'Everyone thinks that living off grid means living in a tiny shack in the woods......well it doesn't, I live in one of these - a medium sized shack in the woods....
Finally a uk off grid video. RUclips is full of us ones. Thank God! I probably won't be able to do it, I'm hopeless practically , on the poverty line,have kids I can't move too far from and have a back injury, but a lifeline is better than the dark void of what is usually presented to us in this "green and pleasant land". Thank you so much for offering up some hope! :)
Hi mate, don't know how your vid popped up, but I'm so glad it did!! I think I have just had the best 20 odd minutes of you tubing ever. Great set up mate and a real inspiration for anyone wanting to pursue a off grid life. You've proved we don't need to rely on the blood sucking institutions for living a comfortable life. Well done mate
@@DanceySteveYNWA AND YOUR NEGATIVE COMMENT IS WHY YOU ONLY HAVE 76 SUBSCRIBERS, MY DOG IS LIKED MORE THAN YOUR PAGE, FREE SPEECH AND ALL THAT, NEGATIVE STEVE.
You have lazy stereotypes, I have data. Let's compare the two capitals. London Average January Temps: 8.1C/2.3C Helsinki Average January Temps: -1.3C/-6.5C Helsinki is more than just a "fraction" more cold. London average Annual rainfall: 601mm Helsinki average annual rainfall: 655mm London is actually dryer.
@@ReconCrusader, Helsinki is on the south coast of Finland, and is probably one of the warmest cities in the country, it quickly gets much colder as you head north. So how was it "cherrypicked"? Picking the areas where most people live is more representative than going to extremes like you are, who lives on top of Snowdonia mountaintops?
@@ReconCrusader, those 3000mm measurements you cited were recorded literally on the tops of mountains, nobody lives at the peak of a mountain. The highest settlements in the UK are only at about 300/400m. The UK doesn't get freezing cold as you head north like Finland does. Inverness is the northernmost city, and it averages 6.9C/1.1C in January, which is still much warmer than Helsinki, and nothing compared to places in Lapland which average -18C as their lows. The kind of temperatures which can easily kill. Since you're a racist you could just live in the areas just outside of London which are still "British".
I'm about 1/4 way there to off-grid living. I live on the farm where I grew up. I inherited a small cottage when my grandfather died, right next to my parents house - which I am very grateful of, so there is no rent. I'm in Northern Ireland, so not much sun, but the solar panels help during the day. I have very bad anxiety which prevented my being able to hold down a regular job, so rather than relying on social benefits, I made a big effort to rely on self employment. I converted a disused cattle barn into a recording studio, which also has small living quarters for bands etc. As a side hobby I began studying basic electronics, now I work 12hrs a day building guitar pedals which has became my main line of work, as well as playing in bands at weekends. We also try to grow a lot of our own vegetables etc. I'm 35, and as late as it may be, I've just started paying into a pension plan. For internet I use a 4G SIM card WiFi router, and have now bypassed land line entirely. I find this video and channel very inspirational and I hope to further make use of the land I am lucky to have to eventually become 100% off-grid. I don't make much money, but I am happy to just cover bills with what I make for myself so far. Getting a lot of great ideas from this channel and have subscribed. Thank you.
@@samhilton4173 Hey thanks. To go into a little more info, I did not in any way mean that as a brag. Far from it, times have been very testing and very difficult, but I am quite proud that I now feel for once I am self sufficient and somehow covering my bills and scraping by, even if I have to live a very modest life. I’ll go into more detail and a little more on the struggles that were involved. Yes, it is very nice to be able to work at what you love to do, and to be self sufficient - but it often requires pooling your resources, have a finger in many pies, working long hours, and being happy with a very modest lifestyle in the end. My guitar pedal company has only became my main source of work and income in about this last year or two. I started it up 5+ years ago as a hobby on the side, and really pushed it all I could in terms of promotions and trying to find a unique niche etc. I’m always terrified to jinx it, but as of now, somehow, orders just keep on rolling in each week, and despite it being a modest income, I work 12 hrs or more a day to keep it going while it is going good. As back up, I have what was originally intended as my ‘plan A’. Throughout my twenties I worked odd jobs. I spent all my earnings, and frankly, blew all my student loans on recording equipment. Upon graduating and returning home, my dad helped me convert one of our cattle barns into a recording studio. I also extensively used the help of industry professionals as guidance on a few online sound/recording related message boards. We built most of it ourselves, but did need some proper skilled trades workers to do some things. I have an online photo diary of the build if anyone is interested. It took about a year to build, maybe 2 years to get up and running. Studio work is much slower, but I will have a recording job in there once or twice a month, and it is a good income boost. I finished University with various sound related qualifications. With this I still sometimes do the occasional freelance live-sound job in venues, clubs, theatres. Again, this is just once or twice a month as there isn’t much work here. Finally, most weekends I play live music. This is the lowest form of income, but the most enjoyable for me, as its more a love of playing music than an income. However, I can usually make this tiny amount of payment stretch to a full weeks worth of food shopping in Lidl or Alde etc. As little as it seems, its actually amazing how much this helps. I am sure my wife would not mind my saying that she also deeply hates regular employment, working for ‘the man’. She does shift work in a major supermarket chain, but she is also the singer of the band, so she tries to keep her shifts minimal for her sanity. Her small part-time income still comes in very handy, but I think her ultimate dream is that I somehow become busy enough to employ her. I wish I was that busy, but maybe some day! This brings me neatly on to testing times. I am also very lucky to have an extremely like-minded and understanding wife. This would not have worked if we did not have the same mindset. Luckily, like me, she is very un-materialistic. It doesn’t require much to make either of us happy, but even for us, it was very hard. My grandfather passed away shortly after we graduated from college. When I say he left me a ‘cottage’, it is more like an apartment. My home-place is a big farmhouse in the countryside. A bit like a semidetached, and his property was the smaller half at one side of my parents house. Again, it took us about a year to renovate this apartment before we could move in. It basically only consisted of two rooms. A large kitchen, quite similar in size to the one in this video, and a very small but cosy living room - also a small bathroom. We managed to put in a small loft-staircase and knock the ceiling through to my old bedroom in my parents side of the house, as it was right above my grandfathers living room. That room was then blocked off from my parents house, so we basically were able to create a second floor in the apartment. During the almost 2 years of renovation, my wife and I basically lived in this small bedroom. It was extremely cramped and testing. For that whole time I just had to sit on an old beat up armchair that was squashed right next to my side of the bed. It was all very depressing and cramped - but motivated us to keep renovating and get it done. I drive a total banger of a car. An ancient little Clio thats half silver, half burgundy from various used parts. I rarely clothes shop and seem to use the same wardrobe for around a decade at a time, and I don’t really have any ‘disposable’ income. I can’t really remember the last time I ever bought anything that wasn’t practical or a necessity. I think this would drive some people mad, but we are very easy to please. We only have two luxuries. Two things in life we both love - food and travel. The small profit we make, we save hard throughout the year. This is so that we can afford at least one holiday a year - and we will manage to do it on a budget. We like to try to see a different country each year. European travel can be done very cheaply. And I’d say once a month or so we do go out for the night and go to a restaurant for a decent meal. That all keeps us sane and happy - keeps us working and motivated. Everyone needs a goal! We also held off our wedding for years. We decided at one point since neither of us are particularly religious, it’s just a waste of money. In the end, we had a lot of family all home at the same time, so we decided on a bit of a whim to just get hitched, inspired by a friend who did it for next to nothing. We had 30 close friends and family at it, did a 10 minute civil service, then hired a small function room for dinner and had some friends band’s play. It was great - cost just a few hundred for the room and dinner, which was covered really by the guests monetary gifts. The bands played for free as I agreed to record them in my studio in return. We commissioned local crafts people to make our wedding rings as well. At the moment, my biggest expenditures are electricity, and heating. Also, no matter how cheap your vehicle is, the car seems to always need taxed, or repaired, or MOT’d, fuel etc. Oh, and i guess another big help is that my wife and I made the decision that we were happy to not have children. It goes without saying, if we did unexpectedly have children, we would be delighted - but I am sure we would have to make some lifestyle changes. I’m not sure until that ever happens how money would work out. I have a little dog and you’d be surprised how much that little guy costs with vet bills etc lol. I’m skimming over a lot of the bad times, but there has been very difficult times in our relationship where it seriously strained us in the past, times where we had nothing in the bank, times I let it upset me that I had no money to offer financial help to my wife in times where she really needed it, but we were still trying to get everything off the ground and I had nothing to offer. Its a horrible feeling being unavailable to support loved ones during financially difficult times. Times where its been the dead of winter, and like this video talked about, we had to eat pitiful depressing food for weeks on end and struggled to just keep the house warm. I have to remind myself of those times to appreciate how far its came since then. I’m still always expecting times like that to return so I never like to get my hopes up. Business is going good these days, and I’m constantly surprised, but I always feel like I will jinx it so I just have to take it while its good and hope for the best! I’d like to look into the idea of harnessing energy, and using batteries to back up power. I think it’ll help a lot! I don’t feel ’secure’ yet, and I feel there is still a lot more I could be doing to feel like I am successfully living off-grid and independently, so I find myself looking at and being inspired by videos like this recently. There is always this constant little worry in the background that I’d like to eliminate, and try to feel more comfortable and secure. One step at a time I guess!
