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SurvivalGround >> Tell me about LIVING OFF THE GRID...
| 6/30/10 11:18 PM | |
BJ Pencil
Member Since: 3/11/09 Posts: 181 |
I'm curious if anyone here has considered/is living off the grid. What are the pros and cons? I'm almost positive I will be living off the grid when I get nearer to retirement, but if I could, I would head for the hills sooner. |
| 6/30/10 11:29 PM | |
billid
33 
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 20386 |
You don't have to head to the hills to do it. Pros, no more bills. Cons, initial cost. |
| 6/30/10 11:38 PM | |
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BJ Pencil
Member Since: 3/11/09 Posts: 182 |
That alone would make it worth it for me. The initial costs are expected, but I'm considering living by the most modest means possible. That would make my initial costs more bearable and cost of maintenance wouldn't break the bank. I really want to distance myself from society when I relocate. Not necessarily be a hermit, but have my land and home and not have to deal with neighbors or friends just stopping by without having to plan for it first. I want to be within one hour of a decent sized community, but not near a big city again. |
| 6/30/10 11:42 PM | |
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68COUGAR
Member Since: 5/22/10 Posts: 246 |
BJ Pencil - That alone would make it worth it for me. The initial costs are expected, but I'm considering living by the most modest means possible. That would make my initial costs more bearable and cost of maintenance wouldn't break the bank. I really want to distance myself from society when I relocate. Not necessarily be a hermit, but have my land and home and not have to deal with neighbors or friends just stopping by without having to plan for it first. I want to be within one hour of a decent sized community, but not near a big city again. That sounds cool man..It takes a lot of money here to get a place with land// |
| 6/30/10 11:42 PM | |
Dr. Pepper
Member Since: 9/29/06 Posts: 15059 |
i'd hit up the survivalground |
| 6/30/10 11:46 PM | |
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BJ Pencil
Member Since: 3/11/09 Posts: 184 |
CDO - Living strictly "off the grid" is illegal in the United States. That is, it cannot be accomplished with out breaking several laws. If your taking about just living where there are not many people though, well that is something different. I didn't know that. If you would, enlighten me please. |
| 6/30/10 11:48 PM | |
Dr Gonzo
110
Member Since: 10/25/08 Posts: 909 |
Les Stroud made a little documentary about this a few years ago, try and find that. I think its just called "Off the grid" |
| 6/30/10 11:54 PM | |
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gregbrady
27
Member Since: 1/9/02 Posts: 10390 |
CDO - Living strictly "off the grid" is illegal in the United States. That is, it cannot be accomplished with out breaking several laws. If your taking about just living where there are not many people though, well that is something different. thousands of ppl in Alaska would disagree with you. |
| 7/1/10 12:07 AM | |
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billid
33
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 20387 |
kvr, is that your house in the last pic? |
| 7/1/10 12:13 AM | |
SomethingFunny
Member Since: 3/20/08 Posts: 765 |
great fucking post kvr |
| 7/1/10 12:14 AM | |
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Eddy Payeur
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 3191 |
ttt |
| 7/1/10 12:15 AM | |
ABE FROMAN
1
Member Since: 12/15/02 Posts: 51869 |
How do you EVER live 'off the grid'? If you are on land you have to pay somebody for it. |
| 7/1/10 12:31 AM | |
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BJ Pencil
Member Since: 3/11/09 Posts: 185 |
awesome post kvr. it took me a while to reply because i was just enjoying your post on the survivalground. i am super envious of you. hopefully, i'll be living the true american dream, just like you. |
| 7/1/10 12:51 AM | |
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ABE FROMAN
1
Member Since: 12/15/02 Posts: 51870 |
ABE FROMAN - How do you EVER live 'off the grid'? If you are on land you have to pay somebody for it. |
| 7/1/10 12:52 AM | |
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GaymidaGaydan
Member Since: 9/23/07 Posts: 29384 |
 This guy lives off the grid. |
| 7/1/10 12:56 AM | |
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jettdogg
Member Since: 3/4/07 Posts: 8278 |
http://edbegley.net/ Ed saved for 20 years to buy his solar panels, his site is pretty good. |
| 7/1/10 1:06 AM | |
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BJ Pencil
Member Since: 3/11/09 Posts: 186 |
kvr29 - If your planning to build, think small, our house is right around 900 square feet, and I actually wish we had gone a little smaller. Think of several small buildings, Main house, guest cabin, barn ect. That way you can build in stages and not have a huge upfront cost. great advice. i was actually considering doing that too. |
| 7/1/10 1:06 AM | |
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ABE FROMAN
1
Member Since: 12/15/02 Posts: 51871 |
kvr29 -Correct. You can't just plop somewhere and not pay for the land. Technically that's not living 'off the grid', right?ABE FROMAN -you mean taxes or the cost of the property? I'm not followingABE FROMAN - How do you EVER live 'off the grid'? If you are on land you have to pay somebody for it. |
| 7/1/10 1:11 AM | |
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jettdogg
Member Since: 3/4/07 Posts: 8279 |
These are cool, I wonder what the impact would be if every house got one. http://www.buildbabybuild.com/uncategorized/residential-rooftop-wind-turbines http://i.imgur.com/FQr9G.jpg |
| 7/1/10 1:15 AM | |
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ShakaFerreira
21
Member Since: 11/19/03 Posts: 4052 |
Interesting stuff. |
| 7/1/10 1:27 AM | |
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mofugra
7
Member Since: 11/10/08 Posts: 65 |
kvr29 you place is looking great. What are you doing to it next? |
| 7/1/10 1:28 AM | |
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ABE FROMAN
1
Member Since: 12/15/02 Posts: 51875 |
kvr29 -No no, thanks you for answering thoroughly. I find this subject very interesting. |
| 7/1/10 1:31 AM | |
thewellhungarian
68
Member Since: 5/15/06 Posts: 1565 |
We just moved to a new hom with the intentions of getting off the grid, but we aren't there yet. I have city power, but it isn't neccesay, I have a battery back-up, inverter, and lots of windows. I don't really need power if it came down to it. The house would be bright during the day and dark at night. The Dryer runs off propane as well as the water heater and stove. I have a water well with an air pump running off a windmill. A big wood stove that heats the house quickly even in -35. There are about 5 lakes within walking distance. I think living off the grid would mean never having to need anything from town. Maybe one day I will ge there, but it's expensive.I still have to go in to get groceries, although i could hunt more than I do, but I need some veggies that won't grow at my altitude and climate. I still need propane delivered once a year, and plan on putting in an oil furnace this year so I don't have to depend completely on wood. I would like to put in solar seeing as I have part of a system already with the batts and inverter, but that will have to come in time. All taht matters now is that I am better of in a power outage or loss of services then probably 95% of the people in North America.   |
| 7/1/10 1:34 AM | |
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SLOtownG
4
Member Since: 10/20/09 Posts: 379 |
that is sick the well hungarian. cool thread. subscribed |
| 7/1/10 1:37 AM | |
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banjo
Member Since: 1/1/01 Posts: 12703 |
very cool thread. |
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