live off the grid Archives - Vacant Land USA

How Many Acres of Land Do You Need To Hunt?

Anne Samuel — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 01:29:29 +0000

How many acres of land you need to hunt depends on many factors.

Factors such as the type of hunting being done, the terrain and vegetation of the land, the type of game being hunted, and the hunting method being used all go into the calculation.

For example, small game such as rabbits and squirrels can be hunted effectively on smaller tracts of land, while larger game such as deer or elk may require larger areas.

It is also important to note that hunting laws and regulations vary by location and may have specific requirements or restrictions on the amount of land that can be hunted. It is important to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in your area before hunting on public land.

If you are hunting on public land, the size of the land needed for hunting deer will depend on the specific regulations in the area where you are hunting.

In Arkansas, for example, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) manages hunting on public lands, including state wildlife management areas, national forests, and Corps of Engineers lands.

In Pennsylvannia, you will need to ask the Pennsylvannia Game Commission. You get the idea!

The AGFC has specific regulations in place for hunting deer on public lands, including hunting seasons, bag limits, and hunting methods. It is important to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your state before hunting on public land.

If you are hunting on private land, you will need to obtain permission from the landowner to hunt on their property. At some point if you are a keen and regular hunter, you will consider whether you should buy your own hunting land.

Can I lease land for hunting?

Leasing can be a good option for some people. It makes sense if you only go hunting once or twice a year or if you need land close to town and have a small budget.

However, if you like to hunt most weekends, or just love being out in nature more regularly, it is worthwhile to have a look around at what is available in the areas you like to hunt and start putting a plan together to own some land for yourself and your family.

You could also plan to build your family dream home on it. Or keep it as a rural getaway- place a trailer or a shipping container home for you and your hunting buddies.

As the landowner, you have much to gain from leasing land to hunters. It can be very lucrative depending on the property. Plus, there will be potentially less work for you- as the hunters will be doing a lot of your property management for you and maintaining a healthy game population.

Here are a couple of great sites where you can start to check out leases in your area: Rentahunt.com and Hunting Land Rental By Owners

How many acres of land do you need to hunt?

The answer of course- is “it depends.

Here are some of the factors to consider:

The type of wildlife you plan on hunting

How many people will be hunting with you

Your style of hunting (rifle hunting, bowhunting)

You need to consider that if the area is less than 10acres, you can be very close to a neighbor’s property without realising it.

This can be dangerous if you are rifle hunting.

Also animals of course have no idea or care about a surveyor’s plat map. It is extremely likely they will wander onto a neighbor’s property.

With hunting, of course, the bigger the acreage you have to play in, the better.

If there are two or more hunters with rifles, it is best practice to have at least 25 acres. It is much safer (for your neighbors and also for the members in your party) to have 50acres.

What about bow hunting?

Bow-hunting is a different story. It is possible to have a party of multiple people on 10 acres.

If it is just one person, you can usually even have a great days hunting on just 5acres.

What about the type of game?

For hunting turkeys and birds, you want a mix of open terrain, some wooded terrain and ideally have a water source.

Also keep in mind that if you are shooting in the air, be respectful to your neighbors who do not want to be showered in pellets dropping from the sky.

A water source is of course attractive to most animals- including birds, hogs and deer. Properties that do have water will be more expensive to purchase.

What are the best hunting properties?

When you are inspecting a property to purchase for hunting purposes.

A water source will give you the best source of attracting game and birds. If you have no water, then you will see less wildlife.

However, your property might next to a neighbor that does have a water source. It is possible that the wildlife may cross your property to get to the water.

It all depends on the property and your knowledge of how animals move around the area.

Look out for animal tracks and other signs of evidence that animals move around on the property while you are inspecting your future hunting property.

It is also good to have a mix of clear areas and wooded areas.

A range of topography will keep it interesting- some hilly areas provides variety and a challenge that many are looking for.

The type of trees can also raise the price of potential property.

Hardwoods typically have acorns that attract deer.

Some hunters like to set up tree stands and can leave them in place all year round.

