I have a job I hate. I work for money I only ever see 30% of. They tell me if I buy their cars and buy in to their dreams I’ll be happy but it’s a lie! I’m 34 and I’ve had enough! If this is the only shot we get at this and if this is truly the only thing there is between us and oblivion. I’d like to say I spent my time happy and doing the things I wanted to do! You’re an inspiration and I appreciate your knowledge.
@@enriquecabrera2137 The way I see it, it is you who is pathetic. You are willing to turn your back on nature and live in a graveyard of glass and cement while you are turned into a wage slave by government psychopaths who are using you to fill their insatiable lust for money. They are at war with the lifeblood of humanity: water, trees, air, but what does it matter to you, so long as you get a nice car, a nice job at the office and you get to spurt your wad in chicks every Sunday?
@@Michael-jh9fd and who told you you can't buy property now? In my area they sell for 1, 500 dollars and you can fix it yourself! You got me as a translator! Hellow? When there is a will there is a way! The expensive one is about 7000 and has water but still.need to do work to add a room in the front where the water is!
Jealousy mainly; mostly at the fact that the person minding their own business doesn't need society and the jealous person is usually dependent on society for numerous reasons. Security, fear of loneliness, state benefits, etc.
@@filipmacamhalghaidh9493 The older I get the more relaxed I get about people pretty much doing whatever they please as long as they don't directly harm anyone else they should be able to do as they desire.
15:50 is my favourite bit - "the Royal Mail will deliver to anywhere they can find.... you know, if it's got an address on it that the postman can understand, they'll deliver it. It's quite an amazing service really, so take full advantage"
Its lovely to see us English heading back in the direction of our ancestors. Healthier living, always an adventure and the freedom to be who and what you want to be. Hats off to you sir, you have my respect.
Johnny Appleseed if you feel he is talking about the ones who still to this day restrict living rather than share knowledge, you may be wrong. I feel it's clear it was a comment regarding those who first lived off the land and their ways of life.
TheTechOasis and what could have caused such a vulgar response I wonder? I never said anything about respect but someone clearly thinks living in the dark ages is a good thing.
I like the story on radio 4 of the guys who lived in a caravan in a field he purchased, but being smart he found on with a parish council boundary running across it and lived one side of it, the when the parish he lived in managed to do all the paper work to make him move he just moved to the other side of the field into a different parish, after a few try's they gave up lol.
Great video, I've just bought a site here in Ireland and my solicitor was very worried about the neighbours and what they'd think of my plan to live off grid. She was telling me they could set up barricades to stop me accessing the site etc. I met the neighbours and went out of my way to be extra amiable. Now I have keys to my closest neighbours house and know everyone on the road. If you're going to do this kind of life then you have to be realistic, you can't hide away in your site for years until you get planning, so introduce yourself to the neighbours and reassure them your not a troublemaker.
In August of 1854 Soho, a suburb of London, was hit hard by a terrible outbreak of cholera. Dr. John Snow himself lived near Soho, and immediately went to work to prove his theory that contaminated water was the cause of the outbreak. The men who worked in a brewery on Broad Street which made malt liquor also escaped getting cholera. The proprietor of the brewery, Mr. Huggins, told Snow that the men drank the liquor they made or water from the brewery’s own well and not water from the Broad Street pump. None of the men contracted cholera. Maximus I have contributed to your beer fund in the interest of public safety. Great video, keep going.
It was women the well maidens the care takers of the sacred water. After the move to the cities exactly what you describe but actually the first brewers were women for exactly that reason when the country industrialised. Interested in celt mythology my findings came from there xx
Thank you for this video. I have found it really interesting. I am 80 and have no plans to do this at my age but I admire you for doing something different and achieving something so special. I also have not had a TV for some years and do not want one. I prefer my laptop with programmes like this. Congratulations and looking forward to your other videos.
