Welcome to An Off Grid Life!
Are you interested in learning about living off the grid, but don't know where to start?
Maybe you think you just couldn't do it because you were raised in the city.
Maybe you want to know more about solar power, but don't know the first thing about alternative energy or even where to start learning about it.
Or maybe you dream about a simple, quiet world where you rely on your own knowledge, creativity and strength to create the home and life you want for your own family.
You simply just don't know where to begin.
If so, we can help. We are former city-folks who made a massive lifestyle change when we moved to an off grid home in Canada's subarctic.
Our site aims to help people just like you (and us) learn how to live off the grid. Or at least to live more sustainably and intentionally, and become more self-sufficient.
We're sharing our growing knowledge through blog posts, videos and how-to guides. And we also share our family’s experiences, good and bad, including details of our off grid life in the Canadian northern wilderness.
If you're interested in learning the basics of any of the following you're in the right place:
- living off the grid
- planning a move to an off grid home
- battery banks for off the grid homes
- homestead kitchen
- living off the grid up north
- off grid homes systems
- solar power
- how to set up an off grid water system
- wind power
- generators
- becoming more self-reliant
- homesteading basics
- homeschooling and homesteading
- trapping, hunting, fishing
- affording the off grid life
- canning
- dehydrating
- smoking game meat
- pickling
- frugal and simple living
- lost handcrafts like rug-hooking, hand-quilting, cheesemaking, candlemaking, soapmaking
- log cabin construction and renovation
- using a wood-burning cookstove
An Off Grid Life Adventure
Not so long ago, I was a city girl. I had no idea that my life would change SO much in a few short years.
And if you'd told me then that I would soon be learning the basics of solar power, battery banks and cooking on a wood stove, I would have been interested, but doubtful.
I wasn't raised on a farm. Heck, I can barely even garden. And now here we are, not only surviving but thriving far away from my former city life.
In 2009, I was a financial advisor and typical suburban mom living and working as a banker in Burlington, Ontario. My husband, Dan, was a human resources executive working in Hamilton, Ontario.
By 2013 we were enjoying our off grid life in a lakeside home in the Northwest Territories.
We had often discussed moving out of the suburbs to a remote location. Yet we didn't know anything about how to live off the grid.
Then Dan accepted a position in Yellowknife, NWT (ever seen Ice Road Truckers?) So we decided to seize the opportunity and realize our dream of living in the wilderness.
Off Grid Family in the Far North
In the summer of 2013, I joined Dan at our new home. It's a chalet-style house on one acre about 30 kilometres outside of town.
We struggled to learn the ropes of maintaining our remote lakeside home without the conveniences and amenities of "in-town" living. And we discovered a real need for basic information about how to get started on an off grid life.
Soon we found ourselves dealing with water supply issues and temperamental solar panels. And then we wrestled with diesel generators and batteries.
We learned about heating our home with propane and wood on a daily basis (in some frigid temperatures). All the while we were (and are) working towards a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
This includes homeschooling our two youngest children and building a successful online business - Harbour Content Development Inc. as well as a second site for working homeschool moms - Thrive at Home.
Learn How to Live Off The Grid
Now I know that not everyone has the chance to live an off grid life. Yet there are many ways to incorporate an off grid mindset into your daily routine.
We hope to encourage, educate, and motive our readers who are interested in this type of lifestyle.
GET INSTANT ACCESS TO OUR FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY RIGHT HERE
Get the password for our Free Resource Library which includes over 30 free homesteading, self-reliance and homeschooling resources. Popular items in the library include:
- 90 Online Homesteading and Off Grid Living Courses & Resources List
- 40 Ways to Make Money Off The Grid
- Off Grid Home Buyers Checklist
- Off Grid Living Dream Planner Worksheet
And if you're really serious about becoming a more self-reliant family, get on the waitlist for our exclusive newsletter coming January 22 - The Self-Reliant Family.