Escape the Grid: Best States for Off-Grid Living

[@stormeagle2865]

Not being able to collect rainwater on your property is peak govt bs

[@buggyridge]

There are not enough folks to check and easy to run a subsurface drain to a cistern. A neighbor would more than likely turn you in. Saw it all the time.

[@summitdave8782]

Yeppers... Colorado is the same... Crazy

[@SansevieriaMedia]

I've heard it's illegal to be off grid in Florida.

[@colormedubious4747]

@@SansevieriaMedia Gonna need a citation for that.

[@SeptemberMeadows]

I feel it's completely bonkers, too. My understanding of it is that farmers, ranchers, and municipalities conspired in the 1800s early 1900s to divy up the water in areas. In order to get that water the rain [all the rain] has to soak into the water table and flow into the rivers, lakes etc. If someone stops that rain from doing that they're effectively robbing someone else of a resource that was bargained for long ago. In my opinion if water is going to be divided up that way then it should be something that's revisited every 20 years, for a redivision according to New circumstances.

[@Chris_at_Home]

I lived off grid off road in a place I built with solar and a cistern. In the winter I would melt snow. I did this for a few years. I worked out of town for a few weeks and then had a few weeks off. It was perfect. You could only get there in an ATV/UTV in the summer or snowmobile in the winter as it is miles from the nearest road. I built the place over 20 years ago.

[@gregoryhodge9452]

Lucky

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@gregoryhodge9452 I thought so. I, getting up there in years, 70 this month, and now only go with others in the winters, but I spend some time alone out there in the summers. My wife comes out sometimes and so does my son and some friends. The snow isn’t that deep this year. We were out there a few weeks ago and we had to stay on the trails as snow wasn’t covering logs and brush in the woods.

[@carolmaplesden916]

@@Chris_at_Home God bless you brother that is amazing i regret hugely that i didn't do something like that if you ever decide to sale or if you ever know of a place like that man id love to have an opportunity to buy a place like that to get me and my daughters family into my daughter got hit by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan and hospitalized in DC for awhile and now blessed with a son and loving husband we could really use something like that bless you and your family and I pray for your peace

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@carolmaplesden916 These types of properties come available with realtors like McKinleyView Real Estate in Talkeetna. Banks will not finance remote properties and the seller usually wants cash . I know a few properties like ours that went for well over $100,000. Many places are changing hands due to the age of the owners. Our place will go to my son when I’m gone. I’m 70 now. You can get less expensive places but they are more primitive without things like solar and water collection. I have a slide show of our place on this site. I didn’t spend much time putting the photo collection together but you can get an idea of what I built.

[@christinesorensen8050]

‘The Great Alone’ by Kristin Hannah is a good novel about some ppl who went to Alaska for a new life, and all the hardships they endured (some hardships had nothing to do with being in Alaska, more to do with an abusive father/husband).

[@joem3502]

Who knew that "living in a van down by the river" would eventually become something that people want to do.

[@SystemsEndGame]

Right lmao , the gov has made houses too high & people are saying f it & moving into vans lol

[@marshallcollins8634]

@ rolsten graphics The government doesn’t like people living in vans and Mobile type housing is the TAXING. They need taxes to pay for all the FREE things people think they are entitled to.

[@HateTheGameTX]

@@SystemsEndGame I think it’s because of the government too. Too much government overreach even in “red” states

[@geoffoakland]

LOL, 🤣 Matt Foley!!

[@dogie1070]

Bob Wells is probably a billionaire by now…

[@jenniferbrumback1062]

I'm from KY. The waters not polluted from farms. It's mostly due to factories and suburb run off. You go up on the mountains and hollers you'll find the purest sweetest water at source.

[@jamusmorrison3073]

Same here in Wv. It’s out the side of a clean mountain. Not a coal mine.

[@James-ju1wb]

I'm from New Mexico. What's a holler?

[@lessforloans]

@@James-ju1wbit’s another word for a cut of land back in the country

[@Cameron-ms8bz]

How hard to find land up there?

[@Jeffreymart]

@@James-ju1wb think mini valley

[@jeladsnikpoh1289]

Off grid with solar power, no TV, no landline, no internet except for my no-contract cell phone, growing much of my own food and medicinals (some wild like plantain, paw paws, blackberries and cherries, etc), cash purchase for everything including house and vehicles, never had a single dime of debt. This lifestyle is the reason Kentucky called me from Oregon. With the budget I'm constrained with I could've never owned land in Oregon, but the lush green, nature-filled piece of heaven I own in Kentucky is paid in full, baby!

[@rishabhvishal7488]

Where??? Which town sir?

[@jeladsnikpoh1289]

@@rishabhvishal7488 Without giving too much info, I'm in RURAL central kentucky. Rural is key, but not too far from several decent sized towns and cities. Won't find deals like this in towns and cities. I wish you the fulfillment of your dreams!

[@rishabhvishal7488]

@jeladsnikpoh1289 I'm not an American, I'm indian but if you can tell me the place and delete it post a like. It'd help me immensely and u may end up having a like minded person in your rural town who is interested in permaculture and will bring bit if oriental knowledge in herbs etc.

[@Cameron-ms8bz]

@@jeladsnikpoh1289i hear good thing bout Kentucky. How u think it compare to other southern states for off grid

[@jeladsnikpoh1289]

@@Cameron-ms8bz I haven't done heavy research on all the other southern states, but I think rural parts of Kentucky is most favorable regarding laws, cost of living, and growability. We have tornadoes, but not as common as some of the other southern states. Climate is good for growing, perhaps not quite as good as more south. We're closer to civilization than West Virginia is. Several years ago when I researched, Florida was very restrictive with laws regarding off-grid and other self-sustaining practices. That may've changed since, but was the biggest turnoff for me possibly moving there. Kentucky is cheaper, lower crime, and less populated then Tennessee. Rural Kentucky seems to be the nicest 'low cost' place in US- Sorry Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia!