5 years later,i stumble upon this. I work away from home all week,with a wife that loves the money, just doesnt like me. I was thinking sneaky foxhole with a fireplace dug in for 2 nights a week. This has been very informative
Well, now, this is inspiring. My great-grandfather emigrated from Scotland to Kansas in the U.S. where he bought some acreage and built a lovely 2-story house. Of course then, in the 1870s, it was all off-grid. He married a widow with 2 children and they had 4 more children. My grandfather then built a second house where my father and his 2 brothers and sister grew up, and where, in turn, my 2 sisters, brother and I grew up. It was a beautiful place, lots of trees, and a creek running through it.
Sounds like my dream... My heart yearns for the unsurpassed beauty and infinite wilderness of the US. I so wish I could live there but US immigration regulations make it almost an impossible feat nowadays🇺🇸🙃🇺🇸
@@pianorama That's hilarious... It is funny how many Americans have given me exactly that advice on my travels there... It may indeed, be my only option🤣
I’ve almost no interest in doing what you’ve done. But.. “Have a go at doing something even if you fail, because the alternative is to never have a go at anything.” A quote for everyone for life, I think. What a guy!
Hi, even though this Vlog is a few years old I’ve only just come across it. It’s one of the most interesting and informative I’ve seen and have been inspired by it, so thank you. I actually own and live on a 55 foot narrowboat, and have done for over 7 years now! But want to buy my own piece of land, to do exactly what you’re doing, to ‘quietly’ live on it, keeping chickens, bees, grow my own veg and weave my textiles ( this is how I make a living now), So that’s my plan for 2022. Interestingly, I had already thought about seeking out the land myself rather than going through the normal land agents and auctions, so thank you for confirming that, your comments give confidence to try it that way. Any more hints and tips would be very welcome. I will check out all your other videos now 😊 Happy land dwelling and all the best for the coming year 2022. 🐓
Well done you for getting round the planning laws and making this work for you. Unfortunately the vast majority of people in the UK do not get such a smooth ride. Whether or not your neighbours are tolerant, almost all local authorities have a default position. They DO NOT WANT anyone living off grid or circumventing their desire to stuff everyone into soulless, expensive, housing estates which they grant planning for IN COLLUSION with giant developers and favoured builders. Local Councils have immense discretionary power and usually apply it to do everything they can to stop anyone opting out of the system. This includes mobile homes which are nowadays made to high standards but local authorities only offer residential licences to "park homes" which are an appalling rip off, and the park home industry is presided over by layer upon layer of collusion, price fixing, exploitation, closed shop deals and back handers. The whole UK planning system rewards those who already can afford expensive rural homes who then fight tooth and nail to shut out everyone else. These homes are then bought and sold at perpetually spiralling prices while so-called "affordable" homes are not at all affordable and in any case end up back on the open market at unaffordable prices. Local planners grant permission to monstrously ugly developments but make it almost impossible for individuals to buy or rent a small plot and build on it. Your situation is great and I wish you luck, but you are a very rare example. 99% of those desiring a similar thing will never achieve it.
Hit the nail on the head - rural Wales here and you've exactly described how it works here too. Especially handy that no new parks can be built on the coast, just to make the existing mafia even more snuggly and secure while they grant themselves planning to keep expanding year in, year out...
No, not negative, and please note I wished this video's author the best. I repeat, this is a rarity. The vast majority of those wishing to control their own lives in this way will NEVER achieve it. That's not being negative but telling the truth.
I agree totally with what you say (Cole Whitelaw, I'm also in Wales), though not quite with the 99% (but still a high proportion). Local people can no longer afford property in the country, and the incomers who drive the prices up often come with a huge sense of entitlement over everyone else's business, and are usually the ones who shop people to the planners. I know a number of "planning outlaws" in this area who have fallen foul of those kind of neighbours (never any trouble from the local farmers). One person had a cabin several hundred yards from a holiday home, tucked away in trees, but he spoilt the view of the owner of the holiday home who wanted to build a chalet park! The cabin had been there long before this person came on the scene. Some neighbours, especially those with vested interests, can never be pacified. Avoid a right-of-way access over land, if you can (i.e. it's best if the property borders a public highway). That too can be a sticking point. The good news is that whilst the vast majority of people end up caught, a reasonable number end up getting some kind of permission or reprieve (more like a ceasefire). Nevertheless, it is not for the fainthearted.
