off-the-grid
Beyond utility lines
Off-the-grid describes living or operating independently of public utilities—especially electricity, water, and sewage systems.
An off-the-grid cabin might use solar panels, well water, and composting toilets.
The phrase extends to disconnection from mainstream society or technology generally: He went off-the-grid for a month—no phone, no email, nothing.
Also spelled off-grid.
Self-reliant land-based lifestyle
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- simple livingIntentional reduction of consumption
- back-to-landMovement toward rural self-reliance
- ruralOf the countryside
remote · wilderness · survivalist · prepper · minimalist · sustainable · intentional community · earthship
Of the star
- self-sufficientAble to provide independently
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- wind turbineKinetic air energy converter
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
photovoltaic · rainwater · well water · propane · wood stove · inverter · homestead · sustainable
Disconnected from power
- offlineNot internet-connected
- unreachableCannot be accessed
- incommunicadoWithout means of communication
- no signalCommunication link absent
untrackable · anonymous · dark · invisible · radio silence · untraceable · disappeared · ghosting
Staying out of sight
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- disappearedCeased to exist visibly
- untraceableImpossible to follow back
anonymous · vanished · laying low · incognito · under the radar · witness protection · safe house · alias
homesteading
Self-reliant land-based lifestyle
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- simple livingIntentional reduction of consumption
- back-to-landMovement toward rural self-reliance
rural · remote · wilderness · survivalist · prepper · minimalist · sustainable · intentional community · earthship · tiny house
solar
Of the star
- self-sufficientAble to provide independently
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- wind turbineKinetic air energy converter
generator · photovoltaic · rainwater · well water · propane · wood stove · inverter · homestead · sustainable · renewable
unplugged
Disconnected from power
- offlineNot internet-connected
- unreachableCannot be accessed
- incommunicadoWithout means of communication
no signal · untrackable · anonymous · dark · invisible · radio silence · untraceable · disappeared · ghosting · low-profile
hiding
Staying out of sight
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- disappearedCeased to exist visibly
untraceable · anonymous · vanished · laying low · incognito · under the radar · witness protection · safe house · alias · escape
off-the-gridconnected
Joined to another
plugged in · online · hooked up · wired · on the radar
off-the-gridmainstream
Dominant cultural current
conventional · suburban · urban · dependent · institutionalized
off-the-gridhigh-tech
Using newest innovations
wired · smart home · connected · dependent