Living off Grid ?

Julie67

I've been hearing more and more about people striking out on their own. Buying a piece of land and generating their own heating and lightning.
It seems to be very doable in America but less so here with the price of land and problems with planning permission. Then if you buy land with planning permission it pushes the initial cost of the land purchase way up. There seem to be quite a few communities managing this but that wouldn't be for me. We've also investigated living in a mobile home or on a boat. Basically we would like to sell up once our youngest child leaves for university and live a much more sustainable lifestyle away from the clutches of the power companies, mortgage companies well as much as possible and have an adventure.
I wondered if anyone had achieved this successfully. I would love to here about anyone's experiences.

mardatha

I'm going OT already Julie - but it's a lot easier to have a normal house but live in a low-tech way...you know? Think of hand held kitchen gadgets, windup radios, coal/log fires, hot water bottles, etc. It's too early for me I can't think in the mornings, but loads on here do it. We use under a fiver a week in elect in this house. Maybe make this plan B lol

Julie67

Thanks Mardatha, I do all those things already, try and live very sustainably and as cheaply as possible. But I would so love to do it in something that was mortgage free and all ours, it's definitely plan B though

[Deleted User]

JULIE have you considered a Narrow Boat on the canals? It would give you the freedom to moor or travel round the network right through the nicer warmer months and you can usually get a winter berth in one of the dockland basins/marinas for the winter months. If you had enough from the sale of your house after buying the boat you might be able to find a small cottage to buy which you could holiday let when you were travelling on the boat and live in in the winter for a more comfortable lifestyle. Hopefully the summer lettings would cover your fuel bills and other running costs for the boat? Worth a thought maybe? Cheers Lyn x.

lemontart

I have been researching for several years and yes it is doable but very hard given the red tape here. Still hoping that the lotto numbers will come up to buy a small holding or such like to give it a serious go with solar/wind/water power and own food grown. decent greenhouse, chickens etc ground heat things reed beds and so on. Not good on water so boat defo no no for me

Julie67

Lemon tart, would love a smallholding but like you would have to win the lottery.
Mrs Lurchwalker I would do the narrow boat thing, but dh wouldn't he is a big guy and would find it too restrictive I fear. The Dutch barges are a bit more spacious but I think he would take some persuading.
I've been researching crofts today and they look much more affordable but it would mean moving a long way from our family.
Wales would be better and I think it's easier to get planning permission there although lots more research needed.

[Deleted User]

Hi JULIE I don't know if it's an idea that would appeal to you both but friends of ours were having the same thoughts a few years ago and had actually sold a smallholding in Derbyshire after the children left home and they got a bit older themselves. They also wanted to be more self sufficient and live simpler lives but they couldn't settle on one specific thing they wanted to settle to. They bought thierselves a big Motorhome and spent 3 years travelling the country and over to the near continental countries, coming back to stay with one or other of the family for holidays, christmas etc until they made thier choice and decided to buy a much smaller property and ended up here in the village where we live. They have adapted thier little home and have woodstove, veg patch in the garden, spinning wheel and loom in the garage, solar panels etc and love the life they now have, hope that's useful, good luck with it all, Lyn xxx. They're into thier 70s now and still managing to have a good life and keep thier hobbies and lifestyle going strong!

GreyQueen

Julie, have you seen Nick Rosen's book How to live Off Grid?

It's very interesting and he travels all around the UK living off-grid and meeting others doing the same, often with his wife and young daughter in tow in their van. Widely available, perhaps in your library?

I don't have "the answer" but wish you the very best in your quest for the good life.

Julie67

The book sounds great, thank you Grey Queen I shall get hold of a copy.
mrs Lurchwalker , I love the idea of travelling for a few years and a motorhome is definitely something we would consider.

lemontart

GreyQueen wrote: »

Julie, have you seen Nick Rosen's book How to live Off Grid?

It's very interesting and he travels all around the UK living off-grid and meeting others doing the same, often with his wife and young daughter in tow in their van. Widely available, perhaps in your library?

I don't have "the answer" but wish you the very best in your quest for the good life.

I read that, it was very inspiring

dronid

My Sister currently lives in a converted ambulance. It's fitted with a small wood burning heater (with stovetop) a mini gas oven and hob, sink and solar electricity and storage batteries that seem to keep them in power for a laptop, mobiles and lighting. With a little work they could probably have an outdoor shower/toilet etc. It's pretty off grid and she's warm during the winter on only a little fuel but if I were going down that route and didn't have to work I'd do it in Spain. Much better climate, easier to grow your own stuff, plenty of solar. Civilised and inexpensive for that kind of lifestyle.