Living off grid

[nightrider]

Has anyone heard the saying "Living off grid" that is to say not living in a bricks and mortar house, I got talking to a guy in Asda car park yesterday, he had an old Mercedes van that looked like a home made conversion, I've seen this van parked up here and there, he told me its his permanant abode and that he has a window cleaning round to earn his money, he seemed quite happy and content in his van with his woman, wish I was younger then I'd do it?

[spospe]

Hopefully he is paying his taxes and is not living like a parasite on the backs of the rest of us.

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

I believe "travellers" do s similar thing, and nicking anything that is not bolted down to help fund "living off grid", caravans costing thousands nicked and sold for £200 scrap value, cat's off Motor homes are a good little earner as well I'm told. :D :D

[CliveH]

Yes I have heard of it Malc. And yes it does sound attractive.

 

We plan to do something similar - more for the tax breaks than anything else - in that house rental round our way could give us a good income. We are lucky enough to have one rental property already having inherited it when MiL died at the worst point ever in recent history for selling a house.

 

But when we look at what the costs are of living in our house - Utility Bills, Council Tax, Water rates etc. - it actually adds up to more than the monthly fees for a Mobile Home on the site where we have our Touring c'van on a touring pitch.

 

So we would be quids in if we rented both houses out and lived in a Mobile Home on a fantastic site that we have been on already for many years.

 

Quite a few down there do this already - one chap rents his house out in Coulsdon and has a small c'van as well for the weekends every month when you cannot be on site. He and his wife love it - they usually use the Jan Feb shut down period to hire a villa or similar in Spain/Portugal and come back mid March looking forward to another year.

 

Have to say I find this attractive and even happier to say Swmbo does too!

 

So it is certainly an option we are considering - albeit in a totally different scenario.

 

The idea of living and touring whilst other people pay us to live in and pay the crazy taxes on the houses myself and my family scrimped and saved to buy seems like a damn good idea to me.

 

:-S

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

Hardly living off grid is it, like you say a different scenario entirely, a bit like comparing a Euromillions lottery winner ( you) with someone finding a fiver in the road ( the bloke in his beat up old van on an Asda car park) and I'd bet he'd bite your hand off to rent one of your houses, especially in these temperatures :-S :-S

[Guest pelmetman]

There's a whole web site dedicated to people who are doing it or trying to ;-)

 

http://www.motorhome365.com

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

pelmetman - 2013-01-13 6:40 PM

 

There's a whole web site dedicated to people who are doing it or trying to ;-)

 

http://www.motorhome365.com

 

Well at least they appear honest........quote from their site, which sums it up for me,

 

We all might experience day to day problems with money, family or relationships and living in a motorhome can be a great help, moving nearer a sick relative or moving nearer to some work. However, health, financial and relationship issues should not be the main motivator for getting away from it all, chances are you will just load all your problems into the motorhome and you will not enjoy the ride. You may be lucky and find solutions on the road but like my friend, many don’t.

 

A friend of mine had marital and monetary problems; he put his head in the sand and headed for Spain alone with a car and a caravan. I saw him a year later and he was in a mess, he still had problems but now had the added issue of distance which made it hard for him to properly address them, he was drinking too much and not looking after himself too well. Sadly just five years after he made his escape he was dead. He literally drank himself to death. This in stark contrast to enjoying the “new life” that was his intention on the ferry

[Guest peter]

Quoted by Clive:

 

"We plan to do something similar - more for the tax breaks than anything else - in that house rental round our way could give us a good income. We are lucky enough to have one rental property already having inherited it when MiL died at the worst point ever in recent history for selling a house."

 

That if I may say so, was extremely inconsiderate of her Clive. You'd have thought she would have had the decency to snuff it in 2006 would you not.

