Every decision we make in our lives is based on weighing the positive and negative factors involved in a given situation. So, it can be rightly said that any decision you are going to take in your life must be based on an in-depth analysis.
Similarly, living off the grid is better for some but not suitable for some on the other hand. It is a dream for many, also it can be scary for many others. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of living off the grid.
This article highlights all advantages and disadvantages to help you decide if living off the grid is right for you.
If you decide to live off the grid, I suggest starting with a survival kit that includes everything you need to survive for over 72 hours. Click this link to check it out on Amazon.com.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living Off-Grid?
Following are some of the pros and cons of living off-grid so that anyone who is thinking of leaving their comfort behind can make an informed decision. First of all, let’s discuss the pros of living off-grid:
Advantages of Living Off-Grid
Like anything in life, living off the grid offers tremendous benefits, here are the advantages of an off-the-grid lifestyle.
1- Living Off The Grid Contributes to Creating An Environment-Friendly Atmosphere
When you start living off the grid, you are playing your part in saving the environment. While living in a city with all technology and facilities, we often do not care how much we are damaging the atmosphere in which we are living and ultimately it will affect us in many forms.
In addition, when living off the grid, you reduce your carbon footprint and start contributing to a more sustainable society. For example, instead of buying products designed to be thrown away the next day, you invest in more high-quality, durable equipment made for long-term usage.
Living off-grid provides us an opportunity to live a simple life based on natural gas, solar energy, natural air, and a healthy environment. Breathing in fresh air is another feeling you can experience while living off the grid.
2- Living Off The Grid Helps Reduce Living Cost
If you take it as a long-term plan and when you calculate its long-term benefits, you will find out that living off-grid is far more inexpensive as compared to living in a city.
Even though it might appear expensive to live off the grid at first, you will save money when you choose to live off the grid in the long term.
The cost of energy, particularly solar panels, might seem high, but it will save you money on energy bills in the long term. You can save between $10,000 and $30,000 over the lifetime of your solar panel system, according to EnergySage.
An off-the-grid lifestyle has lower costs associated with food, utilities, other unnecessary items, and general consumption, saving hundreds of thousands.
You can own a tiny house, no need to spend a huge amount on well-furnished houses where you cannot even breathe fresh air.
The huge advantage of living off-grid is that it forces you to use less electricity and solar or wind power instead.
Moreover, by making use of solar energy, heat pumps, water stations, gas cylinders, rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, wells, and waterfalls you can save a huge amount of your budget.
3- Living Off The Grid Promotes Self-Sufficiency
One of the biggest advantages of opting out of traditional society is getting a massive lesson in self-reliance.
When you live off the grid, you grow or hunt your food and harvest energy from natural resources, including the sun or the wind. As a result, you will gradually become self-sufficient and be ready if society collapses or resources become unavailable.
Another positive point in support of living off the grid is that it makes you self-made or self-sufficient. Let’s take an example, you never get deprived of anything when you are living in a city as you can get everything ready-made here and no effort is required which also makes you lazy and dependent.
But here you need to work harder to fulfill your everyday needs. You need to manage the source of getting water, you need to grow plants or vegetables to get them when you can’t rely on farmers. So, this is something that creates a sense of responsibility.
4- Living Off The Grid Promotes Earth Harmony Living
One of the most important benefits of living off-grid is that it allows families and communities to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, growing their food, raising their livestock, and generating electricity.
In addition, living off the grid will save money and gives you a sense of satisfaction and empowerment, particularly you start producing your own food. More importantly, living off the grid gives you the freedom to live life on your own terms.
See also: Top 19 Worst States For Off-Grid Living (Including Why!)
5- Living Off The Grid Brings You Closer To Nature.
Without any argument, this is a universal truth that the natural atmosphere is extremely good for our health and well-being. A dusty and filthy environment eventually affects us badly.
When living off the grid, you will spend most of your time in nature, breathing fresh air, harvesting food, managing your land, and relaxing, spending time with your loved ones.
Imagine waking up to the natural music of nature with the the birds chirping, taking time to relax under the shade of trees and taking a bath in calm. Wouldn’t you love it?
Getting rid of all stress, tensions, pollution, bad smells, and diseases that are a cause of a polluted environment. Greenery, naturally-grown food supplies, and the sparks of nature boost your way of living, and you will experience the real essence of life.