@Pantafle Thank you. See my reply below to Sam Hilton for more info. You can do it. It just takes a lot of work. I have a friend who lives off crafts and a related online blog. Art is difficult but it can be done!
@@skeletalwreck Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not denying your life has struggles of any kind or that your problems aren't greater than my own, just saying I'm a little jealous, lol. Good luck with everything pal.
@@samhilton4173 Yea, I get you. Just trying to give people a little more info on how I've managed so far. Might help peoples research a bit. I think this guys videos are awesome and so helpful!
Thank you for sharing your videos! You inspire me. I just turned 30 this year and after about a decade of travelling around and not having much to my name I want to fulfil my dreams of owning land and becoming as self sufficient as possible. Saving the money to buy land seemed so unattainable I didn't know how I would manifest this goal of mine... but you have given me hope :)
What a marvellous video. You’re super inspiring Maximus. Sat on my lunch break from the office, you’ve certainly made me questions what’s important in life. You also honestly seem like one of the nicest blokes I’ve seen in a long time! Top stuff. You’ve brought me a smile.
This video became the first in a series on off-grid basics. Full playlist on my channel page. For more up to date info you can join my patrons (for £1!) and get access to lots of exclusive videos on my latest building projects!
if you ever thing of traveling to the other end of the world (AKA Australia), you should drop by my place and see how some of us are managing. we face similar issues but have to tackle them differently due to the climate, I've been living off grid for the last eight years (admittedly its probably easier over here) and only now I think I'm on top of it, due to the fact I no longer have a generator or the need for one.
Thank you so much for this very informative video. I admit I haven't checked your other videos yet but I'll still pop in a question: Do you have some kind security system? If so, and if a video on this matter has not been made yet, would you be able to share some info about it? Of course, I won't expect a description of your setup; but some info on devices and other/related would be quite interesting.
Fantastic. Well done you! I'm an old lady - nearly 80 - so it wouldn't be feasible for me now. But I like your attitude. For the past ten years or so, since I discovered Ebay, I haven't bought any new clothes. I find that I can buy better quality clothes than I would be able to afford at a fraction of the price. I love the idea of recycling. What you didn't mention was sewage. The one thing that I couldn't do without is a flush toilet and I wonder how you cope with that. I found your video really interesting. Thank you.
I too am an old lady of 80- but I love this video and respect this man's ability to make it happen. I don't have tv as I got rid of it ages ago but I have my chrome book laptop and I am on it every night. Unfortunately I haven't learned how to shop on it yet, otherwise I would be on Ebay too. I don't think I could manage without a flush toilet either but this man has one. I think you have done an excellent job creating a lifestyle to suit you.
Joan Storer .....Hi Joan. Do get someone to show you how to use ebay. It is so easy and so very useful. If, Iike me, you are not very mobile now, you can get your grocery shopping delivered to your door too. I reserve this mostly for Winter time when the weather is too bad for me to get out or if I am nt well. I can't dig the garden any more but I still grow tomatoes and beans in pots and even grew melons in my front porch last year. It's amazing what can be achieved if we put our minds to it.
Nees Argon - this is such a genuinely heart warming and very simple/normal conversation for 2 people to be having but for some reason makes me very happy! All the best to you 2 lovely ladies.
I would have thought you would need a wall full of shotguns and big pile of shotgun shells in that case? And prefarably an underground basement inaccessible to zombies. Like the guy from Tremors.
Thank you so much I'm looking to go off grid myself here in the UK and have been looking for some inspiration, thank you so muxh for sharing this with people and showing everyone you can live perfectly off grid!
This is my dream way of living, I 've been trying to convince my partner to leave London for almost two years now. Our monthly costs are nearly 2000 pounds. I had thought of buying a canal boat for renovation but he doesn't like this idea either. I feel stuck in this way of living in the big city. WELL DONE SIR! Your house is a really lovely home and I hope that I could live like this in the future. Enjoy your life! Thanks for sharing it.
Be careful what you wish for. Boats are not as comfy as you might think. They come often with problems, they are leaking, they suffer from rust, in winter they are not warm and need a lot of oil and diesel for the heating. Never lived on a boat, but I have friends who do so. A boat needs a lot of care and you are running into problems with the city goverment and stuff. I wish all the best for you and your live. I have been sick of crouded cities as well. I want to live on the land. But to be honest prices are really high, and I dont want to push my luck in the next years. I need to save a little bit more.
@@mozdickson Lots of houses are at the moment 30% over price in my region. So I really dont want to buy at the "peak". I believe the economy is going down in the next years. So I will wait a little bit more.
You seem to live a very interesting life. I have great respect for you. I purchased a small cabin in the woods, off grid. Due to my age and health restrictions I can only use it Spring, Summer and Fall so I do have to keep a "regular" home as my full time abode. Thankfully they are both paid for and as I also grow a lot of my own food I don't need to spend a ton of money at the grocery store. I love living the way I do and love the challenge of providing for myself. I am a 70 year old widow and have raised my family of 4 children so I have done my bit so to speak. Now it is my turn to live the way that pleases me. Winters here in Ontario Canada can be a bit of a challenge but you learn how to cope with being cut off from the grocery stores from time to time. When it comes to electricity, when I built my full time home, I had a 4 oven AGA installed and I also have a wood stove for heat. I do have a gas furnace so if ever I am not able to run the wood stove I do have that back up. In the summer I love to cook outside and enjoy experimenting with rocket stoves. I was born here in Ontario but came to UK as a baby. I returned to Canada in my late 20's and raised my children here. I admire what you are doing. Keep up the good work and I look forward to following your videos. Take care.