I love this guy. He is so no nonsense straight forward and super practical. He connects to life and is a natural survivor. He inspires hope and life into doing stuff for yourself. He has true strength of character ability and substance. He is gorgeous looking too and his warmth of person wins your heart for him. An amazing man that commands respect. I love watching his videos
yes, I am 80 but I noticed how handsome he was and he seemed to have a lovely warm personality. What a shame he hides his face with the beard, maybe it's to keep the women at bay.
YT is full of lovely looking off-grid dwellings and owners conducting proud tours of their living spaces... but this is one of the best in-depth discussions of the how's and where's I have come across, top marks and well done. I envy your practicality.
I will have to try your way. I have lived in a caravan in a friends woodland for 13 years. I went to the PO to ask about putting up a postbox and they said Id have to bring in my council tax form - which of course I hav'nt got! I live in Wales so maybe different rules apply? Think I'll try your way. Will let you know how it goes. Thank you for your informative video.
@Susan Hills - sounds more like an unhelpful post office! What business is it of theirs whether you pay council tax? The postal service is not council funded. It is a limited company paid for by the people who buy the postage stamps. In fact, isn't it THEY, and not the council, who issue the postcode address? Probably, you can't even pay council tax without a postcode address!
good to hear from someone off grid here in the UK. I learn a lot from the videos from over the pond but get disheartened thinking it can't be done here, you've given me hope Max
we have to be ""off grid"" in our own way. The seed planted. Sacrifice. If you don't use you don't get metered. The rates go up. The mass complains. THEN something will be done. They will not listen to common sense from one small number. Yes could take a generation. The other, wait for comm and tech to do their disruption. Fresco(rip) of The Venus Project predicts this.
Oh and breaking news. Many pep do live off grid,,if they are rich. Funny, can't seem to convince the cops that they should protect the tax payer, but I guess big money also means big guns.
I've been sheltered and warmfully homed my whole life without much thought of living off the grid, and yet, I just watched the entire video without realising. It's so interesting, and you're so great at talking about it. Thank you Maximus!
Fairly straight forward in Australia.Basically one puts up a mail box on property (or where the designated mail drop area is in a rural area),with your name and address on it,send yourself a letter (from some distance away),and it's usually that simple.Has worked for me (a couple of times) over the years.Take care anyhow.
as an architect of many decades my best advice on planning is: everything in life is negotiable and especially the law. Stand up and say your piece and then do it again and again. The system can't afford to keep that up and will cave
generally there are costs/fees in any government process; often not too expensive just a bloody nuisance. However, your advantage is always that in "legal" matters you can represent yourself..whereas the government entity must send along a qualified legal professional of some kind - at great cost. They can't send the dog catcher to a planning matter.. If this legal process is repeated during mediation, the cost of legal representation for the government entity can approach excessive amounts.. and it is often this simple situation which encourages the government entity to adopt a reasonable point of view. A simple example: a client ended up in a "mediation" session in Planning Court.. the Local Council hired a barrister.. who cost AU$8,000/day.. the magistrate doing the mediation kept adjourning the matter to another day..in the end the Council had paid AU$50,000 to the barrister and blown their legal budget on the matter.. so caved on the issue and granted my client approval. In other words the rate payers had AU$50,000 of their money wasted on a matter that was trite and which would always have been approved in the end either way. In contrast the client lost 3 mornings of his time.
