FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Living "off grid"
Living "off grid"
Jump to: Newest in thread
 |
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I used to work at a glamping site that had off grid log cabins and meadow yurts. It's great as a retreat for a few days, but any more than a week the difficulties started to outweigh any positive gains. Laundry becomes an issue for starters.... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I used to work at a glamping site that had off grid log cabins and meadow yurts. It's great as a retreat for a few days, but any more than a week the difficulties started to outweigh any positive gains. Laundry becomes an issue for starters...."
I can totally see you working on a glamping site! 
As for the OP, no thanks. It's nice in theory, but I like people and noise and interaction. I would go back to NYC and live there tomorrow if I could afford it.
-Courtney |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"With relatively easy food and water sources and a good climate (can stay naked so no laundry issues) it would be a wonderful idea but probably not so easy to achieve in reality."
Being naked and doing the kind of physical labour required to farm, hunt, craft things and generally live is a very bad idea.
All those minor scrapes etc which are so easy to deal with in modern life are life threatening infection sources when you don't have access to antiseptics or a food supply of even basic soap etec |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"My OH wants to. I don't. I like home comforts. We are reasonably self sufficient with heating and electricity though. Two log burners and solar panels. Our bills are so low it's crazy x"
How much do logs cost vs gas put of curiosity? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"My OH wants to. I don't. I like home comforts. We are reasonably self sufficient with heating and electricity though. Two log burners and solar panels. Our bills are so low it's crazy x
How much do logs cost vs gas put of curiosity?"
If you're really serious about living off grid, you rarely buy logs…its quite easy to acquire them legitimately if you're used to it... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"A couple of days would be great. Could do with it now actually just to recharge the mojo. "
With a checked flannel shirt and your beard you'd look the perfect mountain man. I'll buy you a hatchet for Xmas..... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
Well I have the perfect opportunity to do this right now, I have no fixed abode so maybe I should just up sticks and do this.... Oh wait, I'd miss my kids too much (and the thought of no internet, that might drive me to insanity!) |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Would be amazing . And a total pain.
Imagine no fab.
No need to give up fab....solar panels would do the trick. "
Doesnt "off grid" mean no internet though. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Living without readily available heating, lighting, internet, TV, regular food, a fridge even is a reality for some people..whether they want/choose to live like this or not 
In Birmingham for example 33% of children live in poverty. Its a huge issue amongst the European Community because the UK hardly ever release such figures. Why? Because our figures reflect those of the poorer Eastern Euopean countries and its embarrassing 
Anyone come across 'A girl called jack'? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Would be amazing . And a total pain.
Imagine no fab."
Why a pain and no fab?
Living off grid does not mean subsistence farming with no creature comforts. It means not being connected to any of the national grids. It does not preclude generating your own electricity, having central heating, running hot water or having a mobile internet connexion.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Living without readily available heating, lighting, internet, TV, regular food, a fridge even is a reality for some people..whether they want/choose to live like this or not
In Birmingham for example 33% of children live in poverty. Its a huge issue amongst the European Community because the UK hardly ever release such figures. Why? Because our figures reflect those of the poorer Eastern Euopean countries and its embarrassing
Anyone come across 'A girl called jack'?"
You missed a key word.
"Relative" poverty.
The ressesion improved relative poverty in the UK.
Not because people were less poor but because others were less rich and so by comparison poverty dropped.
It's a fairly meaningless statistic. (For instance if I took 1 trillion pounds and gave it to half the country the other half would now be well below the poverty line on this scale despite having no less money than they did the day before) |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"My OH wants to. I don't. I like home comforts. We are reasonably self sufficient with heating and electricity though. Two log burners and solar panels. Our bills are so low it's crazy x
How much do logs cost vs gas put of curiosity?
If you're really serious about living off grid, you rarely buy logs…its quite easy to acquire them legitimately if you're used to it..."
Where from? There's not many managed forests near me (if they'd be wiling to lose their crop for nothing) and I think the national Trust would be a pressing charges if I cm hacked some trees down. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
The OECD benchmark their statistics. They also factor in the difference between the richest & poorest members of a particular country, referred to as 'inequality'.
