There is a chance you found this article deep down a rabbit hole of searches. Quite possibly this is the beginning of your journey but either way, Off Grid Living In California, Is the dream. So many opportunities, so much space. You can do anything you want here, be anybody. There are of course advantages and pitfalls with any venture. With knowledge of both you will see the endless possibilities of off grid living in California.
Why California
This list can go on forever. California is the most populous state in the United States of America. It is not only full of people which means finding like minded individuals is a simpler task but also boast expansive terrains to suit anyones needs. I can wake up in the the mountains and have a nice breakfast in the heart of hollywood. Followed by a trip to cliff lined beaches for the remainder of the more, visit caves after having lunch somewhere in the sand. I can hike into the forest for and early dinner and finish things off with dessert watching stars in the desert. There are not many places a person can visit so many breath taking vistas through a single day.
California is home to a border to Mexico if you want to do a little country hopping for some culture and food. Wineries up and down the napa valley. 900 miles of beach, expansive fields of farmland, waterfalls, tide pools, caves. There are world renowned museums, libraries, and restaurants with food and information from every culture you can imagine. There are mountain ranges, desert scapes, lakes, winter cabins and summer villas.
California is a place where you can experience a little bit of everything without too much travel. this makes it a unique hotspot
RV/Trailer, Skoolie or Van
These are all ways to live off the grid and serve well in California.
- Skoolie- Conversion of an old school bus into an RV. If it is 4×4 it can get just about anywhere. Typically has a great deal of space for the interior. This is essential for designing a comfortable tiny home. It also enjoys a lot of roof space for a deck and solar panels. It’s all metal design is great for customization. A luxurious road warrior
- RV- Any other recreationally vehicle that was built to drive and live in. The difference between this and the trailer is that a trailer needs to be towed and does not drive on its on while an RV can be driven and has living space. The main difference between an RV and a Skoolie is construction. Old school buses are all practically the same while RVs come in many shapes, materials and sizes.
- Van- These wildly vary. You have the wealthier class which use Mercedes Sprinters, Dodge Pro masters and the like. Then you have the standard vans that weren’t built with permanent living in mind but were converted to suite the needs of the user. They typically have less room and head space, making living conditions a bit obtrusive, but they are less likely to raise attention in the city. There are also my all time favorite VW buses, built for camping with pop outs and retractable roofs that allow a smaller van to perform well under any circumstances.
How to Live Off the Grid In California
You can do this many different ways with the options listed. Stealth vans are some of my favorites for inner city off grid life. You essentially build a standard van that appears to fit in with any other exterior wise the difference is the interior is built like a tiny house. The key here is being able to operate under the radar. You don’t have to visit camp grounds or drain septic tanks. You have a composting toilet (more info here on my favorite and why) A small kitchen inside and small solar panes hidden on the roof or panels that are placed outside and brought back in when necessary.
There is always the option to travel openly, going from place to place. With your vehicle embracing your lifestyle. You will probably meet like minded individuals during your travels and it is quite an amazing experience somewhere like California as it is a hub for sustainable living.
Lastly, you can set your vehicle up at friends house and live place to place or buy some land and set up shop there. This is a more permanent option than the others but also great. You will have a home wherever you go but will still feel that connectivity to the people around you.
You can mix and match each method or make up your own but these are ones that I have tried and tested.
Advantages
The advantages of off grid living in California are numerous, we have discussed all of the things that you can do here which is obviously a plus. The diversity and the green culture of the state is also a plus. You are more likely to find similar builds to yours and others doing exactly what you are in California. You can also check the forums and social media if you have interest in linking with others locally.
You have the ability to be in warmer regions or cooler ones based on your choosing unlike many other places. Weather here is always nice if you want it to be. There is also easy access to anything one needs, food, water, medical, gas (especially if you run something other than standard gasoline) propane etc. If you don’t have a bathroom in your set up it is easy to get a local gym membership for showering and use the facilities of the plethora of stores around you for bathrooms. This makes Off Grid Living In California a fun adventure.
Pitfalls
Price is the big one. Everything in California is more expensive. Food, clean water, petrol, gas, you name it and you will be paying more for it here. If you build your vehicle here you will pay more for supplies than anywhere else. Vehicle maintenance will also add to your expensive if you don’t perform your own repairs. Land is also very overpriced. On top of that with such a large population you will have people who hate that you are off the grid and give you a hard time when you are in the city. You also have the Police, which are hit or miss on being helpful or hindering you. Violence and crime is at a high meaning you will have to step up you security system. Add some cameras, and flood lamps to the exterior of the vehicle along with top tier locks.
One of the other pitfalls is also an advantage, this depends on how you feel about it. There are a lot of people. This comes with traffic, close quarters, possible sickness etc. If you want to get off the grid to get away from people you can still do it in California but not in any of the major cities, this limits your movements around the state.
California Dreaming
Off the grid living in California boasts farm more advantages than pitfalls and as long as you know what you want it is the perfect place to explore a new life. Being off the grid is about breaking your ties with how you were living before and find something different. It is about discovery, sustainability and freedom,
If you have interest in off the grid living in California leave a comment below. Where do you want to visit? What are you most excited about? Share your thoughts.
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