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FIRST, LET’S DEFINE “OFF-GRID”: 

“NOT INVOLVING OR REQUIRING THE USE OF MAINSTREAM SOURCES OF ENERGY.” — (DICTIONARY.COM) 

“NOT USING OR DEPENDING ON PUBLIC UTILITIES, ESPECIALLY THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY.” — (OXFORDDICTIONARIES.COM) 

“OFF-GRID IS A TERM USED WHEN CUTTING OFF ALL CONTACT VIA INTERNET AND PHONE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR AN ALLOTTED AMOUNT OF TIME.” — (URBANDICTIONARY.COM) 

Honestly, true off-grid living is both difficult and rare. It means no electricity from the electric company, no running water from town and no communication, unless it happens through jungle drums, smoke signals or carrier pigeons. Of course, it is possible to go back in time and copy the pioneer lifestyle — water from a well, an outhouse, hunting and gathering, farming, etc. The fireplace or woodstove becomes your one heat source, and at the same time, it's your kitchen oven. It’s true that many people do live this way these days, but it is typically only for a week or two per season at a summer cottage or hunting cabin, not every hour of every day all year long. And when winter comes (where it comes), dark nights can cause despair and cabin fever takes its toll. Some might say such a life is too hard for today’s world, and that it’s too much work. 

But some people willingly embrace parts, if not all, of the off-grid lifestyle, and what’s more, they do it with their families. 

That said, whole-family off-grid living increases your need for resources — and not just food. Cabin fever may actually get worse than when you are alone because personalities can clash in a small space. (And if you have kids asking what to do every hour while the wind is raging outside and it is -30 Celsius, well, you get the picture ...) 

Kids want to call their friends, play Xbox or use social media to post today's update. (“Today is Day 64 and snow still surrounds us. The weather can kill me if I run to the outhouse. Life sucks, Dad sucks, everything sucks. I hope tomorrow is the end of the world so Dad can open the last can of peaches he has hidden under the bed ...”) 

It is important to realize that off-grid living with your family can pose numerous obstacles as opposed to going it alone, not the least of which is your children’s education. People rightly want their kids to be educated, and even very remote areas still often have laws about the education of minors. Many people living off-grid opt for home schooling for their children (which can be good, if the parents know what they are doing), but there are a million things that real schools can give your kids. Finding a way to get them to rural schools, if possible, can be important for the range of knowledge, experiences and skills they can provide your children. 

And let’s face it, genuine off-grid living requires the knowledge and skillsets necessary for you and your family to survive, to learn, to enjoy and to protect each other. 

Therefore, totally cutting off all connections to the outer world when living off-grid is a poor choice for a lot of reasons, and not just educational ones. Cell phones and a way to charge them (if reception exists where you are) is important. They can be your safety line if the shit hits the fan. Outside of areas with cell reception, satellite phones can connect you to the world and can also provide internet access. These handy devices are important for information, for medical emergencies or for just talking to far-away friends and family. But before you start thinking about buying a pricey sat phone and heading for the woods with your family, think seriously about your reasons for wanting to live away from society. Is this really what you and your family want and are ready for? Is removing yourselves from all contact with other people your goal? If so, then you might be surprised to learn that even in very remote areas there are people, and you must, at least on occasion, interact with them. 

Again, living off-grid is hard and not for most people. Few can survive alone, and even off-grid there is a need for the help that a community can provide — even if it is a very spread-out community. Having connections to capable people and backup plans for a whole host of “what-if” scenarios (injury, sickness, resource depletion, 

etc.) can save your or your family’s lives. Neighbors help neighbors (even if the closest one is five miles away), and bartering is also a big part of living remotely. 

Finally, having a family that is fully invested in the success of the off-grid lifestyle is critical. Each family member’s ability to work hard and to fulfill multiple roles whenever necessary can determine whether or not you all succeed. Ironically, sometimes the farther away you are from people, the more you must depend on them to survive. If your family is not truly committed to this life, problems will inevitably follow.

I could continue to write dozens more reasons why off-grid living is hard and about the multiple mental and physical skills necessary for success, but, if you and your family are up for this adventure, I would rather conclude by describing how amazing off-grid living can be. It can truly be a democracy where you and every member your family can speak freely. When you are surrounded by the beauty, immensity and power of nature, family connections become stronger and you will amaze yourselves with what you can accomplish. Necessity will force you to learn the countless lessons of those who have gone before you in this way of life, and you will also find ways to apply modern technology to your present-day off- grid needs. (Think solar.)

While an off-grid startup isn’t cheap — you need a good location, durable gear, connections, passion, strong skill sets and food and water sources along with many other things — for the right people, it is worth it. However, if you start living off-grid, I must warn you: Be ready to learn new things every day and don't give up when day-to-day life becomes tough. You will have both successes and failures on a regular basis, but the off-grid life is true freedom. It is a type of freedom that is not easy to get, but if you approach it with a strong work ethic and a passion for what you are doing, it will repay your efforts many times over.