I watched this video about a month back now, before I come across this I really struggled to wrap my head around it and always wanted to move off-grid. Thanks to this video I have bought the Rural Planning Handbook and am about 3/4 my way through it! Great book! Off your advice and the knowledge gained from this book, I am purchasing some land next week and leaving it vacant while I serve the rest of my time in the RAF then move onto it with all the loans paid off and legally build my own dwelling out of reclaimed materials! And start my farming business/homestead truly can't wait! Thank you so much Max, you've genuinely nudged me and my family towards the future we've always wanted! And with all your other videos I feel far more confident in myself that it really is possible. Side note, you've given me inspiration to also finish writing my book that I'd put down for a while. So you really have given me the push I needed. Who'd have thought a few short videos on UA-cam would do it aye, amongst all the other rubbish on here there's a diamond in the rough. Keep it up!
First video I've watched of yours... and mate... good on you sir. What an inspiration. I hope you carry on having the success you clearly deserve. What a nice guy
Interesting..!! I live in Minnesota USA. A lot of what you are talking about is Greek to me. But love that you stuck to ur plans and have developed the land you are living on. What you are doing is what I plan on doing. Here in the states somewhere..
Hi Maximus! Thanks for all the info you have given those who also want to live off-grid. It's not about most of us being sneaky to get what we want but there is untapped potential in rural Scotland that can bring in fresh people, ideas, green eco-homes and small businesses. I wish they would help those who would like to live off-grid in nature and in beautiful Scotland and hopefully earn a living too. It isn't for everyone it takes special people and should be helped. So thanks for breaking down all the dross for us.
Brilliant video mate....I totally get the ability to 'get around' certain restrictions without being on the radar in that living peacefully and in harmony with your surroundings. People will always appreciate those with value, whether it be in skills or advice. I will have my 5 acres soon and have been trying out the solar and wind generating systems. Above all else I am looking forward to peace and quiet, getting my own wood for fuel and growing a big veggie patch with chickens and goats.
Great story, great information and very inspirational. It's my dream to get on the land and having lived on farms in the past i know it's where i want to be. Ill be getting that booklet. Cheers
Weird this popped up on my feed when two days ago I seen a piece of land that was cheap but no dwelling now the land is an option for me again after this away am off to research my best option cheers for your video 6yrs after u did it
I was looking for this comment, it does seem a bit off, camo net is literally designed for concealing things, decent guy doing it for the right reasons but if it had gone to court, don't think he'd win that point.
Thanks for these videos, I'm currently looking to move to a field somewhere in the middle of nowhere and it's nice to see a similar path which someone has taken before. Relieves some of the anxiety to know it's not impossible to pull off.
Thankyou so much for this video...I've been struggling to get my head around where to start and you've made it very understandable and clear.I hope one day to be able to live like this myself.Inspirational video,thankyou.
Pure gold! I could not even bring myself to research the idea of off grid living for fear of being told "no you can't" and would have done it the hard way but one video and all my questions answered. Brilliant!!!!
Well done you! I loved listening to your story and I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about taking a first step towards a dream. Independence is so important for healthy mind body and spirit. Thank you Maximus Ironthumper - great name for a Viking and you have the beard! ;) Good work, good life, may you go from strength to strength.
15:50 i lived in Seychelles, no road names or house numbers or anything on Praslin. You tell the bank who your neighbours are and then they know where you live...😂
thanks for taking the time to make these videos.. very informative.. and interesting to me.. for the last two years I've been living out of my transit van.. even more strangely and worrying to some people, im enjoying it.. at 50 years old.. no money really.. free though
Whether or not I'll use this info - it's simply great; PHANTASTIC!!!! Thank you so much for doing this and being encouraging, inspiring and making others think in more realistic and possibility-ways. Xxxxxxx
This vid just randomly pop up !! You tube must be tapped into my thoughts. Excellent video mate 👍 glad you have done what many others ( like myself) only dream of.
Just love what have achieved and your articulate ability to educate us out here in the world. I live in Western Australia but I am guessing from your neck of the woods - ish originally. THANK YOU!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Inspiring, helpful, encouraging, and a real hope for the future of our planet. Keep it up. Love it. X
Wow, so excited to have found you!! I really enjoyed your video. Gave me butterflies because I'm doing it too. Borrowed money two years ago to buy 5 acres of woodland which I call Robin Hill. I built a cabin (10x10) and have met my neighbours (that advice is gold). Look forward to the next video. Thanks for your wisdom and charm. Tim from Canada
We are lucky in this country to have Post men and Post women that will go out of their way to deliver a letter for you, it's one of the few institutions that still have a bit of Pride in the work that they do.
