Montana's OFF GRID Town

Have you ever thought about living off the grid? Many people in Montana live off-grid and there is even a town that is totally off-grid. Polebridge, Montana runs on nothing but solar power and generators. It is one of the most interesting places in the country. In this video, we will show you all of the off-grid living in the Polebridge area.
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[@LivinginMontana1]

If you would like a brief recap of the Montana market and a few laughs each week, Subscribe to our Newsletter Here: montana-life-realty-team.ck.page/39a2a3419d

[@Christina_the_Astonishing]

It's nice to know that places like this still exist! 🌲🌲🌲

[@michelleosborne3858]

My thoughts exactly! What a cute hidden treasure.. and it is amazing it didn't turn into a ghost town like so many old towns did. What a beautiful life for the 100+ people who are lucky enough to call this home

[@blackturtleshow]

I'm not sure how many off-grid towns there are in California, but I live in one of them: Kennedy Meadows (Tulare County). Wood for heating, solar for electricity, different form of solar for heating water, Starlink for internet, and a well for water. Oh, yes, and a tractor for plowing out when it snows!

[@johngalanti1010]

I have always wanted to get off 395 And head up to Kennedy Meadows I live in Independence, up the road from there. May get off road next time by there. 😁👍

[@THEROOTMATTERS]

SOUNDS PEACEFUL, CONGRATS!

[@vanchick3262]

I live off grid at 6,000 feet elevation, and I get really tired of being suspect because people cannot imagine how I do it all year around. It's just about education, resourcefulness, and tenacity. We would be seeing a whole lot more of people living this way if there wasn't so much GREED and JEALOUSY that prevents change like it should! That's right... its the people who paid too much for their homes and struggle with the utilities and taxes that combat alternative housing options that have been around for decades. Portable power stations have been much improved as well as decreased greatly in cost with the influx of competition too. STOP THE IGNORANT ABUSE AGAINST POSITIVE IMPROVEMENT AND START SUPPORTING THE PIONEERS OUT THERE LIVING OFF GRID WELL!

[@Mk101T]

But the idea of living off grid is that you do not need a support network . So what support are you asking for ? Cuz obviously you have the freedom to do it .

[@fritzsmith3296]

Oh shut up and stop destroying the wilderness. You are "abusing" all the living creatures around you. They were there first. Leave and let the "wild" live in peace.

[@deborahroisen8017]

Angry off grid guy

[@deborahroisen8017]

So your a angry off grid guy

[@Joe-wy2bn]

@@deborahroisen8017 I would guess a van girl judging by the name

[@bonitadannells3322]

I survived that road while traveling alone with my young daughter about 50 years ago. Went to Kintla Lake, and never had any problems. My car was reliable....and I was out to explore. But, no cell phone, just passed one other car on that road. I'd not be so adventurous now, at 80.

[@cynthiaheatly5562]

Wow! And I thought I was touch camping in my truck on BLM land in Co! :)

[@nagaviper1169]

Was in Polebridge a few years ago. What a beautiful place. Didn't know at the time it was off grid. Can't wait to visit again. Montana is absolutely gorgeous. Love backpacking in the backcountry there.

[@celestehowell4128]

Maybe the inhabitants of Polbridge would prefer to remain offgrid and have the world NOT know the the place exists?? That's why they are offgrid in the first place, isn't it?

[@LivinginMontana1]

Everyone has their own reasons. The businesses like the people!

[@RobertMiller-ph6fs]

Naw....last time I checked no Amish settlers moved in yet

[@RDD8807]

If they didn’t have a few tourists showing up to eat some bear claws, then they wouldn’t be able to survive economically

[@RDD8807]

@@RobertMiller-ph6fs😂

[@celestehowell4128]

I agree, the businesses need the trade but people are moving there from out of state and ruining it.

[@nerolsalguod4649]

Alternative to generators are TEGs that are place in proximity to a wood stove. Worked in montana on the Johnson cattle ranch and we took cattle up to glacier to summer graze ( on indian land). Beautiful !

[@elizabethjohnson475]

The road to hana on Maui is exactly like this dirt road. The residents there, too, refuse to have it paved, because then they'd be even more traffic!

