Can I do it? Advice/encouragement needed!

[MamaJamie]

We just found an off grid property within our price range.  It’s on 20 acres, has solar panels, well (with pump connected to kitchen sink), wood cook stove, barn, blah blah looks perfect.

BUT, can I do it?  My husband will be deployed for the next year and then will go wherever the Army sends him for his last few years until retirement so it will be just me and the kiddos.  I have two kids (6 and 3) and NO experience living off the grid.  Seriously, we are WAY technology dependent.  The tv is always on (which I won’t miss, but the kids will) and there is always at least one computer in use.   

What kids of major life changes came about when you moved off grid?  I think I have romanticized the idea in my head.  You know, the kids running around in the fields, sitting around the wood stove reading/telling stories at night, everyone working together in the garden.... What is the reality? 

Talk me into or out of it, please. 

[hildare]

give yourself a trial run, and see if you can go tv free..  i would make sure the kids can handle it before deciding.

if you want to, of COURSE you can!  could you take some time to go camping or something like that? 

[diana_of_the_dunes]

I second the trial run.  Find out how much power the solar system is rated for and see what your electrical usage is currently.  Get yourself a Kill-A-Watt and find out exactly how much energy you use on which appliances, lamps, computers, etc.  Some ways to save power will just be retraining yourself.  You'll need to turn off the computer and any lights that are not in use, maybe run the washer in the morning when your lights are off for the day, and other small things to keep from overloading the system.  If you have hard floors, sweep once a day instead of vacuum.  Use cell phones as alarm clocks instead of having a clock radio plugged in all the time.  Get power strips and plug all your electronics into them (TV, DVD player, game systems), then turn off the strip when the electronics aren't in use to eliminate phantom loads.  For example, my laptop charger pulls the same amount of power whether the computer is charging, running on A/C power, or not attached.  I unplug it from the wall when I leave the house, and unplug it and put it on standby at night.  You can save a lot of energy just from little things.

As for the kids...  I'd say they're young enough to adapt.  They'll probably be less likely to want to watch TV if there's plenty of space for them to roam outside.  They might need help at first coming up with games or other things to do, but I think they'll be fine after a few weeks.  Talk to them now and see what their feelings are.  Maybe you can start the process in your current home to ease the transition, though a new environment is also a great time to get rid of old habits.

I also have a romanticized vision of living in my dream cabin in the woods, tending goats, and roaming with my kids through meadows and mud puddles.  I know very well that it's not all sunshine and butterflies, and it's going to be a heck of a lot of work when we finally make it happen...  But if you love it, and you and your DH are committed to making it happen, I can't imagine a better life!

[Arduinna]

I don't know, I was home alone for months on end when dd was about 3-4 while dh was forced to work out of state. Tending land, animals, keeping them in their fencing LOL and cutting and chopping wood and maintaining the fire to keep us warm was a lot of work all alone and I only had one kid and we had water and power service. I honestly can't imagine doing it for a year or more alone especially when you don't have any experience and are off grid. 

Where is your wood coming from? Are you going to have to fell trees on your property and then cut dry and split it all yourself? I was lucky in that my dh was only gone for about 5 months and we had laid split and dried wood for the winter before he left, so I only had to cut kindling and bring wood into the house. Do you know how to maintain and troubleshoot you energy system alone?  Are you going to have animals that need caring for and might need to be caught if they escape ( I've had to catch cows and goats before and well the goats were much easier to put back), fencing that needs maintained because it will at some point. How close are the neighbors and do you know any of them?

I'd be a lot more confident if I was going into it having already been established in the routine and maintenance before having to do it alone. What is your backup plan if it proves too much by yourself with 2 small children?

[Erinz]

I would not bother with a trial run personally. Just shutting off the TV when the kids don't have the enormous distractions of country life along with all that SPACE TO RUN!! just will drive you bonkers imo.  Everything you say you romanticize about is reality, along with a lot of hard work. If you are a handy gal who doesn't mind (actually, you'll need to LIKE it) getting her hands dirty and enjoy being outdoors on land and caring for animals then GO GO GO!!!! Your kids will LOVE it. Seriously, what kid would not? And their ages are just spectacular for all you'll need to be doing. There will be much they can "help" with and much they really can help with and then be independent enough you can get stuff done too.

I say go, baby, go!

[BeckyBird]

Go for it!!  This sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime.