Dear Maximus, Thank you so much for sharing your story and the tips; exactly the info I was after. I find your words of encouragement very valuable. And the DIY Planning Guide you recommend sounds like the book I need in my life right now. So once again, thank you! I'm off to chase the book now, so I can be off grid sooner than later 🙂
I have warmed to you. Excellent video. I don't usually comment but I have a mate who, along with others he knows, has purchased land and also lives on it off-grid in Britain. I suspect they don't have inclination or capacity to record and upload videos. Nevertheless, yours is quite inspiring in various ways, Max. The decoy idea was humorously inventive. I laughed hard. Brilliant btw. And the comment about the workshop/house taking so long because you were so skint - I can relate to that very closely. You are clearly a brother of ours and your words in explanation of the distinction between illegal and unlawful, police/courts repercussions is simple yet sound. The whole video is great. All the very best to you sir!
The most important thing to know about living off grid is that is its essential to wear rustic clothes and preferably own a fantastic beard like this guy. excellent video Maximus thank you.
Really appreciate you taking the time to put these together. This is my first delve into your work, I'm guessing I'll be working my way through them this weekend. Cheers!!
Good stuff, Max.. I'm in the States, so not all of it will apply. But I live in the country in the Southeastern U.S., and at 63, I'm having a desire to do this. My house is almost paid off, and we may down size even more when I retire at 66. I'm enjoying all the knowledge you can receive off these "Off-Grid Videos"', and yours are truly helping me. Thanks.
Yes indeed, that was worth a beer! Just bought my little space and started building. Lucky for me the farm nextish to me is the chairman of the parish council and loves what I'm doing. Just trying to get hold of the rural planning book you suggested, so many thanks for your video, I'm subscribing now. Happy days
**Update** The excellent Planning Briefings mentioned has now been revised and republished as The Rural Planning Handbook see: tlio.org.uk/rural-planning-handbook/ For more updated info on what I'm up to building wise - join my patron (for £1) and get exclusive build project videos!
Maximus Ironthumper thank you so much for continuing to provide updates and any future content, such a unique resource I can't help but come back to time and again.
I wish I could do what you did man I am so fed up with the way things are now and I just wish I could live of my own back, if you ever have a cabin to rent let me know 👀
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have no idea how much faith in my plans you have restored. Myself and the wife have decided that going off grid is definitely in our future and have started to genuinely educate ourselves on the matter. I was aware of the 10 year rule but his 4 year rule seams like it can genuinely work and gives me so much hope. I feel excited for our future
Good info Max, it would appear that you have not only worked hard but struggled hard as well. You are inspirational and all the knowledge you have to share will help a lot of people get out of this rat race. Thankyou for your info.
Great Video! Thanks for sharing. Was born and raised in UK (West Midlands) and always had a love for nature and a dream to one day own my own land and have a small farm with a permanent dwelling. In my 30's i ended up joining my parents in Dallas ; Texas and started a career in IT (Software development). Despite the money that came with that career, i never felt fulfilled and my burning desire to realize my dream in reality only became stronger and stronger. I've been interested in 'Off the Grid' living for several years now and have been researching it a lot, to the extent that it's become quite a hobby for me. My plan is to eventually moved back to UK and with my savings, purchase some land with a similar plan to what you have here. It's really nice to see true happiness and contentment with life when i watch your video's. You are a real inspiration to me and likely many other's. Keep it up Sir. All the best. Cheers.
Im just about to start something like this, so very informative, my only problem that i can see is my age. 4 yrs is a long time when you're already 55yrs old, i would like to be settled and relatively comfortable by 60, not having to start building a slightly bigger house, so i am going for the planner help. You are very inspiring though, i just wish id sold my boat 5 yrs ago and stated then. But better to start late than never at all. Thanks for the inspirational vid Maximus.
