Off-grid living.
It certainly sounds great.
When you really think about it, how nice would it be to unplug from the world? Get away from the hustle and bustle.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get some truly fresh air and look out and see no neighbors and nothing but rolling hills, mountains, or beautiful horizons?
It sounds so nice in theory, but for the most part, many of us are addicted to our cell phones, laptops, shopping, central heat and air, municipal water and sewage. We are accustomed to these amenities that we aren’t quite sure we can do without them, OR have them in a capacity that’s less than what we have now i.e. slower internet, solar power, generators, etc.
It seems easier to think about everything off-grid living DOESN’T have, and not think about the things it can provide that you hadn’t thought of.
Maybe what off-grid living can provide, will make up for the things it doesn’t!
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of off-grid living and you can decide for yourself once and for all!
Con – Minimalistic Size
Many people seem to believe that off-grid living means downsizing your space, however that’s not the case at all. Off-grid living means being more self-sufficient in how you use energy and water. It doesn’t mean you have to live smaller, just smarter. How one achieves being self-sufficient is subjective. Some may find it easier with a smaller space, but if you plan it out properly, you can still have a big dream house off-grid.
Pro – Independence
This is probably the most obvious, but independence from being wired in, from being subject to the whim of utility companies, that’s definitely a pro. No longer worried about who or what may move in next door and skew property values. No longer worried about the city or utility companies coming and digging a whole in your yard because they have the right to do so at any time if there’s an issue with any of their wiring, pipes, etc. You have freedom from the rules of living “on grid” and having to deal with the ups and downs and rules of it all. You captain your own ship!
Con – The Cost of Startup
Getting started off-grid can definitely get pricey. Buying and installing all of your off-grid systems like solar power and water treatment equipment can be expensive! So to start out, you may have to spend a pretty penny to get everything set up.
Pro – Cost of Land
On the flip side of that con, off-grid land is often much cheaper! So while you may be spending more to set up, the foundation of your new off-grid living abode, the land, can save you quite a bit of money compared to land closer to bigger towns and cities.
Cons – Loneliness
As nice as it may seem now, especially in our current economy, to get away from everyone. Living off-grid may cause some loneliness with little to no one else to talk to, you may find yourself a bit depressed or sad.
This is one you should really consider. You may not be much of a people person, but consider how much you talk to and see friends and family and whether living off-grid is best for your personality and social preference.
Pros – More Affordable Over Time
Don’t be put off that the startup costs can get pricey. You will save so much on things like food, utilities, and overall consumption living off-grid, which could save you hundreds of thousands over your lifetime. If you think about how much you eat out, how much energy appliances will use, how much space random items from the shopping take up – all of those things would likely drastically be cut down when you start living off-grid and thinking of self-sufficiency and sustainability.
These are just a few pros and cons of off-grid living. The hope is that these few will give you an idea of the differences and get you thinking of what is best for you. Can it work for you? Is it mean for you?
Before taking the jump, do some research on some other pros and cons. Maybe search for some blogs of people living off-grid or YouTube channels where they may discuss these pros and cons and length.
But for certain, give it serious thought and think of what kind of how you want to spend your life…
Hooked up to the grid, or unplugged?
