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Whether you want reduce your environmental impact or ditch city life, many of us dream of dropping off the grid and living off the land. Not many of can actually cut the cord, but on the small island of Lasqueti, about 400 residents are living out that dream.
The island lies about 50 miles northwest of Vancouver in the Strait of Georgia. To reach the remote locale, one can take a passenger-only ferry that comes two or three times a day, weather permitting of course.
At 12 miles long and 3 miles wide, Lasqueti’s about the same size and shape as Manhattan, but that’s about the only thing the islands have in common.
Residents aren’t connected to the province’s electric utility BC Hydro, so energy comes from solar, wind or hydro power, as well as fossil fuel generators. Some just do without electricity.
With so much freedom, it comes as no surprise that money isn’t much of an issue. People grow their own food, barter with each other or go to the free store, a recycling center where people can pick up reusable clothing, books, appliances and household objects free of charge. The island also has an elementary school, volunteer firefighters, organic farms, a handful of B&B’s and one restaurant (that’s also a bakery and general store).
originally posted by: Mumbotron
One think I know about people from Lasqueti island is they likely aren't too stoked about all this internet chatter about their island.
originally posted by: Gazrok
Interesting place. Seems that some there live off grid, but in luxury, and others don't. I have to wonder too, as one mentioned buying land, and another guy seems to have 10 acres, but came there with only a backpack and a mountain bike. How's that work?
One thing is for sure, winter there would SUCK the big one. I'm all for off-grid, but not anywhere it snows. There's a reason our ancestors feared the winter...a GOOD reason.
That is disturbing ... that some live in luxury whilst others do not ... I trust you speak with knowledge