Living off-grid in the interior of Alaska has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. For the past six years, my husband and I have built our home from the ground up, relying on nothing but our own hands and a lot of hard work. It’s a lifestyle that has taught us resilience, resourcefulness, and the true meaning of self-sufficiency. We don’t rely on anyone but ourselves—everything we have is the result of our own efforts, and the materials we’ve purchased have been carefully chosen to ensure we can live comfortably in this remote, harsh environment.
Our daily routine is a balance of using resources wisely and maintaining the systems that keep us running. The one piece of modern convenience we do rely on is a small generator, which we run for about one to two hours each day. This is enough to take a shower, charge our batteries, and keep our small appliances running. When you live off-grid, conserving energy is essential, and we’ve become experts at making every minute of generator use count. We’ve learned to use the power wisely, limiting our energy consumption to what’s absolutely necessary.
Building our home was an incredible challenge. My husband did most of the work, with some help from me. We didn’t hire anyone to do the construction—everything was done by us, from the foundation to the roof. This was the way we wanted it, because it gave us complete control over the process. Every board we cut, every wall we built, and every window we installed was the result of our hard work and determination. While we did buy the materials, every nail, beam, and sheet of insulation represents a step we took toward creating a space that was entirely ours.
Living in Alaska, we’ve had to adapt to the extreme weather and the isolation. Winters are long and harsh, and temperatures can drop well below freezing for months on end. Yet, our off-grid cabin has become a warm, safe haven. We have learned to use wood for heat, relying on a wood stove to keep the cabin warm. It’s a skill we’ve honed over the years—cutting and splitting wood, making sure the stove is properly maintained so it works efficiently. There’s something deeply satisfying about knowing we’re providing our own heat, especially during the bitterly cold winter months.
Water is another crucial resource we’ve had to manage carefully. We use a system for hauling water in during the warmer months, but in winter, we have to be resourceful. Melting snow for water is a skill we’ve perfected, ensuring we always have enough for daily use, whether it’s for drinking, cooking, or bathing. Though we don’t have running water, we’ve found ways to make it work. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth the effort to live in a place so beautiful and remote.
Despite the challenges, the rewards of living off-grid far outweigh the difficulties. We’ve learned to live with less, appreciating the beauty of a simpler life. The satisfaction that comes from building our home and maintaining it ourselves is unparalleled. We have no monthly bills, no landlord to answer to, and no one else’s rules but our own. This lifestyle has brought us closer together as a couple and allowed us to connect with nature in a way that many people will never experience.
As I reflect on the six years we’ve spent living off the grid in Alaska, I realize how much we’ve grown and learned. It’s not just about surviving in a remote location; it’s about thriving, adapting, and taking pride in the life we’ve created. We don’t need anyone else’s help, and that independence has been one of the greatest rewards of all.