[@byronbarker936]

I really enjoyed that. Thank you. I've always been interested in Montana. It's so beautiful. Perhaps I will still make it there on a US vacation someday.

[@thisisitmjh]

OMG. What a great town to actually live in. If I had ever heard of this town while in my 20's I would have been there in a heartbeat. Keep this place as remote and secret a s possible. 🤩

[@TexasPegP]

Montana is SO gorgeous!!! I ❤ your videos!! Thank you so much for showing us this beautiful State!

[@LivinginMontana1]

Thanks for watching!

[@ZEUStheKingGermanShepherd]

💯💯💯

[@HeadWestOn90]

Going to Polebridge and eating a delicious sunset steak dinner at the Northern Lights Saloon was one of the highlights of our trip! The washboard road was terrifying especially on the return trip south after dark!

[@LivinginMontana1]

Yes, that road gets bad!

[@RDD8807]

I hope they graded the road before I show up at the end of June 🙃

[@fragileheart8477]

It's bad for a reason

[@zeusatolympus]

I haven't been to Polebridge in decades. Went every year for awhile but life moves on... it looks like it got trendy and the road looks much better. Looks like the forest fire burn areas grew back pretty well. too.

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. We stopped in Polebridge once about fifteen years ago. The baked goods were out of this world! It is a bit of a rugged drive up there, but doable. We had a Subaru, made it just fine.

[@LivinginMontana1]

Our pleasure!

[@sandrabehrle-liebsher4805]

From one Subaru owner to another, of course you made it, easy peasy. ✌️🪶🏔️🪵

[@knotbumper]

We make the loop from Columbia Falls to Polebridge and over to Eureka then back to Columbia Falls a couple of times each year. We live in the Seattle area. NO PAVEMENT!!! All the times we have been there, I never considered the idea it was "off grid." It just was like so many other remote towns in the west. Yes, the road does go through into Canada. It was built as part of an oil exploration event in the 1950s if I recall correctly.

[@LivinginMontana1]

There is no more road on the Canadian side.

[@peggyowen3386]

New subscriber here!! I loved this video!! Thanks

[@LivinginMontana1]

Thank you!

[@luciamartinez9110]

I spend some time up there in the mid 90s pretty cool place when I saw this video and it said the only off grid town my first thought was Polebridge and I got it right so that was pretty cool. Thank you for sharing.

[@goldiemeadows-v5n]

I'm in VA, and my son has been exploring beautiful off grid Montana the past 10 days with his daughter. She moved there 2 years ago, loves it! The places he has camped are beautiful. I hope he comes home 😅

[@commonsensepatriot9450]

Living off grid, you learn how much electricity you don't need. We are so wasteful by habit. Living off grid isn't hard, but it is definitely a change in habits. A simple life that requires more work.

[@Atimatimukti]

​@dammitbobby283but you have to replace them. I lived some years without any electricity and it was great. But you have to grow your own food

[@pinschrunner]

Ether

[@victorygarden556]

@dammitbobby283 what do you suggest?

[@BOBK-jf4qx]

Now, imagine really living off-grid and realizing how much food, fuel and entertainment you don't need...

[@dansmith8912]

You replace 9/5 work hell for working for your self. If you can adjust and do without the materialistic stuff and put in a little physical effort which is good for you anyways it's a much better way to live.

[@velvetreynolds5458]

Thank you for sharing this video with us ❤️ 💖 💜 beautiful place ❤️ 💕

[@David-gh6vp]

I traveled the horizontal distance across Montana in 1974 (for the Air Force). I was on tornado watch near Wolf Point. . . Never been on this road, but I'd say it is about as "Alaskan" as you can get in the lower 48.

[@unitedstatesdale]

53 years ago I bought 820 acres in the middle of nowhere for $270.00 per acre. Its now selling for 65K per acre. Young people...Invest in land !!!

[@charlenecarnes8139]

This is such great advice I really wish my parents would have given me this advice as a youth.

[@imanslotboom6121]

Amazing video like living in montana offgrid well done!!!!!

[@wwbuirkle]

Couldn't imagine driving those roads at night

[@JeepCherokeeful]

Without some off road lights it sucks

[@robertkraft5208]

You dont

[@BOBK-jf4qx]

Don't speed!

[@redshorse]

Interesting, well filmed and narrated. Excellent !