Thank you again for such useful and inspiring info. It is so impressive how you persevered without any money to start up with. GIves us all hope! Blessings on all you do from Western Australia x
Congratulations on your established rights. All good advice too! I would also add another thing to look out for when buying land. Make sure the sporting rights are included, or get confirmation that they are not retained. I only discovered that there was such a thing because it was mentioned in the sales particulars of the land I bought. Some landowners, apparently, retain the sporting rights. I later met someone who found out the hard way not to be "not bothered because I don't intend to hunt". Throughout the hunting season he had the hunt coming through his property.
Just came across your channel. Awesome vids. Less is more. I think many more people than you think want to live "off the grid". A friend is quitting his government job as of today and choosing another path towards being self-employed.
Found it!!!!! I wathree a different video and asked about planning etc. Well, now i found it. Thanks for taking the time to help others.I am jealous of your way of life. Enjoy all you do 😀
A really useful video, thank you. I live abroad at the moment but am thinking about returning to the UK and your point about getting on with it is well taken.
massive respect to you for sharing this, i know it cant be easy to give away hard earned knowledge. many of us would love to live an uncomplicated sustainable lifestyle in this way. me most of all, i have so much knowledge and skill that would be well used and shared if i ever do get to live off grid. i think we would become good mates if we knew each other. thank you for the time it has taken you to share your knowledge.
I find this video by accident, but I had always wanted to buy land & build a home. I will definitely watch the rest of your videos. Thank you for putting up the video.
absolutely amazing and goddamn inspiring if i may say. congrats and thank you for uploading. i’ve been researching and haven’t quite found a video describing my ideal situation, but this entire video is an absolute dream for me. i want to live alone, with a couple of dogs and cats, in a home i’ve built by myself.
I have a job I hate. I work for money I only ever see 30% of. They tell me if I buy their cars and buy in to their dreams I’ll be happy but it’s a lie! I’m 34 and I’ve had enough! If this is the only shot we get at this and if this is truly the only thing there is between us and oblivion. I’d like to say I spent my time happy and doing the things I wanted to do! You’re an inspiration and I appreciate your knowledge.
Well said...good philosophy
Jesus christ. Get your shit together.
Pathetic.
@@enriquecabrera2137 The way I see it, it is you who is pathetic. You are willing to turn your back on nature and live in a graveyard of glass and cement while you are turned into a wage slave by government psychopaths who are using you to fill their insatiable lust for money. They are at war with the lifeblood of humanity: water, trees, air, but what does it matter to you, so long as you get a nice car, a nice job at the office and you get to spurt your wad in chicks every Sunday?
@1234 so edgy
Fukin riiiight!!!
Most videos of this subject are US based. Thanks for doing something UK relevant and congratulations on your success.
Research Bulgaria! Many English find happiness in my country!!
@@svetlanikolova7673 I have looked at Bulgaria as an option but Brexit might make this harder to do now.
@@Michael-jh9fd why do you have to rely on Brexit?Are you not of working age ?
@@Michael-jh9fd and who told you you can't buy property now? In my area they sell for 1, 500 dollars and you can fix it yourself! You got me as a translator! Hellow? When there is a will there is a way! The expensive one is about 7000 and has water but still.need to do work to add a room in the front where the water is!
@@svetlanikolova7673 Hi. Is bulgaria safe? Do they accept different skin colours as I have heard that they do not? Thanks for any response you give 😀
There is something about a man minding his own business that really pisses people off.
im trying to open a micropub, and ive had a man put in an objection based on the fear that barrells will roll down hill.......
@@cyberash3000 From what I heard there is only one thing that roles down hill.
Jealousy mainly; mostly at the fact that the person minding their own business doesn't need society and the jealous person is usually dependent on society for numerous reasons. Security, fear of loneliness, state benefits, etc.