I feel like people don't know what 'off the grid' means. They're off the national grid. They're not 'off the grid'. That property is in your name. (&) If you have running water, you are not off the grid. Here's an easy way to tell if you're off the grid, if you can kill a man, hide in your 'off the grid' home and not be found, you are off the grid. If they can say "oh, that's where he/she lives, he/she is a registered homeowner and water is sent to them in their name" then you are not off the grid. "Oh that's where he/she lives, they applied for planning permission in 2009"
After reading Sandie's comment, why (Keelan Squire) would this load of nonsense be at all appropriate? They're not enacting an episode of Spooks meets Bear Grills here... I highly doubt they're trying to kill someone and get away with it. People like yourself, who watch this kind of video and proceed to correct, mock, belittle, rant etc baffle me. These pages might help you and your struggles?: www.wikihow.com/Stop-Being-Passive-Aggressive www.quora.com/Why-are-there-people-who-have-a-strong-urge-to-correct-others ruclips.net/video/PA2xDPn1h-M/видео.html Also, thank you Sandie for sharing your story. Inspiring to say the least! Hope you are enjoying the spoils of all your hard work. Sounds idyllic!
No, I clicked on this video wanting to see an actual tutorial on living 'off the grid' because I would actually like to live 'off the grid'. This was not a video on living 'off the grid', this was a video on how to still live on the grid but shit in a pot and utilise solar energy. I'm not just pissing in your cornflakes. You people are misrepresenting what this video actually is. Because 'living off the grid' sounds more cool and edgy than living off the land.
Much appreciated and very inspirational. Been seriously contemplating converting my property to off grid in recent months. Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. The wood chopping is great exercise. Modern folk are too sedentary these days. Much respect to you; fully prepared for any SHTF scenario.
Thank you so much your advice its invalueable. You are so right about going backwards if you loose work, especially with big living costs. I have extortionate rent and it seems crazy to be paying this when I'm so practical and can grow things and make things and prefer this way of life, your videos are really inspiring, youre a great guy!
Never commented on a video before but just wanted to let you know that you're a very inspirational legend. More vids on power generation, batteries, water etc would be ace. Cheers boss!
Your my hero, I recently bought a house and have been so troubled by the way the local council has behaved and force us to conform and pay taxes beyond what's reasonable. I wish I could be off grid like you.
I love, love, love this! You are amazing. You have an incredible home. What a great set up! This is absolutely the way I want to live. Your house reminds me of my uncle's house that I helped build (the whole family helped) in the sticks in Missouri, USA, in 1980. A handmade house is one of the most amazing things you can accomplish and experience in life. I think it's a basic human need, to create our own shelter and homestead, and to be self-sufficient. And each one has its own character and style. Well done to you! This is my new favourite channel!
Congratulations. I lived a year in New Zealand where this type of living constructions and choices are normal. I loved it. Something I have considered doing myself. Thanks for this video 👌👍
Grear stuff. I lived 2 years in a trailer (english: caravan) bout 10 miles outside of Joshua Tree, CA. Just the trailer, solar power (built myself), water collected from neighbors well, gas stove, my volvo station wagen (english:saloon?), KTM dirt bikes, my good friend Mel the cat (rest in peace, love u buddy), joshua trees, and the coyotes. Was the most peaceful, satisfying time of my life. Highlight: the carpet of stars at night from horizon to horizon.
A very gutsy, interesting way of life! Hats off to you Sir. A person who realises what life is. I myself are not at your level but spend my days and a great deal of the night holed up in a Summerhouse which I built, composing songs, reading Astrology, and reading Tarot. The simplest things in life are always the most rewarding, and the appreciation of what a lot of people would call mundane is where the greatest joys are to be found. Avery inspiring video, may long your reign continue. Regards-John.
So amazing to find your channel. You are absolutely, brilliantly, lovely! I lived in an 8'x10' shed on my own for 7 years in the SW UK, totally off grid, but not so skilled so I didn't go the solar or alternative power route. Just candles and silence. Fetch wood, carry water. All that. Back in a house now and so totally miss the 'out of the box' living. This video is so very informative and encouraging and REAL! You are real! Keep it all going and all the very best.
Enjoyed your sharing both your lifestyle, like no tv blaring all the time, and your home. Your old Land. Rover and MC you have and can repair are also part of your satisfaction. You don't take it all too seriously after all you've done. Keep sharing and the Patreon idea from here is a great idea. You deserve to benefit and we look forward to more time with you in your home and seeing your garden and Bantems, too. Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Jacqueline Gibbs, Chesapeake, VA, US
Your place is super-cool. It's like a 'sleeper' car, looks nothing on the outside, and has mega-power under the bonnet. Ace! Respect to you, and your British ways. Let's keep our country alive.
Randomly stumbled on this video. Never thought about living off grid or anything like that. But I have deep respect for the supremely independent man you are. Truly inspiring. God bless you.
Was about to leave you a complimentary message, but I see most folk have said it better than I could have, excellent video and fantastic lifestyle, like others have said, "I wish I had half your abilities to be able to do the same" keep it up.
Oh my goodness i love this, have no idea how i got here. I've wanted to live like this for years, so any single man want to do this and can build, i volunteer to come along 👍
Not sure if I am 1 year too late (your post is 1 year old), but I have been very intrigued by this way of living for many years. I was born in Northampton England but grew up on 5 acres of land in Jamaica. We didn't have electricity, mains water, TV, Internet, mains sewage or council garbage collection either but it didn't affect me. I went to school with some rich kids and at the time I felt embarrassed because we didn't even have a TV and I thought I was a poor person. Many years later after travelling to 33 countries, lived in Florida, New Jersey and New York in America, Weisbaden Germany and now in London (which I hate), I have vowed to leave in 10 years time when I retire and have the money to buy land. Have seen off grid living in Portugal, Cape Verde and Spain and love it because of the weather but would definitely buy land here in the UK too if I could find the right land cheaply. My ideal land is about 3 to 5 acres with a river running through it. Even if you have found the right bloke to share your dream with, I would really love to hear from you to see how you guys are living your dream. I still yearn for the days when I lived on 5 acres with 20 goats (I love goats), 5 dogs, 3 cats, 30 chickens, 10 Turkeys, 15 rabbits, 20 Guinea pigs, 5 ducks, 3 pea fowls, and 16 pigs. We grew a lot of food like cabbage, potatoes, peas, beans, corn, pak choi, onions, gungo peas, melons and ackee. Would love to hear from you or anyone else interested in the lifestyle (male or female ), especially if you know where to find reasonable land and how to build a house or barn with or without planning permission. I am on Facebook as Mark Con Smith, my email is vwapachey@gmail.com and my whattsapp is 07947657542. Would love to hear from you 😊🙏
Thank you so much for the hugely helpful videos. Long story short we have just bought a cabin in Northumberland and we will be living off grid. For once I'm excited about the future.
I'm in the process of selling everything everything I own and making a go of it myself. I'm excited too, and scared. Life doesn't have to mean working a dead end job until your 70 then die. The more I look into it the more feasible it seems. The hardest part seems to be the legality of it. People complaining to the council etc.
Fun video, went off grid 30 years ago with the singular idea of living well on the least amount of money possible. As you know, off-grid living means your expenses are front-loaded. It took most of the productive years of my life to build what I have now. I can't imagine going back to the city, I wouldn't even know how.
Yes that's true! It's the front end that costs, once set up it's nearly free. Thanks for reminding me, I am going off grid in Portugal or Spain, out looking for land atm. But keep being put off by initial investment. Of course, once you have a borehole, sewage/ composting set up/ solar/ wind power bob's your uncle.
Mrpersonman0 you can easily have a mobile connection as i do. I sacked my landline and now just wifi my smartphone to a laptop and the 4g internet is so much better than my line ever was... and i cut out another bill. So i get unlimited calls and unlimited internet for £20 a month without another bill for a phone i barely ever used and a terrible net connection that buffered for what seemed like hours of every day. I think the reasons for having a line based phone are diminishing all the time. You can now also get portable solar powered chargers for the phone and laptop.
