Free or Low-Cost Stays Are on the RiseâBut Are They Safe or Sustainable?**
In recent months, thereâs been a noticeable rise in communities and landowners offering **free or low-cost places to live**âfrom RV spots and tent camping, to off-grid setups, tiny home villages, and communal land projects. This trend is gaining momentum, especially as the national conversation around homelessness has shifted dramatically. With recent legislation signed into law making aspects of **homelessness illegal** in certain jurisdictions (such as Trump’s support of bills that criminalize encampments in public spaces), more people are seeking alternatives before they’re pushed into crisis.
But with this wave of new options, comes a critical reminder: **not all opportunities are created with your best interest in mind.**
### Free Isnât Always Free
Some of these places offer stays in tents, vehicles, or campers for little to no cost. Others promise a safe, off-grid lifestyle in exchange for a bit of labor or financial contribution. But hereâs the truth: **just because itâs free or cheap doesnât mean itâs the right fitâor even safe.** In some cases, people arrive with high hopes only to find poor living conditions, unclear rules, or outright scams.
### Research Is Your Best Friend
Before committing to any place offering low-cost or free accommodations, **do your homework**:
* **Google them.** Look up the name of the place and add “reviews” or “scam” to see what comes up.
* **Check social media.** Most reputable places have a public presence. See how active and transparent they are.
* **Visit if possible.** If they offer short stays on platforms like **Airbnb, Hipcamp, or The Dyrt**, consider trying a night or weekend before committing long-term.
* **Ask questions.** Email or call. You should never have to pay or âsubscribeâ just to get basic information.
* **Make a list.** Ask about water access, power, rules, communication, transportation, visitors, pets, and exit plans.
### Know What You’re Signing Up For
Itâs important to know if youâll be expected to work in exchange for your stay, and what that means. Some people are okay with trading a few hours of work for a space to park their RVâothers may feel uncomfortable if the workload isnât clearly defined or becomes excessive.
For example, **at our own location**, we offer **limited long-term stays through a membership program**. Members must be **fully self-contained**, meaning they need to bring their own water, have their own vehicle, and manage their own waste systems. We donât offer work exchange, but weâre upfront about the expectationsâbecause transparency matters.
### Final Thoughts
These types of communities can be beautiful, healing placesâbut **you have to make sure they align with your needs and values**. What might feel like freedom at first glance can become frustrating if the structure, expectations, or environment donât suit your lifestyle.
**Free or cheap isnât always better.** Ask questions, get details, and make sure the space is one where you can truly thriveânot just survive.
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#OffGridLiving, #VanlifeCommunity, #AlternativeLiving, #FreeCampingTips, #NomadAdvice
Tag: self-sufficient
How We Live Off-Grid in the Desert: Water, Showers, and Staying Warm Explained in 30 Seconds!
**Living Off-Grid: Answering Common Questions About Water, Showers, and Life in the Desert**
One of the most common questions we receive is, *”How do you get water?”* The answer is simple: we haul it. Typically, we fill up four 5-gallon water jugs at Twice the Ice in town. In the winter, this lasts us about four days; in the summer, we refill every other day, depending on usage and the season.
During summer, water usage increases due to higher temperatures and more outdoor activities. While weâve hauled up to 300 gallons at a time before, itâs tough on our 1984 F250 truck. With its 7.0L diesel engine, the truck can handle the weight, but the wear and tear on suspension over rugged roads make it impractical. The cost of repairs would outweigh the convenience, especially since most of that water would go toward showers.
### Why Not Install a Well?
Drilling a well is far beyond our budget. Wells in this area are incredibly expensive due to the depth required. One neighbor drilled 1,000 feet, faced multiple priming issues, and spent a small fortune on the project.
### What About Water Catchment?
In theory, water catchment sounds great. In practice, living in the desert makes it less feasible. Rainfall here is sparse and unreliable. One of our neighbors installed a catchment system on their Earthship but eventually uninstalled and sold it because it wasnât worth the effort.
Many in the area use cisterns to store hauled water, which is something weâve considered. We currently have the capacity to store up to 1,000 gallons using IBC totes, which is sufficient for our needs for now.