Today, we are more dependent on technology than ever before. However, nobody is promised electricity, and what happens if one day there is none?

For instance, I live down a dirt road that is never plowed in the winter. In fact, the paved road that leads to my dirt road is never plowed. In the event of an ice/snow storm, we could be stuck here without electricity for days. My desire for off-grid living began when we moved here 5 years ago. I wanted to be prepared for emergencies and power outages, and I wanted to be able to stay home with my family and animals.

So, think of your new off-grid home as an opportunity to become more self sufficient. All this technology can be fun and great, but in the meantime, many of us have lost our connection to the "real" world. Tending to animals, growing your own food, working outdoors--this is what people are supposed to do! You don't have to give up your electricity either--just get a stronger solar system to support more electricity. Maybe even have power wired out there, and only depend on the solar for emergencies.

Our home is barely off-grid. We have a wood stove, stores of food, a non-electric water filter, a small flock of chickens, and a small garden. The basics. So, if there is a power outage, we will be able to survive without assistance. We are working every year toward this goal, and maybe this year we will get into solar power. You have the chance to live in a home that is already set up, and this might be exactly what your family needs. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best!

Becky

[Chicky2]

This is just me, but I honestly cannot imagine doing everything alone.  Just the wood splitting would take all my time to get enough for the winter, and we live in TX! Then there's the animal tending/butchering/fence building and repairing, barn repairs, gardening/processing of said garden, milking/doing stuff WITH the milk, etc, etc, etc....  *maybe* if we were already set up and running and into the routine, but just starting out w/out my dh would be really, really hard.

Just reread my post and realized how awful it sounds.  I don't mean to!  If you start out small the first years you'd probably be fine, but you need to have a network of neighbors and as was mentioned upthread, you would need to know your power system inside and out and be comfy making repairs yourself or have the $ for a repairman.  I wouldn't start out knowing my dh wouldn't be around and have things like large livestock.  I could do rabbits and chickens and dairy goats, though.  Good luck and keep us posted!

OMG, I forgot the mowing.  That takes me forever to do and we only have 5 acres, and 2.5 are wooded heavily.

And shooting, can you shoot?  One thing I've realized about that romanticized notion of kids running free in the fields is that those fields can also contain cougars and coyotes, snakes, bears, etc...Are you prepared for that?  Not just protecting your kids, but what about if you have an attack on your livestock?  Are you prepared to deal with that, or what you have to do when your animal is wounded but not yet dead?  Sorry, but you wanted real advice, right?  Really not trying to discourage.  Just being realistic.  These are things I was not prepared for when we moved to the country.  I learned the hard way.

[BeckyBird]

I think there is a misconception about living off grid. In my opinion, living off-grid does not have to mean being completely self-sufficient.

You will still have a vehicle, right? And money? So, buy a lot of split wood and have it delivered. Go to the store and buy groceries. You don't even need to have a garden or animals if you don't want them. Living off-grid does not mean you have to go back in time lol! My advice would be to buy a stronger solar setup, so you can still have modern conveniences. You can also start stocking up on food and supplies, just a little bit at a time.

I am attracted to off-grid because it makes me feel just a little less dependent on the "system". I don't like to feel like a domesticated person-animal who can't live if the power goes out or the road to the grocery store is closed. In a disaster situation, I do not want to be forced to live in a superdome with thousands of others, like Hurricane Katrina, kwim? Having an off-grid setup gives you a small bit of insurance. You are not guaranteed anything in life, but it makes sense to try and be prepared as best you can. You can enjoy modern conveniences, while having a back-up solar off-grid setup. How great is that?!?

[Erinz]

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

And shooting, can you shoot?  One thing I've realized about that romanticized notion of kids running free in the fields is that those fields can also contain cougars and coyotes, snakes, bears, etc...Are you prepared for that?  Not just protecting your kids, but what about if you have an attack on your livestock?  Are you prepared to deal with that, or what you have to do when your animal is wounded but not yet dead?  Sorry, but you wanted real advice, right?  Really not trying to discourage.  Just being realistic.  These are things I was not prepared for when we moved to the country.  I learned the hard way.

Yes, this is a really good point. We've had to take out some coons and possum to protect our chickens. We don't love guns but man are they usefull sometimes. I've both shot and bludgeoned with a shovel and much prefer the shot ;)  That is not very PC of course -- but it is reality when you have a farm situation sometimes. Nothing like going out to see what is trying to break into your coop and having an angry possum charge you!
 

