The 3 Best Choices for Ideal Long Term Off-Grid Living

People have always dreamt of living in the old days – open frontiers, living life without restrictions, living in perfect harmony with nature. Many people have successfully done so – there’s Henry David Thoreau, Ayn Rand, and Lee Child. They have tried living off the grid, and they have been successful at it.

Living Off the Grid is on the Rise

Living off the grid has become quite popular these days. Many are interested in reducing their carbon footprint. Some drop out of the grid, so they can live a simpler life. These are the people who are attracted to pioneer life. They hate the noise and stress of modern living. Living off-grid allows people to seek peace and beauty of nature.

Of course, it is not easy to disconnect from the conveniences of modern life, including heat, electricity, water, and instant communications. However, there are many benefits to living off-grid.

Benefits of Living Off-Grid

Proponents of the off-grid living claim that there are many benefits to dropping out. This is particularly true to people who have successfully made the transition. Some of these benefits include:

• Smaller carbon footprints. When you live off-the-grid, you consume less energy even if you opt to use renewable energy. You produce less waste, and you are forced to recycle regularly.
• Experience greater personal satisfaction. Being able to live on your own is empowering. Creating things with your own hand, working in the soil, and learning new skills is satisfying and invigorating. Decreased stress and anxiety levels. Living simply separates you from the stress of modern living.
• You need not worry about paying bills, costs of food, transportation, and more.
• Improved health. People who choose to live off-grid usually trade an inactive lifestyle to a more active one. They said goodbye to hours of sitting at a desk and watching television night after night.

When it comes to long-term off-grid living, here are your three choices:

Off-Grid Trailers

Off-grid trailers are particularly great. They offer you mobility if you are not too happy with an area you’ve chosen. You can easily move in case of emergencies. These trailers offer minimalist gear storage, but if you want to bring along with you certain luxuries, you will also find trailers that are practically designed as a luxury apartment on wheels.

These trailers are designed with all-terrain suspensions. The tires are also equipped for off-terrain driving. This is the perfect solution to off-grid living. These trailers are rust-proof, and they are often designed for the roughest terrains. They can withstand bitter winters and the sweltering summer.

You will find trailers that boast of rugged and aerodynamic design for an easy journey. There are spaces for spare wheels and even roof rack for extras like a mountain bicycle. They can be designed with areas for toolbox, fridge, or stow away table bracket.

With many features available, off-grid trailers can set you back quite a bit, so you might want to check out your options before you invest in a long-term off-grid trailer. You may also consider doing rentals to help you make an informed decision before you settle with any trailer.

If you are itching to buy one, you might want to look at secondhand trailers first.

However, you should do a thorough inspection first before making any decision on whether you are going to buy one or not:

• Check the trailer for rust marks.
• Inspect the door hinges and latches for wear and tear.
• Inquire if there is a spare tire, and it should be in good working condition.

Do not part with your money if you are not absolutely sure that the secondhand trailer is in perfect working condition.

Off-Grid Cabins

Off-grid cabins are another option for long-term off-grid living. Living in this type of cabin offers its own sets of pros and cons. It can be unique, but it definitely offers a set of difficult problems. These problems can range from heat to water.

This can pose a significant challenge to anyone who has been used to the comforts of modern living.

The Pros:

• A cozy off-grid living forces your family to forge stronger connections and create wonderful memories. Off-grid living in a cabin can help save you money.
• A septic system alone can cost about $18,000. Many people have discovered that an outhouse can certainly save money when you’re living off-grid.
• There is no yard maintenance. You don’t have to mow lawns mindlessly for years. You will need to saw up fallen trees.
• No electronics rule is easy to enforce.

The cons:

• Mealtimes require more careful planning because there is limited refrigerator space. This means you might not be able to keep leftovers. For instance, if you make a salad with mayonnaise, your family will need to eat it all in one day.
• You will need to haul waters, buckets of it, daily – and the whole thing can get tiresome. Bathing is an old thing of the past. There are days when you can’t do any bathing at all.

• You might have to use cleaning wipes to clean up your face and a jug of water to wash your hands.

If you want to live in an off-grid cabin, make sure to keep the cabin simple. Ideally, a square or rectangular-shaped cabin with a low-pitched roof is the ideal shape. It is also easier to build. Make sure to study the best orientation for your build, so you can optimize energy efficiency and maximize airflow. You can also enjoy all the beauties of the season.

Off-Grid Homes

The third option is off-grid homes, and there are several options to choose from when it comes to off-grid homes. You can choose from a cob house, a shipping container house, and a bamboo house.

Cob houses have a whimsical feel to them. They can be big or small, as you like. With proper maintenance, a cob house can last for years. These houses are typically fireproof and waterproof. They are considered safe and sturdy to live in.

Shipping containers are transformed into off-grid homes these days. The great thing about these containers is that you immediately get space while you are still building your home. Make sure to insulate your container properly.

A Bamboo House offers strength and flexibility. But if you want to build a bamboo house, you should treat the bamboo with borax to make it last for up to 30 years. Untreated bamboo only lasts for about 2 years.

Extensive and thorough preparation is essential to off-grid living. You need to learn survival skills like fishing, gardening, hunting, and carpentry. You also need to be in good physical shape before you live off the grid. Weigh your living options before you start living your life off-grid.