What Do We Really Think About Life Off Grid? (1 Year Later)

[@Guildbrookfarm]

We hope this answered some of the questions you guys have been asking about life off grid. We may do a couple more videos like this soon. Links to related videos and to our tee store are in the description. Thank you for following along on our journey!

[@SmallwoodHomestead]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm not off-grid completely, but am doing the best I can as a single 50 year old gal! There are challenges for sure. And I understand the issue with ticks and humidity, as I live in the middle of a 12 acre wood in southern Illinois. Your family is an inspiration. Thanks again.

[@dr.froghopper6711]

Great video!

[@ICoulntThinkofAUserNam547]

Love the honesty, and the filming format :)

[@jkhenderson1]

This really was the best! It was so great hearing from the girls.

[@eamsden7854]

Guildbrook Farm - Off Grid Living Cool video, great content.. Some guinefowl should keep tick numbers down. Great sounding birds, ours are great watch dog birds too.. do you follow "red poppy ranch"? Your girls are great at talking on camera too, well done 👍

[@shirakates7684]

The girls are really, really sweet. Great job on raising such considerate and positive young women.

[@vumeopower]

Congrats on the first year living off grid...we love your family !

[@rosejafari8917]

Have you thought about building your home underground or into the slope of one of your hills? Great for more balanced temperature and a cellar effect for food storage.

[@quantumspirit8439]

The most important thing of all> your kids are balanced, smart, discerning & funny. WTG Mom & Dad! Thanks to all your efforts, our future is bright. 💜

[@zzkatz9446]

The orange pants kiddo is great! I've never seen someone so positive and happy!

[@DeepSouthHomestead]

Jamie enjoy the journey ive built my last 2 homes. Being remote is a blessing most of the time. Your a step ahead of most because if an LCE happened you would be ok.

[@carahinojosa555]

"My mom makes the best food"....LOVE that!!

[@TheKiloG69]

Very honest video, living off grid is not for every one. I have been building my off grid TN Build 7 months now. Just now getting back to almost comfortable . I too am about 20 to 30 minuets to go any were but I love it. wild life every were every day what a nice life to live. just started doing total off grid living at 64 years young lots of non stop work I love it. Love watching your videos.

[@CubasAutomotive]

Lol. This is awesome! I like how blunt the girls are! They're so sweet!

[@CubasAutomotive]

Maybe next spring, consider getting Guinea fowl. They're great as an alarm and for bug eating.

[@CubasAutomotive]

I must add, I love how the oldest thinks. I agreed with her and Jaime the most. What a great head on that girl's shoulder. You did awesome as parents!

[@theayegerlehner7793]

Your oldest daughter is a hoot! Love her positive attitude. Youngest daughter reminds me of my daughter with all her stuff--yet she is very creative! Thanks for sharing!!

[@ramblingrose3275]

I love your videos. I have been watching them for over a year and have not commented. I just had to write something when you said that you had a tick problem. I live in SW Virginia so am in the foot hills of Appalachia also. We have animals and hounds as my husband is a coon hunter, so we had a big tick problem too. Since we started keeping guinea's that run loose all the time we have slowly got rid of the ticks. We have not had any for about two years. The guinea's are very good for the bug problem and must also help with the snakes. Not seen any at all here this year.

[@JohnDoe-ff2fc]

8:07 "I like food. Food is good". LOL Enough said, directly to the point, the Unicorn has spoken.

[@StillSwirling]

Glad to see an update! I wish you all the very best in the next year. ❤️

[@moonhawk5297]

I had just turned 70 when I moved off the grid. It's been 10 years and I would never want to live any other way. We do have rattlesnakes here. When my chicks kept disappearing last winter, I realized it was a snake problem. A friend gave me a box of mothballs, which I spread around everywhere I could think of. They not only left the coop, they left the entire property!

[@bromarkfarms]

at 62 years my wife and I live on 30 remotely. no young people come around because they know there is a lot of work that needs to be done, so that drama is not here. GET GUINEAS for tick control, a couple hound dogs out side, and lots of chickens. Dude you have some groovy girls around ya. strong girls

[@Lauren_Nerual]

It’s been lovely watching your family learn from this experience! Your girls have matured so much and seem like great kids. Your canning videos have been awesome and inspired me to start canning. You guys have taught me little ways to be more self reliant and i can’t thank you enough for it.

[@kareneckels4453]

I also started canning meat meat after seeing your video. Also rendering lard.

[@amandaforeman703]

I understand ! I have 5 people living in 762 sq feet , we are looking for a bigger home ( not too terribly huge ) , congrats on the one year! Hope you are able to get the new place built soon!