I am thinking of buying a small piece of land in Spain or Portugal in order to set up some sort of self contained living situation for my future . . . can you tell me of any useful websites please? thanks
@@Mrpersonman0 grid means physical attachment to infrastructure. Radio communication is hardly "on grid" and the "grid" in the uk usually refers to utilities such as water gas and electric.
Hello Max. You are a true inspiration! We (me and my husband) would love to meet you and see your home... pick your brains as it were as we have just sold our house with the intention of pretty much doing what you are. Simply, we're preparing for the 'doomsday' scenario, and your assistance would be exceptionally welcome. Roughly in your area at the beginning of June, if you are willing. Many thanks in advance, and thanks for doing these great videos that will go some way to helping us achieve our dream.
a survivor at his best! Came across your channel by "chance" and I am impressed. Gonna sub now and will dedicate some time to watching your vids. Well done, mate and hope all your future plans work out as well as all you have shown up to now. Cheers!
Thanks for the tour! You are my hero, dude! Like you, I am an Old Person who bought a neglected acreage in the country and am working towards being as self-sufficient as possible. I am paying off my mortgage a fast as I can (it will be done in 8 and a half years), heating about 50% wood / 50% propane right now, and get my water from a spring house. Your breakdown of how you make life work was informational and also makes me feel like less of a freak for loving what many of my friends see as a life of relative isolation and hardship. Aiming for a few chickens this spring; don't think I'll be able to eat them, though. Even the crows out here are getting to be pets. Thanks again for the wisdom and help.
Thanks for sharing your video,I have only just come across your site it's amazing to see a British version of off grid living. You certainly have it off to a tee. I have to congratulate your tenacity. Regards Paul from London
Hi Max, so pleased i stumbled across you - I'm a fellow Bristolian so I did understand your pointing the keynsham (lol) anyway thank you for such a straightforward straight talking video on Water filtration (cold) I'm buying a field in cornwall and researching stuff beforehand so i'll be sure to watch all your videos, I love the garden hose set up - like you said if t works don't change it !!
Christopher Smith Sorry but you are wrong..if you live in it ,no matter what it’s made from its planning foot print..you won’t get planning I very much doubt,been there done it.
Fantastic video! It's my dream to build a tiny house one day and travel around the UK. My friends think I'm crazy. Getting a mortgage seems ridiculous to me.
its not crazy! being tied to one spot for 25 years is crazy! we have quit our 9-5 jobs and are in the early stages of building an off grid life. We have started writing about how we did it in our blog in the hope that people will share their own journeys and knowledge. Good luck, we say DO IT!
Hi Max, great stuff. We live in an ordinary house with all modern conveniences. We have a wood cook stove which we use for heating and cooking sometimes. We have two solar arrays, 2kw tied to the grid and 2.6 kw off grid. This powers our workshop and it is fed into our home. What I discovered is that the heart of any wind/solar off grid system is the batteries. We bought 24x2v traction batteries @480amp making up 48v dc system. Using a 5kva inverter it can boil a 3kw kettle, run a washing machine etc etc. On sunny days we virtually use nothing from the grid. Traction batteries are 100% recyclable and can last more than 20 years. They can be bought second hand and are ideal for of grid purposes. Keep up the good work!
Fantastic, really interesting. Most off grid living you see is in the States or Canada, so it's good to see it going on in the UK. I look forward to watching more videos. :)
This is really interesting and I’m defiantly going to look into more of your vids. We used to live in Bristol and moved to Cardiff as it’s cheeper. In our late 20s now and sick of living paycheck to paycheck, we’ve talked a lot about off grid living so I’ll show this to my partner and see how he feels about it.
Hello Max🤝thanks for doing this. We are off grid in a cabin in France. You've given me lots of new ideas. Some plumbing & Under floor heating and a boiler is my next project to go with my rocket mass stove. Inspired xxx
Thanks for that, will look into the land buying thing shortly too. Am still in the process of making a delapidated caravan livable. Looking forward to watching more of your videos too.
I have no idea how this video came to my feed, but I like it a lot
yep same
considering its almost 18 months old, why has youtube suggested this now? lol
Me too
Same. I like the dude :)
Same, this guy must have paid a lot of advertisements lol
Amazing. Whoever lives off the grid is a hero but off the grid IN THE UK? What an absolute legend!
'Everyone thinks that living off grid means living in a tiny shack in the woods......well it doesn't, I live in one of these - a medium sized shack in the woods....
Thescificultist lol
Hahaha you funny fucker
That tickled me haha, thanks
His house is huge though
💀💀💀💀
I got a mortgage company ad on this video 😂
Brilliant
I got one for Pantene Shampoo & I'm bald. It's mocking me 😂
😂😂😂😂
Lol. Yes maby you could get one of these on a morgage and pay more and get less.
mortgage = death grip
What a fabulous home you have created. Love it! We need more people showing the off-grid way in the UK.
We are all living vicariously through you mate. Top bloke.
Nicest comment section I've ever seen on RUclips. Well done mate
Not true, those go to uk revision channels
It is a nice change to see kind comments. Restores my my faith in humanity
Best 20 minutes i have spent on you tube thumbs up
Finally a uk off grid video. RUclips is full of us ones. Thank God! I probably won't be able to do it, I'm hopeless practically , on the poverty line,have kids I can't move too far from and have a back injury, but a lifeline is better than the dark void of what is usually presented to us in this "green and pleasant land". Thank you so much for offering up some hope! :)
Absolutely great to see a uk version of this! Well done mate! I’m very envious but inspired 🙂
Hi mate, don't know how your vid popped up, but I'm so glad it did!! I think I have just had the best 20 odd minutes of you tubing ever. Great set up mate and a real inspiration for anyone wanting to pursue a off grid life. You've proved we don't need to rely on the blood sucking institutions for living a comfortable life. Well done mate
If you have land and a massive converted barn.
BFB-DanceySteve he started with nothing and he built the barn from scrap.....
@@DanceySteveYNWA AND YOUR NEGATIVE COMMENT IS WHY YOU ONLY HAVE 76 SUBSCRIBERS, MY DOG IS LIKED MORE THAN YOUR PAGE, FREE SPEECH AND ALL THAT, NEGATIVE STEVE.
@@garyparker5965 if only I lived for subscribers, then your comment would have affected me. 😂
@@DanceySteveYNWA The very fact that you commented tells me different, negative Steve.
Living off grid here in Finland is easy. You just have to live in Finland lol
Too cold.
You have lazy stereotypes, I have data. Let's compare the two capitals.
London Average January Temps: 8.1C/2.3C
Helsinki Average January Temps: -1.3C/-6.5C
Helsinki is more than just a "fraction" more cold.
London average Annual rainfall: 601mm
Helsinki average annual rainfall: 655mm
London is actually dryer.
@@ReconCrusader, Helsinki is on the south coast of Finland, and is probably one of the warmest cities in the country, it quickly gets much colder as you head north. So how was it "cherrypicked"?
Picking the areas where most people live is more representative than going to extremes like you are, who lives on top of Snowdonia mountaintops?
@@ReconCrusader, those 3000mm measurements you cited were recorded literally on the tops of mountains, nobody lives at the peak of a mountain. The highest settlements in the UK are only at about 300/400m.
The UK doesn't get freezing cold as you head north like Finland does. Inverness is the northernmost city, and it averages 6.9C/1.1C in January, which is still much warmer than Helsinki, and nothing compared to places in Lapland which average -18C as their lows. The kind of temperatures which can easily kill.
Since you're a racist you could just live in the areas just outside of London which are still "British".
@@ReconCrusader, go back to playing WoW, Assburger.