I agree however that statistics are all meaningless and i'm sure the 'ressesion' (sic) made people feel comparatively less poor (or hungry)…
If you ask all the kids in the UK that went to school this morning without breakfast (or a meal last night) I'm pretty sure they'd agree with you that statistics are ****
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *ab femWoman
over a year ago
Ayrshire |
"My OH wants to. I don't. I like home comforts. We are reasonably self sufficient with heating and electricity though. Two log burners and solar panels. Our bills are so low it's crazy x
How much do logs cost vs gas put of curiosity?"
We get them free at the moment but when that runs out you can buy a foraging licence from the woodland trust I think it is. It's £30 to take as much as you want over a three month period |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
as off grid as poss with comforts.....buy boat....pay mooring fees...no one cares what name u give....in our harbour ..no council tax..water electric hot showers laundry room..come and go as u wish no one ever questions what u do......almost off grid with all comforts......many have already found a little haven ....plus if u don't like the neighbours move ....heaven |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
id love to but think id miss my xbox and tv series but i think the working a lot would feel better than working 9-5 your whole life because everything you do would be helping your life.
Where as most jobs is you doing the hard work so others can get rich, you going home with min wage etc. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
I (Mr) did it for a couple of years. Laundry is an ass pain as I like to smell nice. I used to get the local laundrette to service wash my clothing. Now this was a while ago. What with the iPads and I phones and just needing usb power for such devices it's gonna be easier now than ever. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
i have friends who bought a tiny piece of land in wales,flat pack wooden cabin from norway,which took 3 days to put up!..they love their life..i'd hate it! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Would love it! 
My bro has bought himself a bit land in the country n is building a tiny house for him n his family. 
The option I'm considering. Solar and wind power and a bank of batteries. Linked to led lighting. Great. "
Good stuff!
A generator is handy as well  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I like the idea of communal living, shared living space with private areas,shared resources,shared expenses,lots of people to relate to , no loneliness in times of need,,whats not to like? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"A couple of days would be great. Could do with it now actually just to recharge the mojo.
With a checked flannel shirt and your beard you'd look the perfect mountain man. I'll buy you a hatchet for Xmas....."
Sounda like a plan. Xxxx |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Would be amazing . And a total pain.
Imagine no fab."
This
I can live happily (and have done) without a telly for years, radio is much more enjoyable to me. I was without internet for a very long time, now I've got it I couldn't give it up..... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *uzy444Woman
over a year ago
in the suffolk countryside |
living off grid does not mean no internet etc it mean living sustain-ably in power/ water/ fuel etc
interdependance with other things doesnt classify you as unsustainable..just a co dependant relationship.
ive lived ina tipi for nearly a year and i am mostly off grid now...i could do a lot more, i have the facilities and the land for it..however, its a 365 a year job..its a lifestyle.
i know ive done it in the past..permaculture garden, livestock including goats and chickens....to do it on your own is mammoth task and trying to get a community group to equally participate, in this day and age is nigh on impossible...
oh for the practical man..where art thou ?  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
If I'd got suitably sufficient electricity generation and storage, as a minimum, then it would be wonderful. I've lived a lot in the wilds and - although having lived in major cities throughout the world, I prefer a rural lifestyle.
Anyone thinking of going for solar power should get in soon, as the tariffs are likely falling from January 2016 to almost nothing. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"living off grid does not mean no internet etc it mean living sustain-ably in power/ water/ fuel etc
interdependance with other things doesnt classify you as unsustainable..just a co dependant relationship.
ive lived ina tipi for nearly a year and i am mostly off grid now...i could do a lot more, i have the facilities and the land for it..however, its a 365 a year job..its a lifestyle.
i know ive done it in the past..permaculture garden, livestock including goats and chickens....to do it on your own is mammoth task and trying to get a community group to equally participate, in this day and age is nigh on impossible...
oh for the practical man..where art thou ? "
Thing is most people solutions aren't actually sustainable.
Much of the small level generation etc will never reach energy party with its manufacture transport and installation.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I like the idea of communal living, shared living space with private areas,shared resources,shared expenses,lots of people to relate to , no loneliness in times of need,,whats not to like?"