Some hunters like to build overnight cabins on their property especially if they live far away.

Check out the land we have available at the moment. If you see one you like, get in touch right away- as naturally the best properties go fast. And hunting properties are often the best properties.

Another consideration is access- How do you get to the property?

Good access is mostly better.

Though some hunters prefer properties that are on a dirt rd and somewhat hard to get to. This keeps day trippers and nosy people away.

However you need to consider that it also makes it harder for you to get in and out, if there were to be a medical emergency- like someone was seriously injured.

Some hunters, offset the purchase price of buying the property by leasing it out to other hunters or to hunting clubs.

This can be a good source of revenue for the times you know that you won’t be using the property.

If the property is slightly more than the funds available to you right now, you can ask the seller if they will consider an owner finance deal where you can pay it it off over some time. However be respectful and make a decent offer if you do this. Eg if the property you want costs $80,000, do not offer to pay them $100/month over the next 800 years! (Seriously- people do this!).

To be accepted, you need to make a sizeable down payment and decent payments to show you are serious and have the means and the intent to pay it off.

Things to watch out for when buying hunting property

You need to not only inspect the property in question, but also consider the area and potential long terms plans for the area and especially the neighboring properties.

Check with the county planning and zoning to make sure that there are no re-zoning plans. Check if there are any plans approved to site a new massive industrial or commercial premises next door to your property.

If you have chicken farms in the area, this tends to attract coyotes which may deter deer from your land.

There are many factors to consider when buying hunting property.

Overall, good hunting property is in high demand.

It is generally very attractive property that many people would love to own.

It tends to go up in price over time.

And depending in its size and location, you can lease it out to others if you choose to do so.

You can make improvements to the property to raise its value. You can build a simple cabin, or turn it into a beautiful family retreat to keep in the family for generations to come. The acreage you need to safely go hunting on your land, will depend on many factors- including your budget. But it is a goal worth planning to achieve. It is incredibly rewarding to own your own property and be able to enjoy as you please without answering to anybody else.

The post How Many Acres of Land Do You Need To Hunt? appeared first on Vacant Land USA.

How Viable Is A Water Well For Off Grid Living?

Anne Samuel — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 06:47:36 +0000

Just how viable is a water well for off grid living in the USA?

If you are have grown up with city water that flows freely from the faucet whenever you need it, it may be that you do not know much about what’s required in obtaining water from a well or other sources?

It’s a very popular option
these days to create your idyllic off grid dream home in the middle of nowhere
and be completely self- sufficient.

But obviously, there is a learning curve, some set up costs and some things to be aware of before diving
in headfirst.

Millions of people all over the world use a water well for off grid living each and every day. It is common, totally viable and a great solution for many people.

A water well for off grid living is not the only source of water available in rural areas. But it is certainly a very reliable and safe source of water for the long term. Read on to get the low-down…

How many people use a water well in the USA?

In the USA , over 43 million people (15% of the population) use domestic (private) wells as their primary source of drinking water according to USGS.

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their own domestic well systems and for
monitoring water safety and quality.

Is well water safe to drink?

To ensure your water is safe to drink, you should regularly test it and maintain it.

You need to be on the look out for chemicals like pesticides and solvents, nitrates and arsenic. Here is the information from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. This is not to scare you, just keep you informed.

You can have it professionally tested once a year by local health department or environmental health department.

You can also do your own testing DIY style twice a year with these home kits available for around $35.

Always check the laws that apply in your county.

In Oregon for example, you are not required to regularly check/test your well (though you should!).

However when you go to sell property with a domestic well, the Real Estate Transaction Act will require testing of the domestic well.

Specifically the well must be tested for arsenic, nitrates and total coliform bacteria.

What are other options to secure well water for off grid living?

Public water is available on land that is within city limits. This is what most people are used to. Naturally there are set up costs, connection fees and regular water bills that go along with this.

If you are like most of our off grid community, you may be looking to get away from city services, sky high bills and reliance on others for your basic needs.