[@GodiscomingBhappy]

1 Wyoming (legal to harvest rain water, cheap land, low taxes) 2 Missouri (good climate, solar incentives, low cost of living, lots of water, taxes are low) 3 Montana ( good land, flexible laws) 4 illinois (good for solar, lots of land, rural, relaxed laws, you need a permit to drill a well) 5 North Dacota (lots of open land, generous incentives, low cost of living, low traffic, hunting and fishing paradise, low tax) 6 Kansas ( housing and land 40% cheaper, low cost of living, weather wise East is better) 7 Nebraska (encourage to live off grid, tax.... , great land, hot summers cold winters) 8 Oklahoma (land of the red man, lowest property taxes, low cost of living, East best) 9 Minnesota ( lots of lakes, fishing, cold, you can homeschool and harvest water, price of land is higher) 10 Kentucky ( water, taxes, 4 seasons, careful with contaminated water) 11 Texas ( low cost of living and taxes, land to grow, mild winters, can harvest water) 12 Iowa ( fishing, land prices, lots of solar, incentives, rural boost program..... rural...... something program.... heaps of programs)

[@mickbadgero5457]

Thanks for the list. How can any state be on the list if you can't harvest rain water?

[@ONETEE.HENDRIX]

@@mickbadgero5457build a well

[@lehuananichai3947]

Hawaii is not on the list. Why?

[@bidenwearsdiapers4026]

Land in Wyoming is not “cheap.”

[@bidenwearsdiapers4026]

Minnesota = left wing cesspool run by politicians who think sexualizing little kids is a fine idea.

[@ButterflyHummingbird]

One thing that you have to keep in mind about states where a lot of large-scale corporate farming has been done, the soil is thoroughly saturated with Monsanto’s Round-Up weed killer. A major component of Round-Up is glyphosate, which has been proven to be a cause of several aggressive cancers. To safeguard your family, all growing should be done in containers with organic soil and not come in contact with farm soil. All of those poisoned farmlands need healing. Blessed be!

[@TheFoolintherainn]

That might be one of the most important points under this entire video comment thread- Canadian Farmers have been put out a business for decades trying to fight Monsanto... You may have heard of that case where a farmer went completely bankrupt, he refused to use Monsanto seeds, and they blew off their trucks landing in his Fields while they were carrying them to other farmers-they were able to sue him put him out of business take everything he owned based on patent infringement rights-because their seeds infected his Fields. But ofcourse monsanto's lawyers liars leeches were able to destroy many family farms as they're doing in Vermont. You know the Bernie Sanders crowd! They drink organic microbrews at their meetings while they discuss the kickbacks are going to make turning over Vermont lands and premier sugar bushes to Monsanto corporation rural land isn't cheap anymore because Bill Gates is buying up all the green spaces & farmland. I don't know if he's pro Monsanto or trying to keep China from buying it up

[@bubbafringman1864]

Yes, and all the tributaries that dump into the Mississippi river and into the gulf are totally polluted with glyphosate. That's why new Orleans is called cancer alley. More cancer there than anywhere else in the country

[@ButterflyHummingbird]

@@TheFoolintherainn I’m grateful I was able to contribute something of value to the conversation.

[@TheFoolintherainn]

@@ButterflyHummingbird ⭐ congrats! It's always best to listen to yootoob Flatlanders, not those living off-grid in Alaska. You should do very well in life teaching people what to do. I got to go get the ole plow truck goin! Split a bunch of firewood yesterday cuz we've got an ice storm today. Poor husky Malamute came in covered with icicles. Lots of icicles this week Do you put food coloring on your icicles for decoration when you're off grid without electricity? Not much color in the winter Try it sometime-it's fun There's my contribution to off-grid living. Food coloring on your icicles -have a nice day staring at off-grid living videos, I got to go live it!

[@TheFoolintherainn]

@@rollingrainbowthunder2155 yeah, that's why I'm not too happy bout him buying up all the farmland, but I'm not sure if he's doing it to prevent China. Either way, globalism is destroying the Earth. I don't know why we had to become so global - regional is good. Keep your diseases to yourself Generally the foods you need to live in a climate are provided by the climate I live in Alaska -and I'm starting to wonder whether we should live in places where we're not welcome. But it feels like humans stake a claim in something and then see if they're welcome after

[@dennisyoung4496]

Been living off grid for 3 years now. It's a lot of work, but I don't worry about heating and electricity. I power my house with solar and only burn wood. I'm in Missouri, so it is cheaper.

[@hots4jc]

Yeah I live in Iowa! Awesome state. Got a $10,000 grant to put in a new septic tank on our acreage. You need to not make a lot a money and be in your 60’s to qualify. Food grows like crazy here. Planted a crop using no fertilizer just to test how good the soil is here. Everything grew.

[@litestuffllc7249]

San Fransico, Oakland, LA, Seattle - look at all the nice off grid tents you need to open your eyes - you reviewed all these lovely towns

[@7evenboutique135]

I’m thinking about moving to Seattle. Is it considered a good off grid state?

[@SherryEllesson]

Briggs, as someone who was an instructor for the application & admin of grants, may I please offer your fans an important factoid: a grant isn't just money you do anything you want with. It's a "job" of sorts, so it requires accurate record-keeping and reporting as to how the money is actually spent. If you get a grant to buy land with the stipulation you must begin construction of a "homestead" within 2 years, for example, pitching a tent and using the money to buy a new truck ain't gonna' get it and you could be on the hook to repay that money. In the instance of Federal grants, keep in mind that misuse of Federal funds is a felony. Those people don't play, and they DO audit the use of grant money.

[@alanploetz7100]

If the misuse of Fed funds felony were truly enforced, then Congress and the Senate members would be the first ones locked up. 😏

[@TheFoolintherainn]

Except for politicians & families. They can spend it any way they want

[@willieyoung4818]

You are beautiful...... js

[@nealamesbury1480]

Enjoy life !

[@savannahsmiles1797]

many of those that took advantage of mining claims and didn't mine and built summer homes found out they couldn't keep the land

[@JasonPyne]

Great video. It's truly the simple things in life that matter, something that's easy to forget living in a city.

[@WorldAccordingToBriggs]

Couldn't agree more!

[@paddyj7690]

Anything is possible in the "land of the free"

[@SeptemberMeadows]

@@paddyj7690 Switzerland?

[@GenXfrom75]

I have lived with my husband (veteran) and our sons at both Fort Riley, KS and Fort Sill, OK... and we LOVED Kansas!! Moon Lake and a lot of outside activities! It was lovely.

