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| Wednesday, September 23, 2009 |
| Learning from the off-grid folks |
 Popular Mechanics Magazine October issue is all about self-reliance. The article: The New Homesteaders: Off-the-Grid and Self-Reliant takes a look at three versions of the off-grid lifestyle. Profiling an urban homesteader - Novella Carpenter, author of Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer - who has taken over someone's lot of land in Oakland for her farm. The Hodge family, who purchased their land in a remote location, and raised their family far from anyone who did not share their off-grid and self-reliant philosophies. Lastly the article profiles Thomas Beck who lives in an off-grid 5800-square-foot mansion.
While the three stories are interesting, none captures my attention quite like the TreeHugger post: Young Couple says NO to a Mortgage. Abe and Josie have the smarts to survive well in the big city, but they have chosen a different life, a remote life, off grid, debt free, and on their own terms and timeline. What is refreshing about this couple is that they are not rebelling against modern times. On the contrary, they are embracing it, and are in a sense early adopters of a lifestyle that was not possible until very recently. That is because their off grid, pay as you go lives are dependent on emerging technologies such as affordable DIY energy harvesting, satellite internet, and other modern advances. While off grid systems can be a costly investment, Abe and Josie have found the lo-fi, affordable route, proving that there is no reason to wait for off grid technology to improve or become more affordable. Anyone can do this now. It is a simple choice to opt out of an enslaving, over priced, city life. I applaud the couples out-of-the-box thinking. They seem to live in the same area as Dick and Bonnie Cain. Unlike Novella Carpenter, this young couple purchases their land. After building their off-grid home, they then sell it to finance the next project.
All very interesting. Of course, I am not interested in living in a remote area of the country. I prefer my strategy of trying to figure out how to eventually live a mortgage-free, debt-free and sustainable life in the city. Generally I look at the financial benefits first of any "green" technology or practice. If it fits into my long-term goal of financial independence, great. I am all for learning from others how to exit the rat-race sooner rather than later.
Any thoughts on what lessons the off-grid folks can teach us that we urban/suburban folks can assimilate to our advantage?
- Story of a dirt-poor farmer
- Popular Mechanics (2-year) Labels: Saving Energy |
| posted by Boston Gal @ 10:11 AM *
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I agree: I moved to Boston from Maine specifically because I didn't want to live in a rural area, but I do want to figure out ways to make city living a little more sustainable. Thanks for the link to Farm City--it sounds like it's right up my alley.
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I agree: I moved to Boston from Maine specifically because I didn't want to live in a rural area, but I do want to figure out ways to make city living a little more sustainable. Thanks for the link to Farm City--it sounds like it's right up my alley.