Very bad form in my view. (lol)

[CliveH]

Yes it was Peter - I did remonstrate with her on her death bed but she said she was not that bothered

(lol)

 

To me living "off grid" is either a) as the chap that Malcolm describes - and frankly I do not find that attractive and nor would I because my formative years were really enjoyable and incredible because i was lucky enough to have seen the 1960's , '70's and 80's from the right end -

 

or b) - as guys my age and above are now doing when faced with ever increasing taxes and daily costs and more and more legislative and rate driven downgrades of future pension income returns.

 

Whilst Osborne recognises the reduction in the GAD rate to 100% from 120% was a huge mistake such that he is reversing his decision after little more than a year, the constant whittling away of pension income for all those not benefiting from a Final Salary Index linked salary extension means that even in a small way - whatever way you can - however you can - living "off the grid" is a viable and sensible option.

 

The degree to which you do it is a personal decision. Tho I suspect some would say even this is being "dishonest" (lol) (lol) (lol)

[colin]

knight of the road - 2013-01-13 5:24 PM

 

Has anyone heard the saying "Living off grid" that is to say not living in a bricks and mortar house, I got talking to a guy in Asda car park yesterday, he had an old Mercedes van that looked like a home made conversion, I've seen this van parked up here and there, he told me its his permanant abode and that he has a window cleaning round to earn his money, he seemed quite happy and content in his van with his woman, wish I was younger then I'd do it?

 

Sorry Malcom, but 'living off the grid' is f all to do with not living in a bricks and morter house. Gf's family did it for 40 years in a house and paid all taxes and rates etc.

[nightrider]

1footinthegrave - 2013-01-13 5:43 PM

 

I believe "travellers" do s similar thing, and nicking anything that is not bolted down to help fund "living off grid", caravans costing thousands nicked and sold for £200 scrap value, cat's off Motor homes are a good little earner as well I'm told. :D :D

1foot,

There are travellers and off gridders, there is a big difference in the two, travellers gyppo's etc are born and bred to steal, off gridders are the type seeking an alternate way of living without being encumbered by ever rising prices, the man in question has a small window cleaning round and his wife/partner works full time in a local childrens nursery so I assume she is paying her dues, if he doesnt pay income tax on his small window cleaning round I dont think the country will be suffering do you? good luck to the man.

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

knight of the road - 2013-01-14 1:35 AM

 

1footinthegrave - 2013-01-13 5:43 PM

 

I believe "travellers" do s similar thing, and nicking anything that is not bolted down to help fund "living off grid", caravans costing thousands nicked and sold for £200 scrap value, cat's off Motor homes are a good little earner as well I'm told. :D :D

1foot,

There are travellers and off gridders, there is a big difference in the two, travellers gyppo's etc are born and bred to steal, off gridders are the type seeking an alternate way of living without being encumbered by ever rising prices, the man in question has a small window cleaning round and his wife/partner works full time in a local childrens nursery so I assume she is paying her dues, if he doesnt pay income tax on his small window cleaning round I dont think the country will be suffering do you? good luck to the man.

 

To be honest we have a bloke "off gridding" round here for quite a few years, he has an old LDV box van, complete with a coal fire, parks I presume without trouble from the old bill on various lay-bys and I do find him fascinating,he looks filthy dirty, almost like a tramp, but if he did not look so intimidating I would love to ask him how he survives, and deals with the day to day things like water and waste, he does not appear to work and seems to spend his day sitting in his old van, well every time we go past his "usual" spot he's there.

 

. I must say to be free of the shackles of the normal crap we have to put up with sounds appealing, but for me it would have to be a state of the art van, and a bloody good income,and warmer climes, but like you said he ain't doing me any harm, so what the hell ( just as long as he does not nick my CAT ) . :D

[CliveH]

There are clearly grades of off gridding!

 

As I said - doing it when I was younger was not attractive.

 

But doing it now, having reached being almost retired, and yes - a luxury MH or c'van in the sun whilst renting out your property does seem damn attractive!

 

The site fees are about what we pay in Water Rates and Council Tax alone.

 

Seems more and more attractive as we look into it more!