@@filipmacamhalghaidh9493 The older I get the more relaxed I get about people pretty much doing whatever they please as long as they don't directly harm anyone else they should be able to do as they desire.
@@fishmanfairclough7530 two*, Jack and Jill
15:50 is my favourite bit - "the Royal Mail will deliver to anywhere they can find.... you know, if it's got an address on it that the postman can understand, they'll deliver it. It's quite an amazing service really, so take full advantage"
Its lovely to see us English heading back in the direction of our ancestors. Healthier living, always an adventure and the freedom to be who and what you want to be. Hats off to you sir, you have my respect.
James Bates it is beyond me why people hold our ancestors in such high regard.
Johnny Appleseed if you feel he is talking about the ones who still to this day restrict living rather than share knowledge, you may be wrong. I feel it's clear it was a comment regarding those who first lived off the land and their ways of life.
TheTechOasis and what could have caused such a vulgar response I wonder? I never said anything about respect but someone clearly thinks living in the dark ages is a good thing.
Lukey flukes I wasn’t even referring to that, but oh well
the "dark ages" you say is the way of independence. What's wrong with being independent?
I like the story on radio 4 of the guys who lived in a caravan in a field he purchased, but being smart he found on with a parish council boundary running across it and lived one side of it, the when the parish he lived in managed to do all the paper work to make him move he just moved to the other side of the field into a different parish, after a few try's they gave up lol.
That's brilliant!
Very clever!
That's pretty smart.
Great video, I've just bought a site here in Ireland and my solicitor was very worried about the neighbours and what they'd think of my plan to live off grid. She was telling me they could set up barricades to stop me accessing the site etc. I met the neighbours and went out of my way to be extra amiable. Now I have keys to my closest neighbours house and know everyone on the road. If you're going to do this kind of life then you have to be realistic, you can't hide away in your site for years until you get planning, so introduce yourself to the neighbours and reassure them your not a troublemaker.
In August of 1854 Soho, a suburb of London, was hit hard by a terrible outbreak of cholera. Dr. John Snow himself lived near Soho, and immediately went to work to prove his theory that contaminated water was the cause of the outbreak. The men who worked in a brewery on Broad Street which made malt liquor also escaped getting cholera. The proprietor of the brewery, Mr. Huggins, told Snow that the men drank the liquor they made or water from the brewery’s own well and not water from the Broad Street pump. None of the men contracted cholera. Maximus I have contributed to your beer fund in the interest of public safety. Great video, keep going.
It was women the well maidens the care takers of the sacred water. After the move to the cities exactly what you describe but actually the first brewers were women for exactly that reason when the country industrialised. Interested in celt mythology my findings came from there xx
Thank you for this video. I have found it really interesting. I am 80 and have no plans to do this at my age but I admire you for doing something different and achieving something so special. I also have not had a TV for some years and do not want one. I prefer my laptop with programmes like this. Congratulations and looking forward to your other videos.
I like your comment. Nice. On TV a lot of propaganda, especially in the post soviet countries. People there call TV - zombobox.
I'm 38 and haven't watched tv for years.
@@schlookie youre not missing much
Videos like this make UA-cam actually useful.. That's just my humble opinion. .
5 years later,i stumble upon this.
I work away from home all week,with a wife that loves the money, just doesnt like me.
I was thinking sneaky foxhole with a fireplace dug in for 2 nights a week.
This has been very informative
Good luck Paul I hope you’ve made some progress 😉😉
Get rid of her! On another note, Hope you found a good place to relax & live...
Well, now, this is inspiring. My great-grandfather emigrated from Scotland to Kansas in the U.S. where he bought some acreage and built a lovely 2-story house. Of course then, in the 1870s, it was all off-grid. He married a widow with 2 children and they had 4 more children. My grandfather then built a second house where my father and his 2 brothers and sister grew up, and where, in turn, my 2 sisters, brother and I grew up. It was a beautiful place, lots of trees, and a creek running through it.