[@grover2727]

I was born at Fort Riley, KS. way back in the olden days.

[@Swearengen1980]

I can't believe Kansas was that high on the list. Humidity sucks and makes all weather more miserable.

[@grover2727]

@@Swearengen1980 Agreed, plus to many bugs and tornadoes , however, Kansas women are as fine as frog hair.

[@GenXfrom75]

@@Swearengen1980 I'm from coastal South Carolina.... That's humid 🤣

[@GenXfrom75]

@@grover2727 I loved watching tornadoes form. Saw one start at Riley and Sill. Just safe distanced though!

[@Trendkill91]

Surprised Indiana and Pennsylvania aren't on this list. Both have a sizable Amish population so the laws are extremely kind to off grid people.

[@Roma_eterna]

Omg I live in PA! Philly though, but I’ve often considered trading the urban decay for simpler living. Also Pennsylvania seems to have a plethora of walkable small towns, which is perfect since I don’t drive.

[@rcstraka]

I love Pennsylvania, and with the state being a commonwealth, I’m sure you can work off grid living. But as far as the Amish go, it’s their religious belief that allows them their lifestyle.

[@rcstraka]

@@Roma_eterna Lol, the City of Brotherly Love my ass!!! Pennsylvania from Scranton West is beautiful though!

[@alexeichoquet7822]

Another state not on the list is Maine. Not southern Maine,but northern Maine.

[@enigmawyoming5201]

@@rcstraka I’m (sorta) sorry, but Roma never said anything about “City of Brotherly Love”…. so why are you so critical to Roma?

[@tc9871]

I was waiting for Michigan to be on here. Hunting and fishing are huge here. It's a way of life for many people here. It is also one of the best states for homeschooling.

[@Michorida]

Same

[@erickf899]

It's the crazy government that keeps me away!

[@Mmmmkaaay]

Plus with The Great Lakes, you won't ever run out of water.

[@Growmap]

Bad state to live in if there are more lock-downs. And make sure you always have extra seeds in case the governor tries to block selling them again. Michigan is not free enough to be living in.

[@melissataylor1235]

Gretch is a tyrant. Now she wants us to have illegals live in our homes. Right....

[@mikeyg2178]

I was absolutely blown away that IL made the list, but we do have a lot of rural land out here, drawback is some acreage can cost up to $75k per acre depending where you settle down.

[@ICU-mw7su]

@Jj Not greed by people- China owns at least 5% of most states...BlackRock (China Interest) and farmer Bill Gates have been buying up land at 40% above market price for over a year now!

[@SeptemberMeadows]

I'm going to be soon living in an off-grid yurt in the McCarthy area of Alaska. Dreams come true 😍

[@TheFoolintherainn]

Oh jeez! 🙄 And they'll be another yurt for sale in 18 months.... I hope to God you know what you're doing-we've had enough problems up here with transplant wannabes.

[@SeptemberMeadows]

@@TheFoolintherainn I appreciate your pain but rest assured I know myself and my abilities well. You nor anyone else need be concerned. However if you or others need assistance I'm sure I can provide it 😉

[@TheFoolintherainn]

@@SeptemberMeadows lol! I just had some guy in a yurt begging me to sell him my cast iron stove! Then I put up a room for rent-and who did I hear from? People in yurts trying to get the hell out! Don't be cooking bacon in yurts or in Bear country-good luck with that hahaha!

[@geanderson9203]

Not all islands, but Hawaii has some large pockets of off grid living. The Big Island in particular where you can harvest rain water and poperty taxes are cheapest in the nation.

[@enigmawyoming5201]

You can collect rainwater that runs off your roof in Wyoming, but building a pond for example, you need a permit and own rights to the water. I.e. - the developer of your property very often retains surface water rights when they sold you your land. I have land that was once owned by UP railroad from back in 1870. They still own the water rights on my land.

[@stardust949]

what the HELL!

[@sethroberts634]

🤣 you don't actually own your land then

[@ohmai3706]

Damn.

[@TheCharleseye]

So, are you not allowed to have a well, either? I mean, the difference between groundwater in a pond and groundwater in the water table is pretty negligible. It seems like there are grounds for people to fight these insane, archaic laws.

[@enigmawyoming5201]

@@TheCharleseye you can have a well, no problem, with permit. For your own personal use. Not to use for a commercial brewery for example. You probably live in a state outside of the arid west…. western states fight for water… and wells are not an infinite resource for water. My personal well was punched in 2002. Fortunately it was pretty deep. The aquifer level (Ogallala Aquifer) has dropped 75 ft. in the last 60 years. Maybe doesn’t sound like much to you…. but if your well runs dry and you have drill another one… you’d care. Management needs to know where wells are… and septic tanks, and usage to manage properly.

[@TropicTrdr]

Speaking of Texas, the town of Spur has openly encouraged tiny homes on lots in town because of a declining population. They have quite a colony going!

[@shawnhampshirehick101]

I heard that. I need to check it out.

[@TheFoolintherainn]

Keep it quiet-those things pop up, as soon as they get attention from the city, code enforcement, and especially landlords and hotels? They will be shut down When Walmart started inviting RV parking overnight, some local areas banned it because hotel owners and campgrounds were pissed. They count on government funds, subsidized housing to pay their bills. They'll take someone on a government housing voucher over the woman who works So keep it on the down-low as long as you can, be prepared for the next move any day- they'll be going in there to break it up shortly Some do-gooder reporter will put it all over the front page-and that will be the end of people's homes. Shuddup

[@freeshrugs63]

At first Spur looked really remote. It's an hour from Lubbock. Then I realized I'm 40 miles from the nearest town of 10,000 (SE Kansas). 90 miles to Wichita, 90 to Tulsa. I've been here 3 years. Makes me understand I'm capable of living anywhere and I shouldn't be afraid of "remote".

[@st33lw0lf6]

@@freeshrugs63 Hey, I live in Lubbock! There’s definitely a lot of land around here. Lots of people are buying 10+ acre lots right outside of town and setting up shop.

[@Growmap]

@@freeshrugs63 It is really hard to get anywhere really "remote" unless it is in a state where it gets really cold or out in a desert somewhere. Land with consistent rainfall where you can grow what you want is rarely more than 60 miles from a town or city. Spur is more remote than most places.

