So you are thinking about taking the plunge into living off the grid? I think it is good that you are doing some research and planning ahead. This itself will open more doors in regards to where you can live as well as how well you will be living.
The Question: Where Can I Live Off Grid? Is an important one to answer before making any serious plans. “Failing to Prepare is preparing to fail,” at least that is what old Benjamin Franklin thought.
We will discuss four locations or rather types of locations one can easily live off grid. I know these particular ones are easy because I have lived in each.
Shall we commence?
Big City
I’m sure this seems counter to off the grid but in reality it is not. This is one of the easiest places to live off the grid if you are in a van, rv/skoolie or trailer for multiple reasons but lets list a few.
- You can still have a well paying city job even though your expenses from living off the grid are at an all time low. You want be paying for rent, electricity, water in some cases etc. This means it will be easier to make money than living in a remote location and easier to save money since your expenses are low.
- You don’t need to have a bathroom or in your rig because you can easily use a restroom anywhere in the city and get a gym membership for showers and of course fitness.
- There are people around so you are able to be a social lad or ladette. Community is a good thing when people are like minded or celebrate individuality. It’s also easier to date in the city than in remote locations if that aspect of life interests you.
- Security and safety are at an all time high when you are in the city. There are cameras everywhere and if you stay away from seedy locations you should be fine. Obviously keep the doors locked and have a good alarm system on your home .
- Resources are plentiful. You can fill up your water at a friends house or find an unused spigot (legally of course). There are grocery stores and restaurants galore along with farmers markets on the weekends. The city is a food haven.
OPP (Other Peoples Property)
This one may confuse some of you but if you have decent manners it is a simple affair. Couch surfing is still a thing and a glorious thing at that. I’ve done it on a few occasions when backpacking through Europe. I’ve also done it through out the United States but a bit differently.
In Europe I couched surfed with nothing but a backpack on. The hospitality was glorious. I met so many amazing and beautiful people that just want you to be safe, comfortable and well fed. Of course there is that eerie feeling someone may try and put you down permanently while your sleeping, but if you learn to sleep light and have a bit of close quarters combat training it doesn’t bother in the slightest.
In the United States I more so garage surfed as I had my stealth van. It is pretty much the same except you can sleep in your car vs with total strangers. Odds are after meeting the host you will find that you stay inside with them. Sometimes this is to prevent offense but mostly because they’re dope and it’s apart of the experience.
On the Water
You guessed it this is typically done in a boat. Living on the water is a glorious affair as long as you don’t get seasick easily. It has all the benefits as big city living if you choose to remain moored at a nice Marina. I was at Marina Del Rey so my experience was grandiose. Beautiful restaurants within walking distance, grocery stores a plenty. Some nice lounges to hang out at night and meet people and of course somewhere safe and secure to store my belongings and sleep. There were also beautiful lasses a plenty so that is always a plus.
The great thing about this is when you have enjoyed your stay you can go somewhere else . The open ocean is generally considered free for travel. Make sure your communication system is up to date if you run into some trouble and need to send out a distress signal. You will also want a top tier navigation system to avoid any dangers as well as traverse that vast blue span effectively. There aren’t many things as off the grid as boating with no destination in mind.
Nomad
This is one of my favorites because you get to see the world and everywhere is your home. It is essentially a mix of everything listed above a hybrid of sorts but you do need a vehicle. It is best done with a Van Conversion, Small Skoolie or something similar.
The overarching them of Nomad is being mercurial. You come and go as you please, moving from place to place. I was at yellowstone one week watching the bison migratory patterns and the next week Vancouver enjoying Canadian hospitality. This is the life of a Nomad, you are everywhere but no where. You can go desolate for a few days and be in a large city getting mixxy later that week. Cooking outside enjoying the the crisp air of a mountain range for breakfast and having sushi at Katsuya for dinner.
Being a Nomad is the most difficult of the four as it takes a certain savvy and careless demeanor but it is a wonderful way to live if you are built for.
Where Can I Live Off The Grid?
The world is your oyster. You can go where you please when you please. Make sure you have enough money to make the journey or the skills to acquire money while on the journey and anything is possible under the sun.
Of the 4 ways revealed which would you choose for living off the grid. Let me know in the comments.
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