real off-grid living would be a 50-50 mix of arran and woodland, although this can be the most expensive land type it’ll serve you with plenty of free fuel all year round. - Find a Source of Water.
Buying land with an existing well will no doubt be difficult and expensive. If your budget simply won’t stretch your next best bet is to collect rainwater yourself. Rainwater can be a fantastic source as long as you collect it efficiently, you can buy 2,000 gallon containers online for around £1,000 (much cheaper than the extra cost you’ll be charged for buying land with a well). - Find a Source of Power.
To truly live off-grid you’ll need to generate your own energy for cooking, cleaning and general living. If, as mentioned previously, you buy land with woodland then a wood-burning stove will be right up your alley. If you’re in a windy valley then wind power could be a valid option as well as the standard solar panels if your climate will allow it.
As you can see, off-grid living can be a huge change in lifestyle, especially if you’ve lived in or near a city for the majority of your life. If you want to give it a try then jump in with both feet, hold nothing back, embrace it and enjoy it.