Imagine waking up to the sounds of nature instead of an alarm clock, with no electricity bills, traffic jams, or city noise. Living off the grid sounds like a dream, but let's be real—it's not for the faint of heart. If you're wondering how to survive living off the grid, you need to understand that it takes planning, resilience, and the right tools to make it work. Power can be one of the biggest challenges while living off the grid.
Whether you're deep in the woods or on a remote homestead, you will need a reliable solar generator for off-grid living essentials like lighting, refrigeration, and communication. Jackery Solar Generators provide clean, portable power, ensuring that even off-grid life doesn't mean total disconnection. This guide covers everything from sourcing water to storing food and keeping your power supply sustainable and reliable.
Key Takeaways
- Off-grid living is legal in most US states, but zoning laws, building codes, and utility regulations vary. Some require municipal water or sewage connections.
- States like Alaska, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and Oregon are among the best for off-grid living due to lenient laws, affordable land, and abundant natural resources.
- Common challenges include securing water, food, and power, but Jackery Solar Generators and other renewable energy sources help maintain an independent and reliable power supply.
- Choose a suitable location, set up a water source, invest in solar or wind power, grow food, and learn essential survival skills like food preservation and heating to prepare for off-grid living.
Is It Legal to Live Off the Grid in the US
Yes, it is legal to live off the grid in the US as soon as you comply with all the local building codes and zoning regulations. However, off-grid living laws vary not only by state but also by county and municipality. Generally, urban areas have stricter laws regarding off-grid living than rural areas. There are many reasons why people prefer living off the grid, such as environmental sustainability, a desire to connect with nature, and a desire to minimize the reliance on traditional infrastructure.
How Many People Live Off the Grid in the US
The number of people living off the grid in the US has steadily increased over the years. An estimated 180,000 to 750,000 million Americans live off the grid, reflecting the growing trend toward a sustainable lifestyle. While some states have strict laws if you completely remove yourself from the grid system, a few states let you live freely. If you are searching “Where can I live off the land for free,” we will list the 5 best states for living off the grid:
Texas: Texas has abundant open land, lenient building codes, low taxes, and sunshine, which makes it one of the top destinations for off-grid living. The climate offers more than enough sunshine to generate electricity from solar energy and build a sustainable lifestyle.
Tennessee: Tennessee is counted among the top states for off-grid living because of abundant resources, low cost of living, and relaxed regulations. The climate helps you grow a variety of crops and raise livestock year-round. The cost of living in Tennessee is among the lowest in the nation.
Colorado: Colorado is another of the best states for off-grid living. It is known for its beautiful mountain scenery, lack of building codes in many counties, and temperature climate in some areas. The diverse topography includes the Eastern Plains, high mesas and plateaus, and the Rocky Mountains.
Louisiana: Louisiana is another choice for off-grid living because of the ample rainfall, low cost of living, and climate that provides year-round agriculture. It has a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The cost of living is nearly 15% lower than the national average.
Oregon: Oregon has a long growing season and an abundance of open land. The mild climate allows homesteaders to grow a variety of vegetables, fruits, and other crops for a sustainable lifestyle. The open spaces offer solitude for those looking to enjoy less crowded cities and suburbs.
How to Survive Living Off the Grid
Living off the grid is different from traditional living, and you need to prepare well to survive the new lifestyle. Here's how to survive living off the grid:
Do Work Exchange
If you are new to the off-grid life and wondering how to live off the grid, a great way to earn some extra cash is by doing a work exchange. You can volunteer your time and skills in exchange for accommodations and have some extra benefits like access to bikes, meals, etc. You can also look for volunteer positions near where you live.
Join Off-Grid Communities
Living off the grid as a part of a community makes a lot of sense. You can pool efforts towards common goals, such as generating clean energy, managing waste responsibly, and growing organic produce.
Twins Oaks Community – Virginia: The Twins Oaks Community is one of the oldest and most well-known communities out there. Its emphasis lies in simplicity and cooperation to enjoy a sustainable lifestyle. There are around 100 members that usually live and work on a 450-acre farm to produce all the food.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage – Missouri: Nearly 40 people make up the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage in Missouri. They utilize natural building techniques with cob, adobe, and straw bales for all of their buildings. They generate their own solar and wind sources, helping you produce a large amount of energy.
Emerald Earth – California: The Emerald Earth community in Mendocino County works to create a more sustainable life than others. They do a lot of organic farming to produce renewable energy and food for everyone.
Grow Your Own Food
One of the prime elements of an off-grid life is being able to supply your own food. You need to learn about organic farming methods and build a sustainable farm. You can consider planting your own veggies like peppers, beans, tomatoes, and herbs that grow easily. You can also learn how to create garden beds with nutrient-rich soil mixtures. In addition, raising chicken might also be good as it provides a steady supply of meat and eggs.
Surviving Skills for Living Off the Grid
While you don't need a degree or certification to live off the grid, mastering a few basic survival skills can help you comfortably survive the phase.
Build a Fire: Off-grid living is incomplete without the smell of a warm, crackling campfire. Besides camping near the fire, you can depend on it to warm the space and cook food.
