Total Off Grid Living, Can it be Done in today's world with a family?

PFC Jacob Brunette — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 06:40:04 -0400

Could someone with the proper skills and knowledge take a family and live completely off the grid, Solar energy for power, stream/river for water, hunt/trap/fish for food, as well as a garden. pack animals and a small farm of cattle and pigs and chickens. could this be done in today's world without to much hassle from outside entities. I see only maybe land taxes being an issue. opinions please.

Response by SSG Christopher Freeman made Jun 22 at 2015 6:41 AM

SSG Christopher Freeman — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 06:41:15 -0400

Of course they can. However check local and state laws. Someone just got in trouble for trying to live off the grid. The city said it was unsafe.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 7:25 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 07:25:26 -0400

Sure, it can an always will be done. Solar and wind power connected to marine batteries could power a cottage for a family. A well for indoor water needs, with rainwater buckets for outdoor water needs. You could do a propane tank filled once or twice a year for cooking needs or you could truly go rustic and learn to cook over a fireplace. A fireplace at each end of the cottage will provide all the warmth needed. You can get chickens, a couple pigs, a goat, and a cow or two for meat, eggs, and dairy. Use the manure for your garden. Hunt and fish for additional meat needs/wants. Baking your own breads, making your own jams, canning vegetables is not that hard. There are also many things that nature provides that are great helps.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 22 at 2015 9:23 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 09:23:51 -0400

I've helped a few families get permits for such a life style out here. They do have to pay property taxes but those can be accounted for with the lack of an electricity bill.

Response by SGT John W Lugo made Jun 22 at 2015 2:20 PM

SGT John W Lugo — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 14:20:48 -0400

Maybe in prior generations before the 80's, now they can't because of Facebook. Lol
But seriously it was that way before and many knew how to survive with the basics, I would like doing it if only was responsible for the few items to deal with.

Response by SFC William "Bill" Moore made Jun 23 at 2015 10:21 AM

SFC William "Bill" Moore — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 10:21:30 -0400

Planning and acquiring land and livestock are a must before you take the jump. If I were just starting out in raising cattle, I would not be able to afford the animals, however, there is a way to get cattle at a relatively affordable way, albeit, time consuming. Pigs can be picked up at a good price and chickens would be a must, for more than just eggs. As for power, there are numerous outlets to get material for building your own solar panels, building a rife pump and developing homemade wind generators. I could go on, if you are serious, contact me, I am no expert, but do farm and am trying to become as self sufficient as possible.

Response by SFC Aaron G. made Jun 23 at 2015 10:38 PM

SFC Aaron G. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 22:38:37 -0400

This may not be a complete start to sustain an entire family. But, I thought that the video was pretty cool to watch. Thoughts?

Facebook

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Jun 27 at 2015 3:53 PM

PVT Robert Gresham — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 15:53:01 -0400

Absolutely !!

I live in Alaska where in most places there is, "nothing but miles and miles, for miles and miles". There are many people who live off the grid here, some by choice, others by necessity

Of course, our extremely harsh Winters make it a truly difficult, some say impossible, undertaking.
Wild animals are also a danger here, bear, moose and wolverines are just a few of the dangerous animals that can ruin your plans in a hurry. The biggest test for most would be the lack of electricity.

But, it can be done.....We have some of the best hunting and fishing in the world. You would need to make some acquaintances to have supplies flown in (bush delivery), or be prepared to drive hundreds of miles for your own supplies. Your water would still have to be treated to a certain extent (purification). You would also want to have, especially with a family, contact with medical facilities.

If you are serious about actually doing this, you are welcome to contact me. I don't live off the grid, but I do live in a log house outside of North Pole, Alaska. I'll try to answer any specific questions you might have.

Response by SSgt Rilene Ann made Aug 7 at 2015 1:46 AM

SSgt Rilene Ann — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 01:46:57 -0400

I live in Fairbanks AK and many off grid here just out of town

Response by PFC Leander Yazzie made Sep 10 at 2015 6:11 PM

PFC Leander Yazzie — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 18:11:21 -0400

I've been living off grid for two years. It can be done.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 4:58 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 04:58:31 -0400

Tesla has a house battery that can store plentiful energy, and helps to even-out energy consumption. Augment that with a solar panel roof; those solar roadway things for your walk/driveways; manual-powered generators; and heat/steam engines built into the heating/cooking systems for your home. The solar roadway panels create energy, melt snow/ice, channel melted ice and rainwater away (into a groundwater source?) and can be programmed with LED's for parking, games, or weight/pressure indications. Wells are also a great source of water, and a natural filtration system can be implemented during construction. Then, you'd just need a purifier, such as the "Rainmaker" that the owner/founder of 5 Hour Energy had his team of inventors/engineers whip up.
The things he's responsible for are just amazing.