off-grid
No power lines
Off-grid describes living or operating independently of public utilities, especially electricity and water systems.
An off-grid cabin might use solar panels, well water, and composting toilets.
The term extends to disconnection from other networks: She went off-grid for a month—no phone, no internet, nothing.
The hyphen is standard as an adjective; the noun is the grid.
Self-reliant land-based lifestyle
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
- back-to-the-landMovement toward rural self-sufficiency
earthship · biogas · handcrafted · kerosene · propane · outhouses · canning · preserving
Depending on oneself alone
- independenceFreedom from external control
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
sovereignty · self-governance · decentralization · disconnection · unplugged · untethered · unmetered · autarky
Uncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
- boondocksRemote rural areas
- backwoodsRemote, undeveloped rural area
- outpostRemote military station
frontier · secluded · uninhabited · isolated · uncharted · untouched · pristine · inaccessible
Low-capacity water-driven generation
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
- greywaterLight household wastewater
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- zero-wasteNo garbage produced
eco-friendly · low-impact · regenerative · closed-loop · net-zero · energy-efficient
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- hideawaySecluded place of refuge
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
- solitudeState of being alone
refuge · haven · disconnecting · unplugging · simplicity · quietude · peace · tranquility
homesteading
Self-reliant land-based lifestyle
- self-sufficiencyIndependence from outside aid
- permacultureSustainable ecosystem design method
- compostingDecomposing organic matter deliberately
back-to-the-land · earthship · biogas · handcrafted · kerosene · propane · outhouses · canning · preserving · foraging
self-reliance
Depending on oneself alone
- independenceFreedom from external control
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
empowerment · sovereignty · self-governance · decentralization · disconnection · unplugged · untethered · unmetered · autarky · self-direction
wilderness
Uncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- backcountrySparsely populated wilderness areas
- boondocksRemote rural areas
- backwoodsRemote, undeveloped rural area
outpost · frontier · secluded · uninhabited · isolated · uncharted · untouched · pristine · inaccessible · hinterland
micro-hydro
Low-capacity water-driven generation
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
- greywaterLight household wastewater
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
zero-waste · eco-friendly · low-impact · regenerative · closed-loop · net-zero · energy-efficient
retreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
- sanctuaryProtected sacred space
- hideawaySecluded place of refuge
- seclusionVoluntary withdrawal from society
solitude · refuge · haven · disconnecting · unplugging · simplicity · quietude · peace · tranquility · respite
- eco-buildinggreen building, eco home, cob house, earthship, straw bale
- campingtent, campfire, campsite, campground, sleeping bag
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- environmentalismecology, conservationism, recycling bins, campaigner, environmentalism
- green energywind power, solar power, renewables, solar farm, solar panel
- outdoor adventurebackpacking, camping, campsite, trail, mountaineering
off-gridconnected
Joined to another
plugged in · municipal · hooked up · metered · networked
off-gridconventional
Following accepted practices
mainstream · urban · plugged in · connected · suburban