Most of our rural land for sale is away from the city and you will need your own source of water.

Some areas in planned developments have a community well. These are usually in homeowners associations and will have their own rules and fees associated with this.

You will also have to contribute to on-going costs and maintenance fees.

The most common option for water for rural land is a private water well- owned, installed and maintained by you.

There are 3 main types of water wells for off grid living

Dug/bored wells, driven wells or drilled wells.

Dug/bored wells are shallow wells that are dug by shovel and lined with stones or bricks to prevent collapse.

Driven wells are built by driving pipe into the ground. Driven wells are cased continuously and they are shallow
(approximately 30 to 50 feet deep).

Though driven wells are cased, they can be contaminated easily because they draw water from aquifers near the surface.

Drilled wells can be hundreds or thousands of feet deep. They are drilled by machines and require the installation of casing.

Drilled wells have a lower risk of contamination due to their depth and use of continuous casing. The casing keeps dirt and excess water out of the well.

This helps prevent contaminants from less desirable groundwater from entering the well and mixing with the drinking water.

Some states and local governing agencies have laws that require minimum lengths for casing. Check with the water authorities where you live.

The most common materials for well casing are carbon steel, plastic, and stainless steel.

Another way to secure water is rain water harvesting. Check whether this is legal in your state.

Finally you can have water delivered and store it in large storage tanks.

How will I know if my property will yield water?

There is a ton more water underground than you can see on the surface.

Some buyers are obsessed with only buying property with a stream or river on it.

You may need to provide a water well for off grid living in addition to a lovely stream

And while some of them want this because it looks pretty, it does not always solve all your water needs.

Some property owners with a stream, still need to drill a well to ensure the water is drinkable. Also to ensure they have water all year round as some streams are seasonal.

In most cases you know you will have good access to water if the neighboring properties around you all have wells and seem to be thriving.

They clearly have been able to access water in the area and you will too.

Contact some local water well contractors who will be a wealth of information and give you some advice or verify what is going on in that area.

If, however, you are looking at a parcel of land that is way out in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors at all, then this is worthy of closer investigation.

Your first port of call would be a local water well contractor as they will have a good idea of where the water flows nearby, acquifers and the probable required depth of a well.

Typically well depths on much of the land we have bought and sold recently in Nevada and Oregon range from 70 feet to 300 feet.

Typical costs for a well is approx. $15-$35 per foot.

Depending on your area, the average well might cost between $4,000-$9,000

You can also contact the local county water departments as they keep detailed well logs. You will be able to find out exactly how deep the local wells in your area are.

Hire an expert water well contractor

We always advise NOT drilling a well yourself for the purposes of drinking water.

Get local knowledge and expertise by someone who does this for a living and knows the water ways, common hazards and the regulations associated with drilling a well.

There is a lot more involved that simply digging a hole.

An expert knows where to site the well for best water flow, for best health outcomes and they will be insured, bonded and licensed.

They will know all the local laws, the permits are required, the authorities to register your well with to be compliant.

It will be so much easier, time effective and cost effective to get the experts in to do it right first time around.

You will need to do all this paperwork, logistics and legwork yourself if you choose to dig your own well.

In our opinion, consult a local licensed well drilling expert.

It is not worth getting it wrong!

Where should a water well for off grid living be located?

A water well contractor will help you decide on the best position for your well.

They will consider, the depth of the static water level, they will ensure where possible that rain water flows away from the well. Typically a well cap is placed on level ground or uphill to reduce risk of contaminants.

Rainwater can pick up harmful contaminants and bacteria and chemicals on the surface of the land.

The CDC also has these guidelines for the location of your water well for off grid living:

50 feet away from septic tanks

50 feet away from livestock yards, silos and septic leach fields

100 feet away from petrol tanks, fertilizer storage and other chemicals

250 feet away from manure stacks

Can I share a water well with my neighbor?

Yes, sometimes a well is shared between neighbors. Some people do it on a handshake agreement.