[@ZoneZero-sm9jv]

A town of only 100 people but still has not one but two bars, how very European. Thanks for the tour, looks like an amazing place.

[@kathigee]

Polebridge is one of our favorite places in MT... planning to have our 50yr wedding anniversary party there next summer! The Huckleberry Bearclaws are Devine! Thanks for highlighting

[@LivinginMontana1]

Congratulations on your anniversary! Something I didn’t say in the video is that we actually got married in Polebridge. We said our vows along the river and had our reception in the Northern Lights.

[@kathigee]

@@LivinginMontana1 That is so fun!! Its a beautiful place for sure!

[@GettingToHeaven]

Very enjoyable watching. Thanks for making the video!

[@robd9819]

Been through Polebridge a few times when traversing the continental divide ride on motorbikes. Great spot. Took a little side trip to Bowman lake while I was there.

[@shanebaker2613]

That port of entry was open in the summer only staffed with 1 inspector on each side of the border. I used to go visit bill mcsenventy on the canadian side. There was a flood many years ago and it washed out the road in canada. We had to evacuate the u.s. customs person and the wolf study girls by helicopter. Canada said they would never repair the road so the border closed forever.

[@mycocoaone]

I was there at least 30 yrs ago. Loved it.

[@bfangman]

Thanks for making this video. Used to drive this road with my Dad up just past Polebridge. Great memories.

[@scottphillipy9831]

Learn something new every day. Spent some time in Montana and would love to return some day. If I make it back I'll definitely replay this video and go visit it myself. Thanks for sharing it.

[@lauiman]

Nice Video - thank you for that !

[@wandacraig8286]

And if you go 3 miles south of the border there is a beautiful B&B called The Way Less Traveled!

[@terrysordal1693]

Great video, Will!!! Thanks for showing us the beauty of Montana!

[@LivinginMontana1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@josephkeylich9552]

Thanks for showing us your beautiful part of the US. Hope to some day get up there!

[@LivinginMontana1]

You should!

[@AlvinWilson-v9f]

Good keep it that way. Better that way too

[@MannyWC]

Oh man, that berry pie!❤🎉

[@mikestarks8464]

love Polebridge!

[@eileenspamer-kw3kz]

beautiful housebound granny watching here,, makes me feel im there

[@steady3459]

JUST MAINTAIN THE ROADS ! 🎉✌️

[@robertkraft5208]

No, then more would come

[@eddiemabe]

Nice,,,my kind of place

[@LivinginMontana1]

Mine too!

[@taj-ma-haul9094]

these are my kind of peeps!

[@cathynorris1946]

It seems like a logical idea to form one of these communities in a sunnier/warmer region.

[@pamelabeaton6667]

Thank you so much for sharing this video because from what I'm learning in the comments and what you're saying I'd never go there I would not turn my car into a bucket of bolts parts and labor is too expensive to fix things nowadays😊

[@MrTemplerage]

What a great town! I bet they have bon fire gatherings sometimes? Maybe winter gathering around the pot belly in the mercantile? 'Girl behind the counter looks like Whitney Webb, wouldn't surprise me.

[@javierapichardo]

wow beautiful..

[@gunman-6646]

Beautiful place! I couldn't live like that though. 😊

[@HeatherCampbell-kc7fx]

This is great. Two thumbs up!!

[@Ret17]

Will, Enjoy your videos and learning about Montana and Montana real estate. If you ever think about a side gig or want to make a career change, I think you would make a good host for a Montana travelogue about different towns and events in Montana. In Texas there has been a decades long show hosted by Bob Phillips called Texas Country Reporter--think you would find his format and shows interesting. He and his wife will be retiring this summer but the show will continue with a new host--check it out.

[@LivinginMontana1]

Will do, Thanks!

[@pamlaenger6870]

Love Texas Country Reporter and this channel. I just now found it. Would love to get up here! Good channel! It makes my heart ache to be in such places.

[@chokfulla]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@valkry007]

love your vids

[@kenboone1555]

Hi Will, we are headed to Montana this week and are looking at going to Polebridge. Thank you for your channel we love it. We are staying in Eureka at a Airbnb looking at one property in Eureka. We are in California and we still have not sold our 40 acres and home in the Central Valley. We have a commercial property we we are selling that is in escrow now and we might use those proceeds instead. We are looking forward going to Polebridge this visit. What is the best route from Eureka? Ken

[@keithfitterer6899]

Cool video!👍 Banff is also beautiful in Canada.

