Off-Grid 101 Reasons

101 Reasons to Live Off The Grid 

Well, it’s WORK, and work is a four-letter word. It’s not easy, it’s not a luxury and it takes time, effort, and determination.

Having said that, living off-grid has a terrible "STIGMA" that one must live without the amenities of modern life, such as light, heat, cold air, refrigerators, and laundry machines.  We, The Total Off Grid Experience, are here to prove once and for all that living off the grid doesn't mean living back like we were in the 1800s.

This article has been written to enlighten you on the more uplifting and positive aspects of living off the grid. This list touches on the basic and fundamental reasons why we do what we do. So, please enjoy and we hope this article helps in your venture to live, OFF-GRID.

1. Self-sufficiency 

Living off the grid is all about living a self-sufficient lifestyle, one not dependent on outside resources because you create your own resources thereby reducing or totally eliminating your dependence on a system that could collapse at any moment.

2. Sustainable living 

It’s about living more sustainably. Without constantly consuming resources, you will actually be producing more than you consume. This has the added benefit of not only providing for your family but contributing to your local community.

3. Renewable energy 

The use of renewable energy only makes sense. Using an energy source that is not renewable is absurd. Fossil fuels are not renewable, at least at the rate we are consuming them. So it makes sense to use sources of energy that are completely renewable, and that can be shared. Renewable energy is also more sustainable long term, and that’s just smart living.

 4. Environmentally responsible 

When one realizes their own responsibility is just as valuable as the next person’s and that no one person’s responsibility is less than another’s to make this world a better place, then we come to a crossroads where we must, as responsible human beings, and for the future of our children and their children, be more environmentally responsible, or there may not be an environment left for them.

5. Practical living

Living off the grid is more practical because we reuse, recycle, and stretch the use of our resources to their maximum purpose.

6. Smaller footprint 

Living off-grid means you don’t use as many resources as most people, and it cuts down on waste.

7. Less impact on the planet 

When you’re off the grid, you live your life more in tune with nature, and as such, have less of a negative impact on the planet.

8. Healthier lifestyle 

It’s just plain healthier because you’re more active. The benefits of physical activity and exercise on your life, overall, are innumerable.

9. Rewarding

Living off the grid is more rewarding for all the reasons listed on this page. When you factor in all the benefits of the off-grid lifestyle, you realize there’s really no other way to live that’s more rewarding.

10. Happiness 

It makes you happy. Less stress and more activity create a feeling of contentment, and this creates happiness.

11. Getting back to our roots

Living off the grid is getting back to our roots, and where we come from. Our ancestors lived this way for tens of thousands of years. The story is the same all over the world. Looking back throughout human history there’s one commonality that is universal. Save the fact we’re all human beings, we all lived off the land as hunter-gatherers.

We built things and made stuff, created shelter, grew food, and tapped natural water sources to provide for our families and the village. Our tribe is humanity, and we’ve all done things the same way. Now, in modern times, with the advent of modern technology, things are done much more easily, and we’re in a time of unprecedented advancement.

Living off the grid with high technology. Solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectricity, geothermal, and renewable biofuels power our world, while at the same time, we can connect back to our roots and enjoy nature.

12. Preserves knowledge

When we live sustainably it preserves the knowledge through the ages for generations to come. If we all lived in a consumer world we’d lose this precious knowledge and it would be lost forever.

What would we do if we didn’t preserve that knowledge by sharing it with our kids, and the world? The advent of the internet and high technology allows us to share with the entire world, with the click of a mouse, the knowledge of our ancestors, forever preserving the knowledge for humanity.

13. Teaches future generations  

Teaching others brings its own rewards, both for the student and the teacher. The beauty of it is that being off-grid allows us to teach a new (old) way of living that everyone should know. The reward of the good feeling of teaching is just a bonus.

14. Shares experience 

Sharing the experience we have with others is part of life. It’s deeply fulfilling to share your experience with others, adds to your sense of purpose, and helps them at the same time. They will, in turn, share that experience with others, and so on. It’s self-perpetuating and furthers the advancement of knowledge.

15. Advances humanity

The knowledge of course advances humanity – everyone’s knowledge base builds atop the last. Like building blocks of sustainable living, it creates a foundation to build a better life, and that we can all benefit from.

16. Uses fewer resources 

Living off the grid consumes fewer resources. Simple as that. When we live off the grid we actually create more resources than we use, and this benefits the local community.