[@shughey914]

I'm an introvert as well. I don't like crowds. We bought land off grid in TN and will be moving in a year and I can't wait to just be remote.

[@shughey914]

@@DonnaRatliff1 I am a homebody as well. Currently living out in country In SC. I'm not a fan of shopping either. I currently have laying hens. Both tines we have visited our land in TN I haven't wanted to leave cause its so quiet and peaceful

[@jackiebradburn7521]

Our small farm is not far from you at the foot of the Blue Ridge. I am 83 yy and this has been the most extreme year in all weather respects that I have ever seen and you've lived through it all off grid like champs. Like your daughter says...good things come to them that wait. We will all be waiting for a more normal year...and hopefully that will begin soon. Admire your skills...WB

[@offgridsweden]

Great video. Sounds like all of you are loving the Off Grid lifestyle. Have an awesome Monday, Andreas from Off Grid Sweden 🇸🇪

[@StaceyHerewegrowagain]

Thank you so much for sharing. My husband and I can't wait to buy a house somewhere in the country and start homesteading. And it's been a dream of ours for a long time and it's finally coming true little by little. We know it's a lot of hard work but it's hard work we're putting into our own House and Garden to give us what we need and want in life. I love being one with nature and can't wait till I can have a huge Garden and little farm. So happy to see more people doing this

[@AlaskaBrandy]

I have been building from raw land. I'm not off grid, but I am trying to do as much as possible myself. I did hire out major dirt work, electrical and my plumbing. What a mistake!!! I have done repair after repair on my plumbing!!! It is refreshing to see that others fight, learn and overcome like I have. I was living in a park model RV and have built a small guesthouse to stay in...my actual cabin has been pushed back like your house. Doing everything debt free does bind your productivity, but no payments from the minute you move in will make it even sweeter! Sending positive thoughts!!! Keep up the hard work and videos!

[@dr.froghopper6711]

We just moved from a trailer the same size as yours into a 1900 sq ft adobe home. After 34 years in that tiny space, it was a major change! But man! I actually have some room to move! I’m very heat sensitive due to MS and that little trailer had become a non handicap accessible, wheelchair unfriendly prison cell. I’m mostly stuck inside for at least 6 months of the year. I was going completely nuts! Depression was a constant battle. But now, I’m growing and canning/dehydrating a bunch of our food. I now have a place to set up my jewelers bench to play on. And, while many people ask about our lack of furniture, I am truly enjoying being able to move around our new home without feeling completely cramped. There’s room for my wheelchair. I’m not banished to a tiny bedroom whenever someone is watching TV that I hate (which is almost ALL of it). I can now KZbin my way through life watching channels like yours that have actual educational value, when the idiot box has everyone else’s eyes and brains. I truly enjoy your videos and topics like yours!

[@rheannahicks6363]

I love how positive your daughters are. And how honest you are about different problems you've had. Your family is so inspirational, I would love to be more minimalist and a homesteader one day.

[@hart796]

Great video and your daughters did a great job in their responses. Wishing your family the best always!

[@NS-pf2zc]

I have to say... I'm impressed with your kids! They are rockstars! As adults, with the mentality that you have, inconveniences are hard, but as kids...this can be truly challenging, especially if you switch between lifestyles like your girls do. So their attitudes, even with what they don't like, are impressive. I really, truly, appreciate all of your family's honesty. (I'm the same way with being remote...I like people, but they exhaust me in large quantities. I like being able to do what I want without being observed constantly. It creeps me out, haha.)

[@sweetnsoursusan]

There is a product called Damp Rid that pulls moisture out of the air without needing electricity. It's calcium chloride in a bucket.

[@AlaskaBrandy]

Yes! This product is awesome for humid areas....I put it in my bathroom and closets especially. I was living in a camper in transition while Texas ended a 5 year drought in 1 month!!! 26+ days of rain in May. I know you can order it from Amazon fairly cheap. No work or electricity needed. It probably won't get rid of the sticky feeling, but clothes and objects won't mold in front of your eyes.

[@ziegenvinehomestead]

Great video! Loved to hear everyone's take on the good and bad. You all are an inspiration and we wish you the best!

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

This was a great one! So many people do impressions (on a move or product) right away and I want to know after time and use have passed.

[@ericday2072]

Living in a remote area is in my future, but not yet. A cabin with access by river boat or bush plane would be perfect, for me. I always look forward to seeing a glimpse of your adventure. I hope everything falls into place for you, and that happiness fills all of you on your journey.

[@ember-x9o]

Your family is thoughtful, smart, and beautiful, you’re a very lucky man.