First Aid: You should assemble a first aid kit and other supplies for handling illness or injury. The kit should include basic items such as antiseptic, pain relievers, band-aids, and other necessary items. You need to be prepared with the necessary tools and supplies to handle emergency situations.
Cooking: One popular method of cooking food is using a wood-fired stove or oven, which can be used to bake bread or stew meat. You can also use a camping stove or gas stove, though it may not be as sustainable as a wood-fired stove in terms of sourcing fuel.
Wildcrafting: Wildcrafting is the art of using wild plants for food and medicine. If you live in a place with plant life around, you can use these plants as herbal medicines or as supplement food sources.
Harvesting: While living off-grid, you need to watch the seasons and harvest fruits accordingly. Plants growing in the natural environment are in sync with the seasons. You need to spend time with nature to watch plants grow and see how the ripening times vary from season to season.
Food Preservation: In addition to understanding how to grow and harvest food, you need to learn food preservation. Building a root cellar and learning to dehydrate foods will extend the harvest into the lean months of winter.
How to Build Your Own Off-Grid Life
If you want to live off the grid, you will need to plan, prepare, and work. Here's how to live off the grid in a few steps:
Find the Proper Land to Build
Building a successful off-grid home starts with choosing the ideal spot and land. Selecting the wrong land can destroy the ability to grow your own food, live sustainably, and build a resilient, self-sufficient lifestyle. You need to select legal land away from cities and urban areas. The land should offer year-round accessibility, such as roads, trails, driveways, etc. While the amount of land needed to live off the grid will differ for every person and family, it should ideally be 1000 sqm (quarter of an acre) or more.
Build the Small Home Possible
During off-grid living, smaller is always better. A compact home generally requires less energy to cool and heat, which makes it more efficient and economical. It is also easier to maintain and has a smaller footprint, which reduces the environmental impact and encourages a minimalistic lifestyle. A small off-grid house usually goes up to 1000 - 1500 square feet. It should have vertical space, convertible features, and a simple kitchen setup.
Design the Heating and Cooling
Smart design choices can maximize energy efficiency. For example, the home can be oriented to capture maximum sunlight in winter and offer shade in summer. Thermal mass materials can also be utilized in construction to regulate indoor temperatures, and a well-thought-out natural ventilation system can reduce the reliance on mechanical cooling.
Electricity System
Designing your off-grid solar system involves assessing your energy needs. The first step is to calculate energy usage by understanding how much electricity the off-grid appliances use, from your lights to your laptop to your refrigerator and beyond. You shouldn't forget the larger appliances like the washer and dryer, cooktop, hot water heater, etc., which you might use on a daily basis.
Depending on how much electricity the off-grid appliances use, you can consider choosing an off-grid generator of the right size. Jackery Solar Generators are reliable, robust, and efficient solar-powered generators that can power 99% of off-grid appliances for long hours. They have solar panels and a battery backup, ensuring appliances remain powered.
Water System: Waste Water and Fresh Water
Your off-grid home is incomplete without a reliable water supply. If the property allows, you can consider tapping into a natural spring or drilling a well. In addition, you can implement rainwater harvesting systems to make the most out of the natural precipitation. Many off-grid homes also have comprehensive water filtration and purification systems installed to ensure the water is safe for your use.
Waste Disposal
When building an off-grid house, you need to consider responsible waste management. Consider setting up a composting toilet system that will be eco-friendly and handle human waste. In addition, you should create a greywater recycling system to reuse water from showers and sinks in the garden. A dedicated composting area is also necessary to turn yard waste and kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil for the garden.
Jackery Solar Generators for Off-Grid Living
Jackery is a global leader in manufacturing solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels, bringing energy independence to off-grid homeowners. Jackery Solar Generator combines solar panels with a portable power station, allowing you to capture sunlight, store energy, and power your essentials anytime, anywhere. Whether you need to power your phone, run a fridge, or keep your tools working, it provides a seamless, plug-and-play energy solution without the complexities of traditional solar setups.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is ideal for those who want flexibility and reliability and can keep almost everything from kitchen appliances to power tools running smoothly. Whether you're living in a tiny home or a large household, it ensures you always have a steady, renewable power source at your fingertips. If you want complete energy independence, it ensures you stay powered, prepared, and in control.
Appliances Running Time
- Refrigerator (700W) = 4.6H
- Water Pump (500W) = 6.5H
- Electric Kettle (1000W) = 3.2H
- Induction Cooktop (1200W) = 2.7H
- Microwave Oven (1000W) = 3.2H
Kindly note that these runtime values are for reference purposes only and may vary from actual time.
Customer Review
"As someone who uses a CPAP and cannot sleep without one, having the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit makes the unexpected much less worry. It's easy to set up and easy to charge. A few times a year, you plug it in to top off the charge, and no more worries." — Scott.
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is suitable for those living fully off the grid or managing a larger energy demand. It provides a powerful and scalable solution that can power appliances running at 120V or 240V. It is built for long-term, high-energy use, meaning you can keep an entire cabin, essential medical equipment, or multiple heavy-duty appliances powered without interruption. It has pull rods and double wheels for easy transportation anywhere you go.
