A Guide to Off-Grid Living Communities: What Do They Do And How to Join Them

Off grid communities are independent and don’t depend on ordinary power grids for sustainability. They survive on renewable power sources like natural water systems and solar energy. Their houses and the food they eat also agree with their sustainable practices.

The United States of America has supported off-the-grid living for the longest time. States like Colorado, Arizona, and Missouri favor off-the-grid living thanks to their local laws, land availability, and favorable climate. If you’ve been curious about off-the-grid living, we have answers.

Why Do People Choose to Live Off the Grid?

People go off the grid for different reasons. Their desire for a cheaper and less stressful life is the major reason that stands out. Other reasons include the following;

1. It’s More Economical

Off-the-grid communities employ the use of natural-generated power like sun and wind energy. At the same time, they get most of the fruits and vegetables from their farms, lowering their cost of living.

Setting up this lifestyle might be expensive initially, but the benefits outweigh the initial cost. Their lifestyle makes them more connected to Mother Nature, giving them a healthier and happier life.

2. Self Sufficiency

In the society we are living in, people are getting more reliant on public utilities. The government has placed almost everything within its reach. We get so dependent on such platforms because they’re readily available.

Unfortunately, relying on these public utilities makes you a victim of supply chain problems. Living off the grid gives you the freedom to be self-reliant. Off grid communities generate their electricity and create their resources.

3. Preserves Energy

A sustainable lifestyle preserves energy and a culture we can teach many generations. However, this precious and unique knowledge is lost when we embrace modern and consumer lifestyles. The advancement in technology is putting the lives of our future generations at risk. If nobody embraces a conventional lifestyle, these generations will have nothing to show for years.

4. Improved Mental Health

Well-maintained mental health improves productivity, influences physical health, and helps you realize your dreams. Your surrounding has a great impact on your mental health and overall well-being.

For example, living in urban areas exposes you to pollution, traffic, crowds, excessive technology, and noise. These factors can highly affect your mental growth. On the other hand, an off-the-grid lifestyle exposes you to a calm, tranquil, and adventurous environment.

5. Food Security

Climate change and non-climate stressors like an increase in population are some of the stressors of the food system. Food security is expected to worsen as climate change issues become more prominent. Farmers are also becoming victims of these changes, unable to meet food production demands in the market.

Less food supply and high demand will lead to food insecurity and higher living costs. However, this problem does not affect off-the-grid communities because they have reliable food sources from farm and livestock products.

What Can Off Grid Communities Borrow from The Urban World?

Whether off-the-grid completely or partially, we need some essentials for a comfortable life. Some of these include:

A Solar Solution for Your Energy Needs and Reliable Backup Power

A solar system might be enough to power your home in some situations in addition of;

• Solar charge controller
• Solar panel array
• Inverter
• Batteries
• Switches, wiring, etc

However, sometimes, solar might not be able to deliver the power you need in your home all year round. Some families supplement by burning wood for water heating, cooking, and space heating. Hence, they buy solar water heaters and ovens that enable them to use solar without depending on solar electricity.

Eco-friendly Toilets

The toilets off grid communities choose depends on their location. The most common ones are those that drain into a soakaway or a septic tank. Using a design that preserves water will make your toilet eco-friendlier.

Internet and Access to Information

Living an off-grid lifestyle will be more convenient if you have reliable access to the internet and basic information. You can learn a lot online about solving various off-grid lifestyle challenges. At the same time, you need to know what is happening around you. Investing in a fast internet connection is an essential part of life for off-grid communities.

Water Filtration for Drinking Water

Drinking water should always be clean and safe for healthy living, regardless of where you live. There are many ways of treating and filtering water, including home water filtration systems and quality test kits.

Although there are old-school ways of bleaching or boiling your drinking water, it might be very cumbersome. Other easier ways of doing this include ultraviolet (UV) water treatment or osmosis water filtration kits. These kits are easy to maintain once installed.

An All-inclusive Tool Kit

There is a lot of hands-on maintenance when living off the grid. Therefore, investing in some of the most basic tools and equipment is advisable. Although expensive, they will save you a lot of pressure and confusion when some kits break down. There are also several reliable hardware and second-hand tools dealers that will save you a lot.

How to Find Suitable Off-Grid Communities and Get in Touch With Them?

Off-the-grid living might be the perfect option if you’re looking for a simple and more sustainable life. Connecting with off-the-grid communities requires a few virtues, and some of them are listed below:

Open-mindedness: You cannot connect with off-grid communities if you are not ready to learn and adapt to their lifestyles. Having an open mind enriches your understanding and helps you grow.

Have a positive attitude: dealing with off-the-grid communities is a mind-blowing experience for tourists and volunteers. With a positive attitude, you can easily relate to off-grid communities and positively impact them.

Develop good communication skills: To survive in off grid communities, you must learn how to interact with fellow community members. This involves building relationships by participating in sharing stories, group activities, and lending a helping hand.

Have an adventurous mindset: living off-grid is more of an adventure than escaping the mainstream lifestyle. Off-grid lifestyle is challenging, requiring sacrifices, but with an adventurous attitude, you'll conquer anything.

Examples of Successful Off-Grid Communities Around the World

Some off-grid communities are victims of circumstances while others have made are intentional. Below are a few examples of well-known off-grid communities around the world.

1. Three Rivers Recreational Area (Oregon)

There are around 600 homes built on a 4,000-acre land located north of Bend, Oregon. None of these properties are connected to electricity but rely on wind turbines, solar panels, and backup generators. Although some have water hauled in periodically, others rely on wells. Three Rivers Recreational Area, established in the 1960s, now hosts numerous vacation homes.

2. Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Missouri

This community has eco-friendly homes running on renewable energy and using green transportation. The community works day and night to realize their dream of growing their community into a small town. They intend to run agricultural areas, businesses, and modern residencies while maintaining a biodiversity environment.

3. ReGen Village, Netherlands

ReGen is an architecturally attractive and independent neighborhood. The community produces energy, grows food, and addresses climate change-based issues around its surroundings.

4. Freedom Cove, Canada

Freedom Cove is a beautiful neighborhood located on Vancouver Island, created by Wayne Adams and Catherine King. The community floats on a lake with 12 different buildings and platforms. The couple founded this community in 1991. All those living in this floating community grow food and enjoy fish from the bay.

Conclusion

Off grid communities enjoy many benefits financially, physically, and mentally. Learning about the beauty of their unique lifestyle is enough to persuade you to try their way of life. Thankfully, Zendure will equip you with the necessary kits to make things easy.