Very interesting video from a genuine guy. Really enjoy watching how you live and I'm looking forward to the next video
I'm about 1/4 way there to off-grid living. I live on the farm where I grew up. I inherited a small cottage when my grandfather died, right next to my parents house - which I am very grateful of, so there is no rent. I'm in Northern Ireland, so not much sun, but the solar panels help during the day. I have very bad anxiety which prevented my being able to hold down a regular job, so rather than relying on social benefits, I made a big effort to rely on self employment. I converted a disused cattle barn into a recording studio, which also has small living quarters for bands etc. As a side hobby I began studying basic electronics, now I work 12hrs a day building guitar pedals which has became my main line of work, as well as playing in bands at weekends. We also try to grow a lot of our own vegetables etc. I'm 35, and as late as it may be, I've just started paying into a pension plan. For internet I use a 4G SIM card WiFi router, and have now bypassed land line entirely. I find this video and channel very inspirational and I hope to further make use of the land I am lucky to have to eventually become 100% off-grid. I don't make much money, but I am happy to just cover bills with what I make for myself so far. Getting a lot of great ideas from this channel and have subscribed. Thank you.
You are genuinely living me and my girlfriends dream.
@@samhilton4173 Hey thanks. To go into a little more info, I did not in any way mean that as a brag. Far from it, times have been very testing and very difficult, but I am quite proud that I now feel for once I am self sufficient and somehow covering my bills and scraping by, even if I have to live a very modest life. I’ll go into more detail and a little more on the struggles that were involved.
Yes, it is very nice to be able to work at what you love to do, and to be self sufficient - but it often requires pooling your resources, have a finger in many pies, working long hours, and being happy with a very modest lifestyle in the end.
My guitar pedal company has only became my main source of work and income in about this last year or two. I started it up 5+ years ago as a hobby on the side, and really pushed it all I could in terms of promotions and trying to find a unique niche etc. I’m always terrified to jinx it, but as of now, somehow, orders just keep on rolling in each week, and despite it being a modest income, I work 12 hrs or more a day to keep it going while it is going good.
As back up, I have what was originally intended as my ‘plan A’. Throughout my twenties I worked odd jobs. I spent all my earnings, and frankly, blew all my student loans on recording equipment. Upon graduating and returning home, my dad helped me convert one of our cattle barns into a recording studio. I also extensively used the help of industry professionals as guidance on a few online sound/recording related message boards. We built most of it ourselves, but did need some proper skilled trades workers to do some things. I have an online photo diary of the build if anyone is interested. It took about a year to build, maybe 2 years to get up and running. Studio work is much slower, but I will have a recording job in there once or twice a month, and it is a good income boost.
I finished University with various sound related qualifications. With this I still sometimes do the occasional freelance live-sound job in venues, clubs, theatres. Again, this is just once or twice a month as there isn’t much work here.
Finally, most weekends I play live music. This is the lowest form of income, but the most enjoyable for me, as its more a love of playing music than an income. However, I can usually make this tiny amount of payment stretch to a full weeks worth of food shopping in Lidl or Alde etc. As little as it seems, its actually amazing how much this helps.
I am sure my wife would not mind my saying that she also deeply hates regular employment, working for ‘the man’. She does shift work in a major supermarket chain, but she is also the singer of the band, so she tries to keep her shifts minimal for her sanity. Her small part-time income still comes in very handy, but I think her ultimate dream is that I somehow become busy enough to employ her. I wish I was that busy, but maybe some day!
This brings me neatly on to testing times. I am also very lucky to have an extremely like-minded and understanding wife. This would not have worked if we did not have the same mindset. Luckily, like me, she is very un-materialistic. It doesn’t require much to make either of us happy, but even for us, it was very hard. My grandfather passed away shortly after we graduated from college. When I say he left me a ‘cottage’, it is more like an apartment. My home-place is a big farmhouse in the countryside. A bit like a semidetached, and his property was the smaller half at one side of my parents house. Again, it took us about a year to renovate this apartment before we could move in. It basically only consisted of two rooms. A large kitchen, quite similar in size to the one in this video, and a very small but cosy living room - also a small bathroom. We managed to put in a small loft-staircase and knock the ceiling through to my old bedroom in my parents side of the house, as it was right above my grandfathers living room. That room was then blocked off from my parents house, so we basically were able to create a second floor in the apartment. During the almost 2 years of renovation, my wife and I basically lived in this small bedroom. It was extremely cramped and testing. For that whole time I just had to sit on an old beat up armchair that was squashed right next to my side of the bed. It was all very depressing and cramped - but motivated us to keep renovating and get it done.
I drive a total banger of a car. An ancient little Clio thats half silver, half burgundy from various used parts. I rarely clothes shop and seem to use the same wardrobe for around a decade at a time, and I don’t really have any ‘disposable’ income. I can’t really remember the last time I ever bought anything that wasn’t practical or a necessity. I think this would drive some people mad, but we are very easy to please. We only have two luxuries. Two things in life we both love - food and travel. The small profit we make, we save hard throughout the year. This is so that we can afford at least one holiday a year - and we will manage to do it on a budget. We like to try to see a different country each year. European travel can be done very cheaply. And I’d say once a month or so we do go out for the night and go to a restaurant for a decent meal. That all keeps us sane and happy - keeps us working and motivated. Everyone needs a goal!
We also held off our wedding for years. We decided at one point since neither of us are particularly religious, it’s just a waste of money. In the end, we had a lot of family all home at the same time, so we decided on a bit of a whim to just get hitched, inspired by a friend who did it for next to nothing. We had 30 close friends and family at it, did a 10 minute civil service, then hired a small function room for dinner and had some friends band’s play. It was great - cost just a few hundred for the room and dinner, which was covered really by the guests monetary gifts. The bands played for free as I agreed to record them in my studio in return. We commissioned local crafts people to make our wedding rings as well.
At the moment, my biggest expenditures are electricity, and heating. Also, no matter how cheap your vehicle is, the car seems to always need taxed, or repaired, or MOT’d, fuel etc. Oh, and i guess another big help is that my wife and I made the decision that we were happy to not have children. It goes without saying, if we did unexpectedly have children, we would be delighted - but I am sure we would have to make some lifestyle changes. I’m not sure until that ever happens how money would work out. I have a little dog and you’d be surprised how much that little guy costs with vet bills etc lol.
I’m skimming over a lot of the bad times, but there has been very difficult times in our relationship where it seriously strained us in the past, times where we had nothing in the bank, times I let it upset me that I had no money to offer financial help to my wife in times where she really needed it, but we were still trying to get everything off the ground and I had nothing to offer. Its a horrible feeling being unavailable to support loved ones during financially difficult times. Times where its been the dead of winter, and like this video talked about, we had to eat pitiful depressing food for weeks on end and struggled to just keep the house warm. I have to remind myself of those times to appreciate how far its came since then. I’m still always expecting times like that to return so I never like to get my hopes up. Business is going good these days, and I’m constantly surprised, but I always feel like I will jinx it so I just have to take it while its good and hope for the best!
I’d like to look into the idea of harnessing energy, and using batteries to back up power. I think it’ll help a lot! I don’t feel ’secure’ yet, and I feel there is still a lot more I could be doing to feel like I am successfully living off-grid and independently, so I find myself looking at and being inspired by videos like this recently. There is always this constant little worry in the background that I’d like to eliminate, and try to feel more comfortable and secure. One step at a time I guess!
@Pantafle Thank you. See my reply below to Sam Hilton for more info. You can do it. It just takes a lot of work. I have a friend who lives off crafts and a related online blog. Art is difficult but it can be done!
@@skeletalwreck Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not denying your life has struggles of any kind or that your problems aren't greater than my own, just saying I'm a little jealous, lol.
Good luck with everything pal.
