As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to uproot our lives, and mass protests continue across the U.S., it’s easy to see why a some people might want to consider living off the grid, especially when there’s a real possibility of a major recession after the pandemic is over.
However, like all major decisions, a lot of thought needs to go into this, especially because living off the grid is not as easy as it seems. Keep in mind that this is not just a shift in location, but it is also a shift in lifestyle for you and anyone who goes with you. Thus, it’s important to reflect on this thoroughly. So, what are the things you need to consider before shifting to off-grid living?
Secure Your Own Land
The first thing you need to address is land. It’s important to find a piece of land to buy, as you can’t just claim a patch of forest as your own. A general rule is to buy a strip of land at a reasonable cost that isn’t hampered by planning restrictions.
Link Up With Fellow Enthusiasts
Living in isolation can be dangerous, not just from a safety perspective, but also from a psychological perspective. It’s even more dangerous if you’re doing this for the first time. Therefore, it makes sense to find like-minded people to create an off-the-grid community. This also makes day-to-day tasks more manageable.
Energy Sources
Nobody can live off the grid if they are still dependent on the national grid for their energy supply. It’s important to be ready to invest in solar panels, high-grade batteries, generators, and other energy-producing and energy-storing devices.
Water Sources
Another important resource to secure is clean water. You can install large water tanks to catch and store rainfall, and you can also find nearby rivers and streams as a source of clean water. Make sure that these streams and rivers are clean, and that there aren’t any industrial plants nearby that could be dumping waste into them.
Growing Food
Living off the grid means that you have to forgo some basic conveniences. One of these conveniences is supermarket shopping. With this in mind, you have to be able to produce your own food. Invest in livestock, poultry, and learn to grow fruits and vegetables.
Hunting
You can also augment your ability to produce food by learning how to hunt. As you might imagine, hunts can be dangerous without the proper equipment. You’re going to need a reliable weapon, proper outdoor clothes like the ones from Kryptek, and you also need cleaning tools.
Transportation
Another important detail to consider is that of transportation. Just because you’re going off the grid doesn’t mean you’re going to live like a primitive human. Sell your car and discover the joy of cycling. Not only will this help you get around with ease minus the maintenance costs of owning a car, but it will also help you get much-needed exercise.
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