Rebecca V. was a mother from Colorado Springs who dreamed of living independent of the grid with her teenage son Talon and her sister Christine.
In August 2022, the three left their apartment and headed into the wilderness of Gunnison National Forest in Colorado.
Rebecca refused to tell the family where they were going.
She said simply that they wanted to be independent from the grid.
Their preparation consisted mostly of watching survival videos online.
They set up camp at 9,900 feet with a basic nylon tent just 150 feet from a developed campground.
They survived on canned and packaged food and occasional trips to town.
But on November 25 their car was reported abandoned and towed by the U.S. Forest Service.
That left them stranded with no transportation and no way out.
Houses were just miles from their camp, but they never went for help.
Instead, the three died of malnutrition and hypothermia.
Their bodies were not found until July 2023 when a hiker stumbled on the camp and described the scene as an old squatter’s settlement.
Investigators noted that the family had little practical experience in bushcraft or wilderness living.
This tragedy highlights that to go independent from the grid you need the right location, proper skills, and a realistic plan.
Living disconnected from the grid is one of the most powerful forms of self-reliance there is.
But where you choose to set up makes a huge difference between thriving and struggling.
Here’s what you need to know about the top states for self-reliant living and what to look for.
Choosing the right climate is critical.
You want a place where you can live year-round without depending on modern heating or cooling systems.
Steer clear of states that receive several feet of snow unless you are experienced in cold-weather living.
Also steer clear of areas in Tornado Alley, the Gulf Coast hurricane zone, and desert regions where drought is a constant problem.
States like Washington, Oregon, and Tennessee feature moderate climates without extreme conditions that work well for growing food and surviving.
Resources:
You need a source of fresh water from a lake, river, or well.
You need land where you can grow food and raise livestock or hunt.
After a year or so in a true self-reliant situation, canned foods will run out.
States with large amounts of public land, national forests, and rivers give you the strongest shot at long-term survival.
Low population density:
The fewer people around you the safer your provisions and shelter will be.
States that are not densely populated mean less competition for resources and less risk of conflict.
Idaho, Montana, and rural parts of Tennessee and Kentucky feature wide swathes of land far from major cities.
Drawbacks to self-reliant living:
Isolation:
Being far from people also means being far from health care, provisions, and help in an emergency.
If you break a leg or need emergency surgery, you could be hours from the nearest hospital.
You must have a robust and solid first aid kit and basic health knowledge.
Upfront commitment:
Acquiring land, constructing shelter, installing a water system, and establishing solar or wind power requires time and resources for a truly self-sufficient homestead.
Start small and build over time rather than trying to do everything at once.
Regulatory restrictions:
Some states have strict laws about building codes, water collection, and living independent of the grid.
Before you acquire land, research the local zoning laws and building codes.
If you’re considering going disconnected from the grid, here are the top states to look at.
Washington and Oregon top the list for their mild climates, steady rainfall, plentiful wildlife, and wide stretches of land.
Idaho comes in third with vast amounts of protected public land and a source of fresh water from the Boise River.
Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkansas feature reasonably priced land, fertile soil, and proximity to the Mississippi River for fishing and transportation.
The key to surviving disconnected from the grid is not just picking the right location. It’s having the skills, provisions, and mindset to make it work.
Rebecca and her family had the dream but not the plan. Don’t make the same mistake.