Appliances Running Time
- Refrigerator (700W) = 5.7H
- Water Pump (500W) = 8.0H
- Washing Machine (1500W) = 2.6H
- Chest Freezer (500W) = 8.0H
- Microwave Oven (1000W) = 4.0H
Customer Review
"This is awesome. I am able to power my entire house for up to 15 hours." — Ivan Vila Caballero.
Pros and Cons of Off-Grid Living
Living off the grid has become a popular lifestyle choice for those looking for independence, a closer connection to nature, and sustainability. Here are the advantages of living sustainably:
Being Off-Grid is Physical: Living off-grid helps you get in shape. It usually enables you to lose weight while building strength, stamina, muscle, and overall health.
No Power or Water Bills: You never have to worry about paying power or water bills while living off-grid. Even though the initial costs of building an off-grid house are high, they often lead to long-term utility or water bill savings.
Freedom: In off-grid living, you can set your own schedule and make your own rules. You are away from strict permitting regulations and building controls to enjoy freedom in how you would like to build the off-grid home.
Natural and Wildlife: Off-grid living means being well immersed in nature and away from the hectic modern life. You will always remain surrounded by nature, improving your overall health and well-being.
Enhanced Self-Sufficiency: You will use renewable energy to power the house and grow your food, meaning you contribute less to the throwaway culture and more to sustainability.
However, there are certain challenges that you might face while living off the grid. Here is the list of cons or challenges involved with off-grid life:
High Initial Cost: Setting up an off-grid house requires hard work and a lot of commitment. Besides, you will need your own energy source, water supply, and waste disposal, which can be very expensive.
Possible Isolation: You need to ask yourself if you are comfortable not having meaningful human interaction daily. If you prefer not to live in an isolated area, you can consider buying land in places with a few homes nearby.
Lots of Work Involved: You need some survival skills, especially for setting up the home, including energy and water supply. You also need to understand how to grow your own food, which can be time-consuming and tiring for some.
How Much Does It Cost to Live Off the Grid
The cost of living off the grid depends on the level of self-sufficiency, location, and the quality and scale of utility systems. The startup cost of going off-grid is usually $10,000 - $500,000. On average, the cost of building land, securing utilities and resources, and building an off-grid home is around $500,000 - $150,000. Off-grid living is an investment that offers daily returns in terms of tax credits, energy costs, and a lower general cost of living.
Cost of Land
The average cost to own land varies by state. For example, an acre in Wyoming costs around $1500, whereas an acre in New Jersey is priced at $196,000. Other factors affecting the cost of land include proximity to an urban center, proximity to water, view and scenery, etc.
Cost of Building an Off-Grid Home
You can either build an off-grid home from scratch or consider building an existing home that will function as your off-grid home. Regardless of the way you choose, you will be creating a home with utilities disconnected from public water, sewage, and electrical grids. The average cost for a small off-grid house is $45,000, depending on the features, quality, and size.
Cost of Utilities and Resources
Water, electricity, heat, and sewage are a few other utilities you need to keep in mind while calculating the cost of off-grid living. Wells generally costs $5000 and $15,000, depending on whether you are getting a professional to do it. Sewage costs vary, with a septic tank costing $3000 and $7000. While gardens are cheap to create, you will have to pay $1000 and $5000 for soil treatment, seeds, gardening tools, and other supplies.
FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for off-grid living?
The size of solar generators needed for off-grid living depends on the total appliance wattage consumption and the runtime of appliances. For example, if you want to power a heater (1500W) with the help of the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus, visit the product page and scroll to find the Running Time Calculator/Simulator. Enter the appliance wattage to calculate the estimated runtime, which is around 2.6 hours. However, these are estimates and may vary from actual values.
Is it worth living off the grid?
Yes. Living off the grid reconnects you with nature by supplying your power and water and growing your food. It offers many benefits, such as self-sufficiency, a minimalistic lifestyle, financial freedom, and reduced or no government utility costs.
What state is easiest for off-grid living?
Some states that are good for off-grid living include Texas, Tennessee, Washington, Montana, and Wyoming.
What is the best energy for off-grid living?
The best off-grid power source depends on location, environmental considerations, and power needs. Solar and wind are popular energy sources because they are renewable and reliable.
What is the best heat source for off-grid living?
Wood-burning stoves are cost-effective heat sources in areas with access to inexpensive wood. If you live in an area with plenty of sunlight and a well-designed home, you can consider using solar generators to power heating appliances.
Final Thoughts
Living off the grid is not just about cutting ties with modern conveniences. Instead, it is about building a life on your own terms. It's about independence, self-sufficiency, and learning to work with nature rather than against it. However, the off-grid lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges, and being prepared is the key to success.
A reliable power source for off-grid can make all the difference, ensuring you can power essential appliances, store food safely, and even enjoy modern comforts. Jackery Solar Generators offer a practical, eco-friendly way to generate power anywhere, making off-grid living more manageable and sustainable. If you're serious about how to survive living off the grid, the right tools and planning will help you in the long run.
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