6- Less Costly Location
As compared to the city, the land location while living off-grid is less expensive. Because of fewer facilities and infrastructure, you can get land at lower rates, as long as you realize the basic purpose of land which is to have a shelter and a place where you can live freely.
Off-grid life will be an eye-opener for you as you will avoid unnecessary expenses while focusing on those features which are necessary when choosing land.
7- Living Off The Grid Promotes Peace and Satisfaction
Peace of not relying on anyone and satisfaction that you are taking care of yourself and your loved ones.
On-grid is like shopping at a big chain store. You get the economy of scale, meaning when you buy items in large quantities, you save money.
Living off the grid requires you to be responsible for your well-being. Therefore off the grid teaches you to learn and do things for yourself, experience the pride of accomplishment at making your electricity, cope without instant telecommunication, obtain and carry in the fuel for their heat and hot water, draw and produce potable water.
No dependency on others. No worry about the collapse of these services or their never-ending price increases.
Disadvantages of Living Off-Grid
Here are some disadvantages of living off-grid life which you also need to know, let’s have a look:
8- The Initial Cost Of Living Off the Grid Is Higher
If you consider its long-term effects, it would benefit you but if you are calculating the initial costs incurred while living off the grid will be a huge amount.
Some beginners transitioning to an off-the-grid lifestyle can expect to spend a hundred thousand dollars for an off-the-grid living setup, construction costs, buying land, a water system, and power, not to mention investments in high-quality supplies and equipment will last for years in demanding outdoor environments.
Do not try to cut corners when transitioning to an off-the-grid lifestyle because it could be life and death when living in the wild, so making intelligent investments is best.
Let’s take an example when you plan to move towards an entirely different location, you would surely need a whole lot of sum initially.
9- Living Off The Grid Can Create Temporary Loneliness
Feeling lonely is also a disadvantage of living off-grid because of being apart from your loved ones, relatives, and social connections.
Because if you’re planning to live off the grid, not many will join you. You will miss them so you must be mentally ready to explore this new life alone.
See also: Is It Hard to Live Off-Grid? 11 Things You Need to Consider.
10- Living Off The Grid Comes With Some Inconveniences
Living off the grid will require you to make many compromises in your everyday life. For instance, your access to grocery stores, pharmacies, and equipment suppliers will be limited.
You will find inconvenience in many ways if you are choosing to live off the grid. Because you need to do everything on your own and people living in the city are not habitual of doing everything by themselves.
Moreover, it might be challenging to get a hold of you and your family during disasters, making it more difficult for emergency crews to help you in emergencies.
So, learning every necessary skill to meet daily life needs is somehow challenging for some people.
11- Living Off The Grid Will Force You To Be More Conservative Of Your Energy Usage.
Living off-grid is a completely different experience. So everything needs to be changed accordingly.
If you are addicted to using electricity and having difficulties moving on to solar energy, then you should use it wisely, you can’t use electricity as freely as you are in the city.
12- Living Off The Grid Has Increased Travel Expenses
Travel expenses increase by two-fold when living off-grid as you have no facility for public transport. Moreover, clear roads are available in the city but when it comes to living off the grid, you must bear roads with breakage.
Through which you need to bear maintenance expenses and service charges for whatever vehicle you are using.
Why Is Living Off-Grid Illegal?
Living off the grid is not completely illegal but due to the violence of certain laws implemented by the government like wastage dumping, avoiding cutting trees for daily use, excessive use of water from rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds which is not public property.
So, due to these reasons and issues, it is considered illegal activity but if these issues can be solved or replaced by any other factors then it would be completely legal.
See also: Best Places to Live Legally off Grid in Oregon.
Wrapping Up
Even though living off the grid offers tremendous benefits, it is not for everyone. However, if you decide to ditch your comfortable lifestyle and adopt an off-the-grid lifestyle, ensure you do your research, learn the necessary skills, and gather the required resources to make your new home and lifestyle as sustainable as possible.
Living off the grid will not be all sunshine and rainbows, particularly if you want to be as self-sufficient. It requires a lot of dedication, time, and money to live off the grid, and the initial investment can be pretty high.