[@hey2yogi2]

That is a great video

[@LivinginMontana1]

Thanks!

[@bigjoe2458]

Enjoyed the video. Like the music

[@Greg-x3f]

I was off-grid in Mariposa California. The PG&E would come in and open up and uncover everything. Then just leave.

[@tommysimmons5266]

I’m looking for an area to do off grid with a fixed income from retirement. I’m looking for a 50 by 50 on someone property to do this Bucketlist adventures

[@ScottBrown-zz4sk]

Its freezing too 🥶🤣

[@kathrynrodlun8514]

I’ve been off grid 18 years now

[@richardmeyer6021]

Awesome cinnamon rolls at the mercantile.

[@chrishov8890]

Awesome.... pioneers... just live isnt that gift...

[@BOBK-jf4qx]

I don't know what the big deal is with off-grid. If you have a generator, you're not "totally off the grid"... unless you make your own biodiesel or something. It's just not piped/cabled in, it's trucked in on the grid of those gravel roads. While I understand people define off-grid as not being connected to utilities, it's really just a fad. Unless you're Michael Oros (even he got occasional supplies, ammo), you're in the system (The Grid) and you being off direct connections does not make you all that much more sustainable or sexy :D. I can see payment processing terminal at 4:37 - so they're on the communication grid on top of the road system. North Sentinelese are off-grid.

[@idahoprepper]

I can smell the patchouli oil from here! 😂 good video!

[@InvisibleEnergy-sy3ud]

Heading up..

[@Vyctorwulf]

1. Hope it never gets paved. 2. Bears want more tourists, the last ones were delicious.

[@dianegerlach2454]

great soundtrack! Who is playing the music? Interesting, nothing to access and yet there is an obelisk marker

[@chardell1000]

I love it

[@ItchyBurrito]

The only reason the town is so great is because the road is rough. Don't ruin it!

[@JakJam-fw4zo]

I'm still trying to figure out what the heck is going on with those umbrellas that don't cover anything

[@KennethRevils]

Great vid 🎤🎥 incredible..Wow !!! That road, is wild America..can u camp ther ?

[@pierre-ig1dj]

Where can I find a copy of the awesome swampy acoustic music please!

[@cliffnelson1174]

I bet the only natural gas is from the BBQ beans at a cookout....this a very beautiful state.

[@EmerickKing-j4o]

Nice place.

[@gergwilsun5067]

Do the little stores closes for the winter?

[@LivinginMontana1]

Yes

[@jtc1947]

How about WIND GENERATORS? Might help??

[@scorpio6964]

100% from New Zealand 😊

[@EmerickKing-j4o]

That's good for the Canadian

[@RockyMtnguy01]

What a bustling place for being off grid!! Where are all the immigrants crossing!! 😂

[@bradleyshimels3253]

Not to many look into it. but you can make a device that you buy the instructional book on that is a no fuel generator self generating electric producing DIY generator .Realy works!

[@gw10758]

Polebridge is a hell hole.... bears roam the area and claw people in their sleep. Wolves eat your dogs and the snow gets 12 feet deep in the winter..... I would stay away.

[@thastinger345]

Soooo, it's like Alaska, just with higher taxes.

[@jeffjohn9898]

Won’t it be great for those off grid to tap into Tesla Free Electricity soon?

[@cleokey]

Off grid means no internet or cell phones. Interested to see life in wintertime.

[@nopriors]

This video will not help Polebridge. They will come...

[@pumagutten]

It may be off grid, but the women are still beautiful, Will. Did you see the one at 10:07?😉

[@LivinginMontana1]

I did see her!

[@tigersnake590]

Nice

[@my2cents945]

off-grid tourist trap.

[@brushcrawler8612]

We.cant afford to live there

[@pinetree9343]

People complain about anything

[@SP6X6]

There's a gazillion river rats and guides on river .Nothing like back in the day.Tremendous over use.The town is one store and seasonal bar.