However, as water is vital to your survival and vital to the value of your property, we suggest getting a written agreement drawn up for clarity and to make sure there are no misunderstandings down the track.

Have an attorney review your agreement to ensure you have not forgotten to include any important items including how you will resolve a disagreement.

Who pays for the well?

Who pays on going costs and maintenance?

What is the maintenance schedule?

What happens to the water well rights if one of you choose to sell your property?

Who will pay if the well needs to be replaced or upgraded?

Is there a limit on water usage per person?

A water well remains a private well if it serves 3 or less households.

If your well serves more than 3 households, more paperwork and testing is required.

How long do domestic wells last?

Typically a good quality water well will last 30-50 years. You may need to replace some parts after 15-20 years like a pump or well pressure tank.

Maintenance will help preserve it and keep performance high.

Bacteria and mineral deposits build up over time. This causes the well performance to deteriorate.

Also keep an eye on the static water level a few times per year and keep a note of it.

Regular testing of water quality, flow rates and maintenance or the well can lengthen the life of a well.

How much water do I typically need?

Indoor water use in USA is typically 80-100 gallons a day (U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates.

Biggest uses in most households are toilet flushing(1.5-3 gallons per flush), showers(3 gallons per minute) and baths (full tub 36 gallons)…

A well producing half a gallon per minute will yield 720 gallons of water per day and supply the inside water needs of most households.

In some parts of the country, flow rates are required to be 3-5 gallons per minute or higher. Some achieve 6-8 gallons per minute.

Conservation of water and being mindful of where you are wasting water is the first priority for most people moving from the city to supplying their own water.

Here are some tips:

Do not use excessive washing machines or dishwashers.

Only use these machines when you have a full load.

Fix any leaky taps right away.

Install water saving devices where possible on shower heads, hoses and toilets.

A water meter can be easily installed to measure how much water is being pumped. This one is less than $40.

Also look to install a water storage tank or cistern.

Install rain water harvesting systems to catch and store rain water run off from roofs to water gardens and wash the car.

It reduces the load on your well if you can supply extra water from rainwater collection.

As the price per gallon of rainwater is zero, (besides the tank and some guttering) it makes it very appealing.

Water cisterns and rain barrels

Cisterns and rain barrels are a great water storage solution for people living off the grid because they can provide months of water with one fill up, which can come from rain water, water pumped in from a well, or even a delivery.

You can have above the ground cisterm or below the ground cisterns.

Above ground are usually smaller, cheaper and more portable.

Below ground cisterns are great for cold climates as they can be buried below the frost line to prevent freezing.

What’s the deal with water rights?

Always check with your county as these rights differ across the country. Also water rights usage and exemptions may change depending on rain or drought conditions.

In Oregon for example, you must obtain a water right permit before using water from any well.

However there are important exemptions for domestic use:

Domestic uses up to 15000 gallons per day

Stock watering

Irrigation of any lawn or noncommercial garden of ½-acre

Down-hole heat exchangers;

Single industrial or commercial purpose up to 5,000 gallons

Irrigation of school property up to 10 acres in critical groundwater areas.

As these can change, always check with your local authority before proceeding to clarify your situation.

Check out our land for sale in Nevada

Check out our land for sale in Missouri

Check out our land for sale in Oregon

Check out our land for sale in New Mexico

What happens to a water well if it is not required any more?

You cannot just walk away and leave it.

Unsealed or improperly sealed wells may threaten public health and safety, and the quality of the groundwater resources.

Therefore, the proper decommissioning of a well is a critical final step if it is no longer needed.

The unused well must be filled and sealed with an approved, impermeable material such as bentonite chips, concrete, or neat
cement.

Proper well abandonment procedures will ensure there is no physical hazard of someone falling in. It will eliminate any risk of contamination into the water system for others. It will prevent hydrologic changes in the aquifer system.

The decommissioning method will depend on both the reason for abandonment and the condition of the well.

Damaged, poorly constructed or dilapidated wells may need to be redrilled in order to apply proper abandonment techniques.

All abandoned wells shall be reported to the water authorities, along with any bureau that requires a report.