17. Avoids consumerism & waste

Consumption of resources is running rampant, and needless waste is at an all-time high. To reduce waste and consumerism it’s much better to create and produce resources. When you live a sustainable and renewable lifestyle you become a boon to society and create more than you use. This helps keep consumption to a minimum and sets a great example for others.

18. Leads by example

Because you’re doing it, you’re living the lifestyle, you’re leading by example. When you walk the talk and live this lifestyle, it shows others there is another way to do things. That it doesn’t have to be all about consuming, you can give back and still live a fulfilling and rich life.

19. Better for our kids

It also goes without saying that it’s better for our kids to see us live this way because it will help propagate awareness of the responsibility we have to live smarter lives.

20. Healthier food

When you live off-grid, you tend to eat healthier food. Your food is healthier because you grow it without pesticides and without harmful chemicals.

21. Fresh air 

The air is fresher in the country. Not much more needs to be said about that.

22. Digging in the dirt! 

Let’s face it, we all love digging in the dirt.

23. We get to build stuff 

Living off the grid allows you to build stuff and make things. Things you wouldn’t normally be able to make, and projects you wouldn’t normally be able to work on in the city. Like the next spaceship to Mars for example, or a time machine. Or maybe you could build a new kind of greenhouse that grows 100 pounds of food fruits and veggies per square foot. Now there’s an idea.

24. Independence

When you live an off-grid life, you instantly become less dependent on the system, and more independent and self-reliant. You are no longer bound by a system that does not have your best interests in mind.

25. Connect with nature 

This is one of the most fulfilling parts of the lifestyle of off-grid living. The connection with nature you have is much deeper and on a level much more profoundly satisfying than suburban life. Waking up each morning to the sounds of nature instead of honking horns, slamming doors, and shrill sirens. Being able to walk outside in the morning and feel the crisp cool fresh country air while you sip your hot morning beverage while listening to the sounds of the birds singing, the cool morning breeze blowing, the deer in the field lifting its head to look at you while you sit in your rocking chair, the flock of geese browsing the edge of the lake, is the epitome of contentment and connection with the natural world.

26. Teach our kids the value of a day’s work 

When you live off the grid your daily life is full of work, and lots of things that need to be done throughout the day. Raising your children with a strong work ethic is important, and will come more naturally on an off-grid homestead. It will instill in your children and sense of accomplishment, and what it takes and what it means to complete a day’s work.

27. Physical exercise

Running a farm or ranch takes work. You’re constantly on the go. As such your physical activity level will be much higher than the average person. It’s great exercise.

28. Less dependent

Living off the grid is about self-sufficiency. As mentioned above, it’s about creating a sustainable lifestyle that allows you to become less reliant on the resources of others, thereby increasing your independence.

29. Safer lifestyle

Technically speaking living in the country is probably safer than living in the city. Especially in the event of some kind of social collapse, or even in daily life. Cities are statistically less safe than rural areas.

30. Security for our family 

As mentioned above, the fact that cities have higher crime rates than their surrounding areas, it makes sense that country living is more secure for raising your family. Even more than suburban neighborhoods.

31. Financially responsible

It’s financially responsible to cut your expenses. Moving and living off the grid will allow you to save money on groceries, and utilities over the long term. This is just smart money management 101. Initial setup costs might be slightly higher than a suburban home, but overall, the costs are distributed over a longer period of time, and since you’re producing more resources than you use, you will have a surplus.

32. Socially responsible 

It’s socially responsible. Speaking of the BIG PICTURE, overall, living off the grid and homesteading, is socially responsible, and arguably more so than living in the city. The reason is simple. People who live in the country are typically farmers and ranchers and those who are retired. In other words, they’re hard workers, they contribute much to their local communities, and they are usually more in tune with their fellow humans when compared with the impersonal and superficial nature of society living in densely populated areas.

This is not to say that people who live in the city do not care or are not being socially responsible. On the contrary, there are probably more socially responsible people per square mile in an urban environment than in a rural environment, but many times they are unable or do not have the means to contribute as much as they like because of the cost of living, and their annual expenses limit the amount of community work they can do. It’s really a balance between what you’re willing to do, and what you can do. Off-grid living allows for a more direct approach and offers more opportunity, in this author’s opinion.

33. Helps the local community 

When you own your own homestead and are producing more resources than you use, then this in turn gives back to the community in which you live.

34. Creates a place for change 

Your off-grid homestead creates a home base for leading by example, and this creates positive change within your community.

35. Inspires others

Leading by example, creating your own resources, living a sustainable life, and sharing that with others, inspires people to follow and build their own.

