Hi, I'm really interested in living off Grid but would really like to experience life off grid first. Is there anyone out there who would let me experience the life with them first hand? I'm female, 42 years old and can pay my way. I'm a hard worker and am willing to learn. Wendy
You might want to elaborate a little on your definition of off grid. Some one who has a house that is just off grid? Or off grid as in fully self sufficient and could be cut off from the rest of society?
Well not a boat but I do have a pilot's licence! Good point. I'd like to be fully self sufficient but with neighbours within an hour. I should clarify that when I said "experience" I was meaning a month or two living with off gridders where I could experience the life and see if it's really for me. I'd be happy to contribute to the household for the experience.
The obvious next question is are you hot? Well not the type of question I would ask but the other guy would.
Appreciate the reply Meat! That's not exactly the type of experience I was looking for! But since you asked I guess I'm average for my age!
For the highest end off grid experience I would suggest some time in one of the Amish areas. Some take house guests etc. They have the whole off grid system down to a fine art. It does away with the juice, a little more conventional experience would use solar, wind or water and you will have to decide at what level you wish to go off grid. Congratulations for being willing to try it and not just jumping off the cliff and seeing if there is water below.
I'm at pretty much the same phase you're at I think. I'm planning on abstaining from money completely when I start my off grid adventure. I want to grow my own crops, hunt my own game, make my own energy and purify my own water. The resources on this site have been incredibly helpful and I highly recommend that you check out a few when you have time. I do know of some folks hoping to start an off grid community but I'm not sure how many people they want at this time because they are only getting started.
I spent enough time at events and rendezvous to have an idea of how I like it, and what matters to me as far as comforts go (take a cooler full of food and hide it under a blanket!!! learn from my hardship!). Haha. Good luck to you. Heading in that direction, but in no place to show you how to do it (unless you want to live in a tent during hunting season...?)
A hour is a long way away from any thing a teepee with a inside skirt or yurt set up may be a cheap way to go will you be working or all out live off the land making due with what you come up with if so where are you wanting to set up state and terrain some are easyer than others where I am if you died from starvation or dehydration you helped the gene pool there's plenty of both here but there's the bugs and heat to deal with.
For my part I think Duane's suggestion is terrific. Please don't let the flirtation in our group ward you off. We're really quite friendly. Good luck.
@WendyM More like playfully tentative. New folk who haven't otherwise given much indication as to what they are on about, tend to attract a certain amount of testing. Most folk here are sensibly cautious about giving up too much information about themselves that may compromise their OPSEC. Occasionally unfamiliar folk come in here using the site for a little phishing, and so forth. Your best bet is to contribute to the site by posting something about yourself, and what skills you may offer, in addition to just hard labor. Posting to other threads may give the folks who visit here some kind of idea about your interests, values, aims and objectives. Don't give out anything that may compromise your own personal welfare.....it seems all too obvious to be saying that, but it is surprising what can be gleaned from such seemingly small inconsequential tidbits.
I would be looking at building/buying a cabin. I would be looking for land in a state in the lower 48, the lack of daylight further north would not suit me. Maybe an hour from neighbours is too far. I do like a human interaction.
Well I wouldn't be averse to living in a tent for a short while, which state are you in? I have slept in tents a fair bit but not in extreme cold. But I'd certainly give it a go.
Here is a small house made from a shipping container depends on how well you can barter trade or scavenge it would not cost much to build.
Thanks Bishop. I have a reasonable amount saved up and would love to build a log cabin, but this could do to start with.