[@SwampSquatch70]

Northern Minnesota is absolutely gorgeous. Anyone wanting to a canoeing or kayaking trip. Look into Boundary Waters. Unbelievable beauty. Did a canoeing expedition there a few years ago. We would go days without seeing another boat.

[@terriroot7665]

From there absolutely beautiful grew up Hoyt lakes Mn.

[@montanamountainmen6104]

Wyoming gets bitterly cold in the winter. With mostly flat landscape the wind blows all the time. Montana got down to -43 to -70 in Dec. 2022 in some areas. We are full so Alaska is open.

[@TheFoolintherainn]

Nooooo! Don't send them up here 🙄

[@MrCamel2humps]

Ahem… did you say it’s illegal to collect rainwater in some states? That is infuriating 😡

[@WorldAccordingToBriggs]

I agree

[@TheLassenman]

I agree also. The question then is, who "owns" the water then that comes the sky? I mean nobody owns it and should be allowed to be collected by anyone anywhere..

[@marthasmadman]

It’s ridiculous and government bureaucracy not to be able to do what you want on your own property

[@colormedubious4747]

@@WorldAccordingToBriggs Here's a tale that will really bake your noodle. In the summer of 2003, there was a heat wave and drought in the western USA. I visited Denver that summer. Denver is where the term "xeriscaping" (low water use landscaping) originated in the USA, so you'd think that they understand how the water cycle works. You'd be wrong. During 2003, the city became so concerned with low water flow in the creeks and Platte River that they forbade rainwater collection. I'm SURE that the water falling on a few 1,200 square foot residential roofs not making it into the nearest creek was the source of ALL their problems (that was sarcasm, in case it wasn't obvious). Here's the rub: People were using city water to keep their lawns alive. Rainwater collection barrels can only hold so much water before their tiny little spillways send the excess to the local streams anyway. People COULD have used captured rainwater to keep their lawns alive (with NO measurable detriment to the streamways) and thereby reduced demand on the strained city water utility. Typical politician "logic" at work: Do something stupidly counterproductive so, during the next election, you can pretend you did something positive.

[@cisium1184]

The government owns the sky, and has regulatory oversight of all cups, barrels, and buckets.

[@mindibear]

Overjoyed that my suggestion made it as a video! Thanks Briggs!!

[@blueyedscream7677]

I'm going have to save this list. Going tiny and getting off grid ready is my goal in the next 6 to 10 years.

[@FalseNi9e]

Same, my goal is 2 years from now

[@humbledsparrows4687]

We live in East Texas on a 25 acre homestead. Love it!!! The key to living real cheap in Texas is to live outside of an incorporated city. Living in the county you can get agriculture exemptions on your taxes. Another bonus is, it's a 2A state and respects the rights of its citizens. GOD Bless Texas.

[@Buildsolarhomes]

@Humbled Sparrow, thanks 🙏 for sharing your comments.....ie...."live outside of an incorporated city".

[@mmmd3429]

What state isn't a 2a state? Electricity is cheap in Texas, cheaper when the grid is down. No bill 😂 Though parts of East Texas mooch off SERC or MRO.

[@mmmd3429]

@nexus169 Guns are banned in both states? Reagan did what to California?

[@rickterry8991]

Wonderful state just too far from my family

[@robertallen4842]

Texas is awesome but I’ve talked to many in Texas that say people are moving in from California and New York and they bring their democrat voting ways with them………..

[@GenXfrom75]

Went to Job Corps in Eastern Kentucky, Prestonsburg, KY. Lotta coal dust settled over everything but it was a fine 7 months. I graduated in Aug 1997. We did get a wee dusting of snow early that year! Being from coastal SC, I enjoyed it!

[@ES-mc3cc]

I love visiting Iowa, but it's very hot in summer, very cold in winter, and they get a lot of tornados!

[@Jilly-Kerry-2Mullens]

Once you get acclimated you will love it here.

[@drewcoowoohoo]

Yes, it's too hot here and too cold here. But mostly the people of Iowa suck and if you can get away from them it's not so bad.

[@thomasnygard7968]

I would've never even thought that such a law even existed, my grandma used to keep a barrel under the gutter of the house and she wash her hair with the rain water because of the hard water in the house . I cant imagine not being able to collect something that is pouring off the roof of my house furthermore ,I can't imagine the reason for a law like that

[@raspberryjellydoughnut5727]

Off grid living friendliness is often figured out by finding Amish communities cause they were off grid before off grid was Cool

[@lorenl9262]

Great video and very useful as I live in Las Vegas, Nevada for over 12 years and I looking to go to a much less populated area and these states are very desireable!!! Kudos to YOU:)-

[@ozark1981]

Texas bonus is the no state income tax also. And I'm very surprised Arkansas isn't on the list? Growing up there my Pop's had at least a dozen friends who lived off grid. Heck my cousin still has a place near Yellville that has been off grid since the 70's.

[@heidiw8406]

Arkansas should be on this list.

[@denisestarr2314]

In west Arkansas ,6 years offgrid. Best kept secret. Sshhh

[@CoCo-yv3hl]

No state tax but extremely high everything else & fees for things other states don’t have to pay

[@peggyjones3282]

I just returned from a trip to Kentucky. Holy cow. That place is beautiful and cheap. I'm a city girl, but I called my husband and told him to start looking on Zillow. I don't think I will do the jump, but we think about it. The world is crazy.

[@Patriot-od6xk]

Kentucky is Great State outside the metro areas

[@TheFoolintherainn]

Go spend a summer in Kentucky before you make the move. And leave your flatlander city dweller voting habits behind if you move out to the country-cuz you'll just turn it into where you came from. 🙄

[@peggyjones3282]

@@TheFoolintherainn no worries there. Part of the attraction is a place where people have common sense.