36. Brings people together 

You are a hub for positive sustainable change. It attracts people and educates them on ways to live a self-sufficient lifestyle.

37. Strengthens community

Your homestead becomes a bastion of health and happiness for the community at large.

38. You get to give back

Sharing your knowledge with others and seeing how it influences their lives, and the positive change it brings is an extremely rewarding feeling.

39. You make a difference

Not just in your kids’ lives, but the lives of all the people you share your knowledge with.

40. Share your skills with others

Sharing your skills with others is simply part of life. It’s one that sadly has become a rarity in the fast-paced world that most people live in. It’s easier however on everyone when people share. The rewards are incalculable because they help people grow in perpetuity. Future generations will benefit from what you share now, and your children and grandchildren are the people who will carry on that legacy.

41. Learn new skills

We all could learn a thing or two. We really don’t know it all, and besides, it’s fun to learn things.

42. Make new friends & become friends with your neighbors

Do you know your neighbor? If you do, then good for you; you’re doing it right. Do you know how many people don’t actually know their neighbors? Too many. It’s a sad fact we live in a world where someone can literally live just a few feet away from us for years and we never even know them. Doesn’t it make more sense to get to know one another? Some people are recluses and that’s okay. No one is saying they must socialize or go out for cocktails. The point is, that it’s beneficial in the long term to know your neighbors, help them out, be kind, share, and be social and cordial. You never know when you might need their help, and most importantly, to have a friend, a true friend, is more valuable than anything.

43. Less Stressful

Living off the grid lowers your stress level. How? Easy. Less to worry about. Since your cost of living is lower, and you’re eating healthier because you’re growing your own food, you’re also exercising more, and this releases the good chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. This in turn lowers stress. That, and when you don’t have huge bills over your head every month, that’s a huge relief.

44. Helps you live longer  

Yes, living off the grid helps extend your life because you simply get more exercise and you eat a better diet. When you work on a farm or ranch, or an off grid homestead, you’re always digging, hauling, lifting, moving, dragging, pulling pushing, walking, climbing, and sometimes even running all over the property while going through your daily routine. It’s physically demanding, but at the same time, you’ll be in better shape for it. Your physical wellness will extend your life, and if you’re lucky, you could live to be 125 years old and be interviewed by the NYT, asking you what the secret to your long life is.

45. Physical activity makes you 

happy

It’s a scientific fact that physical activity releases “feel-good” chemicals (Dopamine, Endorphin, Oxytocin, and Serotonin) in your brain. These make you feel happier.

46. Saves you money

Living the off-grid lifestyle saves you money. When you cut down your monthly expenses by growing your own food, producing your own energy, and building your own shelter, you don’t spend as much as you normally would before. Cutting expenses is a huge boost to your bottom line business-wise, and personally speaking, will also help to ease your stress level since you won’t have to worry about your monthly mortgage or car payment. You can concentrate on what really matters. Family.

47. Saving money helps you provide better for your family

Simply put, when you save money by producing and creating your own resources, this allows you to provide a more stable household for your family. And really, that’s what it’s all about. Being financially stable and secure contributes greatly to your happiness and well-being.

48. Set a good example for your 

children

By living sustainably you’re also living responsibly, and you will be setting a great example for your children to live by. An example that hopefully, they will pass on to their children and so on.

49. You can have a dog (or 3 of them)

When you live in the city or in an apartment, it’s harder to have a dog because there are rules and regulations and policies and restrictions on what you can do in your own apartment. Even in suburban neighborhoods the covenants and restrictions that come with HOAs (Home Owners Associations) are extremely limiting.

50. Grow your own food

This in and of itself could be a book all by itself. The sheer number of benefits of growing your own food are simply innumerable and impossible to measure with any kind of accuracy because it’s an invaluable skill, priceless in its contribution to your life and the lives of those you share your food with.

The health benefits alone of growing your own food without pesticides, harsh chemicals, and fertilizers are worth more than any health insurance plan. Eating fresh fruits and veggies simply makes you healthier. And without your health, you have nothing. The old adage, “You are what you eat.” is seriously an understatement. It’s not just true, it’s your life.

What you eat affects everyone close to you. If you don’t take care of yourself by eating healthy, then your family suffers. Growing your own food should be something everyone does. Especially when you consider the fact that a healthy diet also improves your mood. So, growing your own food should be equated with happiness, really. Happiness is priceless.

51. Wide open spaces

There’s a sense that you feel freer living in the country. The wide-open spaces give you a feeling of freedom that you can never get living in a city. It’s truly freeing.