[Chicky2]

or skunk.  THAT is fun.

[Erinz]

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

or skunk.  THAT is fun.

How about a skunk which was caught in a trap set near the front door?  We didn't think that through well ... we learn quickly though haha.

[MamaJamie]

Thank you all so much for the advice!  I need to check out the house in person (which I will hopefully do next week, still currently living in Germany).  I do have some family nearby who can help (especially with the wood situation).  I haven’t hunted in a long time, but I got my first hunting license at 12 and then spent a good bit of 6 years in the Army so hopefully that will come back fairly easily. 

I think my biggest issue now, and something I hadn’t fully thought through before (thanks Ardurinna!) is that I know little to nothing about electrical/solar systems!  I’ve been trying to find out if the house was built off the grid or converted.  I figure if it was built on the grid then if I can’t handle it, it’s just a matter of getting the electric company to hook us back up.  There is a gas stove for backup cooking and a back up generator so I would never be completely without.  I will have a car (4wd) and money so that won’t be a huge issue. 

I had myself completely talked out of it but every time I come back to this thread (or this forum for that matter) I get more and more excited about the prospects.  

Truth be told, if it’s not this property, the alternative is relatively similar.  We’ll just purchase a house on five or more acres and work our way up to more self sufficiency.  I just hadn’t planned on finding our end goal already built and waiting for us!

[karne]

I don't think you need to be talked out of it, but I do think that you need to do a lot of research, and be very realistic.  We are not off grid, but lose power so often that we're set up for it.  The first thing I have to say is that losing the tv, electronic stuff, etc.for the kids will really be the least of your concerns.  To me, the biggest piece would be doing this all on your own.  Not impossible, but for me, not something I would willingly go into.

We live very rurally, so I have some ideas.  The first is that you should really look at the age of the systems in the house, and how well insulated the house is.  We heat with wood in the winter, and cut a lot from our own property.  You need to plan at least a year in advance to cut, spli, and dry your wood.  Or, find a very reputable wood dealer.If you are going to a cold weather area, staying warm is almost a full time occupation!  Make sure the wood stove is a good one, throws a lot of heat, and the vent/chimney is in great working order.  Are you comfortable maintaining heat via woodstove 24 hours/day? 

With solar, how much power are you getting, what runs, and what might you need to do without if batteries go, you need to ration the power.  Like you said, if the system isn't good for you, it may be helpful to be able to re-connect to the grid.

As a pp mentioned, be clear about your road/driveway?  Will you be able to maintain it by yourself?  Same with the property as a whole.  Putting in a garden for self sufficiency is great-we do it, but it is a lot of work.  I would caution about animals, and start very slowly.  My personal hell is fencing that goes down, and animals that stroll through to freedom.  Fixing that, adjusting the solar charger, and taking care of kids/house is definitely a job!

Just take it slow, and ask as many questions as you can.  Again, it's not the television, etc. that will be an issue-it's maintaing a rural property/lifestyle/off-grid issues that need to be thought through.  You may want to try to rent an off grid property this winter for a while and see if it is really your ball of wax.

Good luck.

[Chicky2]

Originally Posted by Erinz 

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

or skunk.  THAT is fun.

How about a skunk which was caught in a trap set near the front door?  We didn't think that through well ... we learn quickly though haha.

LOL, yeah, if you are trapping skunk, you need to make sure the trap is completely covered from most directions so he can't see ya coming, then take the whole shebang somewhere else to dispatch!

[Linzie2]

Good luck MamaJamie!  Everyone has made good points, so I don't have much to add but didn't want to read and not post!  Keep us updated...it sounds like a dream!  What's your DH's take on it?

[EchoSoul]

I can't convince you to do, or not to do it - we are not financially in the position to do something like that(haha...needing to be in the financial position to live off-grid, that's a riot!), but we fully intend on it. Anyway, as they say, "Where there's a will, there's a way". And I've learned that this is indeed the truth. In the face of anything that seems impossible, as long as you have the mind and heart to do it, you can! If living off grid is important to you; if you want to be self-sufficient, and depend more on mother earth, if you're okay with a bit of work and maybe some ingenuity to help it along...go for it! 

[kimmom]

Exciting!!