[@TheFoolintherainn]

@@peggyjones3282 if they don't have common-sense on grid, they're going to have less common sense off-grid. I'm tired of saving their sorry asses from the woods. Folks don't understand what happens off-grid - you don't call 911. It's the rest of us that are trying to stay off radar who get caught dealing with the messes. You don't see us on TV cameras being heroes because we don't want media in our lives You're not going to find the stories on KZbin. That's not where these people live. But go locally to certain places and you'll hear stories of hunters and weekend warriors getting lost or passing out in the woods-chances are, they drank a 12-pack, got disoriented in the woods, and couldn't find their way out suddenly they're awake next to the road... they've got help that came out of nowhere-people want to call it Bigfoot? Those are regular people with common sense living off grid Having to jump in to take care of these KZbin wannabe weekend warriors. Who the do you think rescues people in areas 911 doesn't go? Flatlanders don't understand. They live in an artificial cosmic bubble, of environmental & intellectual waste. 911 doesn't go to most of Alaska. But stupid tourists do

[@jeladsnikpoh1289]

I moved here from Oregon 3 years ago. Kentucky is a seriously overlooked and forgotten place, and is the most beautiful, livable place for the tightest budget. Very off-grid friendly (climate and growability, natural resources like hardwood, food and water, minimal government 'intervention', cheap rural land that's never far from a city for supplies, and privacy). The fact that Kentucky is overlooked is one of its best features! So glad I stumbled across the deal of a lifetime on property in Kentucky, while trying to find a place in North Carolina!

[@patticampana9458]

Wow! Very informative! You know when you mentioned Oklahoma I started singing the song from the musical 😄😄😄. Give those off the grid people kudos. The way things and prices are going, we're all going to be living off the grid or in a bread line. Thanks Briggs ✌️

[@shawnhampshirehick101]

Prepped & Ready.🤠👋

[@SystemsEndGame]

I’m born & raised in Kentucky & I would say Tennessee more suites the off grid living life. I live here now, & there’s so much water & wild-life, & even mountains, very surprised you miss the volunteer state!

[@TheCharleseye]

Yes, I agree. This generation of hipster "off-grid" types should definitely choose Tennessee over Kentucky. Considering most of them don't last two years before they're re-selling the land at double the price due to "improvements," they would do nothing but hurt the locals in Kentucky by pricing them out. Since a bunch of New Yorkers and Californians are moving to Tennessee anyway, the locals are already screwed when it comes to buying their own land. Might as well keep the problem localized.

[@NelsonSenten]

@@TheCharleseye hipster off grid type??? What is that? Lol. You don’t seem like a nice person. Why not welcome people to that state? Just salty. I’ll pray that you open your heart and mind. My goodness.

[@dotjohnson231]

@@NelsonSenten seriously? we don't welcome them at all because our TN towns are getting too crowded, and they are driving up the price of property so that locals can't afford to buy anything. I'm not exaggerating. People move here from states with a higher cost of living and they pay inflated prices for property. Prices THEY caused to be inflated. Why should we welcome them???

[@Drebotchris]

I am currently working on purchasing some land south of Jackson - any helpful hints?

[@dotjohnson231]

@@Drebotchris what is the nearest town?

[@dariusbrock2351]

I enjoy your videos! Thanks for another good one!

[@mandyluparell8293]

I love your videos, Briggs! Keep em comin!

[@WorldAccordingToBriggs]

Glad you like them!

[@channelnoorislamtv1348]

Hi mandy visit my channel

[@HyperJoe]

Surprised You didn't mention New Mexico or Arizona, I have a 20 Acre Off Grid place in Arizona, water can be an Issue as You have to haul it from a Community Well, but for Solar and some Wind Power it's almost perfect. Places here where there is NO Grid, land can be very affordable, although some of the Regulations are a bit extreme, for no real reason except for control Reasons, probably because of the scarcity of Water? That being said, I love My off Grid 20.. 👍🤠

[@rcstraka]

Good to know, this is something I have longed to do. I have plans of living in a Yurt. And these days we’re living in, we might all have to learn to live off grid.

[@cynthiaharrell784]

Thank you Mr Briggs, it's a if you made this just for me. Luv it.

[@TheGeoScholar]

Illinois threw me off for a moment, but when I considered everything AWAY from Chicago and other urban areas, yes, Illinois has alot of rural areas.

[@johnp139]

Still high taxes.

[@Provocateur3]

@@johnp139: And you'll never know when the tyrants will come to your batcave and take all of your marvelous toys.

[@joem3502]

Illinois sucks, unless 6 months of cloudy days is your thing.

[@CoolHandLuke01]

alot isn’t a word

[@nemoexpress3426]

I don't know of anyone living off grid in Illinois, unless you count someone who had their utilities turned off.

[@agcala9619]

Thank you. This is great. I can't imagine why saving rain water would be illegal. That is crazy. Eva

[@nickk9105]

Surprised how North Dakota made the list but South Dakota didn't. The tax climate is a lot friendlier, the hunting and fishing opportunities are more plentiful and the prices are in fact lower. The winters are slightly less brutal and the scenery is more attractive, especially in the Black Hills region

[@AWcinema]

I totally agree I don't know where this guy gathered his information but I think it may be from books or newspapers I don't think you personally travel to those places

[@veryinteresting591]

The Black Hills are gorgeous

[@Ulfstigandr]

I left the Black Hills because it's no longer financially viable. Plenty of prairie land for cheap, but the hills are where everyone escaping commifornia go.

[@Micki.R]

@@Ulfstigandr We are in the farthest place we could go without being in another country or the ocean, and the commiefornians found us and have totally wrecked the place. They come in and the first thing they do is cut down all the beautiful trees - and I mean ALL. They don't even want to keep a blackberry bush. Then, they act like complete @$$holes and destroy the quality of living for everyone who lives around them with no regard as to how their actions affect the rest of us. No wonder they destroyed one of the most beautiful states in the union. I was born and raised until college in California in the 50s and 60s, back when it was paradise, and before it was totally invaded with people from the East and NE. That's who commiefornia is made up of now since they started flooding in in the 70s. I never went back but they found me anyway. There is basically no place left to go that they haven't destroyed.

[@JustinJohnson-v6t]

South Dakota is very corrupt city government up to the crickets killer Noem

[@royprovins7037]

A lot of off grid living in AZ east of kingman and toward flagstaff. You can drill for water and solar works just fine. Generally in 40 acre lots or bigger

[@ilovetotri23]

Great video! I was shocked initially by Illinois, but it is very rural when you get further south. I love Iowa! Yeah for them.

