12 Best Places to Live Off the Grid

Have you ever thought about the best places to live off the grid? If so, read on for everything you need to know about where to live off the grid.

What is off-the-grid living? It means being independent of the main power grid by generating your electricity. This can be done with solar, wind, or hydropower. Off-the-grid living also includes collecting your water, usually from a rainwater catchment system, and sewage disposal without using the public sewers. And finally, off-the-grid living often means growing your food or raising livestock.

Why live off the grid? For some people, it’s a way to reduce their carbon footprint. For others, it’s about being prepared for emergencies like power outages or natural disasters. And for some, it’s simply a lifestyle choice that allows them to live a self-sufficient life in harmony with nature, and for some, it’s done to save money.

If you’re considering living off the grid, there are a few things you should know. First, it’s important to research the laws in your area to make sure you’re allowed to live off the grid. Next, you need to determine if you have enough sunny days for solar power or enough wind for a wind turbine. And finally, you need to decide if you’re willing to make the lifestyle changes required for off-grid living.

No matter what your reason for living off the grid, there are plenty of great places to choose from. Here are some of the best.

Best Off-Grid Locations

1. The Great Smoky Mountains

If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, the Great Smoky Mountains are a great choice. These mountains are located in the southern United States, and they offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

There are also several small towns located in the Smokies, so you can find a community that fits your needs. This remote area is perfect for those who want to live off the grid and enjoy nature. There are plenty of hiking trails and scenic views to enjoy, and you can even find cabins nestled in the woods if you want to escape from grid living.

There are also some off-grid communities in these areas that have set up their renewable power and solar availability for energy.

2. Alaska

Alaska is another great place to live off the grid. This state is vast and remote, so you can find a homestead far away from your neighbors. Close to 100% of Alaska is considered remote land meaning you could potentially set up an off-grid life nearly anywhere, besides the few cities with strict building codes.

There are also many small towns located in Alaska, so you can find the right community. Most of these communities will be grid communities, but with a low population density allowing you to experience off-grid living without technically leaving the grid land and grid community.

This can be beneficial as you can have access to better building materials, energy availability, affordable land, and more safety against a natural disaster. You might in return have a higher cost of living including purchasing property and renewable energy costs, but it might seem like a better fit for you.

This remote area is also perfect for those who want to enjoy nature. You can find plenty of hunting and fishing opportunities in Alaska, and you can even go kayaking or camping in the wilderness.

3. The Australian Outback

The Australian Outback is a vast and remote area that is perfect for those who want to live off the grid. This area is known for its harsh conditions, but it is also home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and camping, and you can even find cabins in the outback if you want to escape from grid living.

The Australian outback is one of the craziest places to live off-grid because of the vast desert land and mild climate. Although when looking into off-grid living, keep in mind the zoning restrictions, zoning laws, and local building codes. It’s best to go to a permit office, to get building permits and permission to set up an off-grid home in this location.

4. The Himalayas

The Himalayas are a great place to live off the grid if you’re looking for a challenge. This remote and mountainous region is home to some of the highest peaks in the world, so you can find plenty of opportunities for mountaineering and other outdoor activities.

The Himalayas don’t have a high population density, and because of the weather and the crazy climate, might be one of the most dangerous places to live off the grid. Although, because of this, the living costs will be lower and has an overall low cost especially due to the cheap land. Before going to live off-grid, ensure you are knowledgeable about this type of lifestyle.

5. Your Backyard

If you’re not ready to move away from civilization just yet, you can always start small by living off the grid in your own backyard. You can build a tiny house or install solar panels to help reduce your reliance on the grid. You can also grow your own food and raise chickens for eggs. These are just a few of the ways you can live off the grid without moving away from civilization.

Living in your backyard allows you to slowly build up your ability to live off-grid create and harvest your own food, and collect rainwater. You can live an off-grid lifestyle to the degree that you choose and that you find fit for yourself.

6. The Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains are another place to live off the grid. This remote and mountainous region is home to some of the highest peaks in the world, so you can find plenty of opportunities for mountaineering and other outdoor activities. The Rocky Mountains are located in the Western United States and stretch from New Mexico to Montana. This gives you a large range of area you could potentially set up off-grid living locations.

When in the Rocky Mountains you also have access to large amounts of live animals, like elk, and deer that can be hunted for food. Make sure that you have a proper hunting license when hunting these large animals to ensure you don’t get in any sort of trouble and face fines.

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7. The Mojave Desert

The seventh location on this list is the Mojave Desert. This dry region offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and camping, and you can even find cabins in the desert if you want to escape from grid living.

