10 Off-Grid Communities You Should Consider [2024 Updated]

Off-Grid Living Communities

Living off the grid means being self-sufficient and not depending on utilities like electricity or water. Many people choose to live in rural areas where they can be completely independent of society. However, some people choose to live in cities but still want to be independent of the government and other utilities. Here are some free living communities.

Kovcheg, Russia

This is a small community of people who have chosen to live off the grid. They have built their own homes and grown their food to live sustainably. They have created an entire community that is entirely self-sufficient.

The Konohana Family in Japan

The Konohana family lives on a beautiful island called Yakushima in southern Japan. They live in an off-grid cabin on the top of a mountain and grow most of their food. They do not use any modern technology and instead rely on meditation and yoga for relaxation and nature for inspiration. Their life is simple and peaceful, but it's also challenging work.

Lasqueti, Canada

Lasqueti is an island off the coast of British Columbia that has no roads and no bridges connecting it to the mainland. The only way to get there is by boat or seaplane from Vancouver Island. Only about 250 people live there permanently, but several hundred more visit each summer when they open their campground for tourists looking for a quiet getaway spot away from it all.

Torri Superiore, Italy

Torri Superiore is an off-grid community in the Italian Alps that has been self-sufficient.

The village was built in a valley occupied by people since the Middle Ages and is now home to around 600 people who live on communal land. The town is entirely off the grid, with all its energy provided by solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric power stations. Residents have no access to running water or gas, but they have private wells and fireplaces for heating their homes.

Freedom Cove, Canada

Freedom Cove is a community designed to be off-grid and self-sufficient. It's located on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia and boasts solar power, rainwater collection, and composting toilets.

The community comprises 12 homes, each with a private dock. Residents share a common area, including a building for workshops and meetings, a kitchen, and a dining room.

Off Grid Living Communities In the US

There are many off-grid communities in the US. These sustainable living communities have been built to accommodate people who want to live off the grid and have a self-sufficient lifestyle.

They have water supply, power sources, and waste management systems. They are often located on large land tracts with plenty of space for farming and other activities such as gardening and raising livestock.

Here are some of the most popular off-the-grid living communities in the US include:

Breitenbush

Breitenbush is a cohousing community in Breitenbush, Oregon, United States. It was founded by a group of hippie back-to-the-landers and has been continuously inhabited since then. The district owns over 1200 acres of forested land and has grown over the years to include over 100 people, with a waiting list of 300 more.

Earthaven

Earthaven Ecovillage is a planned, intentional community in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina, United States. Its mission is to create an economically self-sufficient, ecologically sustainable village that serves as a model for eco-villages worldwide.

Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage (Missouri)

Dancing Rabbit is an intentional community founded by a group that wanted to create sustainable living spaces where people could live in harmony with each other and the earth. They developed their land over time, building homes and infrastructure with their own hands. Today, they have about 100 residents and another 200 people who regularly visit for workshops, classes, or events.

Emerald Earth (Oregon)

Emerald Earth is an eco-village development planned for Southwest Oregon's Applegate Valley on land owned by conservationist Doug Tompkins' Foundation for Deep Ecology. The goal is to build a community that relies on renewable energy, produces no waste, and has minimal environmental impact through sustainable design principles such as permaculture and natural building techniques like straw bale construction and cob construction methods.

Twin Oaks Community

Twin Oaks is the largest and oldest of the off-grid living self-sufficient communities in the US. It is located in Louisa, Virginia. The community has a population of about 85 adults and children living in 13 residential units, plus a handful of outbuildings.

The community is governed by a set of democratic principles called "the Twin Oaks Charter." The community has no money but uses an internal bartering system to exchange goods and services. In addition to food production, members make clothes and furniture out of local materials.

The community is entirely organic and uses solar power for its electricity needs. The district also runs an on-site recycling center which processes over 100 tons of glass annually.

Why Do People Live Off The Grid

The desire to live off the grid is not a new phenomenon. People have been doing it for centuries. There are many reasons why people live off the grid, but here are the main reasons why people decide to go off the grid.

To Be Self-Sufficient

Another reason why people decide to live off the grid is so that they can become self-sufficient. Those who believe in being self-sufficient will often try to grow their food and produce their electricity rather than rely on someone else for these things. They may also want to build their own homes without interference from outside sources. For example, contractors or builders who take money from them when they do something wrong while working on their house.

Self-Reliance

One of the biggest reasons for living off-grid is that it allows you to become self-reliant. If you live on your own land, you won't need to rely on anyone else for water or electricity, which means that you won't be affected if there is a power outage or water shortage.

To Live a Greener Lifestyle

Many people who live off the grid do so because they want to live a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. They may use solar power or wind power to generate electricity, and they may try to grow as much of their own food as possible.

Off Grid Living Supplies

The most crucial off-grid living supplies to have are food and water. This is a matter of survival, and you should take it very seriously. Remember that the supplies you need will vary depending on where you live, how long your power outage will last and how many people are in your family.

Portable Solar Generator

A portable solar generator is a great off-grid power solution to ensure that you have power wherever you need it, even if there is no power grid nearby. It's also a good idea to ensure that your emergency kit has plenty of extra batteries and a way to charge them up. Check out our previous article to get more helpful information on solar power off grid living.

Food and Water Supplies

Food and water are two things we all need daily, making them top priorities when it comes to preparing for an emergency or other type of emergency situation. In fact, you should ensure that you have enough food and water stored in case something happens and the grid goes down for good.

Emergency and First Aid Kits

A first aid kit is an essential part of any off-the-grid living kit. In an emergency, providing necessary medical assistance to yourself and others in your party is crucial. An excellent first aid kit should contain a variety of bandages, antibiotic ointment, antihistamines, anti-diarrhea medication, pain relievers, and other such items.