[@stevewalther2293]

I'm leaving Florida for Iowa...Florida is flat and hot and crowded...

[@JSabh]

Ok.. I am off grid in Virginia, and it's great. The thing to look for is Amish communities because the rules for them are different and if you buy land near their area, your restrictions are very low. For instance, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania are decent . Every place you posted has harsh extreme weather. No thanks with the tornados and 100+degree summers. You see, there are good reasons people do not live there in mass, and you should take note.

[@cheesygal]

Off grid in Arizona. Surprisingly workable. I’d love Idaho. And jobs and family and things. If you live in the non desert regions, it’s actually great. Plenty of sun for solar, monsoons for water catchment, long growing seasons, constitutional freedoms for now.

[@chuckaddison5134]

Would be nice to see a video combining off grid and earth home friendly states.

[@CoolHandLuke01]

Silly.

[@standunitedorfall1863]

@@CoolHandLuke01 Not silly at all. Learn more.

[@Mhome5924-i3v]

I would LOVE it. I'm looking for that

[@MichelleNovalee]

Love this style of video. Can you do a video on the best places to homestead?

[@Growmap]

Same places IF they have abundant water. That would probably be near rivers, in the mountains and places east of I-35. It rains more consistently east of I-35 than it does west of I-35. Watch out for deed restrictions, zoning laws, and check future annexation maps of any town or city anywhere near the land you're looking at as you do NOT want to be annexed! Also, be aware that even rural areas can have HOAs of all things. Avoid them like the plague. A local guy sub-dividing and carrying the paper on land he's selling put ridiculous limits on what you can have on 5 acres. For example, you can only have 2 horses or 2 sheep. Well, that is illogical. Pasture can support far more sheep than horses. He even limited the number of chickens you could have to a number that means you probably couldn't raise them for meat for your own family.

[@austinsandifer5006]

Thanks for this Briggs,I've been thinking about doing this one day.

[@SuperLooneyrooney]

Missouri is great for off-grid living. i call it the "bell curve+ state" - not outstanding in any one category but usually above avg. in most categories. the zoning laws and regulations are pretty good for this kind of lifestyle and we have a healthy population and pockets of Amish and Mennonite here. Lot's of small towns, smallish farms and we are seeing a steady influx of Texans and Illinoisans and other overrun "popular" locations relocate here as overall cost of living is below average. In most parts you are usually not more than 30-45 min. tops from "civilization". Similar for Arkansas

[@MTknitter22]

Yes! Lots of Texans moving to NW AR and Missouri for homesteading. Realtors where several TX Panhandle family are now say two groups buying farms and land, Texans and Californians.

[@drewcoowoohoo]

@@MTknitter22 When I lived in the Pacific Northwest there were Californians buying up land and making the locals miserable. Is that going to happen to the bible belt states of the midwest, too?

[@seanyyk___4774]

Love the consistency Briggs 🔥

[@lilysgram5886]

Just found your channel and love it!! I would never live off the grid but admire anyone who does.

[@TheWickerShireProject]

hehe amen!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

When the grid is run by a bunch of fascist globalists, you might want to reconsider.

[@justmona9647]

I would like to live off the grid, but not in any of these states. I'm looking to get away from Florida but not West. Tennessee is as far from West as I want to be. Thanks for the information Briggs!

[@mmmd3429]

If you can't hack any struggles it is smart to not come out west. Stay near the easy coast. It's ok to admit you're scared of elevation.

[@jonnewbauer9124]

ALASKA IS GREAT FOR IT TO AS IS WAY DOWN HERE IN FLORIDA... BEEN OFF GRID FOR OVER 3 YEARS NOW.. LOVE IT. ❤👍

[@Orangeshebert]

Entertaining and informative. Great speaking voice. I enjoy your content!

[@yashenruvinda9287]

Greetings from sunny Sri Lanka... Really enjoy waching your vdos...in the process of migrating to the US and your vdos really help

[@desertdawn540]

Love to get off the grid! So tired of the negative news everyday! I wonder how long it will be, before those in charge will make illegal to live off the grid!

[@ronbown3836]

Yeah me too I want to live off the grid to I know it's probably going to be difficult at first but it'll be worth it in the end.

[@stevewalther2293]

A lot of people live off the grid...it's called being homeless...

[@mmmd3429]

​@@stevewalther2293 Hey now, Texans are off grid every now and then. Don't leave them out.

[@khushwindersinghuniversali8317]

​@@stevewalther2293😂😂😂

[@New-bw4kz]

Not long… the NWO will not allow it soon for example all the “wild fires” killing so many people and destroying property…

[@pongop]

Interesting list!

[@markpickering4873]

I am happy and surprised that Iowa topped this list. I have actually known a few people here living off the grid.

[@wakeup1461]

I asked you to do a video on this years ago and now in 2023 you do it, unreal!!

[@paulalane8638]

Great video Briggs! Always get new interesting info. Disappointed ID not on here. We have a lot of off grid neighbors up here in the panhandle. Not complaining....it's gotten more crowded since we came pre pandemic.

[@amberseitz3276]

Thanks!

[@Saylor28]

Ah yes, when I think of Texas weather I definitely think "Warm and Pleasant"and not temperatures that reach 110°F in the summer time 😂

[@freeshrugs63]

I think "sufferin' succotash. Been in East Texas. And I've lived in the panhandle. I'll take dry heat and pleasant summer evenings in the high desert any day. My garden might grow better in wet places but I won't go outside to take care of it!

[@guitarguy3221]

I know wtf, feel like he phoned it in for this video. I go outside south Houston and choke the air is so humid. You can't regulate body heat with sweat so going outside can be literally dangerous

[@Growmap]

Yes, think "3+ weeks or longer of 100+ temps. I guess he's never lived in Texas during the summer.

[@kennymitchell1730]

@@Growmap it's been over a hundred everyday but 3 this summer in southwest oklahoma 109 today

[@CocoLópez-k2r]

Loved it. Learn about those States it something fascinating. Next home interview some people.

[@TheGeoScholar]

Minnesota and Texas are two places I could do off the grid living, if I ever chose to do that.

