/u/lutusp can attest to that :-)

Yea, I guess that works. Not sure of what the canonical definition of living off the grid is, but I always pictured it as complete isolation and separation from all grids, not just power. But seems like that might not be right.

I’d argue it means different to different people.

I’m moderately “off-grid” because I have a septic tank even though I have a city sewer connection at my curbside. The sewer was run after my home was built, and it doesn’t make sense for me to dig up my front yard (to run the new line), my back yard (to remove the septic tank and drain field), and my crawlspace (to reverse the direction of the plumbing) just so I can pay money every month to the city for a service that I’m currently providing for myself without a recurring fee. I’m in a neighborhood though so I’m connected to city water, electric, gas, and trash.

My previous home in this area has electrical service only. We had a septic tank for sewer and took care of everything else ourselves.

There were three homes in a “bunch” in the middle of nowhere, with a small plot of land that was technically owned by one of my neighbors but served as a community resource. That plot had a small pump house for the shared well, with electrical service from the neighbor’s place. On that same lot I kept a semi-enclosed utility trailer where we would all put our trash. Twice a month or so I would hook on to the trailer and haul it to the dump (a half hour drive) on my way to work and put the trailer back when I got home.

Every month or so we’d all sit down for coffee and bring our receipts. We’d figure up how much water, trash, and internet had cost us that month, split it proportionately, account for any expenses, and make everyone whole. Because I took care of the trash and was both young handy enough to be the one who did repairs on the well when necessary, it wasn’t uncommon for me to walk away with a few dollars in my pocket. It was like our own informal HOA out in the sticks :)