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Consulting company Accenture has forecasted that 12% of the American households that 12 percent of American households will live off the grid by 2035
As we work toward our off-grid dreams we have put pen to paper and compiled my top reasons for wanting to live off-grid.
There are many reasons people choose this lifestyle including financial hardships, lack of trust in government or wanting to live a green lifestyle simpler life with less stress. They don't want to pay for a house, food water or power.
I have what I believe are the top reasons and they are in no particular order.
Self Sufficiency:
Modern living (i.e. city living) is a dependent system. Each block or “grid” square of a city depends on the next for support.
If there were a collapse of the financial system -which is the most likely “doomsday”
scenario- then the grocery stores, hardware stores, and the big box home improvement stores would be the first to be wiped out of supplies.
In the biggest cities in the world, this leaves millions of people without the supplies needed to survive.
Self-sufficiency, at a fundamental level, is all about survival. But it also goes far beyond survival, into the realm of independence.
People like the feeling they get when they don’t have to depend on others, and they can support their families and enjoy their lives with their friends on their own land, in their own home.
Surviving the world off the grid may not be the easiest way to live, but it arguably gives you a better chance of survival in a disaster/collapse scenario. It’s all about being prepared.
The worst thing you can here is "I am from the government and I am here to help" There was massive storms that flooded the South East United States in 2024 one of the worst hurricane Helene, which tore through Florida and Georgia and brought severe devastating flooding to North Carolina where floodwaters claimed the lives of thousands. FEMA was slow and non existent to respond and when people lost every last possession the government cut them a check for $750 dollars what a slap in the face! Some lost everything and were living in tents in the cold winters that year!
No Utility Bills
Exploring alternatives for power, water, and sewer is a great way to reduce the cost of living. Becoming “Debt Free”.
The freedom to provide for your family without the burden of crushing debt.
The freedom to spend quality time with your family instead of making money for your boss. The freedom to live life the way you see fit. With true freedom, comes happiness.
Good stewards of the Earth’s resources
When we are responsible for our own resources we are more aware of where they come from and how much we are using. Eyes-wide-open awareness is the most effective way to bring true change in any area of life.
Your biggest cost will be to spend the thousands of dollars it will take to build your initial infistructure. After you have that it is just minimum cost for yourself and your family.
Security
When tied to the grid we are tied to more than just the electric company. There are so many variables that could cause us to be without power. We want to eliminate that risk as much as possible. Not just by creating our own electricity but learning to live without it too.
Freedom to choose your lifestyle
Living off grid gives you options. Maybe you want to live in a yurt with no amenities. How about an RV? A tiny house? You might want a big house with every convenience but on a property that is too far from the electric grid. These are all possibilities off the grid.
As you explore options for living you begin to see that your possibilities are limitless only tethered to the amount of cash that you have to start out with.
Location, location, location
Being free from the electric grid means that you can position your house in the best or most beautiful place on your land no matter how far it is from the electric lines. Be aware though some places have POA (property owners association) or the fact that you have state laws prohibiting you from living off grid peacefully. Look at the area you want to live are there others living off grid? Chances are if you are miles down a dirt road and not within city limits there might be a chance for you to put down roots.
Environmentally responsible
Learning how to use much less electricity, recycling gray water and having a composting toilet are great ways to reduce your carbon footprint and make off-grid living work. Also you have the opportunity to collect rainwater have a garden and be a caretaker of the Earth and not a consumer like in the city.
Learn new skills
The things you can learn on YouTube. I am excited to learn more about solar, harvesting water, building from the ground up and living more in touch with our land. Especially when it comes to prepping and survival skills.
The sense of accomplishment
This might be the thing we are most excited about, building our homestead from the ground up. To be able to really express who we are in every aspect of our lives then look back and see all that we have learned and accomplished.
Encourages a life unplugged
Living off-grid is a chosen departure from everyday modern life in some form or another. That departure causes change, even if it is as simple as hanging the laundry to dry instead of throwing it in the dryer.
Many off-grid tasks connect us to nature and life outside of a screen. We plan on embracing that with open arms.
Happiness
Ultimately it comes down to happiness. We all strive for happiness in our own way. Some folks are materialistic, some seek power or money. Some seek the simpler life. A life without stress, or as stress-free as possible.
Removing the burden of mortgages, utility bills, car payments, and living the simpler, easier life appeals to millions of people around the world. Happiness is at the core.
Going off grid is not the wonder-drug that will solve all of your troubles.
There are many choices that can be made, no matter where you live, to reduce your carbon footprint.
For our family, it is the combination of all of these reasons that inspire and compels us to work toward our dreams of building our off-grid homestead.
When I go home everyday from the crazy city life and I am on my property I feel secure and at peace. I know that I am creating a life and not simply living one.
I would like to know your reasons for getting off the grid... leave a comment below
