Living off grid has been growing more popular day by the day and is even revered in some circles. Instead of being called a hermit or hippie, many people say other things. How do you like it? Wow I can’t believe you were able to do that, all by yourself huh? The list goes on.
If i’m being honest i’ve never been asked about the disadvantages to living off grid. People typically only want to hear about the good stuff which is perfect because my life is majestic. In spite of that I do recognize that such information would be useful if someone were weighing the pros and cons to making the leap.
When I went off grid it was the only thing on my mind. Everything has a cost and I figured I would learn the drawbacks on the fly rather than analyzing them. This obviously worked for me, but I wouldn’t suggest that method for the feint of heart. With that being said, Disadvantages to living off grid are as follows:
Seclusion
This society is small and not including the internet it is a lot smaller. Essentially you will be a pioneer in your particular journey because no matter how many articles and books you read or videos you watch you will be alone in the outcome.
If things don’t work out it will be you and you alone who suffers the cost of that failure. This means physically, mentally, spiritually and financially unless you borrowed money which would inherently make things worse.
This feeling of being on a new path with nobody guiding or following may make you feel empty overtime. The seclusion itself is just the beginning, it branches out to include many other disadvantages.
Dating
Yes you guessed it, dating is much harder for most if you are off the grid. Society does a wonderful job of creating a diverse pool of possible partners. They may live in the same building, live a few blocks away, maybe a city over but they are all in the same demographic.
If you have dated enough you will learn that similarities in lifestyle and interest are a key aspect to finding and deciding on a partner. If this is true that would mean your dating pool of roughly 100 million (give or take 50 million) has dwindled substantially by living off the grid. I would imagine roughly 99% of choices went from probable to unlikely.
For me it wasn’t the case. I’m a fashionista, built like a marble statue and i’m independently wealthy. On top of that even though i’m off the grid I keep a hand in the street like I need a taxi. I’m joking obviously (but am I though?) What I am trying to say is things will grow more difficult the further you are from your former everyday life. You will have to learn new ways to meet people and new places to frequent if they exist in your scenario.
It won’t be impossible but it will be exponentially more difficult.
Security
Another by product of Seclusion. If you are living in an apartment complex downtown in a decent city there will most certainly be crime. If we are honest crime exists anyplace where there groups of humans. If somewhere were to try and break into your place you can barricade you door and wait it out. You may not even have to call 911 because someone else may hear or see what is happening. If the person doesn’t go away away police or security will take care of it.
If you are off the grid away from anyone and this happens, it’s just you and the assailants. No barricading the door and waiting them out, they have all the time in the world. You can call local police but where is the nearest station? Do they dispatch to your area? How long will it take for them to arrive? Do you even have an address?
The main question is do you have the skill set to protect yourself in a break in event. Can you fend off an intruder? This is something that most people don’t take into account because they have been protected there entire lives.
Health
Being off the grid has a lot to do with maintaining a decent level of fitness. Odds are you will doing things yourself they you havent done often, maybe ever. This could mean chopping firewood, cutting lumber, Filling up water containers, operating heavy equipment, digging, pouring concrete, cooking, cleaning, sharpening tools etc.
This means there are far more activities that can cause bodily harm that will be apart of your daily routine. If you cut off a finger using the chop saw what happens next. In society you can call an ambulance and one will be there with a few minutes or uber to the hospital after wrapping it up. If you pass out hopefully someone see’s and calls for you.
Off the grid there is none of this. It’ll just be you maybe a partner either way odds of an ambulance coming out to you are slim. If you’re on a mountain that means helicopter rescue and roughly 50k for the trip. Is there a hospital close?will they even be open? These are the downsides. Things of little to no concern in everyday life become life or death off the grid.
Stranded
Odds are you have never truly been stranded before but it is not a good feeling. It is incredibly hard to be stranded in society. You can find help, a bus, taxi, police officer, upstanding citizen etc.
If your off grid in a desolate areas roads will not be paved that means when it rains it will typically flood the streets. If it rains very hard these roads will be quicksand if you can get to them or impossible altogether for anything other than a lightweight lifted truck. Some roads are seasonal and turn into rivers at some point through the year. This would mean if you are home you won’t be able to leave and if you aren’t you won’t be able to get back. Obviously these are possible scenarios but drastic, but i’ve experience each one listed.
A more plausible scenario would be coming out to your one vehicle and finding it has a flat tire or maybe it won’t start. Roadside assistance services won’t come to a vehicle that is no roadside or on paved roads so you are stuck. Is there someone close enough to help you. Do you have enough water to last? How will you get a new tire or fix the car troubles? Can you hike into town?
Preparation
Disadvantages to living off grid can obviously be very dangerous. It is nothing to scoff at and should of course be taken into consider. Nevertheless a lot of the bigger issues have to deal with seclusion which can be altered by preparation. You can have a partner go off the grid with, live somewhere close to society. Make sure you have items in stock for emergencies, medical kits, emergency water, extra wheels and tires, car parts etc.
Every thing in the world no matter how beautiful has a cost and living off grid is no different. You may even find that you like the challenge and a bit of adventure.
Do disadvantages to living off grid make you rethink trying to live of grid? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below.
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