 

 

[nightrider]

1footinthegrave - 2013-01-14 4:42 AM

 

knight of the road - 2013-01-14 1:35 AM

 

1footinthegrave - 2013-01-13 5:43 PM

 

I believe "travellers" do s similar thing, and nicking anything that is not bolted down to help fund "living off grid", caravans costing thousands nicked and sold for £200 scrap value, cat's off Motor homes are a good little earner as well I'm told. :D :D

1foot,

There are travellers and off gridders, there is a big difference in the two, travellers gyppo's etc are born and bred to steal, off gridders are the type seeking an alternate way of living without being encumbered by ever rising prices, the man in question has a small window cleaning round and his wife/partner works full time in a local childrens nursery so I assume she is paying her dues, if he doesnt pay income tax on his small window cleaning round I dont think the country will be suffering do you? good luck to the man.

 

To be honest we have a bloke "off gridding" round here for quite a few years, he has an old LDV box van, complete with a coal fire, parks I presume without trouble from the old bill on various lay-bys and I do find him fascinating,he looks filthy dirty, almost like a tramp, but if he did not look so intimidating I would love to ask him how he survives, and deals with the day to day things like water and waste, he does not appear to work and seems to spend his day sitting in his old van, well every time we go past his "usual" spot he's there.

 

. I must say to be free of the shackles of the normal crap we have to put up with sounds appealing, but for me it would have to be a state of the art van, and a bloody good income,and warmer climes, but like you said he ain't doing me any harm, so what the hell ( just as long as he does not nick my CAT ) . :D

I absolutely hate it when a man such as the one you mention is slagged off for his unconventional way of living, if the man is harmless and doesn't exist by thieving all well and good, he must be taxed, tested and insured or he wouldn't be on the road would he? To have a good income to afford living in warmer climes is good but how many people in reality are in such a fortunate position?

The whole point to my OP was people who have been ground down by constant cost of living rises and cannot afford to live in bricks and mortar, nearby me there is a local beauty spot called Kersal Dale on the banks of the river Irwell, there are about half a dozen Polish immgrants camped up there in a variety of tents and crudely made shelters, they do whatever they can to earn money and put a "roof" over their heads, compassion is the name of the game for me.

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

"local beauty spot called Kersal Dale on the banks of the river Irwell, there are about half a dozen Polish immigrants camped up there in a variety of tents and crudely made shelters, they do whatever they can to earn money and put a "roof" over their heads, compassion is the name of the game for me"

 

 

 

That's all very well, but you have to ask yourself a couple of things, is it still a beauty spot ? God knows what they do about sanitary arrangements, I dread to think.

 

As to the bloke around here " off gridding" you can bet your life he trots down to the social security every couple of weeks, mind you that's the same of many of them living in houses around here !

 

If everyone chose to opt out who the hell pays and provides all the things these people need, health care for example, sorry but AFAIC you've picked a pretty dire example with the Polish lot, mind you they'll soon be joined by thousands of Bulgarian Gypsies

[Guest pelmetman]

I reckon the compassionate thing to do......... would be to give them a hot meal a shower and a change of clothes.........and a bus ticket back home ;-)...........

[nightrider]

1footinthegrave - 2013-01-14 10:50 AM

 

"local beauty spot called Kersal Dale on the banks of the river Irwell, there are about half a dozen Polish immigrants camped up there in a variety of tents and crudely made shelters, they do whatever they can to earn money and put a "roof" over their heads, compassion is the name of the game for me"

 

 

 

That's all very well, but you have to ask yourself a couple of things, is it still a beauty spot ? God knows what they do about sanitary arrangements, I dread to think.

 

As to the bloke around here " off gridding" you can bet your life he trots down to the social security every couple of weeks, mind you that's the same of many of them living in houses around here !

