For many, living off the grid simply means not connecting to the local power grid; it means not paying a monthly electricity bill. For others, living off the grid is more than that; it's about community. Here are some of the more well-known off-grid communities in the US.
Dancing Rabbit
Located in northeastern Missouri, Dancing Rabbit is an "ecovillage" that is home to residents of all professions. This community has "single-family homes, "income-sharing housing", rental properties and common facilities such as kitchens, showers and bathrooms." Homes are made of strawbales and corncobs, and are powered by alternative energy sources including solar and wind power.
dancingrabbit.org
Greater World Community
Greater World Community is located near Taos, New Mexico and is also home to people of all professions and walks of life. Properties in this community have sale prices of $75,000 to $350,000 and homes, called Earthships, are constructed from natural and recycled materials. Items such as used tires, bottles, cans, natural mud plaster, reclaimed wood and scrap metal are all used in building the Earthsips. Solar and wind power the community and rainwater is harvested and kept in buried cisterns.
earthship.com
Earthaven
Black Mountain, North Carolina is home to Earthaven, an independent-income community. "Earthaven has three membership tiers. Full membership includes a joining fee, co-ownership of a site and annual work commitment." Solar power is used as well as a micro-hydro system that feeds off a nearby stream.
earthaven.org
Twin Oaks
Twin Oaks is an income-sharing community in central Virginia, northwest of Richmond. Each member of this community works 42 hours per week and in return receives housing, food, health care and spending money. Money is generated for the community through business that sell furniture and tofu that they also produce. The group is very communal sharing housing and income.
twinoaks.org
Resources: realestate.msn.com