If available, the original driller’s log should be included along with the details of the well abandonment procedure.

A photograph should be taken of the site, and a reference map should be made to locate the abandoned well.

In many states only licensed well drillers and pump installers can fill and seal wells.

A “typical” well abandonment costs $800 – $1500 but may be more or less depending on the well depth and ease with which the pump can be removed.

Well drillers typically charge by the foot so deeper wells are more expensive to abandon than shallow wells.

Summary of water well
for off grid living

In many cases a water well for off grid living is a reliable and safe way to maintain a fresh source of great water.

It is by no means the only way. Some people have water delivered and live happily for years. Others collect rainwater, or go into town to fill up once a fortnight.

If you are new to rural living, start collecting water the quickest and easiest way for you right now depending on your skill level and the geography of your property. Then expand later on. It is always a good idea not to rely on only one source of water.

When you install a water well for off grid living, you enhance your enjoyment of being self sufficient and enhance your property value dramatically. Always keep good records of your installations, maintenance checks so you know your well is in good working order and performing well. If you ever sell your property, good records will enhance your asking price.

The post How Viable Is A Water Well For Off Grid Living? appeared first on Vacant Land USA.

Shipping Container Homes: Are They The Perfect Solution To Off Grid Living?

Anne Samuel — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 10:17:06 +0000

Shipping container homes are growing in popularity- and it’s no wonder why. They are versatile, cheap and fast to build. You can buy land cheaply, get shipping container homes designed and built off site, then have it transported and placed on your land. It can all be done in 6-10 weeks. Normal house building projects often take around 6-12 months!

Shipping Container Homes Are Ideal For Living Off Grid

If you find yourself drowning in a sea of increasing mortgage payments, sky high rental bills, electric and water bills, you may have wondered if it’s all worth it. Many people are turning to off grid living to take back control of their life and also to get ahead financially.

If you want an alternative to a standard house in the suburbs, consider shipping container homes.

They are so much quicker, to build, cheaper to fund and depending on where you are located, you can be a little more creative.

Of course if you set up your off grid lifestyle correctly, you can dramatically reduce your grocery bill, water and power bills too.

With this thing in mind, you begin to think if there are possible and innovative ways to escape the norm and live your own way without relying on public resources.

Living off the grid means you will get away from all of these utilities and build sustainable energy of your own. What if you could harvest rainwater for example? What if you had a few animals and had your own supply of fresh milk, cream, eggs and cheese?

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What Are Shipping Container Homes?

Yes, literally, these are the containers you've seen carrying goods locally and abroad, either on ships, trucks, or trains.

Wait, how can these be turned into homes?

Just like your favorite Lego toy, these container blocks are combined together to build homes in desired shapes and sizes.

They can be different sizes and durable enough to be transformed into cabins, homes, studios, and even offices. People also use them for swimming pool shells and for underground kick-ass bunkers.

Where Do You Find Shipping Containers?

Due to the boom in global commerce, there are millions of shipping containers that are available today. They are easily accessible and you can buy them in their raw state and do it up yourself.

Or there are many companies now specializing in shipping container homes who can help you with the design and details.

A large container can house 1400 square feet of floor space while the smallest one can accommodate 100 square feet.

Advantages Of Shipping Container Homes

Affordability and Portability

Shipping container homes are super attractive due to their cheap price. With a careful budget and a creative imagination, you can achieve the style and design you want, all at a lower cost than your typical home.

Costs of shipping container homes vary hugely just like regular homes, depending on the size you want and the interior design required.

They start from as low as $1,400 and go up to $150K depending on add-ons and extra luxuries.

Shipping containers were, of course originally built to be transported all around the world. So they are also designed to be mobile, durable and with the help of equipment, you can place them anywhere you want.

Shipping Container Homes Are Eco-Friendly

Shipping container homes are the ultimate in recycling. Imagine building a home out of recycled material. How great is that?

Shipping container homes yield a positive impact on the environment by reducing the use of construction materials and carbon footprint.