The Mojave Desert is another location on this list that would be more difficult to live at than others. This desert has crazy natural weather that can be extremely dangerous to those that are not prepared. You should make sure you have continuous access to water which is necessary to survival.

8. Patagonia

Patagonia is located on the southern tip of South America and is a great place to live off the grid. This place is full of forests, lakes, and mountains. You can find plenty of wildlife ranging from fish to Andean deer. This vast range of wildlife makes this location unique, and the vast amounts of natural resources can make living off-grid in this location a new and inviting experience.

9. Scotland

The remote and mountainous region of Scotland is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. You can find plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and hunting. The climate in Scotland can be harsh, but if you’re prepared for it, you can find a way to make it work.

The cost of living in Scotland is relatively low compared to other countries on this list. You can find some extremely cheap land in rural areas of Scotland. The land prices off-grid in Scotland are all relatively similar, so it’s easier to set up an off-grid community or off-grid house. Like other locations on this list, Scotland is also home to plenty of natural resources that you can use to create your off-grid home.

10. RV/Camping Ground

If you don’t want to live in a remote location, you can always live off the grid by RV or camping. Many campgrounds across the country offer hookups for RVs, and you can usually find a spot to park your RV or pitch a tent. You can also find cabins at many campgrounds, so you can have the best of both worlds.

No matter where you choose to live off the grid, you can be sure that you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature and live a more self-sufficient lifestyle. These remote locations are perfect for those who want to get away from it all and live a simpler life. So if you’re looking for a place to live off the grid, be sure to check out one of these great locations.

By choosing to live on an RV/Camping ground, you can move around and choose to go to different camp grounds, giving you the ability to see different parts of the country. You also are still able to have some hookups, so if you choose to you can still be connected to the grid to some degree. This would include having water and electricity hookups because you will be connected to the electrical grid.

One thing to consider is the weather conditions of the area. If you’re living in an RV, you want to make sure that you’re not going to be surprised by a snowstorm or high winds.

You also need to think about how self-sufficient you want to be. If you’re living on an RV/Camping ground, you’re going to have more access to amenities than if you were living in a remote location. This means that you’ll need to decide how much you want to be reliant on those amenities.

11. Fremont National Forest, Oregon

The Fremont National Forest is a great place to live off the grid if you’re looking for a challenge. This remote and mountainous region is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and camping, and you can even find cabins in the forest if you want to escape from grid living.

Off-grid living is more easily done when you have access to a cabin, this way you have an off-grid homestead making off-grid living easier and making it easier to have an off-grid lifestyle with this off-grid property.

12. Superior National Forest, Minnesota

The Superior National Forest is a great place to live off the grid if you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping.

The Superior National Forest is also home to many lakes, which makes it a great place to live off-grid if you’re looking for a more aquatic lifestyle. You can find many different types of lake fish, and you can even go canoeing or kayaking if you want to explore the area.

These are just a few locations where you can live off the grid. There are plenty of other places across the United States and the whole world that offer ample opportunities for those looking to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle. So if you’re interested in living off the grid, be sure to research different locations and find the perfect place for you.

Things to Know Before Living off the Grid

Now that you know some of the best places to live off the grid, it’s time to learn what it takes to live off the grid. Here are a few things to keep in mind before making the switch.

Self-Sufficiency

This is perhaps the most important thing to remember when living off the grid. Since you won’t have access to utilities like water and electricity, you’ll need to be able to take care of yourself. This means having your water supply, generating your power, and being able to grow your food.

Emergencies

Since you won’t have access to emergency services like hospitals and police, you’ll need to be prepared for anything that might happen. This means having a first-aid kit, a plan for dealing with injuries, and being aware of the dangers in your area. It could also be beneficial to have an emergency contact in case of potential accidents.

Entertainment

You won’t have access to TV or the internet, you’ll need to find other ways to entertain yourself. This means having books, games, and other activities to keep yourself occupied. Being in out in nature means you will have plenty of access to other activities like hiking and fishing, in which you can occupy yourself.

Weather/Climate

You won’t have access to heat or air conditioning, you’ll need to be prepared for extreme weather conditions. This means having warm clothing for winter and cool clothing for summer. Packing inadequate gear can lead to very dangerous situations.

Isolation

Living off-grid means living away from civilization unless you join or establish an off-grid community. If this is not the case, it can be good to keep a radio to be able to contact others when needed.

Living off the grid can be a challenge, but it’s also an adventure. If you’re prepared for the challenges, you can find a lot of freedom and enjoyment in living off the grid. So if you’re looking for a new way of life, be sure to consider living off the grid. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

FAQ – Best Places to Live Off the Grid