I agree with alot of the already given feedback.. If you are going to have animals know how to care for them, their fencing and how to operate a gun.. We had a goat get sick here while I was alone with 5 kids, one a newborn, no gun, no way to put him down, luckily DH was home late that night after being away... This is our second year on our farm (DH grew up farming) so we have learned alot and also leaned on our neighbors to help when needed!

We run on solar but are now hooked up to the grid as well. Know your systems for sure! Also where is your water from? Thats a big one.. We now have our water all sorted but it can be a pain hauling water in my opinion. And when it freezes up a real pain..

What type of appliances, propane or will they run off your solar setup/battery bank?

We are almost into our cob home we have built but have spent 18 months off grid up until this past spring.. If you are both keen you will love it!!

[CCJWGM]

You never know until you try.  What an exciting opportunity. 

Have your resources ready and be ready to work. 

I had to tend our 45 acre off grid farm (without a tractor!!!!) for a few months while my DH was gone.  Yes, I, the queen of peace and anti-gun, even had to get the gun out.  Luckily, my DH has made sure I am versed on it's use.  I also ended up pin the ER due to splitting wood.  LOL.  Ugh.  I'm not as young as I used to be. 

To be honest though we moved off that property.  My DH works full time and it was too much for me alone with two small children living literally on the edge of a wilderness. There were aspects I loved and aspects I couldn't handle.  The well water was bad and we had no financial means to fix it being so much of the finances were tied up in other off grid aspects.  We were willing to stick to it and try but the bad well water was the final straw.  Also, I always meant to work from sun up to sun down but my two children knew as soon as I picked up an ax or a shovel or a hoe or pruners to tackle the blackberries or whatnot and they choose that moment to fight.  It's only when I sat on the front steps and enjoyed the gorgeous view that they played happily in a the bobcat infested field (again, gun ability comes into play)  Wonderful for me to sit but that's not how a farm gets tended. 

We will return to off grid living in 3 years when DH retires.  Our plan is to build our little cob home in the woods.  :) 

[greenmama]

What jumped out at me from your post is that your dh isn't going to be around, so you will be living off grid and parenting alone for an undetermined period of time.  Make sure that living off grid is YOUR dream it can be a great experience if it is your dream, but trying to live ones husbands dream without him can be a complete drag.  If it is your dream I have complete confidence you can pull it off.

[KBL7]

You have received some good advice so far.  Weighing the pros and cons can really help.

I have lived off-grid alone and DH and I are currently building an off-grid home.  You may have found a wonderfully set-up place. 

Ask many questions. Here are a few:

How long have the owners lived there?  All year?  What did they like and dislike?

How long does the wood stove burn when fully loaded? (Do you have to get up in the middle of the night to re-stock it?)

How much water does the well produce?  Have they ever run out?  Is the well pump an off-grid friendly one or does it have a hard start?

What is the average power out-put of the solar system in the summer and the winter?

Who installed the system?  Maybe they can come and show you how to use it and service it if there are any problems.  The owners will also likely be willing to give you the tour of care and use.  When I was in an off-grid cabin alone (no near neighbors), I had a little instruction on the system and managed with it just fine.  The basic instructions should include how to deep charge the batteries, watching the meter to know you have enough power for certain projects, knowing how to operate the generator and what must be ran on the generator, such as the washing machine and the well pump (again this is based on how much power is produced). 

I found that my day was more balanced when I lived off-grid because I had to do things more orderly so as to make the best use of the available power.  I did not jump between things, which really can take more overall time.  For example, I would get on the computer only once a day and do all I needed to and then turn it off.  I spent less time on there, got everything done that was needed and had a little extra time for catching up on other things.

Make yourself familiar with the old ways of doing things, so you know your options.  It may help you picture yourself living that way, if your system is low power.

Much of the difficulty lies in your perception and expectation.  I find that embracing a new way of life, new schedules and different hobbies can make it easier.  Physical hard work is there for sure, but you can adapt to that.  The emotionally hard aspects are what drive you to despair.  Remember this quote to help you change your perspective; it is not difficult, just different.

Here is a link to a ministry that focuses on country living.  They have some very good articles that can help you in understanding what you are in for.

/http://mountainmediaministries.org/

I also echo the thoughts of some of the posters regarding the animals and garden.  Off-grid does not automatically mean you have to start with a big farm.  Ease into it.  In fact I would not get any animals or plant more than a small planter box garden until you have settled into your new routine.

Your children will really enjoy it and once you get the hang of it, I think you will also.