Off-Grid Island... 400 residents.

[seedspreader]

Might be the closest to a homesteading commune that you'll see.

YouTube

[farmer9989]

Like I've always said you can still live just like our forefathers did .you just have to give up your modern conveniences .cheap.

[Lizza]

Thanks for sharing, super cool!

[naturelover]

I've been there, have friends on Lasqueti and it is very pretty. There are actually quite a few larger islands like that in the strait inhabited by people living a rather communal homesteading lifestyle. They don't live together commune-style though, they all have their own properties and homesteads and all live cooperatively but independently of each other. Most of them are artsy-craftsy and organic farming people who sell their wares at farmers markets on the big island on weekends.

Just thought it worth mentioning that those interviews took place in the middle of winter and what you saw in the video is what it is like during winters on the islands and along the coast. Mild climate, very little snow but lots of rain, lots of greenery even in winter, and it's rather like a tropical paradise in the summers. The bigger islands are very habitable if there is a good source of fresh water besides rain water - the little islands (not shown on the map because they're so small) are not so habitable if there is no spring water, then water has to be brought in during the summer months.

If you look at the map below (click on the map to make it a lot bigger) you'll see there are also many islands within Washington state boundary just like Lasqueti (Lasqueti is the island with the red circle) where people there on those islands all live a similar lifestyle. For the most part they are all very happy people and I would recommend the lifestyle to anyone who is interested in island life, conservation and environmentalism and good fellowship with one's community, sort of hippy style. The one thing that may be a drawback for some people is that most people have to either buy meat or raise their own livestock for meat animals as there is little to no hunting available on the isands, especially the smaller islands. There are very few deer (and the deer are stunted from inbreeding) nor other larger wildlife except the odd visiting sea-wolf or bear or two swimming from island to island and they are protected. There is lots of seafood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasqueti_Island

[Raven12]

No plumbing, wet winters that are mild, and stuck with the same people 24/7. I don't get the attraction. If you are looking for mild winters, then New Orleans would be a better spot.

[ChristieAcres]

I already love the climate here, similar to there, so that wouldn't be an issue. Although I am an extrovert, having a DH, and limited contact with others suits me fine. If I didn't have to work outside the home, I would rarely leave. Our lifestyle is becoming more like that all the time. If our property was paid off and we didn't have the pressure of making our mortgage each month, yes, I'd see living like that as just fine.

Dreaming? Nope. We heat with wood, would like to be off-grid, using only solar/wind (when we can afford that), we hang dry our clothing all year around, haven't watched tv in 5 years, are already growing most of what we eat, would raise more of our own meat, too, if need be. As it is, with hunting, fishing, crabbing, clamming, harvesting oysters, gathering wild mushrooms, and harvesting from the plethora of PNW wild edibles? Not much of a stretch to living that lifestyle. We are both hikers, love to camp, and enjoy the outdoors. I don't feel a need to meet new people, would only hang with the ones I liked. As you saw, they do have net service (probably satellite), and what modern conveniences their solar setups allow. Through their net service, they can make calls to friends & family, too. DH is a rugged kind of guy, would fit in very well there.

[Ross]

Hmmm I wouldn't have said I wanted to live much like that. So why was I smiling by the end?

[geo in mi]

Why do the big city reporters always characterize them as odd ball and colorful?

geo

[jwal10]

Looks like you can make it what you want. My off grid cabin is very comfortable and clean. My Grandmother lived in a homestead cabin in New Mexico without power at all. I have the microhydro on the waterline from the gravity fed spring, 2 small 12 volt solar panels and a woodstove. I lived for 3 years in a 8'x12' chicken coop so I have no problem with small spaces....James

[Bettacreek]

I find it ironic how people say it's impossible, they couldn't live like that, etc. In all reality, electricity and most of the technology we couldn't live without is very new.

[Rainy]

I don't know if i could make it or not but i sure would try...looks like a wonderful life to me and hard work doesn't bother me a bit.. Thank you so much for sharing this

[unregistered168043]

Looks awesome. I might not pay my electric bill this month after-all.

[Raven12]

Originally Posted by geo in mi

Why do the big city reporters always characterize them as odd ball and colorful?

geo

It has nothing to do with being big city or not. I live in the country and think they are odd balls. Well, in truth, idiots. But if some people want to live like they are in a third world country, then who am I to stop them?

[lonelytree]

Originally Posted by Raven12

It has nothing to do with being big city or not. I live in the country and think they are odd balls. Well, in truth, idiots. But if some people want to live like they are in a third world country, then who am I to stop them?

I go remote quite frequently. Water from snow or lake. Outhouse. Bath in a plastic stock tank. Heat with wood. Solar is in my shop getting tested before hauling out. Internet on phone. Temps +85 to -50. Free fishing. Caribou and moose. Furbearers to trade. Firewood to trade.

If I could haul enough whiskey, I could stay for a month.

There are places in Alaska like this. A friend just sold his truck because they have a no motorized vehicle restriction where he lives.

[HOTW]

I am always amazed at how hte media types cannot beleive anyone can live liek that but they do have electric and they do have tv etc th ebiggest issue is no indoor plumbing and that is more because of the rock infastructure. COmposting the humanure is a way to lay down more soil on th eisland. BTST many year ago we used toi holidya on a similar island and used a Can to sit on and the eventual soil was used by th eman to creat flower beds and eventuall lay grass down

[Buffy in Dallas]

Looks like heaven to me!

[dancingfatcat]

I thought it funny at the beginning..................."Do you have a microwave, no. Do you have a toaster, no. Do you have a blow dryer, no". Heck, I don't have those things and many others that most think we SHOULD have, and I HAVE electricity

Loved the movie, btw

[Bettacreek]

Originally Posted by Raven12

It has nothing to do with being big city or not. I live in the country and think they are odd balls. Well, in truth, idiots. But if some people want to live like they are in a third world country, then who am I to stop them?

Why are they idiots? Just because one chooses to live a different lifestyle shouldn't make them idiots.

[naturelover]

Originally Posted by Raven12

No plumbing, wet winters that are mild, and stuck with the same people 24/7. I don't get the attraction. If you are looking for mild winters, then New Orleans would be a better spot.

Nah. People who enjoy the mild winters and temperate summers of the PNW islands would get deathly sick in the summer heat and high humidity of a place like New Orleans. No point in living in a place if you have to live cooped up indoors with A/C for half the year when you should be enjoying the great outdoors. In the PNW people can comfortably enjoy the outdoors pretty much year round.

.

[woodsy]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video, thanks for sharing it.