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The great Charles Darwin himself once said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Off-grid living is becoming increasingly popular globally and in the United States with more than 180,000 American families adhering to this lifestyle already. While there are many types of off-grid houses to choose from including cob houses, bamboo houses, and repurposed shipping containers, an RV can almost be turned into a very comfortable self-contained home. Although an RV does allow you to practically enjoy your off-grid living anywhere you fancy, there are some places that are more conducive to peaceful, self-sufficient living. The following U.S. states have proven to be particularly enticing to people wanting to break away from conventional utility-dependent living.
Alaska is an off-grid dream come true
Alaska is without any doubt one of the most popular states as far as off-grid living is concerned. Not only is the natural scenery spectacular imagine witnessing the Northern lights right from your own doorstep) but there are also no laws in place that prohibit gardening and the raising of farm animals, as long as you are able to provide fenced pastures and safe housing. If you have children you will be able to homeschool them without any hassles as Alaska has no laws pertaining to homeschooling in place. One of the biggest factors to consider when living off the grid in an RV in Alaska is the inclement weather. In some areas of the state temperatures can reach below -65°F which can prove to be quite testing, especially if you are not used to such cold weather. Luckily the icy conditions can easily be negated with alternative energy sources and a propane furnace.
There is a lot to love about fuss-free Missouri
Missouri is one of the states in the USA that actively promotes off-grid living to the greatest extent. If the extreme weather conditions of Alaska do not appeal to you, Missouri may be a good place for your off-grid RV living as the weather is a lot milder than the northernmost state’s. If you want to keep farm animals such as chickens, goats, and even a cow or two, Missouri is ideal as some areas allow not only for raising livestock but for the growing of grain for feeding purposes as well. As with Alaska, homeschooling is a breeze in Missouri and there is no legal requirement to inform the state of your intention to homeschool your children. While there are a number of superb RV parks across the state where you can live off-grid in tranquil surroundings, you might also want to consider buying your own rural plot of land that you can fully develop to your heart’s content.
Who wouldn’t want to live in Montana?
Montana is an exquisite state with beautiful natural scenery that makes it an ideal place to call home. While the winters can be quite harsh, the state is at its best during summer which, thankfully, does not get exceedingly hot. You will be able to keep farm animals should you wish as the laws surrounding them are almost as lax as the homeschooling laws. You will, however, have to invest in extra feed for your livestock as the growing season is surprisingly short. You will be required to have a permit if you want to keep chickens but there is no limit on how many you can keep and the permit tariff is also very reasonable. More good news is the fact that it is completely legal to harvest rainwater in Montana which is especially welcome as it tends to be one of the drier states in the country.
If you are already a proud RV owner and consider going off the grid, making your camper a permanent home is almost the obvious thing to do. While there is a considerable amount of research and work that goes into becoming self-sufficient it will more than likely turn out to be one of the best decisions you have ever made.
Author: Ali Walker
Jason H. ~ “Dispatch was quick, polite, & fearless. He not only changed my tire, but he also climbed under the trailer to make sure I didn’t have any damage to electrical lines from the blowout. Great experience!”