On average, a 40 foot container is around 3,500kg worth of steel and by repurposing it into something else is undoubtedly an incredible benefit.

Shipping Container Homes Are Quick to Build

Regular homes take months of architectural planning and months to build while containers can be finished in just a few weeks.

Shipping container homes can be designed and assembled quickly and brought on-site and attached to the foundation in a matter of two days. One of the drags of having a home build on site is the constant noise, the dust, the mud and the complaints from the neighbors.

If you buy rural land and have the bulk of the work done off site, the “hassle” and "inconvenience" factor is massively reduced.

Most of them have the main structure ready (walls, floor, ceiling) and only need to add insulation, decoration, and interior design. Once completed, they can be easily transported to the site!

You can elect to get it installed for you. Companies like Honomobo will pre-build the shipping containers with your input. They will help you with all aspects of insulation, energy, heating and cooling and plumbing. They will deliver the house to your site and install it.

Check out this video here:

Or you can do a lot of it yourself if you have some engineering/architecture/building/DIY skills and want to save some money.

Here is a great video showing you from the start things to consider re foundations, permits and thought process at the very beginning:

Disadvantages Of Shipping Container Homes

Strict Building Codes

As with all homes, you will still need to abide by county planning and zoning regulations.

Contact them to seek permission that they allow your shipping container home. Make sure you will be able to get the necessary permits and proper documentation.

The county will need to ensure the structure is safe and they may wish to check things like insulation or fire safety.

They may also wish to check you have a safe source of water and adequate septic system. Other counties may have minimum square footage requirements.

Insulation and Condensation Measures Can Increase Costs

Shipping container homes are mostly built in steel and designed for storage and not to make up for a living space. When you wish to transform it into a home and living or working space, you must invest in proper insulation systems and avoid condensation build-up to make it comfortable and energy-efficient.

If you are choosing to weld multiple shipping containers together, welding costs can add up too.

Pay For Skilled Help If Needed

If you have no experience with building, architecture or engineering, it is a good idea to pay for expert advice. The experts who do this day to day can advise you on potential problems you may not have thought of. They will be able to do things in a more efficient manner and make sure it is done right - first time around.

If you want to do the bulk of the work yourself, that might work to save money, but have an expert on hand to give you guidance.

If however, the whole project of building a shipping container home is rather daunting, you can outsource the whole project to a company who will consult with you and design and build the whole thing. You do not need to become an expert overnight.

Photo-With permission creative commons https://www.flickr.com/photos/roludsgn/1036204298/

Tips To Ensure The Success Of Shipping Container Homes

Here are some helpful tips to consider before rushing in and making your purchase.

Don't make a blind purchase.

Try before you buy. If you have never stayed in shipping container homes before, it might be a good idea to go a rent one for a weekend.

Satisfy yourself that this is something you want to pursue. Also make a list of features you “must” have and things you would change.
Avoid Building in Very Windy Areas.

Location is very crucial when it comes to building shipping container homes. When located in an area where there are strong winds, the shipping container home may be noisy and be prone to damage. It is because of the shipping container’s rectangular shape which is not aerodynamic.

If you do live somewhere that gets high winds, it means you may be wise to build a windbreak near your container home to preserve it and maintain your sanity.
Pre-plan your plumbing and power systems in advance.

If you work with a contractor, they will help you with this.

If you go it alone, think very carefully about where you will derive power from- will it be solar ? will it be generator? will you link up the the grid? What about water in and waste out? Where will these tubes go?

With careful planning in advance, this is no problem and is part of every home build. Seek help from experienced contractors if this is not your day job.

Shipping container homes are very functional, very affordable and a great way to go in the right circumstances. I also know a lot of people who have chosen them for their workspaces. They love them to bits and are super happy.

Shipping container homes are so versatile and can be built to suit every budget. Learn more about how to build your own shipping container home whether you have the skills to do the project yourself. Or whether you just need to know more details about the process before you hire a contractor. Get in your creative mood and design the home you have always wanted that will make your neighbors turn green with envy.