Someone spraying their dhiorreiha over the toilet, up the cistern and over the wall.
This actually happened in my dorms.
Looks like they'd bent over in front of the bog pulled their cheeks apart and just exploded |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"living off grid does not mean no internet etc it mean living sustain-ably in power/ water/ fuel etc
interdependance with other things doesnt classify you as unsustainable..just a co dependant relationship.
ive lived ina tipi for nearly a year and i am mostly off grid now...i could do a lot more, i have the facilities and the land for it..however, its a 365 a year job..its a lifestyle.
i know ive done it in the past..permaculture garden, livestock including goats and chickens....to do it on your own is mammoth task and trying to get a community group to equally participate, in this day and age is nigh on impossible...
oh for the practical man..where art thou ? "
(sigh) |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Would be amazing . And a total pain.
Imagine no fab.
No need to give up fab....solar panels would do the trick.
Doesnt "off grid" mean no internet though. "
I think off grid just means not being connected to electric, water or gas mains. Maybe fanatical off-griders would also cut the phone line but I doubt that is necessary. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *opinovMan
over a year ago
Point Nemo, Cumbria |
You'd be surprised how comfortably you can live 'off grid'. I've been doing it off and on for years and I love it.
With a decent set-up (photovoltaics with a deep-cycle battery bank delivering 12v DC and 240v AC via inverter) and carefull use of 12v alternatives where possible, you can use all the appliances you'd use 'on-grid'... including internet.
Rainwater collection and the division of clean, 'grey' and 'black' water can provide more than plenty for normal domestic use. Filtering and storage can be quite complicated to set up to keep water fresh for consumption but it can be done - it's much easier if you have access to a clean stream. 'Black' water can be used for toilet flushing to a reed bed or, if you're really keen, a composting toilet is much less smelly and bothersome than you might expect.
Cooking and heating can be by wood burning stove/Rayburn, though having a propane hob does make cooking easier. A wood fired sauna is a wonderful space to relax, as is a hot tub.
 |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I lived a low tech communal lifestyle for nigh on twenty years. I had internet access. Just because you choose a different way of living does not mean you must cut yourself off from the rest of the world. It is not the easiest life and sharing with a group has its ups and downs but it is worth the risk. There are real benefits and you grow as a person. Go for it if you really want to. You can only regret not trying. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I've met two guys who've given up on society & gone off grid.
Both used solar energy (albeit in warmer climes) & lived right on the coast, so fish was the main source of
protein, vegetables were grown & a certain other herb was grown to keep the natives (land owners) happy.
One of these guys had four wooden boats; - three in various stages of completion to ultimately pay for the fuel of the fourth one, so as to set nets & long lines for his protein.
Catchment water had a little chlorine added for drinking & 'hey presto', - they were both very happy with life.
....except at the time, neither could find a woman to share that lifestyle with!! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"living off grid does not mean no internet etc it mean living sustain-ably in power/ water/ fuel etc
interdependance with other things doesnt classify you as unsustainable..just a co dependant relationship.
ive lived ina tipi for nearly a year and i am mostly off grid now...i could do a lot more, i have the facilities and the land for it..however, its a 365 a year job..its a lifestyle.
i know ive done it in the past..permaculture garden, livestock including goats and chickens....to do it on your own is mammoth task and trying to get a community group to equally participate, in this day and age is nigh on impossible...
oh for the practical man..where art thou ? "
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"I used to work at a glamping site that had off grid log cabins and meadow yurts. It's great as a retreat for a few days, but any more than a week the difficulties started to outweigh any positive gains. Laundry becomes an issue for starters...."
You can actually buy twin tub washers made to work off grid without mains water and using battery power. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
id love to learn more of this stuff. I've read stuff about a student who finished uni, did it for a year in a caravan, grew all his own food etc, even had internet, solar panels for electric.
Finding land to buy so you can live
personally id wanna go vegetarian or possibly vegan.
I have no DIY skills tho but can always learn. anyone know of any websites to look at.
I did see something a while ago bout picking the right location, you want somewhere not too cold, or too hot, near fresh water, shelter etc. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"id love to learn more of this stuff. I've read stuff about a student who finished uni, did it for a year in a caravan, grew all his own food etc, even had internet, solar panels for electric.