[@pauld315]

Check out Arizona. Northern Arizona around Show Low and Quartsite are huge off grid areas

[@tempest-523]

I think the best places are where there isn't too high of heat in the summer, and not too cold in the winter. Also where there isn't that much humidity. Where I am humidity is bad and without A/C black mold can become a problem in stuffy places. I worked on base for 10 years and buildings that were not constantly climate controlled for cost savings of electricity quickly became rampant with black mold, had a library have to destroy all the books there. And if you are off grid, you want something where solar, wind, or water can provide enough electricity for the basics. Where if you are in high heat A/C is a basic which isn't good for small electricity.

[@rjbradlow]

I eat black mold for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Been living with it most of my life.

[@RedandAprilOff-Grid]

Cochise County in Arizona is pretty nice! We built an owner builder passive design home. Great for solar, and in some areas you can drill a good well. 🌱🏜️🌞 Plus we don't get tornadoes or earthquakes.

[@Patriot-od6xk]

Kentucky is Great outside the metro city areas... Beautiful State, Tons to see and do if you love nature!

[@kati-ana]

It would've been nice to have included how each health care system is. ALL should include this only because it's so important no matter age.

[@josephfuller6229]

United States is ranked 67th out of 104 countries that have hospitals

[@josephfuller6229]

You have it better than me though female care is ranked 23rd for united states

[@purplebabushka852]

I love the Wyoming idea. Texas has high taxes. I love Minnesota in the winter. I know that most people look for the hot zones, but the beauty there in the winter is postcard.

[@SansevieriaMedia]

Illinois outside the Chicagoland area might as well be another state. I have ancestors from Paxton and it's just like any other rural Midwestern town. Cairo, however, would be a great place to film a zombie movie.

[@goldgeologist5320]

Paxton! Wow my folks lived there. Smallest count seat in Illinois. Great people there in those days.

[@montanawarren8462]

Chicago and Illinois have some of the most fertile land around but of course in Chicago it's all with buildings on top of it

[@James-ju1wb]

I second Cairo! The whole town is a prime apocalypse movie set. It's such a trip to drive through

[@SansevieriaMedia]

If you know any Hutchisons with only N is at the end, I'm related to them.

[@sashly99]

Still bound by government dictatorship

[@LaTonya7999]

Thank You I did not know about Iowa. I was sold on Missouri but now maybe I might change my mind. Thank You

[@thomasreto2997]

You clearly did a lot of research on this. Good info🤙

[@williamgill4898]

Mr. Briggs, excellent video. Always enjoy your content. Thank you!

[@milestraysandor5901]

The main piitfall about a lot of the off grid midwest states is the threat of tornados. It only takes one to wipe your place off the map entirely. Do so at your own risk.

[@JustMe-gs9xi]

yep,,,

[@rondaengle5690]

Tornado shelter

[@CoolHandLuke01]

Get a grip

[@R_B62]

Earth contact home

[@TerryLee04950]

When I lived off the grid in Alaska, the only threat was bears and mosquitoes. At least the bears could be scared away. The mosquitoes could carry you away.

[@JoandtheHoGottaGo]

Great video I've lived in most of these places. You are correct in the description of each one of them. There were about four I have not lived in. All very beautiful states. Thanks for the video

[@billt6116]

A guy in Oregon beat that. He had rainbows collecting rain water. The state told him he couldn't have them because the water that fell from the sky belonged to the state. He went to his attorney and had them draw up a little ceaseon desist letter, And the next time it rained he presented it to the state. Hereby ordered to see some desist and remove all water and all its contaminants brought with it immediately and forthwith

[@bernadettetibazi7893]

Love that!

[@billt6116]

@@bernadettetibazi7893 By the way, He got to keep those rainbarrels!

[@kaywatson6505]

So all the rain that fell from the sky belongs to the state? It rains across the planet. Making that claim of ownership is ludicrous. Just how many governments are they willing to take on?

[@PulpParadise]

I love how casual @WorldAccordingToBriggs is when he mentions "sure, you have to deal with some cold winters" on these videos, LOL.

[@jimmyv1753]

I think something that you should consider when making your list is weather. Kansas for instance is huge for thunderstorms and tornados. That’s one I’m familiar with because my daughter lived there for a few years. Some of the other states I am unsure of those types of hazards and it’s something I’m considering in my choice

[@travist6345]

I live off the grid in Arizona in the Forrest, absolutely love it. Weather isn’t too brutal

[@williamlong63]

Even Hawaii has some advantages for off the grid living. Year round temps make being/living outside nice all year. Relaxed zoning and building codes. Lots of places get plenty of rain to harvest. Growing your own food is an option. But if you have many wants, it can just be too expensive.

[@MPerski]

I’m kind of surprised that HAWAII is NOT on this list. Our two oldest boys live on the Big Island and are largely living off-grid. Solar is huge there, they grow a lot of their own food (and sell quite a bit in town at the farmer’s market), and butch wild turkeys, hogs, etc. not to mention the seafood. I imagine land is pricey (I mean, it’s an island) and I’m not sure about all the other metrics Briggs uses for his ranking, but …

[@komoru]

The volcanic soil is indeed very rich for growing. I had looked into this option at one point but decided against it because the cost of lots of things (like building materials, heavy equipment, etc) were significantly higher due to having to be shipped in from the mainland. At least in the continental U.S., you can get a manufactured home shipped via normal truck freight.

[@dustenmaxwell8946]

There is affordable land on Big Island. I live off grid in Puna district and there are some seriously janky setups. Mine isn't the prettiest either😂 solar, rain catchment and composting toilet is my life right now. It rains a LOT here though. 10feet a year! Good for catchment, not great for outdoor activities

[@als7989]

Arkansas should be number one on this list. The Ozarks is ideal. Land is dirt cheap, plenty of lakes and rivers full of fish, hunting license is also dirt cheap.

[@LovingIdaho]

One of the reasons I moved to idaho . Great off the grid state .

[@eiryamorlais4978]

You are fabulous! An excellent video - in so many respects. Thank you!!

[@nothat0therguy992]

I'm a bit surprised that Michigan wasn't on the list. I know property taxes are fairly high, but land is pretty cheap, there's good hunting, farming is doable in many areas and ground water is pretty reliable in most parts of the state. The biggest concern of ground water is PFAS contamination, but that's only a concern around Military bases, airports and certain former industrial sights

[@buggyridge]

I live in Michigan in the middle of the mitten. Good luck finding any land lately not surrounded by wind turbines or being bought up by investors. It's too cold and snowy to live economically off the grid in most of the state. Ground water very reliable. All us farmers buy up neighboring farms.