[@shannonwolff2599]

I also moved out of town about 8 years ago although in my case I am in a mobile home park that is in the middle of nowhere but I still love it. I look out my back door to see trees, grass and occasionally a cow or 2, but even the neighbors here are not intrusive. Actually the neighborhood here is like things used to be when I was a child (I'm 47 now). Neighbors here all help each other and look out for one another but don't pry either so it is awesome. They all have the country mindset even though we all live in the park together. It has been a godsend for me as I have severe crohn's disease which limits what I am able to do. As soon as my son moved out on his own (he's in the city over 2hrs away) my neighbor started mowing my lawn for me, as he knew I am ill and have a hard time with things like that, and refuses to let me pay him!! The other neighbor blows out my driveway in the winter when he does his own and again wouldn't let me pay him anything for it (he will however accept the occasional case of beer...LOL) It is so nice to be out of town so you aren't bothered, it's quiet, it's safe.... I never even lock my doors and everyone helps each other out here. There's not too many places like this left anymore so I feel very lucky that I found one!!! The only way I'm going to move out of here is when I'm in a box!!!

[@HungNguyen-km8ep]

Wow, you guys are living the dream life I would love to have! thanks for taking us who can't live such a life along with you.

[@utubeaccess7]

This is one of the most helpful and honest videos on moving away from 'the city'. I really love all of the different viewpoints.

[@utubeaccess7]

BTW, I'm moving to some rugged property I bought outright, a few dozen miles NW of you guys and just over the hill. Best of luck.

[@eileenpalumbo6578]

Honest video. Another great video guys! Glad you included your daughters.

[@LDeutchman]

Your children are soooo adorable. What an honest accounting if what it's like to live off-grid. May your new home bring all the luxury your missing... Maybe living on the minimum will bring a new outlook to your sweet girls and they because of you will bring this world into a new mind set for the future. Best wishes to you all!!

[@jillygirl2024]

fun listening to what the kids have to say. I would say they are doing well.

[@point6acre]

This Q&A has been delightful and insightful. (I was curious about how many copper-heads you saw.) I appreciate your honesty (all of you!), and the sharing of your experiences. Your videos, and the tremendous learning they impart, helps me on my journey. Thanks!

[@cycletivity3584]

Very cool video I loved hearing everyone's opinion, glad everything is working out for you folks.

[@dottiebebris9706]

You can spray a permethrin (pyrethrin) solution on dryer lint or anything fluffy. Stuff it into toilet paper tubes or similar. Scatter around the edges of the woods. Mice (host for the deer ticks) will use it for nests and it will kill their ticks before they get on the deer.

[@oldtimeengineer26]

Glad everyone is cool with the space. Living that way brings back many memories for me and a better life style. Keep up the good work

[@886jules1]

Great video guys - thanks. Have you thought of building bat boxes around your property? The bat colonies that take up residence can help with the mosquitoes (next summer). Best of luck from Ireland.

[@Guildbrookfarm]

Yes definitely

[@nimueh4298]

You probably don't need me to tell you about Lyme disease from a tick bite, I started feeling sick in November of 2016 was not diagnosed until July of 2017 and still currently dealing it with no end in site. Be careful out there, glad all of you are doing well.

[@tahoe7779]

I can totally relate to Mom & Daughter that both love the remoteness. No crowds, no people driving by gawking at you all the time. I am an introvert as well. Living on a busy road for 38 years has really stifled my creativity after growing up on 5 acres. Hoping some day we can have a place with serenity and privacy in the country again.

[@getrgrown4200]

Great video. Just goes to show not everyone will be 100% happy with 100% of what you have, but happiness is finding those percentages of things you like about what you have and rejoice in those and not dwell on the things you may not like. Thanks for sharing.

[@texasnative4803]

I would highly recommend getting several guinea fowl for tick, flea, and grasshopper control plus they are an early warning system for any intruder around your property. 👍👍

[@easymac79]

12:55 That is what you guys needed for sure. Glad to hear you guys are happy and the minor annoyances of summer haven't brought down your spirits!

[@WAtermitec]

Just come across your vids and are totally hooked. Well done guys.

[@tamarawheeldon1060]

Looking forward to seeing your new house!!

[@gonzalezpandura]

Looking forward to all future journey. Good luck guys.

[@sergiom5907]

This was very informative and useful. Your kids seem like lovely people.

[@morganlutz1695]

There is now an RV gentlemen who has invented a shower system that allows for showers to be taken with only 1 gallon of water that is continuously filtered and heating the recycled 1 gallon as long as one would like. Amazing system for "RV/off grid" application. Cheers from Canada.