52. Supporting your local farmer’s market with the food you grow 

Every town needs a farmer’s market, and that means it’s another opportunity to support your local farmers. Being off-gridders you’re familiar with the hard work that farmers and ranchers put into their properties and you respect that. Buying from your local stock shows and farmer’s markets just makes good sense. It not only supports the farmers and ranchers, but it also strengthens your whole community, and you get to make new friends!

53. Support for your local food bank

I don’t know many farmers who don’t have a good heart. And that extends to donating food to local food banks and neighbors. When you grow your own food, inevitably you will most likely have some surplus. Maybe your chickens lay too many eggs for you and your family to eat on your own. Every farmer I know has always been the generous type and donated to their neighbor’s pantry or the local food bank.

54. You get a BIG backyard

You get to run around your yard, and if your property borders a national forest, the forested wilderness becomes your backyard. You can run and hike and explore your extended backyard for days on end if you live near the forest. And even if you don’t, having a few acres of land to run around on and spread your wings is a great feeling.

55. You help support local businesses and restaurants

Food donations, and affordable fresh fruits and veggies.

56. Help educate local school kids 

Offer field trips and tours of your farm to teach kids the value of living a sustainable life.

57. Wildlife, nature, and animals 

Communing with the natural world is extremely rewarding

58. Brighter skies and better views 

Less light pollution from city lights means you can actually see the night sky again.

59. More peace & quiet

It’s quieter in the country. Once you get used to all the “new noises” of nature.

60. Always something to do

This kind of goes without saying. Living on an off-grid homestead, farm, or ranch means there will always be something to do. Whether it’s work-related or recreational. You’ll never be bored.

61. Natural beauty

This is perhaps one of the most important aspects of living off the grid. Because you’ll most likely be living in the country, you’ll most likely be in a more natural setting, close to a forest, in a forest, or mountains, prairies, or the river. The point is, the natural beauty is right out your back door or kitchen window. Natural beauty is the most beautiful beauty.

62. Great outdoors & access to thousands of acres of outdoor activities

As mentioned before, the great outdoors and wilderness are your backyard. You can hunt, fish, hike, camp, ATV, snowmobile, ride horses, ski, swim, and picnic, all right in your own backyard. Being so close to the wildlife and wilderness gives you the opportunity to enjoy nature in a way most only dream of.

63. Vacation and relaxation without having to leave home

Being in a rural area gives you the advantage of staying home and relaxing with nature instead of having to drive 1000 miles to get to a peaceful vacation spot. On your off-grid homestead, you’re already there!

64. Cleaner air

Clean fresh air is so…refreshing. Kinda helps you live longer too. Way better than breathing in all the pollution in the city.

65. Lower cost of living

Living off the grid lowers your overall cost of living because your initial expense is higher, and your monthly expense is spread out over a longer period of time. Eventually, this will mean you will be pulling in a surplus in excess of your initial expense. Thereby lowering your overall monthly and annual cost of living.

66. You can climb trees!

Try climbing a tree in the city park, and people will look at you funny. Out in the country, you’re allowed to climb trees, and no one will judge you. In fact, we’ll probably join you.

67. TIRE SWINGS! 

Nuff’ said.

68. Lemonade & sun sweetened iced tea

This kind of just goes without saying, but it’s so wonderfully refreshing in the heat of the summer.

69. Skinny dipping

Come on, you know you want to. And since you’re in the country, no one will care.

70. You can dance in the field

No one will care or judge you if you decide to dance around in your fields. Except maybe your livestock. They might look at you funny.

71. You can camp out in your own backyard

This is just self-explanatory. Your backyard is the natural world!

72. Because, TREES!!! 

We all love trees.

73. Fewer rules & more freedom 

Technically speaking, fewer rules mean more freedom for you and your family. This stems from the fact that rural areas typically have less strict rules and regulations regarding building and agricultural activities. There are many rural areas throughout the world that have little to no restrictions on what you can do with your land and how you use it. This gives you more freedom overall to build your off-grid homestead however you please.

74. Room to grow & build

You can start and work on more projects. That’s not to say you’ll finish them all, but hey, at least we can work on our projects!

75. Sense of community

When you live off the grid, it does have a sense of community, even if your community is spread out around the world, you belong to a group of people who put sustainability ahead of consumerism, and that by itself is rewarding. You belong to a group of people, millions strong who care about and love the planet we live on. Who love nature, and who know how to give back, share, and grow with one another. That is community.

76. Cows

Admit it. You want a cow. You’ve always wanted a cow.