[@trevordaviestheawesomeness2176]

I'm sure it would be on the list if the Upper peninsula was its own state, and that you just counted that. As a Michigander who has been across a lot of the state, but definitely a bunch of the U.P., yeah the U.P. is definitely off the grid, and has a lot of remote areas where people do all kinds of outdoorsy things. Camp trailers, RVs, and motorcycles are all over up there

[@readyornot316]

@@trevordaviestheawesomeness2176 I came here for this comment 💯

[@TheCharleseye]

According to several articles that have been circulating, PFAS are in all groundwater at this point. I guess that means there's no point in worrying about them at all, any more.

[@ronbown3836]

Yeah I live in Michigan here and it's not a bad state but like you said the taxes are higher and that never goes away. I'm planning on moving to Southern Colorado the taxes are dirt cheap there and the property is pretty cheap too. I paid 85000 for 35 along the front range in the mountains

[@coopforilla4000]

Off the grid. Farming, fishing and Briggs is fire!

[@pavelbenjacob]

You make it sound like wind, solar and “tiny homes” are the top considerations, but “off grid” living isn’t just about disconnecting from utilities. Second amendment considerations, homeschooling, and working from home are more important to most seeking to get off grid. This is because the ultimate goal is self sufficiency, distancing themselves from Uncle Sam, and finding a like-minded community. Many of your choices fail miserably on those counts. (Yes, it can be a Red state/Blue state thing….)

[@caseyleichter2309]

"Second amendment considerations, homeschooling, and working from home are more important to most seeking to get off grid." I just love this attitude. It usually lasts until the first drought or crop failure - but I'm sure your guns will protect you from those.

[@lt.2992]

Why don’t you share your own list then? At least a top 5

[@TheCharleseye]

Nah. This latest craze is driven by hipster KZbinrs with plenty of money. They make videos of these unrealistic off-grid setups and then a bunch of naive people go running out to look for land. They pretty much all fail within the first two years and end up selling/losing the land. They don't care about rights or personal liberty. Honestly, if these people would just spend a Summer in a remote cabin rental, they'd realize they're not cut out for it and stay in their cities, where they belong. Instead, they jack up real estate prices and screw over everyone who legitimately wants that land. Let them do that in States that are more restrictive. We don't need it in free America.

[@Justmekpc]

@@TheCharleseye you want to stop people from their dreams in your “fee America”? 😂😂

[@TheCharleseye]

@@Justmekpc Swing amd a miss. Troll harder.

[@traveldreamer4616]

Nice video. Gave food fir thought. Some actually surprised me. Thank you for sharing.

[@stardust949]

Fossil Water?! Damn, I learn something new every time I tune in with you. I'm laughing out loud at the footage for Minnesota---people and land just BURIED in snow, lol!

[@colormedubious4747]

The Ogallala Aquifer is a very famous example of fossil water. It replenishes extremely slowly, provides agricultural water to a vast stretch of the Great Plains, and its depletion may well cause a crisis, sooner or later.

[@stardust949]

@@colormedubious4747 thank you for the additional input!

[@patd9737]

You must think that Minnesota has snow 12 months of the year, which is ignorant. The winters are a little longer than other areas, but it's beautiful here 7-8 months of the year. I'm laughing about the footage of mountains used for Minnesota - we don't have mountains. Some big hills along the North Shore of Lake Superior and bluffs along the Mississippi River, but that's it.

[@colormedubious4747]

@@stardust949 You're quite welcome!

[@williamlong63]

@@patd9737 Yeah, I though I saw some mountains in the Iowa footage too.

[@denismcmahon6594]

Hi Briggs. Thanks for the extras. Have a great weekend.

[@DoloresJNurss]

Very useful info!

[@stevemilcoff1502]

Great suggestions

[@tudorjason]

I'm a little surprised Alaska wasn't in the top 10. Maybe 11.

[@roarrman]

Same, I was about to comment that.

[@SilverSceptile]

I feel like growing up there would be tough though

[@l.yvonnemurray6521]

Cost of living is very high is the only reason that comes to mind.

[@timwhite-stevens1721]

I agree.

[@williamd1891]

Loooong winters followed by mosquito season. You don't grow food in AK, you are the food.

[@djr4283]

We have a cabin in Mo ,close to the lake and river ,on well water and low low property tax but it's not how most people would like bc with the low taxes we have dirt and gravel rds ,no fast food and the places there closes at 7 we bought this place right after the covid so for awhile it tripled in price after we bought it

[@davidhollingsworth1847]

Great video, thank you. I must point out, though, that some of the states listed (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska) are in what climatologists and meteorologists call tornado alley, where tornado activities are the most frequent in the United States.

[@michelletidler6773]

Yes but every state has its own form of natural disasters. I'd rather deal with tornados than other issues in freedom lacking states. Ive lived here my whole life. Im just fine.

[@mmmd3429]

​@@michelletidler6773 What states are lacking freedom?

[@sheilalamothe9936]

Keep keeping eyes on that because it's moved .

[@happyinparis]

And? I left California and moved to Tennessee where not only is it affordable, we have freedom. My happy home is 100 years old. There are so many beautiful historical buildings here. We have a beautiful lake. I have a basement and we get plenty warning about bad weather. On the other hand, my former town in California has been completely evacuated twice in the past few years due to fires. There was also 2 big earthquakes.

[@guitarguy3221]

I was watching thinking the same thing I'm certainly not buying property in a state like OK with any mild CHANCE a cloud can kill me or glass my home

[@subnoizesoldier2]

If you build a house close to a small stream or a river with a little turbine on the side, you can produce your own electricity and filter your own water. It is possible you’re not off the grid if you’re paying for solar panels, and shit.

[@jerseystotler3615]

Since I'm from Illinois, I'd have to say the further south you get, the more there are rural area's .

[@mdehner2]

Kentucky number three? Very cool! And I might drive the 30 miles up there from Nashville!

[@Patriot-od6xk]

Kentucky is Great outside the metro city areas... I love east Tennessee too