[@morganlutz1695]

Gone Boondocking is the youtube channel. He also has some othe nwonderdul inventions/ideas. Goodnluck

[@hfortenberry]

OMG, your kids are adorable! I love the creativity from your young one and the optimism and directness from your older one.

[@terawattyear]

First off, nice woodpile. That took some effort. Nice format on the interview style of the video. Thanks for the candid comments. Sympathy for the summer humidity. I know from where you come there. Jeremey is a work engine. Great job making this place livable. Love the positive attitude shared amongst all of you.

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

Congrats on 1 year off-grid! We want to do the same thing, but in Colorado(live in NC now).

[@mkshffr4936]

Really appreciate you guys and your channel. Myself I am approaching 60 and we have very little savings but only debt is the house. My goal is to get the house paid off and needed repairs done in time to retire and buy some property in MS for cash and become as self sufficient as possible. You provide lots of helpful perspective and I am very grateful.

[@LiveToSurvive]

Great video of the challenges and acheivements of your off-grid life. Thanks for sharing.

[@lindapruss504]

You are all so REAL! i have enjoyed getting to know you all! I have learned so much from you and from the bottom of my heart pray for your continued success and wish you good health and much joy! Enjoy each day like its your last and you have many years of happy memories. Hugs, linda

[@kan-zee]

14:08 ...Jerry is the Tick Magnet🐞 ...Jamie is the Copperhead Magnet🐍 .. Ilaria is the Spider magnet🕷🕸 LOL

[@kaiOutLoud]

Love this vid!! Where everyone’s giving their own opinions about the lifestyle. Very informative too. You tee-shop is amazing! Love the clothes! 💕🦄👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@MarielasSister]

thank you for your honesty.

[@ForgottenWayFarms]

Fall is my favorite too! We lived off-grid for five years and we loved it. Moved to a new homestead, and it came with power. Glad to have the skills though. Fun to see other views, and you have a very nice homestead :)

[@codyminecrack248]

I plan to invest in this lifestyle. I’m starting now with learning practical skills such as masonry, carpentry, and gardening. Unfortunately finding time to acquire these skills is rough. Good for you guys in living a healthier lifestyle!

[@Kaspaviv]

: ) Amazing to see you guys 'making it of grid'. Very good content, thoughtful, detailed and simply honest. Keep doing what you are doing!

[@SylvieLaflamme]

Thank you for this video. It was great to listen to each family member's opinion. Happy new year!

[@Off-Grid]

We're approaching our one year of being off grid (counted from the day we fired up our solar). So far so good!

[@lesliejacobs1439]

"The best things come when you wait.."... Bless your heart...this attitude will serve you well. And makes a person a pleasure to be around.

[@Plunkity]

Glad you love it. I love it and am excited to watch your home build. Your girls are funny and sensible glad to hear their opinions too.

[@BackroadFreedom]

Great video y'all. I really enjoyed listening to everything y'all had to say. Keep up the great work.

[@goin2green]

Great video! Really enjoyed the different views.

[@kahnaemery7767]

That was a great video with the whole family giving their honest opinions of life at home. I go through some of the same things. Thank you for sharing!

[@reneemoncrief559]

You guys are great. Nice to see a family working together to be self sufficient.

[@mclovin2232]

Commend you guys doing it debt free! Thanks for posting! Great video!!

[@ayelethashachar1209]

Yeah. When you said "Appalachia" my brain went right to rattlesnakes, copperheads, humidity, and ticks!! But also, incomparable beauty. I never wanted to go to the outhouse by myself because I was afraid of snakes, but I also remember playing in the 'crick' and picking corn and shucking it on my Uncle Kelly's front porch. That was off-grid living before it was fashionable!

[@wrench.ride.repeat.9422]

We aren’t off grid, but we are building, debt-free, on 10 acres in rural Missouri, and we do all of the work ourselves. We started out thinking it would take us about a year-2 max! (🤣) We started out with 4 kids at home full-time, and 1 was in college online, 3 were homeschooled. We built small at first, to have somewhere to stay while we were building. There was no water access, so we literally had to truck it in to holding tanks. That got old fast. We eventually but the bullet and paid to have rural water access brought in. The house was less than 800 sq ft. It’s now been over 3 1/2 years, the oldest 2 are in the military, married, and expecting. We still have 2 at home that we homeschool. The house still isn’t done. It turns out, once you move in, EVERYTHING is harder! But we are getting closer. We now live in more like 1,800 sq ft. with 1 1/2 functional bathrooms (sharing 1 with all those boys 🤢) and everyone has their own bedrooms. Maybe one day it will be finished. We work on it in some way nearly every single day. But we are happy, warm, everyone is healthy, I can do laundry at home again now that the laundry room is done, and we do not have $150,000 mortgage.

