The Best Destinations in the US for Off-the-Grid Living

In recent years, the number of people going off-grid had been increasing for several reasons. Some people opt to be off-grid to be self-reliant; some wanted to be more in touch with nature, some wanted to step away from society, while some just wanted to stay away from society. For others, staying off-grid is a better decision in terms of financial stability since electrical power, and the cost of resources are proven to be much lesser than being in the web of consumerism in urban living.

a community in a field

If you consider trying off-grid living, here are the best places in the United States for off-grid living.

In terms of freedom offered on building codes and rain harvesting, these are among the states with minimum restrictions on off-grid living policies.

Wyoming

With many counties without building codes, Wyoming is one of the best destinations for off-gridders. Besides, Wyoming also has one of the cheapest places to live off-the-grid.

Mississippi

Mississippi has a lot of counties that do not have building codes. Alongside this freedom, off-gridders are also given enough liberty with the existence of riparian water rights in the state, which means that Mississippi has no restrictions on water access. Rainwater harvesting is legal, with a decent amount of annual rainfall. Furthermore, the cost of living is also relatively low.

Indiana

Like all the states above, Indiana counties have no building codes for owner-built properties and riparian water rights. Other advantages also include reasonable sources of natural power source and lower living costs than the national average. One disadvantage to living in Indiana is that there are not many established off-grid communities, although this may also be advantageous to others.

Tennessee

Rainwater harvesting is also legal in Tennessee, with sufficient annual rainfall to sustain an off-grid living. Also, many Tennessee counties lack building codes, giving much freedom to construct in this area. Plus, the cost of living is also low.

Georgia

This state has riparian water rights, and of all its counties, only Truelten has building codes. Georgia is also famous for growing an off-grid garden with a low cost of living. It is also worth noting that not many off-grid communities are yet established in Georgia.

Missouri

Missouri also lists as one of the states with enough freedom of living given the state’s riparian water rights and many areas without building codes. The cost of living is also relatively low. It doesn’t come as a surprise that there are a lot of established off-grid communities in the area, including the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, ranked as one of the best states for creating an off-grid garden.

Alabama

Many Alabama counties have no building codes, with riparian water rights and a lot of agricultural land ideal for growing a garden, the main reason Alabama is listed as one of the states best for Off-Grid Permaculture.

ESTABLISHED AND FAMOUS COMMUNITY

If you opt to choose destinations with already established communities to keep you acquainted and accompanied, here are the top destinations for you.

New York State

Around 3.46 percent of posts on off-grid living come from New York state residents. However, this state is one of the strictest states regarding regulations on waste, water, and electricity. Should you decide to stay off-grid in New York State, you need to anticipate a long time securing the right licenses, permits, and inspections to live the lifestyle legally.

Oregon

There are a lot of off-grid communities in Oregon. One of these is the Three Rivers Recreation Area, a gated community of 4,000 acres near Lake Billy Chinook and the Metolius River. There are an estimated 600 properties in the community with around 80 permanent residents. Take note that the area has its own airstrip and marina.

California

California is actually one of the top destinations for off-grid living, considering the number of residents living in the area, based on social media posts. Typical Californian off-grid lifestyle includes hen keeping for their eggs or hunting and gathering for food. Emerald Earth is a notable off-grid community in this state.

MINIMAL ESTABLISHED COMMUNITIES

If you want to live off-grid with total isolation, Arkansas is the state for you. There are very few established communities in the area. Harvesting rainwater in this state is legal, the natural power sources are viable, and the cost of living remains reasonable.

A GOOD SUPPLY OF RESOURCES

These states are among the best destinations for off-grid living due to the brimming amount of available lifestyle resources, from natural power sources to water supply.

Louisiana

With large areas of agricultural land, Louisiana is an ideal state for off-gridders. Rainwater harvesting is legal for many usages, such as toilet flushing, dishwashing, and washing clothes. However, not many off-grid communities are established here because of the state’s building codes. The land is also costly but low property taxes.

Texas

Both solar and wind power sources are abundant in the area and a lot of agricultural lands. Water rights depend all throughout the state, and the majority of Texas counties do not have building codes.

New Mexico

Solar power is more than enough in New Mexico, given its climate. This is an essential factor for power supply. Earthship Biotecture, an off-grid community, founded in the 1970s, can be found here. It is known for its eye-catching designs, solar-powered facilities, self-sufficient homes, and upcycled buildings

Hawaii

Hawaii’s climate and landscape offer an abundance of wind, rain, and sunshine. Land areas are mostly agricultural, leading to a lot of well-established off-grid communities in the state.

LANDSCAPE

The landscape is also a factor in choosing an off-grid area for living.

Alaska

The large wilderness areas in Alaska attract hardcore off-gridders due to its extreme landscape, where residents source food themselves. However, a solar power system may not be viable here since daylight is limited during the winter months.

Colorado

Colorado landscape is appealing and cheap. Around 9.57 percent of the posts about the lifestyle were sourced here. San Luis Valley in Alamosa County is one of the most chosen areas in the state.