In some ways, it might actually be the smartest move to live in one of the below off-grid places first before committing to building your own self-sufficient homestead. Not only will you determine if you truly enjoy it, but you can learn about the methods these towns use to stay independent. Whether you're looking to get out of the rat race for the short-term or long-term, these towns will give you the perfect slice of an off-the-grid life!

NIPTON

In the Mojave desert town of Nipton, the spirit of the western frontier has transformed a forgotten outpost into a self-sustaining ecotopia.

A former long-haul trucker with a bowie knife strapped to his hip, Jim Eslinger serves as caretaker and hotelier of Hotel Nipton. Eslinger added a cluster of tented eco-cabins, outfitted with platform beds and wood-burning stoves.

Popular with today’s 30-something crowd, the cabins were based on a design by Frank Lloyd Wright. There is a solar plant, which produces 40 percent of the town’s power. There is a hydrogen system in order to store clean energy.

KALANI HONUA

A solar-powered village tucked away on 120 acres of lush Hawaiian rain forest sounds a lot like Lost: Season 3, but it’s actually an eco-minded retreat center. Here in the heart of the Big Island’s Puna District, residents and volunteers are busy harvesting papaya and avocado, cooking farm-to-table meals, and taking classes in hula and tauhala weaving.

SYNCHRONICITY

Synchronicity, a creative community set in L.A.’s bustling Koreatown. There’s even a private room on hand for passersby to crash, free of charge up to a week, though payment in the form of a cooked meal, live performance, or carpentry is accepted.

ARCOSANTI

The late founder Paolo Soleri encouraged his town to live leaner-efficiently making use of labor, space, and design to create a place that’s elegant and resourceful. Drawing some 50,000 tourists each year, the sleek mini city amid the prickly pear and cottonwood trees offers guided tours, workshops, live music performances, and a gallery of intricate wind bells.

Have you visited any of these off-grid towns? Are there any others we should add to the list?

Article and Photo Source: Off-Grid