[@crippledcalibers7684]

Hoping this channel doesn't bring even more people here. At least Eureka and the West Kootenai haven't been overwhelmed with city invaders, yet.

[@simplykeepingtome3017]

Wrong!

[@carymatthews3199]

wishing this was never aired, no they aren't in the middle of nowhere ,NO not at all. they have it right and we have it wrong

[@scottwilliamtoombs]

😎😯Ooowe 💁‍♂(5:09) A mini Fort: with a Bread Stove & heater. 🤡🫶🤠💁‍♂Who sings and/or dances?.. 🤠🫶Nice! 💁‍♂(13:54) An {abandoned} Fort. Maybe Forestry: before the trees grew in ~ Deck View point 🫶. ~ "No, flag is odd": but a Radio Tower Pole, at least. 🤔🤔

[@John-h5d1s]

You don't want Pedro's then you'll have development you don't want pays roads this stupid phone won't say it you don't want asphalt roads because if you got them then they'll be development and next thing you know you'll be pushed out and there'll be no off the grid

[@MikkiandAngel]

I am finally retired and I looking into Montana to live or Idaho but off grid is my thing..yep it’s hard but I’ve lived that way before my husband passed so I can do this it just takes back bone and tenacious outlook. A lot of good books on “how to stuff “ growing foods, well made and so much more. It’ll be a challenge but I’ve got God on my side 😊

[@SamuelSmith-e1e]

You go girl!! I'm a few years from retirement,but already live off grid with solar!! Two or three years to go!! Divorced but living good!

[@toddpeters9007]

Awesome

[@PatrickThreewit]

I guess I'm in kind of a civilized area. I can drive on a good paved two lane road,gong east, no faster than 55 mph for 2 hours and reach Lolo, Montana. And a a paved road going west will take me to a town of 600. Going south a mostly paved road will take me to our county seat, a big town of 3200, and finally I can drive for 2 hours to another state and a Costco. I'm on the grid, but there are many survivalists in the area who are off grid. I live the modern life, well sort of. I have a roof water collection system, heat with firewood with wood I cut off my land, a back-up propane wall heater, new after 30 years here (I'm 79). Gardens are tough due to clay soil unless you are on a river bottom, but then you have to be worried about flooding. Building on a slope has the rocky soil problem and on flat area, like me, you have to continually til in mulch and wildland fire is a problem. One of the problems of living out too far is the fire problem, and unavailable volunteer help. I have a cell phone but have to drive 1 mile and a half in order to get reception, because I live in a metal pole building and a big hill with forest is between me and a tower. Even with the grid, this life ain't for sissies. Our county alone has mountains over 9000 feet (the western slope of the Bitterroot Range), the deepest canyon in North America and the northern section of the largest wilderness area outside of Alaska and 30 miles from my home, and two big fast flowing rivers which flow into another river, the Snake, which is the main tributary of the Columbia River. And I live in Idaho County, Idaho.

[@MikkiandAngel]

@@PatrickThreewit love Idaho, beautiful state and have gone fishing in the snake river with my dad at 93 yrs old… he’s gone now this august 10th will be one year. Soon I will make my way to be on some land and yes it’s hard but I will do my best to move forward as I love the stewardship of living off grid. Sounds like you live in a heavily place of peace and quiet. God bless

[@freedomforever1962]

​@@PatrickThreewit 😲 WOW!...... Thank you for sharing. I love Montana. I had always wondered about the Canada US Border..... 🐾👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️💯🙌🏼🌹🌺👍🏼🇺🇲

[@MannyWC]

Oh man, that berry pie!❤🎉

[@user-qc7hr4my7r]

Stayed in Polebridge 2 years ago. I was blown away by how you felt like you were in the middle of nowhere and even had a few black bears cross the road while driving. Guys property where we stayed at faces the mountains of Glacier and then the mountains of Flathead Forest behind him. He said he paid $250k for that property with a cabin and 14 acres back in 2017 I think. He then built his own cabin on it and rents out the other one for tourists and said the property is worth over a million now. Beautiful area with some great hiking. A drive up to Hornet Lookout is also up the road with some awesome views.

[@BigJake32]

Way too much money for remote property

[@KathleenMcNe]

The freshly baked treats at the Polebridge Mercantile are scrumptious.