[@georgesoul6924]

This is awesome... Thanks for sharing part of your lives with us. I love hearing about the perspective of the different people in your family. You guys are great and your kids sound awesome.

[@miriamramos5011]

The girl with the orange Halloween PJs is pretty cool too! For the most part, she is optimistic. I am glad you all are sharing your experiences in the year in the new place. Thanks, best wishes.

[@bsofar1675]

I loved getting to hear everyone's views on these topics. Very cool. When you first move into the "big" house, it will feel strange. Ah, you guys will adjust in no time. I've lived without electricity twice, but it was only for less than a month each time and not in the worst heat. Surprising to me, it wasn't that difficult. I've handled a tick infestation with concentrated garlic on a city lot. Not practical for 20 acres, but maybe good surrounding the house area. And my sister made me a liquid to rub on my skin for mosquitoes which works great if I remember to put it on. I'm pretty sure it had geranium oil and some other oils in it. Anyway, I'm proud of how resilient your family is, and believe you all could get through most any situation. Take care.

[@rubypeytonleylaliam5219]

Im currently homesteading on 5 acres in the Appalachian foothills of Ga, but I dream of going off grid in the mountains of North Carolina! Im green with envy. You seem to be doing well, this life suits you.

[@kcmgfarm2389]

Love the honesty, thanks for sharing and praying the build goes smoothly for y'all.

[@prettypaperpieces8709]

Good Morning, Very interesting video. You put so much thought into your videos, which makes them great. I always enjoy the girls, they are so great. I am looking forward to the new house build. Thanks For Sharing...God Bless...Dar

[@Pepsigirl-zq8eg]

Just became a new subscriber! I love your videos on preserving food. You have a great family and are so relatable. Keep up the great work!

[@theredshed7864]

Great videos...I love your girls LOL Nice honest video , good info

[@annabodhi38]

Love this, and you have such lovely girls. Thank you for the video.

[@williamwelch7]

Really, really great video! You guys are so awesome! Shalom

[@jodyflores601]

Thank you all for sharin' your opinions on all the subjects of off grid living. I'm excited to continue watching your journey. Blessings to you all. :)

[@SugarCreekOffGrid]

Probably my favorite video! Great! The girls are adorable.

[@dennis4251]

One of your best vids. Thanks for the time and effort you put into these.

[@edmondsonoffgridhomestead8932]

Hard to believe it’s been 1 year. Keep it pushin.

[@thomasschauss6429]

You might want to think about getting 3 or 4 Guinea Hens, they love ticks and other bugs. And there known to kill snake's too, and well the sounds they make helps keep some preditors away

[@jenihansen7201]

HERE TO SHOW SUPPORT....LOVE THE HONESTY. I DON'T THINK I COULD LIVE OFF GRID, BUT I ADMIRE YOU FOR YOUR TENACITY.

[@homesteadinthewoods4841]

Great video. First year has to be the hardest. Learning curves. Surprisingly we haven't had any ticks on us in the N FL woods. Maybe the free range chickens are helping with that. Our two guinea hens moved in with a neighbor several acres away..but do come visit from time to time and they bring a couple of friends with them...heard they eat ticks. Hair cut looks great !! The girls are so funny.

[@kaylakristine1290]

What a fortunate upbringing you're providing those two girls. I really wish I had been raised in this 'lifestyle' ever since I began homesteading, even if I wasn't able to see it that way at that age. As I work toward obtaining my own plot of land, I gain so much insight from videos like this... honest take on the negative aspects and challenges, sharing mistakes for others to learn from, what you would've done differently... aspects that are consistent throughout your videos. Respect. Thank you.

[@tnoel374]

First time watching your channel. Cool that you all are trying to figure it all out. I too have an off grid farm, and little house in Efland, NC Love the hair color.

[@jenward8877]

Great update guys. Loved hearing from all of you.

[@buddyl92]

Thanks for your honesty. It is very refreshing to see. Best of success to you all.

[@ibislife]

So excited to see you build your house. That will be amazing. I will be semi-off-grid, on water and sewage, but will be connected to the power line. Will look into solar down the road, but here in Norway, there is not enough sunlight, or light at all in the middle of the winter to give me enough power. My house is coming along, will move in February. You should get the tick-borne encephalitis vaccine.

[@dwalsh4027]

In general, sounds like as family, you are doing really well, despite the set backs. Nice video

[@epayne]

Your girls are adorable. Loved hearing everybodies input