77. Horses

We all love horses. You can ride your horse and enjoy nature on horseback, and if you really feel wild, then head up into the hills for a wilderness trail ride.

78. You get to own a tractor!

Tractors are cool. And from what I hear, women think tractors are sexy. So there’s that.

79. You are your own boss

You set your own hours. Do your own thing.

80. Food tastes better

When you grow your own food, it tastes better because it’s more natural, there are fewer chemicals, and there’s something refreshingly primal about eating food that you grew yourself.

81. Variety

Living on a ranch or farm in the country will give you the rewarding benefit of adding variety to your life. Every day will be different, there is always something to do on the farm.

82. You actually know where your food comes from

You don’t have to wonder or care about whether your food is GMO or treated with hormones, antibiotics, or harmful chemicals because you grow your own food.

83. A greater sense of purpose

Working a 9-5 job is fine, and great and wonderful. Right? In fact, merely having a job in this economy is a good thing. Right? So what’s the purpose? Why do people work 40, 60, and 80 hours per week, just to get by? What’s the point? What’s your goal? Why are you doing it that way? Not that there is anything wrong with working a 9-5 job. It’s rewarding and brings with it positive aspects. But ask yourself why you punch a clock.

What’s your purpose? To pay bills and provide for your family right? That’s what it comes down to. Sure you might have financial goals and dreams for your dream house. Ask yourself, what’s your real purpose? Security and safety for your family. Happiness. Right? So why are you spending 40-80 hours per week away from your family working to make someone else richer? I’m not saying quit your job and move to the woods. I’m saying that once you realize what your true purpose is, what you truly seek, and what you want out of life, your intrinsic purpose becomes much clearer to you.

84. Fresher food

When you live off the grid and grow your own food, the food you eat and feed your family is fresher than what you get at the grocery store. Walk outside, pick the food, and prepare it. It doesn’t get any fresher than that.

85. Bonfires! 

If you tried to build a bonfire in the courtyard of your apartment building in the city, you’d probably be arrested, fined for endangering the public, inciting a riot, evicted, and thrown out on the street. But since you’ll be living off the grid, you can have a giant bonfire, invite all your neighbors, and party it up in the middle of the field out by the barn. Just be careful not to light the hay on fire or you won’t have a barn left. But hey, that would be one helluva bonfire!

86. S’mores!

I personally don’t like s’mores, but, I know you probably do, and you’re welcome to make them at our bonfire. Come on over, bring the beer, and we’ll watch the stars and race tractors into the night.

87. You make your own way

Self-sufficiency isn’t just about being independent but making your own way. You are a trailblazer in a new world. Ushering in positive change for you and your family. Creating a world your children will be proud and happy to grow up in, and raise their own children. You are the leader of your family, and as such have the greatest responsibility in the world to lead by example. It’s not just your way. It’s your family’s way.

88. You become one with the land

Since you’re working on the land every day, you become more connected to it, and it makes you more aware of nature and the earth.

89. Getting dirty is sexy

Let’s face it. Seeing your partner getting down and dirty in the field or working on the farm tractor is just plain sexy.

90. Farming is sexy!

See above.

91. Ranching is sexy!

See above.

92. Gardening is sexy!

See…Yes, I said it 3 times! Living off grid is sexy and it probably leads to having more kids. Which, when you look at it this way, gives you more hands around the farm. 🙂

93. Beauty of the land

The country is more beautiful than the city. Simple as that.

94. Make money from home

Your off grid farm or ranch is your job. It becomes your source of revenue. Whether you are working a home-based business inside your home, or your farm is your livelihood, you make your living from the land you live on.

95. You don’t have to commute 50 miles to work each day

The money saved by not commuting back and forth to work every day to pay for a mortgage and car payment, utility bills, insurance, cable, and internet, and… Well, you get the point.

96. Creating great memories with your family

This is perhaps one of the most important things in life. Great memories of your childhood and making those memories with your family.

97. Living off the land is more fulfilling 

When you live off the land it’s better for the Earth, and giving back what it is providing for you, and as such, it becomes much more fulfilling than any other lifestyle.

98. Sense of well-being & contentment

When you know that all your needs and the needs of your family have been provided for you will experience a sense of well-being beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.

99. Living Local

Supporting the community through shared interests, and a solid connection with local residents.

100. It’s green!

The title says it all!

101. Living off the grid makes you happy!

Living off the grid is a simpler, less stressful, more fulfilling lifestyle, and ultimately, on a much deeper level, truly makes you happy.