One of the most exciting things that you can do when you are an independent adult is to choose to take yourself out of the rat race in the city and live off the grid. The idea of taking yourself out of the rush of the city may feel as overwhelming as moving into the city in the first place, but the quiet, the calm and the chance to be self-sufficient is a prospect that many are now considering.

With the rising cost of water and energy bills, the chance to live off the grid is very attractive. The fact that you get to use solar energy for your electrics, tanks for your rainwater, your own vegetable patch – it’s all a good way to save money, build a life outside of leaning on the main energy companies and do things for yourself. You have to remember quite a lot to live off the grid, and we’ve got some of the things that you need to live off the grid.

1. You need land. Before you can live off the grid, you need land to live on. This will help you to build up your new homestead and gives you space to spread out and live. If you can, pay cash rather than going with finance. The whole idea is not to rely on any services as much as possible. You might still be out there working but you don’t want added debts if you can help it.
2. You need fuel. Living off grid doesn’t mean that you’re immune to the cold. You need to get a good deal from a propane company so you can buy tanks of gas to help you to fuel your heaters, your cooker and more. You have to be able to stay as warm as possible even when you are out in the sticks! 
3. You need water. Not only do you need water to drink, you need it to cook with, to bathe, to flush the toilet – clean water is important for sanitation to keep you clean and healthy. You should always choose land with natural water, or at least the ability to drill a water well into the land. You need to have a filtration system and you have to have the pipework to run the water to the bathrooms and kitchens, too. Water tanks and containers can store the water for emergencies, and you can use chemicals to purify and keep it clean.
4. You need food. Now, the chances are you’ll still travel into local towns to get your shopping. However, some people who choose to live 100% off the land choose to grow their own fruit and vegetables, raise livestock and do what they can to eat what they raise. Chickens can be used for eggs and meat, and cows can be used for milk and meat and even leather. You can even have goats for cheese and meat! There are so many different ways you can live off the land when you know how to grow and raise your food.
5. You need power. Wind and solar energy systems are perfect to keep your home awake, running and warm no matter the season. The initial costs will always be higher, but super worth it in the long run.