 

If everyone chose to opt out who the hell pays and provides all the things these people need, health care for example, sorry but AFAIC you've picked a pretty dire example with the Polish lot, mind you they'll soon be joined by thousands of Bulgarian Gypsies

 

In point of fact which i didn't mention they do have a chemical toilet, what I am going on about is the way people are being squeezed to such an extent they are taking extreme measures such as living off grid, how long can you personally cope with the daily financial pressures imposed? As far as the bloke you assume trots down to the SS office its my belief that you cannot make a claim if you dont have a permanant residence?? It may be that you are sat comfortable in your ivory tower either in a good job or retired with a handsome pension, good for you but thousands are not in your position, and I also hate it when people such as you automatically class some people legitimately claiming benefits that they may have contributed to when they were in employment, so when does a man who has worked diligently for 5, 10,15 or more years for a company and is through no fault of his own thrown out of work, when does he become a scrounging pariah?

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

I'll tell you where I'm sat mate, in my poxy flat. Worked all my life, Bus driver, Truck driver, then following an accident a caretaker all for pittance wages, now eeking out a living retired on a basic state pension me and the missus knackered up with Osteo Arthritis, but get a bit of pension credit, and some very modest savings all bloody hard worked for, and a 10 year old Panel van, my only "luxury" ( am I allowed one ) so I don't need any lectures about how tough life is, I've been doing "tough" all my life.

 

As for your last statement, when they turn up as they do in their thousands looking for a free ride, without unlike me paying into the system for 67 years. and my mother and father before me, they did bloody "tough" as well the old man down a bloody coal mine all his life, and my Mum working for ICI as a polisher,to bring us kids up, and for their Cyril Lord carpet, and a Decca TV, and a Magicoal electric fire..

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

I'll tell you where I'm sat mate, in my poxy flat. Worked all my life, Bus driver, Truck driver, then following an accident a caretaker all for pittance wages, now eeking out a living retired on a basic state pension me and the missus knackered up with Osteo Arthritis, but get a bit of pension credit, and some very modest savings all bloody hard worked for, and a 10 year old Panel van, my only "luxury" ( am I allowed one ) so I don't need any lectures about how tough life is, I've been doing "tough" all my life.

 

As for your last statement, when they turn up as they do in their thousands looking for a free ride, without unlike me paying into the system for 67 years. and my mother and father before me, they did bloody "tough" as well the old man down a bloody coal mine all his life, and my Mum working for ICI as a polisher,to bring us kids up, and for their Cyril Lord carpet, and a Decca TV, and a Magicoal electric fire.

 

Oh just realised having a senior moment, getting my "off grid" threads mixed up with my "Immigrants " thread, anyway I'm sure you get the point. Go off grid by all means if I don't have to pick up the tab, as far as the Poles are concerned I echo what another contributor said, a bus ticket home would be the kindest thing to do, and keep the "beauty" spot, beautiful for everyone

[CliveH]

Hmmmm Shame that.

 

Given the fact that during the Battle of Britain" the Polish pilots were tenacious and fierce such that i believe their kill ratio was the highest.

 

We needed them then I suppose.

 

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-untold-battle-of-britain

 

Strange how people attitudes change when the s**t hits the fan though. :-S

 

 

[Guest 1footinthegrave]

CliveH - 2013-01-14 6:13 PM

 

Hmmmm Shame that.

 

Given the fact that during the Battle of Britain" the Polish pilots were tenacious and fierce such that i believe their kill ratio was the highest.

 

We needed them then I suppose.

 

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-untold-battle-of-britain

 

Strange how people attitudes change when the s**t hits the fan though. :-S

 

 

There's only one shame, that is allowing people in to this country without the means to support themselves, or a firm offer of a job, then we wouldn't have Poles or anyone else for that matter setting up and living in ramshackle tents or shelters.

[antony1969]

The poles I have encountered in Huddersfield area have mostly all been working , doing the low paid jobs our home grown lazy sods won't give up there handouts for .

I am not saying its the same throughout the country but I take them as I find them and like most Poles , Ukranians , Hungarians etc who have come here since the war they seem to earn there keep .