With social media and the high demand of modern society, we seem to find little time for ourselves. Many people are desiring to have more privacy and a secluded atmosphere. But some homeowners have pushed this a step further with off-the-grid homes as the answer to total seclusion. The idea is to live in a country oasis that can “self-survive” without means of supplied electricity or water from an external company. Therefore, “off the grid” is literally referring to going “off the power grid.” This style of living is trending more and more nowadays, and if you are considering this exclusive lifestyle, here are three things you need to know:
Tiny Homes
Typically, off the grid homes are referred to as “tiny homes.” These structures are small in size and can be around 200-400 square feet. It is important to understand how to get the most out of a small space. This “RV Style” of living creates functionality and household essentials to create a compact living structure. Sometimes, these home will have multipurpose areas and store away tables and beds until the need of use.
Is It Legal?
This question is a little more complicated than just a yes or no answer. Living off the grid is not illegal; however, zoning makes it a bit more complicated. City ordinances will allow you to camp on your property. They also allow you to generate your own forms of electricity as well as grow your own food supply. Yet, some laws make it illegal to camp on your property for over two weeks. Crazy, right? To get around this, you need to have a long-term camping permit. There are also laws which prevent you from building a construct on your property under 500 square feet. So, if you wanted to add a cabin, it may not meet codes of zoning. It is also illegal to collect rainwater in some areas. This means, unless you have a well, you may have a hard time getting water to your off the grid home.
Water and Electricity
There are several solutions for having water and electricity in off-the-grid homes. For electricity, you can invest in solar power. This will allow you to convert light into electricity. You can also invest in a generator, but this will limit your stay before you need to buy more fuel. Several solutions are available to in high wind areas and if your home will be near running water. Water may be challenging to come across. Some off-the-grid homeowners will harvest rainwater. Other solutions include water cisterns, digging a well, or gravity fed water systems.
Off-the-grid homes are a great solution for creating your dream retirement. While the investment up front may be expensive, it is incredibly rewarding. For more insight on interior design and home trends, make sure to subscribe to our blog page here.