We currently have several parcels of land in Nevada with no zoning restrictions at all where you could place your shipping container home without even having to get a permit!

Other parcels may require a permit but will be allowed once there are adequate provisions for size, septic and water.

Check out the available Nevada land for sale listings here.

We also have land for sale in Oregon that may allow shipping container homes- with a permit. Please check with each county's planning and zoning as they may differ.

Buy land in Nevada

Buy land in Oregon

Buy land in Missouri

Buy land in New Mexico

Remember to always call the county planning department wherever you are, as rules and regulations sometimes change, so always discuss your plans with them and get written confirmation before commencement.

The post Shipping Container Homes: Are They The Perfect Solution To Off Grid Living? appeared first on Vacant Land USA.

Living Off The Grid: The 6 Keys To A Blissful Existence

Anne Samuel — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 05:56:56 +0000

There are so many factors about living off the grid that are appealing to many people.

In fact, each year more people chose to be self sufficient and try living off the grid. By 2035, Accenture forecasts that 12% USA and 11% in Europe will live off the grid.

What Is So Attractive About Living Off The Grid?

There are so many reasons that people decide to try their hand at living off the grid.

Here are the 4 top reasons:

More Affordable

There are tremendous cost savings to never getting a water, electric, or gas bill again. However this needs to be off-set by the cost of setting up your own energy needs with solar panels, generator, water storage tank, drilling a well. Who wants to be reliant on any company that can raise prices at a moments notice forcing you to pay huge fees.

Don’t Trust The Government

There are some, who just do not trust the government to look us and protect us- whether that threat is bio-terrorism, poisoning the water systems or major food source of a major city, not being able to prevent a major gas leak, or the release of a life threatening virus.

Part of the reason in living off the grid involves controlling your own life, buying your own land (current listings) that you control without too many rules and regulations, setting up your own energy and water needs, your own food sources, building a bunker (just in case), not paying for unnecessary services you that you never use, gaining more privacy and getting away from major metropolis and crowds where “things” are more likely to happen.

Environmental Reasons, Back To Nature, Minimalism

Many people choose a living off the grid lifestyle to help reduce their impact on the environment and help reduce their carbon footprint. They enjoy getting back to nature and look for ways to avoid being so wasteful with our resources. Off grid living will certainly highlight this. Once you are aware that you have to make one tank of water last a whole week for all your families showers, washing up, drinking needs and watering the vegetables, you will be acutely aware of how much you wasted before.

Simplify Life, Less Stress, More Healthy

It is the dream isn’t it- to live off the land, eat organic, rise when the sun gets up and go to sleep when the sun sets. The aim is to reduce your living expenses, reduce your dependance on modern conveniences that you don’t really need, reduce your energy consumption, reduce “extras” like that double cappuccino, the 4 cars in the garage, the $900 shoe habit, the 6 surfboards, the cable TV, and so it goes on….

If you are living off the grid, let us know your main reason

To be honest, many things about this lifestyle appeal to many people.

If It Is So Good, Why Is Everyone Not Living Off The Grid?

Maybe it has appealed to you but you got scared about all the “unknowns” or all the “what-ifs”

Certainly a healthy dose of reality is needed…

There ARE some skills you will need to develop and a lot of planning

But that is part of what makes it fun.

Be prepared to go through some ups and downs but 3 years down the line you will be amazed at how far you’ve come and what you have accomplished.

The Top 6 Mistakes Beginners Make When Starting Their Living Off The Grid Journey

Not Trying Out Living Off The Grid Lifestyle First

Lets face it, it’s a big jump from having all your services on hand to suddenly having to source everything yourself. Especially if you have a family! There is a lot to get to grips with, to practice, to prepare and to learn. It is best to make a gradual transition. Accept that there will be unexpected surprises along the way.

Rather than going cold turkey, why not rent an off grid cabin for a week and try one week away. You will learn a lot in this short time.

Then try a month away living in a off grid cabin and you will learn more and work out of it is something you wish to pursue.