### How Do We Handle Dishes?
We wash dishes much like anyone else: heating water on the stove, using dish soap, and scrubbing in the sink. Some people in off-grid setups use baking soda for âdry washing,â but that doesnât feel effective to us. Weâve also tried products like Dawnâs dry wash soap, but it was expensive and didnât leave the dishes feeling clean. We prefer the tried-and-true method of hot water and soap.
### Why Donât We Show More of Ourselves in Videos?
While these posts and videos share insights into our life, we try to keep certain aspects of our personal lives private. Our content focuses on the campground, the desert lifestyle, and our experiences. Weâve tried featuring ourselves more, but honestly, we lead a simple life. Like everyone else, we have ups and downsâfighting, laughing, getting sick, and loving. We find the beauty of nature around us to be far more captivating than our day-to-day routines.
### How Do We Shower?
Weâve shared a video about where we shower, which is usually every other day. While some people stretch it to once a week, we find that even every other day is pushing it. As soon as we figure out a better way to haul water, we plan to complete our off-grid shower setup.
### Staying Warm in the Desert Winter
Another frequent question is, *”How do you stay warm?”* We use a large Buddy Heater connected to a 20lb propane tank. For safety reasons, we donât run it while we sleep. Instead, we use it in the evenings before bed and for a few hours in the morning to cut the chill. At night, we stay cozy under blankets, with the added warmth of our dogs. Weâve also installed smoke and CO2 detectors for safety.
### Have More Questions?
We hope this blog answers some of the most common questions about living off-grid in the desert. If youâre curious about something else, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message. Weâre always happy to share more about our unique lifestyle.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving, #DesertLife, #SustainableLiving, #SimpleLiving, #WaterConservation, #LivingOffGrid, #TinyHouseLiving, #NatureLovers, #SelfSufficient, #RuralLife, #EcoFriendlyLiving, #MinimalistLiving, #OffGridLifestyle, #SustainableChoices, #BackToBasics
Off-Grid Desert Living: The Unexpected Challenge of Midnight Trips to the Outdoor Toilet!
**Living Off-Grid in the New Mexico Desert: The Challenge of the Hut**
Life off-grid in the New Mexico desert comes with its unique set of challenges, and for me, one of the hardest has been *The Hut*âour outdoor composting toilet. While we use the indoor toilet for liquids now, that wasnât always the case. The main issue? Navigating late-night trips to the Hut with a pack of eager dogs in tow.
**The Struggle of Midnight Bathroom Breaks**
Picture this: Itâs a chilly desert night, and the inside of our tiny home is 10-20 degrees warmer than the freezing temperatures outside. I wake up, needing to use the bathroom, and as soon as I even glance toward the door, the dogs are ready to spring into action.
Now, I love my dogs, but their enthusiasm complicates things. By the time Iâve grabbed a jacket and shoes, theyâre by the door, tails wagging, ready for an outdoor adventure. I, on the other hand, just want to quickly take care of business and crawl back into my warm bed.
**Dogs on Their Own Schedule**
Using the Hut isnât a quick in-and-out experience, thanks to my four-legged companions. They wonât do their business while Iâm in the Hut because they insist on guarding me from potential “dangers.” Once Iâm done, the real waiting game begins as they sniff around, searching for the *perfect* spot to do their own business.
On a cold, sleepless night, this routine feels endless. Multiply this by five bathroom trips in one night, and you can see why it became exhausting.
**The Solution: A Shift Indoors**
Eventually, we decided to adapt. By using the indoor toilet for liquids, I can now make quick trips without alerting the dogs. As long as I donât venture past the bathroom, they stay snuggled up in bed, and I can get back to my warm blankets much faster.
**The Takeaway**
Off-grid living is all about finding creative solutions to unique problems. While *The Hut* is a sustainable and practical choice, adapting to the realities of late-night desert life has been key to making it work. For now, the indoor bathroom is a small luxury that helps us balance convenience and comfort in our off-grid lifestyle.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving, #SustainableLiving, #NewMexicoDesert, #TinyHomeLife, #CompostingToilet, #DesertChallenges, #EcoFriendlyLiving, #OffGridSolutions, #LivingWithDogs, #ColdNights, #OffGridAdaptation, #DesertLife, #SelfSufficientLiving, #RuralLiving, #GreenLiving
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 