@@samhilton4173 Yea, I get you. Just trying to give people a little more info on how I've managed so far. Might help peoples research a bit. I think this guys videos are awesome and so helpful!
Thank you for sharing your videos! You inspire me. I just turned 30 this year and after about a decade of travelling around and not having much to my name I want to fulfil my dreams of owning land and becoming as self sufficient as possible. Saving the money to buy land seemed so unattainable I didn't know how I would manifest this goal of mine... but you have given me hope :)
What a marvellous video. You’re super inspiring Maximus. Sat on my lunch break from the office, you’ve certainly made me questions what’s important in life. You also honestly seem like one of the nicest blokes I’ve seen in a long time! Top stuff. You’ve brought me a smile.
This video became the first in a series on off-grid basics. Full playlist on my channel page. For more up to date info you can join my patrons (for £1!) and get access to lots of exclusive videos on my latest building projects!
Maximus Ironthumper
Just seen this and been a huge help, thank you!
if you ever thing of traveling to the other end of the world (AKA Australia), you should drop by my place and see how some of us are managing. we face similar issues but have to tackle them differently due to the climate, I've been living off grid for the last eight years (admittedly its probably easier over here) and only now I think I'm on top of it, due to the fact I no longer have a generator or the need for one.
Inspirational as f u c k! Realy rather cool!
Great video, earnt yourself another subscriber from just outside Bristol :-) you sir are a inspiration and a smart cookie :-)
Thank you so much for this very informative video. I admit I haven't checked your other videos yet but I'll still pop in a question: Do you have some kind security system? If so, and if a video on this matter has not been made yet, would you be able to share some info about it?
Of course, I won't expect a description of your setup; but some info on devices and other/related would be quite interesting.
Subscribed. It's crazy thinking how many people would die if society collapsed. Not many people have your skills man.
Fantastic. Well done you! I'm an old lady - nearly 80 - so it wouldn't be feasible for me now. But I like your attitude. For the past ten years or so, since I discovered Ebay, I haven't bought any new clothes. I find that I can buy better quality clothes than I would be able to afford at a fraction of the price. I love the idea of recycling. What you didn't mention was sewage. The one thing that I couldn't do without is a flush toilet and I wonder how you cope with that. I found your video really interesting. Thank you.
Provably a septic tank. I life almost off grid (only my electricity is on grid) I have my own septic tank which has never needed emptying.
I too am an old lady of 80- but I love this video and respect this man's ability to make it happen. I don't have tv as I got rid of it ages ago but I have my chrome book laptop and I am on it every night. Unfortunately I haven't learned how to shop on it yet, otherwise I would be on Ebay too. I don't think I could manage without a flush toilet either but this man has one. I think you have done an excellent job creating a lifestyle to suit you.
Joan Storer .....Hi Joan. Do get someone to show you how to use ebay. It is so easy and so very useful. If, Iike me, you are not very mobile now, you can get your grocery shopping delivered to your door too. I reserve this mostly for Winter time when the weather is too bad for me to get out or if I am nt well.
I can't dig the garden any more but I still grow tomatoes and beans in pots and even grew melons in my front porch last year. It's amazing what can be achieved if we put our minds to it.
this is the cutest thread ever
Nees Argon - this is such a genuinely heart warming and very simple/normal conversation for 2 people to be having but for some reason makes me very happy! All the best to you 2 lovely ladies.
Your a remarkable and resourceful guy. Totally self sustainable, so respect and admire your life style.
You are a genuine guy and an inspiration ... good for you mate !
What a man , what a man , what a mighty fine man!
This is the kinda guy you wanna be friends with during a zombie apocalypse! Loved this video :)
he just needs a Sarah connor type woman...
PMSL !!!
I would have thought you would need a wall full of shotguns and big pile of shotgun shells in that case? And prefarably an underground basement inaccessible to zombies. Like the guy from Tremors.
wow man, you are an inspiration! your living my dream
Would love to see more videos like this! Living like you do is so appealing to somebody like me stuck in the rat race
The way we are meant to live, you can,t waste and you are living on pure instinct, RESPECT.
You and your cabin are bloody amazing! 😊
agree
Needs to be painted ASAP it wont fall apart so quickly
New sub; recommended to me by 94 yr old mother, who was very taken with your home and skills!
Thank you so much I'm looking to go off grid myself here in the UK and have been looking for some inspiration, thank you so muxh for sharing this with people and showing everyone you can live perfectly off grid!
This is my dream way of living, I 've been trying to convince my partner to leave London for almost two years now. Our monthly costs are nearly 2000 pounds. I had thought of buying a canal boat for renovation but he doesn't like this idea either. I feel stuck in this way of living in the big city. WELL DONE SIR! Your house is a really lovely home and I hope that I could live like this in the future. Enjoy your life! Thanks for sharing it.
Be careful what you wish for. Boats are not as comfy as you might think. They come often with problems, they are leaking, they suffer from rust, in winter they are not warm and need a lot of oil and diesel for the heating. Never lived on a boat, but I have friends who do so. A boat needs a lot of care and you are running into problems with the city goverment and stuff. I wish all the best for you and your live. I have been sick of crouded cities as well. I want to live on the land. But to be honest prices are really high, and I dont want to push my luck in the next years. I need to save a little bit more.
Dont delay, you're flushing money down the...
@@mozdickson Lots of houses are at the moment 30% over price in my region. So I really dont want to buy at the "peak". I believe the economy is going down in the next years. So I will wait a little bit more.
go it alone, your partner will follow if it's true love......life is short, be true to yourself
@@sarahtonen4873 That is very selfish. A partnership is always a compromise. His opinion should be equal.
This is a fulfilling way to live. Well done my friend, you are an inspiration to me.
You seem to live a very interesting life. I have great respect for you. I purchased a small cabin in the woods, off grid. Due to my age and health restrictions I can only use it Spring, Summer and Fall so I do have to keep a "regular" home as my full time abode. Thankfully they are both paid for and as I also grow a lot of my own food I don't need to spend a ton of money at the grocery store. I love living the way I do and love the challenge of providing for myself. I am a 70 year old widow and have raised my family of 4 children so I have done my bit so to speak. Now it is my turn to live the way that pleases me. Winters here in Ontario Canada can be a bit of a challenge but you learn how to cope with being cut off from the grocery stores from time to time. When it comes to electricity, when I built my full time home, I had a 4 oven AGA installed and I also have a wood stove for heat. I do have a gas furnace so if ever I am not able to run the wood stove I do have that back up. In the summer I love to cook outside and enjoy experimenting with rocket stoves. I was born here in Ontario but came to UK as a baby. I returned to Canada in my late 20's and raised my children here. I admire what you are doing. Keep up the good work and I look forward to following your videos. Take care.
You are an inspiration Sandie! How wonderful to love a full life and enjoy your years now as you please. Living the dream.
Thank you Morgan.
I feel like people don't know what 'off the grid' means.
They're off the national grid.
They're not 'off the grid'.
That property is in your name. (&) If you have running water, you are not off the grid.
Here's an easy way to tell if you're off the grid, if you can kill a man, hide in your 'off the grid' home and not be found, you are off the grid.
If they can say "oh, that's where he/she lives, he/she is a registered homeowner and water is sent to them in their name" then you are not off the grid.
"Oh that's where he/she lives, they applied for planning permission in 2009"
After reading Sandie's comment, why (Keelan Squire) would this load of nonsense be at all appropriate? They're not enacting an episode of Spooks meets Bear Grills here... I highly doubt they're trying to kill someone and get away with it. People like yourself, who watch this kind of video and proceed to correct, mock, belittle, rant etc baffle me.
