Would you go totally off the grid

by
Anonymous Coward
in ask on (#13RRK)
Admit it, we have all thought about it. Off the grid. Disconnected. Bushed out. Gone. Ever wondered what happens when an entire town of people disconnects on purpose? Ever wanted to join such a community? Now you can as seen here on Unplanned America. The question though is: Would you?
Reply 5 comments

Absolutely (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2016-02-15 01:28 (#13Z65)

It is The Thing to do around here. Buy some land near a lake or stream. Get a shipping container fitted out for ~$40K. Water via a tank. Electricity from solar cells. Thunderbox. Net via mobile. Garden with veggies. Peaceful life.

Re: Absolutely (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2016-02-16 14:16 (#14468)

$40k? Yikes! A used mobile home or travel trailer cost a tiny fraction of that...

I cannot (Score: 1)

by chk6@pipedot.org on 2016-02-16 15:12 (#144C8)

Being that I make 100% of my living being on the grid, I cannot see myself off the grid to sustain my expected living comforts. Living off the grid is one of those romantic views that is glamed up. The reality is it's dirty and hard living.

Re: I cannot (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2016-02-18 15:58 (#14585)

There are innumerable stories of programmers in Silicon Valley earning 6 figure salaries, yet homeless as they still can't pay local rents. Rent/mortgage is the biggest expense most of us have, and off grid homes can drop that to a pittance. How long could you live on a year of your salary if housing was nearly free? You might find a few short term contract gigs provide you with enough money to sustain your lifestyle. Of course that's not true for a decent number of people who just waste every extra dollar they earn on frivolous luxuries.

Living off the grid USED TO be hard, but PV solar panels and cheap turbines, along with energy-efficient appliances (e.g. LED TVs, heat-pumps, phones/tablets, etc.) have made it far more practical these days. The same goes for cellular or satellite internet access, digital OTA or satellite TV, improved and inexpensive water pumps, low flow toilets & clothes washers, etc, etc.

Re: I cannot (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2016-02-17 09:04 (#1474G)

A google employee lived in the carpark for a year