Finding land to buy so you can live
personally id wanna go vegetarian or possibly vegan.
I have no DIY skills tho but can always learn. anyone know of any websites to look at.
I did see something a while ago bout picking the right location, you want somewhere not too cold, or too hot, near fresh water, shelter etc."
rainwater is fine for all your needs accept it obviously goes stagnant in a tank unless you add a 'little' chlorine to it.
Obviously warmer climes, preferably southern Europe at the closest would be preferable & if you're close enough to a river &/or the sea you've your meat problem solved.
Personally, I could live happily on fresh or smoked fish only.
happy 'Good Life'!  |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
We do pretty well where we live. Must clean the guns tomorrow and bag a few geese. The peats keeps us warm in the winter.
For drinking water the local nearby Spring gives us such pure water far better than what comes out of the tap.
We're already halfway off the grid and when the Internet goes down its back to the contact magazines.
So good food here and many of our guests say good sex too |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"We do pretty well where we live. Must clean the guns tomorrow and bag a few geese. The peats keeps us warm in the winter.
For drinking water the local nearby Spring gives us such pure water far better than what comes out of the tap.
We're already halfway off the grid and when the Internet goes down its back to the contact magazines.
So good food here and many of our guests say good sex too"
contact magazines? ................ do they house the ammunition that you shoot geese with? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *ipswingCouple
over a year ago
portrush |
on discovering lady was pregnant ..we left london and moved back to ireland ... a wee house in the country ...two up and two down ... outside loo . electricity a mile away ..water from the well .. acre of land .. forest a dander away ... view of the mountain and the sea ..no tv to take all our time...
nowadays electricity has arrived..bringing with it all the mod cons... washing machine ...central heating .. no more pumping of the tilly lamp ...a bath ...
 |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I like the idea of communal living, shared living space with private areas,shared resources,shared expenses,lots of people to relate to , no loneliness in times of need,,whats not to like?
Someone spraying their dhiorreiha over the toilet, up the cistern and over the wall.
This actually happened in my dorms.
Looks like they'd bent over in front of the bog pulled their cheeks apart and just exploded "
Dorm..?
What sort of place did you live??
Obviously i am talking about living with like minded people,not savages,,and there would be communal rules. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"If I'd got suitably sufficient electricity generation and storage, as a minimum, then it would be wonderful. I've lived a lot in the wilds and - although having lived in major cities throughout the world, I prefer a rural lifestyle.
Anyone thinking of going for solar power should get in soon, as the tariffs are likely falling from January 2016 to almost nothing."
I've worked in renewables for a few years...trying to explain tarrif reductions and rising elec just hasnt worked for many...explaing the jan solar reduction and I was still getting "I'll wait till next year".
It doesnt help that many have been conned with cheap panels and fabricated energy assessments! |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"id love to learn more of this stuff. I've read stuff about a student who finished uni, did it for a year in a caravan, grew all his own food etc, even had internet, solar panels for electric.
Finding land to buy so you can live
personally id wanna go vegetarian or possibly vegan.
I have no DIY skills tho but can always learn. anyone know of any websites to look at.
I did see something a while ago bout picking the right location, you want somewhere not too cold, or too hot, near fresh water, shelter etc."
Canolfan y Dechnoleg Amgen yn Machynlleth (centre for alternative technology in macynlleth)
check their website or even better spend a few days there. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"If I'd got suitably sufficient electricity generation and storage, as a minimum, then it would be wonderful. I've lived a lot in the wilds and - although having lived in major cities throughout the world, I prefer a rural lifestyle.
Anyone thinking of going for solar power should get in soon, as the tariffs are likely falling from January 2016 to almost nothing.
I've worked in renewables for a few years...trying to explain tarrif reductions and rising elec just hasnt worked for many...explaing the jan solar reduction and I was still getting "I'll wait till next year".
It doesnt help that many have been conned with cheap panels and fabricated energy assessments!"
When it comes to sloar, a lot of people have just been plain conned fullstop. They have been getting "free" panels and little or no real advantage to them..mugs for taking.. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