Cookware

Cookware is another essential item for off-grid living. It would help if you had cookware that could withstand high temperatures and not break down over time. Stainless steel cookware is one of the best options because it does not rust or deteriorate like aluminum when exposed to moisture or salt water. You will also need pots and pans for cooking and utensils for serving food at the table.

Clothing and Bedding

Clothing is another essential item for off-grid living supplies because you may be faced with harsh weather conditions during some parts of the year or even during all seasons. This may be due to unpredictable climate changes caused by global warming or other factors outside your control like natural disasters, such as hurricanes or floods. This could result in disruptions in electricity supply or transportation systems that would prevent food deliveries.

Jackery Solar Generators For Off-Grid Living

Jackery is a well-known brand that manufactures high-quality off-grid solutions, such as solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. Since off-grid living means you're responsible for producing your own electricity, a solar generator can help you convert free solar energy into electricity and charge appliances.

The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels absorb the sunlight and convert the solar energy into DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter does the DC to AC conversion and stores energy in the Jackery Portable Power Stations. With Jackery Solar Generators handy, you can live off-grid without dealing with high electricity and energy costs.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a powerful charging solution that can power 99% of your off-grid appliances for long hours. The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station has double wheels, a pull rod, and a foldable handle for easy transportation. You can charge the battery backup with 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in 3.5 hours and never worry about finding electrical outlets or relying on the utility grid.

Appliances running time:

• Refrigerator (300W): 8.5H
• Water Pump (800W): 3.2H
• Washing Machine (500W): 5.1H
• Water Heater (1000W): 2.5H
• Air Conditioner (1000W): 2.5H

Customer Review

“Living in a condo leaves very few options for a generator during power outages. I cannot have any fuel-type generators on the balcony. I have tested its mettle by running a few power-hungry small appliances simultaneously and keeping the refrigerator going. It held up very nicely.” — Wendy Horn.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)

If you want to go completely off the grid and power most of your home appliances with free solar energy, you may never go wrong with the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus (4kWh). The extra Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus can be attached to the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station to expand the battery up to 4kWh. Hence, you can charge most heavy-duty appliances in your off-grid home without paying high electricity bills. The home battery backup also features double wheels and a foldable handle to make transportation much easier.

Appliances running time:

• Refrigerator (300W): 11.5H
• Water Pump (800W): 4.3H
• Washing Machine (500W): 6.9H
• Water Heater (1000W): 3.4H
• Air Conditioner (1000W): 3.4H

 Customer Review

“After a boatload of research, I recently purchased the Jackery 2000 Plus system, with two 200-watt solar arrays. I’ll be using this unit both in our 22’ RV (30 amp) and when living off the grid in our larger 5th wheel in the summer months. I’m impressed with the quality and design (even the packaging) of the Jackery products.” — Randall MacPherson.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh)

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) is another off-grid solution that can charge most off-grid appliances for long hours. The outstanding LiFePO4 battery can last up to 10 years even if you are using it daily. The innovative lithium battery technology offers incredible efficient and safe operation so you can use the solar generator at varying temperatures. Similar to the other models, you can connect Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels to charge the battery backup in just a few hours and enjoy an uninterrupted power supply.

Appliances running time:

• Refrigerator (300W): 17.3H
• Water Pump (800W): 6.5H
• Washing Machine (500W): 10.4H
• Water Heater (1000W): 5.2H
• Air Conditioner (1000W): 5.2H

Customer Review

“The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus and Battery Pack with the 400W solar panels package is a great combination for home backup and RV usage. I like the idea that if I need more power in the future I can purchase another battery pack. The wheels on the generator are great as 64 lbs is easier to pull/push instead of carrying it.” — Larry Gee.

Off-Grid Communities FAQs

How many watts generator do you recommend for off-grid living?

A 3000-watt solar generator is good for most off-grid appliances. If your electricity demand is higher, you might consider a 7500-watt or 10,000-watt generator. We would recommend going ahead with Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus since it can be expanded from 2kWh to 24kWh with the help of additional battery packs.

How many people live off the grid?

More than 250,000 US people are practicing an off-the-grid lifestyle. The key reasons why people are switching to off the grid living include the rising home prices and energy costs in the US.

What states allow off-grid living?

Here are the best states that are the friendliest to off-grid living based on their laws:

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Here are the states that have the most laws that do not align with off-grid living:

• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Utah

Note: It is legal to live off the grid in the United States, but you must comply with local building codes and zoning regulations. You should research and understand these laws before starting any off-grid living plans.

How to live off the grid with no money?

You can build an off-grid life for yourself with no money by finding low-cost or free land, constructing a cabin or tiny house, growing your own food, and fishing responsibly.

What is the best climate for off-grid living?

Tropical climates are best for off-grid living because of the abundance of resources available and the warm temperatures. There's a lot of sunshine year round, so you can use solar generators to produce clean energy and power essential off-grid appliances.

What are the best places to live off the grid?

The best places to live off the grid are those with lots of rainwater, long agricultural seasons, water bodies, and enough sunlight or wind to power alternative energy systems. Some US states that meet these criteria include Oregon, Northern California, Alabama, and Tennessee.

Wrapping Up

Off-Grid living is more than a lifestyle; it's a way of life that seeks to be independent of utility service companies and their bills. This type of community disregards modern conveniences for a humble and hardworking lifestyle to be sustainable, prepared for disasters, and self-dependent. Living off-grid presents several challenges, and blunders are often made while building an off-grid infrastructure. Hopefully, this list will help you transition into self-sustaining life with as few issues as possible.

You can visit or learn more about Jackery products and subscribe to newsletters for exclusive offers and deals.