Then try a 3 month stint living off the grid. By now you probably will have a good idea of the skills you have and the skill you know you need.

Its time to start looking to buy some land off your own and start to build your skill set. Think about your housing needs, water and food needs. Will you build your dream home? Will you live in your van or RV? Will you create a tiny home? Will you build a bunker?

You could develop some off grid power sources and life style whilst you are still at home. And start growing vegetables. And see if you can manage for 6 months first before moving to a rural landscape and selling your home full of modern conveniences.

Buying Land With Poor Growing Quality

This is a common mistake among non-gardeners. You don’t know what you don’t know. Many no -gardeners think that all soil is created equal. Buy a soil test kit before you buy land if you know you will be relying on your own food sources.

Talk to some locals and see what they grow (if anything) in the area. Also if you have never gardened, try that for a year or two first. See if you can grow tomatoes, carrots, potatoes and some greens.

Underestimating The Sheer Work Involved In Living Off The Grid

There is a lot of work to do all the time just to survive and it never stops. Once you have built your shelter, there is continual hauling, chopping, gathering, hunting, feeding animals and feeding your family.

It is constant physical work which is very rewarding for sure- as long as you are reasonable fit and strong and prepared that you won’t be lying in a hammock reading a good book all day. If you are allergic to hard work, this might not be the lifestyle for you. On the other hand, you will be fitter and stronger than you might have been in a long time- no need for ongoing gym membership. You will no doubt be lean, strong and have a gorgeous year round tan

Food Preparation And Storage When Living Off The Grid

If you hunt and eat meat, do you know how to butcher animals, catch fish(which species are toxic?), cook safely, prepare and store food for long periods? What about raising chickens? Protecting them and yourselves) from predators. Ensure you have some gun skills and knife skills. Attend some butchering courses, knife skill classes and homesteading courses. What hydroponics? Composting? Canning?

Mental Preparation For Living Off The Grid

This is one of the most neglected questions when deciding to live off the grid. Are you mentally prepared for the social isolation? For missing Netflix? For the desperate cold of winter or the unrelenting heat of the summer. What about floods? What about droughts? What about a locust plague? Really take the time to think through these issues and think about the worst case scenarios – as well as the romantic vision of Little House on the Prairie

Medical Emergencies

Know where your rural doctor is and how to get hold of them. How far away is the nearest hospital? Can you get there if there was a blizzard? Or a flood? Do you know your basic first aid? Advanced first aid? Can you splint a fracture? Safely extract a bullet from a gun shot wound? Apply basic antiseptic? What about food poisoning? What about an epileptic fit? Heart attack? Snake bite? You must be able to deal with all of these without a second thought- if you chose to live remotely.

Summary: Living Off The Grid

Living off the grid is blissful existence for so many people. The return to a much simpler life(although it does have its own challenges), living in harmony with nature and reducing costs and impact of the environment.

For a lot of people though, it does not have to be “all or nothing”. Many people choose to have the best of both worlds. They buy their land, set up a cabin, tiny home or RV and have somewhere to go and chill out for a few months. Then they return “home” when they have had a enough or when they need to return for work or family commitments.

Over time, they slowly develop the skills they need to survive and thrive in a rural location without the stress of having to learn everything in just a few months and selling up life as they know it. It is reassuring to have the back up plan of knowing you still have your “normal” life there if and when you want it. Over time, many people adapt nicely to the simple life and then may choose to sell up- but only when they feel comfortable and ready. Others keep a foot in both camps and maintain the best of both worlds.

Whatever works for you. It is wonderful for kids to see and experience the living off the grid lifestyle as they become so much more appreciative of the world and the resources they have access to, when for s few months, perhaps, they no longer have them. Also kids love getting involved with the important “jobs” around the place like collecting wood or water or learnings about the seasons, how to grow things and how to look after animals.

For some of our customers, they say this was the biggest benefit to choosing to live “off the grid” was seeing the kids really develop, get their heads away from the computer and learn to appreciate nature and wildlife.

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