Off Grid/Subsistence Living: Could/Would you do it?

Just kicking this ideas around at the dinner table. Wife, of course says "No!" I say if you would I'd do it in a heartbeat. Definitely not in PA but possibly somewhere a bit milder that still has mountains.

This is just thinking out loud, but I would like to know how successful I could be at carving out a living for me and my family. I understand that the "reality" tv shows covering this subject are essentially made up hoop la, so I know there's an element t to it that can't be described. Survivorman may be the closest to representing this.

I think cutting back on technology would be hard and rewarding at the same time. Being able to spend most all of my time with my wife and kids would be great, but bring in a lot more of a real responsibility.

This thread, like much of my ramblings on this forum, is useless and will never come to fruition, but when have we let that stop us from having interesting conversations. What are your thoughts on the subject?

I could and would if I was by myself. The wife would never go for it. Not in a million years.

Everytime i go to our cabin. No water, no grid electric, barely any cell signal. We do have a good solar panel and battery system for more than gas lights and radio/tv.

Also I've been looking into Aquaponics systems. Seems like that could be a great way to provide plenty of food once it's all set up and running.

No way. I'm a slave to my TV, interwebs, hot running water and close proximity to pizza/beer/parts stores.

I don't mind living off grid, but the constant work required to grow food isn't something I'm interested in. I've raised livestock and veggies and there are other things I'd rather do with my time.

I have a cabin with no electricity, no running water, no heat, no telephone, and no cellphone reception. I really enjoy going there.

Living completely off-grid would be a little tougher.

Yeah. I feel I would be better prepared than most, but I'd still be damn hungry for quite a while if I could no longer swipe the visa at the grocery store.

Find water, build shelter, build fire, got those, but finding, trapping, fishing, growing 4 people worth of food would take me quite a bit of effort.

Plus, berk winter in that case.

Gearheadotaku wrote: No way. I'm a slave to my TV, interwebs, hot running water and close proximity to pizza/beer/parts stores.

I like all these things too.

stuart in mn wrote:

Gearheadotaku wrote: No way. I'm a slave to my TV, interwebs, hot running water and close proximity to pizza/beer/parts stores.

I like all these things too.

Dont forget soft toilet paper.

You say no to Pennsylvania but I think you are overlooking the Amish right there in your backyard, who would likely be glad have you!

How about start small with an Amish B&B http://www.discoverlancaster.com/lodging/lancaster-farm-stay.asp

I have thought about the same thing. I would, but I would not subject my wife and kids to it. To be honest I sometimes have the TV on because it is there, news is crazy BS, most shows are boring. Sometimes I play video games, but really just a waste of time. Just about the only thing I use the internet for is this website, some video games, researching car stuff, and craigslist for auto parts, cars, and tools.

Some people already think the Govt has turned on its people to the point where they want no part of it and live off grid. I understand there will always be "those people," but it is frightening to me that there are so many people that believe so strongly that the Govt has turned so badly and is about to collapse that they live on the fringe.

I take comfort in the fact I could live without creature comforts, but like I said, I would not make the kids do it.

logdog wrote: Dont forget soft toilet paper.

Actually, take the bark off a 1/4 inch or so diameter stick, and instead of going "longitudinally" go "transverse". Add a bit of twist to the stick and you will be done cleaner and faster than soft toilet paper.

I'd do it at home but keeping a few used sticks in a can next to the can would get me more than a look worthy of the swmbo thread.

Robbie wrote:

logdog wrote: Dont forget soft toilet paper.

Actually, take the bark off a 1/4 inch or so diameter stick, and instead of going "longitudinally" go "transverse". Add a bit of twist to the stick and you will be done cleaner and faster than soft toilet paper. I'd do it at home but keeping a few used sticks in a can next to the can would get me more than a look worthy of the swmbo thread.

Gives a whole new meaning to "That guy acts like he has a stick up his keister!"

I don't want to give up my bidets.
It's difficult enough to be away from home and without them.

I'd pass. I have no desire for that. I like to go out and get away for 3-5 days at a time but as a full time endeavor, Pass. There are just too many things I like to do that would probably get reduced if I had to then spend time growing food, cutting wood, etc.

The missus and I considered a version of that. We were thinking about RV full-timing with a strong emphasis on "boondocking," or untethered camping. There is a lot of BLM land that is free to use.

SVreX wrote: I have a cabin with no electricity, no running water, no heat, no telephone, and no cellphone reception. I really enjoy going there. Living completely off-grid would be a little tougher.

I really want this. I work for a tech company and need a place to unplug. I really want this.

Not a chance, I'm a wuss.

I've thought about doing this. Several times. But I don't think it's for me

I'd do the tiny house/ somewhere scenic thing, but I couldn't fully bug out

Minimalist/small house, yes. Full off grid, I'm too lazy. Unfortunately SWMBO does not share my fondness of simplicity.

My partner and I are both working towards some version of this.

We want a small acreage, with some form of water supply, such as a dam, creek, bore or spring. The aim being providing as much of our own food etc as we can. Ideally any of the thinghs we cant produce ourselves could be picked up via some form of barter be it produce or service.

That said, part time employment or cash in hand work may be required at times. Other ideas to make money such as running a b&b, farm stay or educational workshops based on food production or self sufficiency are also options. I could even buy and part out cars, restore and sell things or do onsite farm maintenance if need be... When there's no mortgage to be paid, next to no bills and expenses the options for making enough to get by are almost endless.

I grew up in a rural setting and have got quite a bit of experience with growing food and tending livestock. Growing up in a remotish area also meant I got the opportunity to learn a lot of practical skills because trades and services either wouldn't travel or would charge an arm and a leg and so were often unaffordable. Whilst my partner doesn't have the same hands on experience, she's always an enthusiastic assistant, is good at organising and tends to help keep me grounded.

We're not looking to go completely primitive, but definitely want a slower pace of life. The way tech is evolving, we won't need to do without electricity, running water isn't hard to sort out and we can even manage to keep access to the internet if we so desire.

Spending 24 hours a day creating enough calories to stay alive for another day is a skill set that I possibly have, and could hone, but I have no desire to do it, until it is required.

Gonna end up doing something like this for retirement, or possibly even sooner. Not primitive but mostly off-grid, I'd set up a solar+wind system, an Internet connection, and self-contained water. The guy who does a lot of work on my Samurai is already almost there, but he still has grid water and a separate phone line.

I think I could figure out the food production before I starved. For me, I will wait until I have to to find out if I can make it or not.