Living off the going off-grid is a lifestyle that’s becoming quite popular for families these days. Say you’ve long dreamed about idyllic homesteads and beautiful mountain retreats. There’s nothing like escaping the hectic city life, not just for the weekend, but for good.
If you don’t like the congestion and tightness that city life brings, you’ll enjoy the bigger space you’ll have when you go off-grid. On top of having the opportunity to be self-sufficient, there are many reasons why some choose to live off the grid.
However, the decision to go off grid is a big one. You must think about it thoroughly and be certain it’s the best choice. Going off-grid can also be expensive, for starters, so this is a move that you should be completely ready for.
To help you make an informed decision, reading through as many sources as possible is important before going off-grid. There are so many factors that you should consider, some of which are highlighted below.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding What Going Off-The-Grid Means

You may have a bird’s eye view of what going off-the-grid means, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready for what this entails. Before seriously considering it and starting your search for properties, beef up your knowledge of what going off-the-grid means.
By definition, going off-grid means being free from utility bills. Your home can power itself. Many off-grid households are situated in remote areas, where the house relies on electricity through a battery storage system and a renewable energy source.
If you’re lucky enough to have a homestead, meaning a small farm and a small vegetable garden, you could also be self-sufficient with a majority of your food needs. You don’t have to be an expert at farming and gardening to start, as many of those households who moved off-grid started small until they eventually got used to all the work that goes into homesteading.
2. Stability Of Financial Resources

Going off-grid doesn’t mean you can live without money. Everyone needs money. But with a homestead and self-sufficiency in terms of energy, the expenses can be substantially lower than when you were living in the city.
You’ll need money to buy the land, build a home, and start your farm and garden. You’ll have to install much equipment to live off-grid, like a solar or wind power source. Money will help secure your start toward off-grid living, so be sure you’ve prepared well enough for it.
3. Whether Or Not The Location Is Good
Choosing the right location is more than finding the property size you desire or the home’s features. It’s also about accessibility to the nearest facilities you need, albeit far or remote. Unless you are living in the woods with nothing else but your basic survival skills, you’ll still have to think about the particulars that go into hunting for the right location:
- Availability of a power source, be it hydro energy, solar-powered, or wind-powered;
- Access to basic facilities you may still need, like the hospital, school, and even a supermarket for the food supplies you’re not growing yourself.
- Cost of traveling to and from your home to the kids’ school (if you’re not homeschooling) and your job if you still choose to work out of the home.
The list above isn’t absolute. Every homeowner desiring to go off-grid has their respective criteria for what is and isn’t a good location. Be sure to factor in yours, too.
4. Stable And Clean Water Source

Water is an indispensable consideration. There’s no skimping on this, as wherever it is you may choose to live, the availability of clean water sources is one of the most important.
If the water supply is scarce or problematic where you are, you’re only setting yourself up for many inconveniences further down the road.
When you live off-grid, the dependence on the water goes beyond basic household functions, as now you’ll also need it for your farm animals and vegetables.
Most importantly, the last thing you’d want is to have a sickly family because of unclean water. You can have a filter, but it may take a significant amount of energy. It won’t be ideal if you are only relying on solar, wind, or hydro energy.
The Takeaway
By completing the checklist above, you can fully prepare yourself and your family to live off the grid. The idea sounds very good, but like any other tempting decision, you have to weigh the pros and cons.
Nowadays, homeowners are paying more attention to their chosen lifestyles, with off-the-grid and tiny-home living becoming quite popular.
There are many options available and a variety of properties also to choose from. Now it’s up to you to ask yourself and assess whether or not you truly are ready for this big change.