These pages might help you and your struggles?:
www.wikihow.com/Stop-Being-Passive-Aggressive
www.quora.com/Why-are-there-people-who-have-a-strong-urge-to-correct-others
ruclips.net/video/PA2xDPn1h-M/видео.html
Also, thank you Sandie for sharing your story. Inspiring to say the least! Hope you are enjoying the spoils of all your hard work. Sounds idyllic!
No, I clicked on this video wanting to see an actual tutorial on living 'off the grid' because I would actually like to live 'off the grid'.
This was not a video on living 'off the grid', this was a video on how to still live on the grid but shit in a pot and utilise solar energy.
I'm not just pissing in your cornflakes. You people are misrepresenting what this video actually is.
Because 'living off the grid' sounds more cool and edgy than living off the land.
Much appreciated and very inspirational. Been seriously contemplating converting my property to off grid in recent months. Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. The wood chopping is great exercise. Modern folk are too sedentary these days. Much respect to you; fully prepared for any SHTF scenario.
Very good mate. Love what you are doing.
I'm 56 years old and you, my friend are inspiring me, Thank you. love this vid,
Do it! In 10 years you'll be too old.
@@stumblingnever too old
Thank you so much your advice its invalueable. You are so right about going backwards if you loose work, especially with big living costs. I have extortionate rent and it seems crazy to be paying this when I'm so practical and can grow things and make things and prefer this way of life, your videos are really inspiring, youre a great guy!
Never commented on a video before but just wanted to let you know that you're a very inspirational legend. More vids on power generation, batteries, water etc would be ace. Cheers boss!
Liar
Adam Stafford-Smith That’s a good idea. I hope he see’s this comment 😊.
My husband and i found this most entertaining and very informative . thank you x
Legend🔥
Respect to you, Bruv
Well done
.So pleased I watched your pod casts, so inspiring and more importantly, easy to understand content. Thank you.
Very inspirational and informative. Thanks for taking the time to do this video.
Amazing video. I really enjoyed it. You are an inspiration to me. You have dine an excellent job !!!
Your one happy man '
Your living the dream , not conforming
Secretly we would all like to be self sufficient .
Congrats ... Keep up the good fight
Your my hero, I recently bought a house and have been so troubled by the way the local council has behaved and force us to conform and pay taxes beyond what's reasonable. I wish I could be off grid like you.
I love, love, love this! You are amazing. You have an incredible home. What a great set up! This is absolutely the way I want to live. Your house reminds me of my uncle's house that I helped build (the whole family helped) in the sticks in Missouri, USA, in 1980. A handmade house is one of the most amazing things you can accomplish and experience in life. I think it's a basic human need, to create our own shelter and homestead, and to be self-sufficient. And each one has its own character and style. Well done to you! This is my new favourite channel!
Love how the ivy is coming in through the roof - a reminder that we're all just holding back time until we lose!
Love this video. What an inspirational man. Hats off to you, sir!
Congratulations. I lived a year in New Zealand where this type of living constructions and choices are normal. I loved it. Something I have considered doing myself. Thanks for this video 👌👍
Grear stuff. I lived 2 years in a trailer (english: caravan) bout 10 miles outside of Joshua Tree, CA. Just the trailer, solar power (built myself), water collected from neighbors well, gas stove, my volvo station wagen (english:saloon?), KTM dirt bikes, my good friend Mel the cat (rest in peace, love u buddy), joshua trees, and the coyotes. Was the most peaceful, satisfying time of my life. Highlight: the carpet of stars at night from horizon to horizon.
why don't you live there now?
yeah, then what happened?
a station waggon is an estate car in English
Fascinating, thanks for sharing your home and your thoughts!
Hello from Australia! What a great place you have! Thanks for sharing and I look forward to watching more of your videos.
A very gutsy, interesting way of life! Hats off to you Sir. A person who realises what life is. I myself are not at your level but spend my days and a great deal of the night holed up in a Summerhouse which I built, composing songs, reading Astrology, and reading Tarot.
The simplest things in life are always the most rewarding, and the appreciation of what a lot of people would call mundane is where the greatest joys are to be found.
Avery inspiring video, may long your reign continue.
Regards-John.
You sound like a nice chap :)
So amazing to find your channel. You are absolutely, brilliantly, lovely! I lived in an 8'x10' shed on my own for 7 years in the SW UK, totally off grid, but not so skilled so I didn't go the solar or alternative power route. Just candles and silence. Fetch wood, carry water. All that. Back in a house now and so totally miss the 'out of the box' living. This video is so very informative and encouraging and REAL! You are real! Keep it all going and all the very best.
Very useful and informative - Thank You. All the best.
An old person that's funny. I love this type of life style and respect what you are doing so much.
Enjoyed your sharing both your lifestyle, like no tv blaring all the time, and your home. Your old Land. Rover and MC you have and can repair are also part of your satisfaction. You don't take it all too seriously after all you've done. Keep sharing and the Patreon idea from here is a great idea. You deserve to benefit and we look forward to more time with you in your home and seeing your garden and Bantems, too. Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Jacqueline Gibbs, Chesapeake, VA, US
You are a source of inspiration Sir. I most likely will follow in your footsteps, one way or another! Great job!
Your place is super-cool. It's like a 'sleeper' car, looks nothing on the outside, and has mega-power under the bonnet. Ace! Respect to you, and your British ways. Let's keep our country alive.
Yeah, it's like the tardis. Lovin' the non-conspicuous exterior.
I have no idea why this came up on my recommended videos but I'm glad it did. Got me thinking.
Same here 👍
well done Max now you know you can do it thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us all the best.
Randomly stumbled on this video. Never thought about living off grid or anything like that. But I have deep respect for the supremely independent man you are. Truly inspiring. God bless you.
That was brilliant. I have romantic notions of living the way you do and you explained everything really well.
Love your place Max - I particularly like any home that looks unprepossessing from the outside, but it's a different story inside.
I love these videos , and absolutely love the way you live . You’re literally a hero of mine and have my utmost respect
Was about to leave you a complimentary message, but I see most folk have said it better than I could have, excellent video and fantastic lifestyle, like others have said, "I wish I had half your abilities to be able to do the same" keep it up.
What an amazing guy you are! Well done! Thanks for showing us your life
Thank you Max for your efforts compiling this for all of us which would love to only rely on this lifestyle
Quality run through, much respect, from an old skool traveler 😎
Amazing .I'm sure a lot of hard graft ,but you must be proud and chuffed with all you've accomplished.inspiring !
What a lovely feeling coming from your house one can just feel the coziness oozing through the screen wonderful . Just found your channel brilliant .
I love the lay of your house, Maximus! Especially the winding staircase.
Very cool 😎
Thanks for the inspiration
You’re like an archetype - the self sufficient man
So, the next step would be to marry Felicity Kendal and then you are living the Good Life!
Oh my goodness i love this, have no idea how i got here.
I've wanted to live like this for years, so any single man want to do this and can build, i volunteer to come along 👍
Then am here
You have another taker, lol Gonna do this n a partner would be great...
Look into skills you can learn, too! The knowledge is freely available, it just takes time and energy
Not sure if I am 1 year too late (your post is 1 year old), but I have been very intrigued by this way of living for many years. I was born in Northampton England but grew up on 5 acres of land in Jamaica. We didn't have electricity, mains water, TV, Internet, mains sewage or council garbage collection either but it didn't affect me. I went to school with some rich kids and at the time I felt embarrassed because we didn't even have a TV and I thought I was a poor person. Many years later after travelling to 33 countries, lived in Florida, New Jersey and New York in America, Weisbaden Germany and now in London (which I hate), I have vowed to leave in 10 years time when I retire and have the money to buy land. Have seen off grid living in Portugal, Cape Verde and Spain and love it because of the weather but would definitely buy land here in the UK too if I could find the right land cheaply. My ideal land is about 3 to 5 acres with a river running through it.
