There are about 180,000 families living off the grid and that number is constantly increasing. If you’re looking to live off off the grid, then there are a few key tips that you need to know before doing so.
Off-grid living sounds like a dream to a lot of people as you will feel like you get to do whatever you want. But there are also many drawbacks and challenges to living off the grid that you should know before starting this adventure.
Keep reading to learn about our seven key tips for living off the grid that you must know.
1. Find the Right Location
When it comes to off-grid living finding the right location for you and your family is a must. You need to know that summers will be hot, winters will be cold, and water doesn’t run uphill. When finding the perfect location for living off the grid you need to take these elements and many more into consideration.
You also will need to make sure that you’re able to grow and produce food in the area you choose to live at. Finding the right location may take a bit of time and research but it is going to be very important. Once you set everything up and start becoming self-sustainable you aren’t going to want to move to a new location if something goes wrong.
2. Be Willing to Learn
When it comes to living off the grid there are going to be many new things that you and your family will have to adapt to and learn. You may want to set up solar panels so you can have power and energy in your home to run certain things. This is a skill that you can learn and do all on your own if you have the drive to do so.
When it comes to learning new things you should also remember that things can and probably will go wrong! But you need to relax and have patience so you can learn how to fix them. After all, you won’t be able to just call the power company to come out and fix something for you. Off-grid living is all about learning how to do things for yourself.
3. The Sun Is Very Important
When you’re living off the grid you will find that the sun is very important. Every day you may find a new use for the awesome thing in the sky. When setting up your home you will want to make sure that you have windows that will help to let direct sunlight in.
Using electric lights will take up a lot of your energy so you will want to use as much natural sunlight as possible. Also if you plan to go solar, then the sun will be even more important for you. The sun is what will give you electricity and energy and you will be grateful for it.
4. Figure Out How Will You Cook
There are plenty of alternatives to cooking without an oven but you should decide what you and your family will do before living off the grid. If you’ve figured out how to get solar energy into your home, then you’ve probably solved half the battle when it comes to figuring out how to cook. But there are also ways that don’t use energy at all.
The first way you will probably attempt to cook without any power or solar energy in your home is over a fire. There are many awesome ways that you can actually make your own oven using clay, mud, or other insulating materials. Sometimes this type of oven will look like a makeshift pizza oven but they work and you will have delicious food in no time.
5. Talk to Other Off Gridders
The best way to learn how to live off the grid is by talking to people who are successfully doing it. These people have already spent countless hours doing research and setting up their homes so any advice they give you should be greatly appreciated.
Networking with other people who live off the grid can also help you to figure out what not to do before setting off for your journey. They may have some knowledge about the best places to live and what you should and should not do during each season. You can find other people who live off the grid and that are willing to help right online!
6. Stand By Your Choice
When it comes to moving off the grid, you may have some extended family members or friends who disapprove of your move. Some may say that it is child abuse or even spousal abuse. But you need to stand by your choice and stand up for yourself.
Make sure that you’re also including your immediate family in all of your off-grid decisions. Divorce rates with off-grid living are high because the two don’t communicate about exactly what they want. Don’t just assume that your dream is also your significant other’s dream.
7. Plan Your Move
Above all else, when it comes to moving and living off the grid it won’t happen overnight. You will need to spend hours doing research and planning everything that you will need to bring with you. Living off the grid isn’t easy but thousands of families have proven that it can be done.
You need to taking living off the grid one step at a time. There is going to be some time where you spend just gathering the supplies and things you will need to successfully make the move. The more time that you take to prepare your move, then the more successful it will be for you and your family.
Off-Grid Living
When it comes to off-grid living there are going to be many things that you will want to learn and skills that you will need to obtain. If you have the will and drive to live off the grid, then it can be done!
If you’re looking for more off-grid living advice or purchasing gear for your adventure, then make sure to check out everything we have to offer.
