Lasqueti Island - Living "Off the Grid"

[CaptainYooh]

I searched the forum and did not find anything about this discussed yet.

If this is a commonly known community, I admit, I did not know about them until now. Lasqueti Island off the West coast has no electricity, natural gas heating or running water. Its residents literally live "off the grid". They are no slum-dogs either – very high average education level. No government too.

After reading the articles and watching videos, I am not sure how I feel about their way of life. On the one hand, it is very interesting to see that people are willing and capable to set an example by giving away a lot of modern conveniences in exchange for natural serenity and self-sufficiency. On the other - it almost seems a bit fake and show-off'ish. A vacation cabin by some Calgary owner did not seem too chubby at all. How does this community contribute to the society? Would they stay their way and not call 911 in case of a medical, fire or police emergency? Your thoughts?

Huffington Post

Official web-site

[Minnie]

There's a certain appeal to it, for me. But it wouldn't be practical for our situation, not long term. Not right now anyway.

[DuffMan]

I heard a long time ago that there is a big weed growing coop there.

[GoinAllTheWay]

And still is from what I understand. My brother lives right across the straight from that island and has a number of people that live there frequent his store.

[Vulcan]

As a kid I lived what people say is off grid. My family were loggers and my dad owned a logging camp on Sonora Island. At that time there was no solar panels or even gas generators. We had coal oil lanterns, a battery powered radio which we used sparingly to listen to the news and my mom had a gas powered ringer washer. We had a pipe running from the creek for water. It wasn't that we were poor, we also had a yacht and my dad had a new car every year for when we went to town, it was just what was available at the time. We had a cookhouse and a bunkhouse for the men. My grandpa also had a small house and one of the men and his wife also had a house. The houses were what were called skid shacks as they could float on their logs to a new location and then skidded up the bank to their new spot by a donkey. Not that kind of donkey, this kind.


As a kid I never thought it was anything out of the ordinary but yeah it could get boring having no friends other than my sisters and brother.

The only way in and out was by boat or sea plane. I also lived in similar circumstances on Texada Island and Samuel Island. What I remember the most was the great salmon fishing (what it used to be), swimming, hiking and berry picking. I ate so much sea food that I don't go out of way to eat much anymore.

To choose that way of life, I guess is okay but why limit yourself. I'm isolated enough for my liking. At one time there were lots of small communities up and down the coast that have now been abandoned.

[Bill Bumface]

But how do you watch Flame's games?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

But how do you watch Flame's games?

Bell satellite.

[CaptainCrunch]

So wait, there's no government and no police, so I could go there and go on a murder spree and get away with it?

Packin a bag, clearin an item off of the old bucket list.

[WhiteTiger]

Not my cup of tea, but if they are happy there, more 'power' to them.

From what I'm given to understand, there are places/houses with electricity, they just have to generate it themselves. Solar, wind, etc.

A friend of mine is huge into this, and feels that humanity in general would be better off if we lived in colonies of up to 200 people. I think he's off his rocker.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

...

To choose that way of life, I guess is okay but why limit yourself. I'm isolated enough for my liking. At one time there were lots of small communities up and down the coast that have now been abandoned.

I really liked your post. Kinda goes along with my doubts about the whole purpose of this lifestyle. What ulterior motive drives the inhabitants to sacrifice the conveniences?

[jammies]

Asceticism is always popular with a few, but hot water on demand is popular with billions. I know which I'm betting on losing out in the long term.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I really liked your post. Kinda goes along with my doubts about the whole purpose of this lifestyle. What ulterior motive drives the inhabitants to sacrifice the conveniences?

Facebook 'likes'.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

On the other - it almost seems a bit fake and show-off'ish. A vacation cabin by some Calgary owner did not seem too chubby at all.

How does moving to an isolated island to live a humble life alone in the woods translate to "fake and showoffish"? It's the opposite of showing off.

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

How does this community contribute to the society?

Pretty much the same way as any community? They are living their lives, raising their kids, trying to get by...

What would, say, Lake Sundance or Huntington Hills, contribute to society that these people don't?

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I searched the forum and did not find anything about this discussed yet.

If this is a commonly known community, I admit, I did not know about them until now. Lasqueti Island off the West coast has no electricity, natural gas heating or running water. Its residents literally live "off the grid". They are no slum-dogs either – very high average education level. No government too.

After reading the articles and watching videos, I am not sure how I feel about their way of life. On the one hand, it is very interesting to see that people are willing and capable to set an example by giving away a lot of modern conveniences in exchange for natural serenity and self-sufficiency. On the other - it almost seems a bit fake and show-off'ish. A vacation cabin by some Calgary owner did not seem too chubby at all. How does this community contribute to the society? Would they stay their way and not call 911 in case of a medical, fire or police emergency? Your thoughts?

Huffington Post

Official web-site

They pay their taxes like everyone else, that land ain't free.