Even if you have found the right bloke to share your dream with, I would really love to hear from you to see how you guys are living your dream.
I still yearn for the days when I lived on 5 acres with 20 goats (I love goats), 5 dogs, 3 cats, 30 chickens, 10 Turkeys, 15 rabbits, 20 Guinea pigs, 5 ducks, 3 pea fowls, and 16 pigs. We grew a lot of food like cabbage, potatoes, peas, beans, corn, pak choi, onions, gungo peas, melons and ackee.
Would love to hear from you or anyone else interested in the lifestyle (male or female ), especially if you know where to find reasonable land and how to build a house or barn with or without planning permission. I am on Facebook as Mark Con Smith, my email is vwapachey@gmail.com and my whattsapp is 07947657542. Would love to hear from you 😊🙏
@Michelle!! ❤️
Thank you so much for the hugely helpful videos. Long story short we have just bought a cabin in Northumberland and we will be living off grid. For once I'm excited about the future.
I'm in the process of selling everything everything I own and making a go of it myself. I'm excited too, and scared. Life doesn't have to mean working a dead end job until your 70 then die. The more I look into it the more feasible it seems. The hardest part seems to be the legality of it. People complaining to the council etc.
I come from Northumberland. Its beautiful part of the country.
Thanks for sharing your lifestyle - very interesting and you have a great way of conveying your story
Very interesting indeed , thanks for taking the time to make this video and all the best with any future endeavours!!
Fun video, went off grid 30 years ago with the singular idea of living well on the least amount of money possible. As you know, off-grid living means your expenses are front-loaded. It took most of the productive years of my life to build what I have now. I can't imagine going back to the city, I wouldn't even know how.
Yes that's true! It's the front end that costs, once set up it's nearly free. Thanks for reminding me, I am going off grid in Portugal or Spain, out looking for land atm. But keep being put off by initial investment. Of course, once you have a borehole, sewage/ composting set up/ solar/ wind power bob's your uncle.
Mrpersonman0 you can easily have a mobile connection as i do. I sacked my landline and now just wifi my smartphone to a laptop and the 4g internet is so much better than my line ever was... and i cut out another bill. So i get unlimited calls and unlimited internet for £20 a month without another bill for a phone i barely ever used and a terrible net connection that buffered for what seemed like hours of every day. I think the reasons for having a line based phone are diminishing all the time. You can now also get portable solar powered chargers for the phone and laptop.
I am thinking of buying a small piece of land in Spain or Portugal in order to set up some sort of self contained living situation for my future . . . can you tell me of any useful websites please? thanks
@@Mrpersonman0 grid means physical attachment to infrastructure. Radio communication is hardly "on grid" and the "grid" in the uk usually refers to utilities such as water gas and electric.
Hello Max. You are a true inspiration! We (me and my husband) would love to meet you and see your home... pick your brains as it were as we have just sold our house with the intention of pretty much doing what you are. Simply, we're preparing for the 'doomsday' scenario, and your assistance would be exceptionally welcome. Roughly in your area at the beginning of June, if you are willing. Many thanks in advance, and thanks for doing these great videos that will go some way to helping us achieve our dream.
a survivor at his best! Came across your channel by "chance" and I am impressed. Gonna sub now and will dedicate some time to watching your vids. Well done, mate and hope all your future plans work out as well as all you have shown up to now. Cheers!
Thanks for the tour! You are my hero, dude! Like you, I am an Old Person who bought a neglected acreage in the country and am working towards being as self-sufficient as possible. I am paying off my mortgage a fast as I can (it will be done in 8 and a half years), heating about 50% wood / 50% propane right now, and get my water from a spring house. Your breakdown of how you make life work was informational and also makes me feel like less of a freak for loving what many of my friends see as a life of relative isolation and hardship. Aiming for a few chickens this spring; don't think I'll be able to eat them, though. Even the crows out here are getting to be pets. Thanks again for the wisdom and help.
What a wonderful story of your life and living off grid. You have achieved your dream and found peace of mind. Thank you for sharing and take care.
Thanks for sharing your video,I have only just come across your site it's amazing to see a British version of off grid living. You certainly have it off to a tee. I have to congratulate your tenacity. Regards Paul from London
Paul Morgan ...lots of off grid folk in the UK...youd be surprised
Great video man, I stumbled by this by chance and loved it. I'm now looking in to this way of life further
Inspiring brother.
Hi Max, so pleased i stumbled across you - I'm a fellow Bristolian so I did understand your pointing the keynsham (lol) anyway thank you for such a straightforward straight talking video on Water filtration (cold) I'm buying a field in cornwall and researching stuff beforehand so i'll be sure to watch all your videos, I love the garden hose set up - like you said if t works don't change it !!
I am all about the good times too!! Happy for you man!!
Keen to hear about the planning permission angle.
Christopher Smith Sorry but you are wrong..if you live in it ,no matter what it’s made from its planning foot print..you won’t get planning I very much doubt,been there done it.
Fantastic video! It's my dream to build a tiny house one day and travel around the UK.
My friends think I'm crazy. Getting a mortgage seems ridiculous to me.
Katy Jordan getting a mortgage for most ppl today in the UK is increasingly becoming simply impossible. And it is all by design.
Darren Lambourne I totally agree. Xx
Get a boat or caravan if you want to travel??
can i join you lol
its not crazy! being tied to one spot for 25 years is crazy! we have quit our 9-5 jobs and are in the early stages of building an off grid life. We have started writing about how we did it in our blog in the hope that people will share their own journeys and knowledge. Good luck, we say DO IT!
Thank you so much, you have worked hard for your life and it’s beautiful.
Hi Max, great stuff. We live in an ordinary house with all modern conveniences. We have a wood cook stove which we use for heating and cooking sometimes. We have two solar arrays, 2kw tied to the grid and 2.6 kw off grid. This powers our workshop and it is fed into our home. What I discovered is that the heart of any wind/solar off grid system is the batteries. We bought 24x2v traction batteries @480amp making up 48v dc system. Using a 5kva inverter it can boil a 3kw kettle, run a washing machine etc etc. On sunny days we virtually use nothing from the grid. Traction batteries are 100% recyclable and can last more than 20 years. They can be bought second hand and are ideal for of grid purposes.
Keep up the good work!
That's a great tip about the batteries! Thank you!
just watched your living of grid just to say how much I enjoyed watching it because you speak in plane and unclutterd words and say how it is
Great video - it looks like you've really done a fantastic job there. Thumbs up, cheer
Fantastic, really interesting. Most off grid living you see is in the States or Canada, so it's good to see it going on in the UK. I look forward to watching more videos. :)
This is really interesting and I’m defiantly going to look into more of your vids. We used to live in Bristol and moved to Cardiff as it’s cheeper. In our late 20s now and sick of living paycheck to paycheck, we’ve talked a lot about off grid living so I’ll show this to my partner and see how he feels about it.
Thank you for taking time out for share your Super cool way of living.. just love it.
Hello Max🤝thanks for doing this. We are off grid in a cabin in France. You've given me lots of new ideas. Some plumbing & Under floor heating and a boiler is my next project to go with my rocket mass stove.
Inspired xxx
I wish I had been brave enough to do this. Respect to you sir.
I'm sure you'll have many more views, pls continue to make these useful & educational videos, some of which will be viewed around the world!
Excellent work dude. Inspirational x
Thanks for that, will look into the land buying thing shortly too. Am still in the process of making a delapidated caravan livable. Looking forward to watching more of your videos too.
Just stumbled across your channel, its fascinating. Thanks for sharing your stories!