Purchasing land - off grid

[hippymamato3]

Has anyone purchased land in a remote-ish area for the purpose of having an off-grid camp/cabin? Our family is considering this and just wondered what other people have experienced. Thanks!

[Hilltopmom]

My last home was purchased already built a d off grid. It was originally part of an intentional community started by an ad in Mother Earth News in the 70s. 
We hooked up to the grid when it became available on our road. 
it was fun and interesting but I live in town with heat and internet now 🙂

[popmom]

We have been researching  this for a long time. There are a few good YouTube channels that are very informative—especially if you want to diy it. These you tubers are people who live off grid full time. 
 

 

[City Mouse]

We have not, but I see a good bit of it for sale around where I live, and the land with no utilities (or often water) seems very inexpensive. 

[hippymamato3]

3 hours ago, Hilltopmom said:

My last home was purchased already built a d off grid. It was originally part of an intentional community started by an ad in Mother Earth News in the 70s. 
We hooked up to the grid when it became available on our road. 
it was fun and interesting but I live in town with heat and internet now 🙂

Haha! This sounds fun but it would be only for infrequent weekends and maybe an occasional week or so! 

Edited March 29, 2021 by hippymamato3

[Carol in Cal.]

I looked at a place like that once.  It was stunning, high in the mountains.  15 acres, half of a little lake, lots of trees, a log cabin, an outdoor wood fired hot tub, a log swing—idyllic.  It also involved driving for about 22 miles beyond the paved part of the roads, along increasingly rough and narrow dirt roads clinging precariously to the edge of mountains.  The trip included three padlocked gates and driving through two streams.   And high altitude, 9000+ Feet.  Running Water during the summer only, no electricity, no internet, no cell phone service.  Basically, I loved it but also knew that if you stayed there into the first snow of the fall, you would almost certainly be trapped and die.  A little much for me at the time.  I’d do it now, but the first order of business would be to build a secure and well stocked fortress there.

Edited March 29, 2021 by Carol in Cal.

[Carrie12345]

I mostly “window shopped” a few years ago, but only within the general area I want to stay. My research came up with 0 townships in the areas that allow full time off grid living, so that was that.

(Only a few allowed for temporary, geared toward hunters, with a maximum hunting cabin size of Micro.)

So my recommended first step would be to read LOTS of zoning ordinances before getting excited about any particular land. Specifically regarding waste water, which is where I found a lot of ordinances lacking in “modern” alternatives to septic systems.

[LMD]

Yep, we did it. We just finished building our own home (we did most of the work ourselves) and we're completely off grid.

[katilac]

No, my cabin in the woods has lights and running water and air conditioning, and a riding lawnmower for outside. It's still a lot of work!

[Arctic Bunny]

We bought a quarter section in the middle of nowhere. It’s mostly for hunting. It’s got propane furnace, generator, outhouse.... Ask away....

[lewelma]

We lived in a commune in the outback of NZ. We lived in a hut with no electricity, no running water, no wifi/data, and a composting toilet. We had a 12 month old baby. What do you want to know?

[hippymamato3]

I think we've actually decided to go a completely different direction and buy land right on the lake instead. It will be a while before we build, but it won't be off grid. After more research, I think we're just not in a stage of life where being quite that rustic is ideal. Thanks everyone!

[prairiewindmomma]

Phew. I was coming to chime in that you might want to do a vacation rental for two weeks first before committing to the lifestyle. 

[hippymamato3]

2 hours ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Phew. I was coming to chime in that you might want to do a vacation rental for two weeks first before committing to the lifestyle. 

Honestly - it was a fun dream but in reality I think I'd have been miserable. 

[Arctic Bunny]

37 minutes ago, hippymamato3 said:

Honestly - it was a fun dream but in reality I think I'd have been miserable. 

😂 My DH is a rare creature who would like me to go to the hunting cabin and hang out. I required certain amenities in our camper to go camping.... still require running water, flush toilet, or at least no open air under my butt!!! And so, although it is “our” land, I’m quite happy staying home!