Sounds like my dream... My heart yearns for the unsurpassed beauty and infinite wilderness of the US. I so wish I could live there but US immigration regulations make it almost an impossible feat nowadays🇺🇸🙃🇺🇸
@@wolfmoon3431 Well just go to Mexico and then sneak across the border. Just kidding. . .
@@pianorama That's hilarious... It is funny how many Americans have given me exactly that advice on my travels there... It may indeed, be my only option🤣
I’ve almost no interest in doing what you’ve done. But..
“Have a go at doing something even if you fail, because the alternative is to never have a go at anything.”
A quote for everyone for life, I think. What a guy!
Hi, even though this Vlog is a few years old I’ve only just come across it. It’s one of the most interesting and informative I’ve seen and have been inspired by it, so thank you. I actually own and live on a 55 foot narrowboat, and have done for over 7 years now! But want to buy my own piece of land, to do exactly what you’re doing, to ‘quietly’ live on it, keeping chickens, bees, grow my own veg and weave my textiles ( this is how I make a living now), So that’s my plan for 2022. Interestingly, I had already thought about seeking out the land myself rather than going through the normal land agents and auctions, so thank you for confirming that, your comments give confidence to try it that way. Any more hints and tips would be very welcome. I will check out all your other videos now 😊 Happy land dwelling and all the best for the coming year 2022. 🐓
How is this going?
How's it going?
This is great, I hope to do this aswell. Please keep us updated
That's weird, I'm just finishing a narrowboat to sell to buy land.. rewatching this video for inspiration
How's it going?
Good luck to you mate nice to see a no nonsense straight talking man who minds his own business and does his own thing
Well done you for getting round the planning laws and making this work for you. Unfortunately the vast majority of people in the UK do not get such a smooth ride. Whether or not your neighbours are tolerant, almost all local authorities have a default position. They DO NOT WANT anyone living off grid or circumventing their desire to stuff everyone into soulless, expensive, housing estates which they grant planning for IN COLLUSION with giant developers and favoured builders. Local Councils have immense discretionary power and usually apply it to do everything they can to stop anyone opting out of the system. This includes mobile homes which are nowadays made to high standards but local authorities only offer residential licences to "park homes" which are an appalling rip off, and the park home industry is presided over by layer upon layer of collusion, price fixing, exploitation, closed shop deals and back handers.
The whole UK planning system rewards those who already can afford expensive rural homes who then fight tooth and nail to shut out everyone else. These homes are then bought and sold at perpetually spiralling prices while so-called "affordable" homes are not at all affordable and in any case end up back on the open market at unaffordable prices. Local planners grant permission to monstrously ugly developments but make it almost impossible for individuals to buy or rent a small plot and build on it. Your situation is great and I wish you luck, but you are a very rare example. 99% of those desiring a similar thing will never achieve it.
fingerhorn4 wow negative much....if you dont try.....
Hit the nail on the head - rural Wales here and you've exactly described how it works here too. Especially handy that no new parks can be built on the coast, just to make the existing mafia even more snuggly and secure while they grant themselves planning to keep expanding year in, year out...
No, not negative, and please note I wished this video's author the best. I repeat, this is a rarity. The vast majority of those wishing to control their own lives in this way will NEVER achieve it. That's not being negative but telling the truth.
I agree totally with what you say (Cole Whitelaw, I'm also in Wales), though not quite with the 99% (but still a high proportion). Local people can no longer afford property in the country, and the incomers who drive the prices up often come with a huge sense of entitlement over everyone else's business, and are usually the ones who shop people to the planners. I know a number of "planning outlaws" in this area who have fallen foul of those kind of neighbours (never any trouble from the local farmers). One person had a cabin several hundred yards from a holiday home, tucked away in trees, but he spoilt the view of the owner of the holiday home who wanted to build a chalet park! The cabin had been there long before this person came on the scene. Some neighbours, especially those with vested interests, can never be pacified. Avoid a right-of-way access over land, if you can (i.e. it's best if the property borders a public highway). That too can be a sticking point. The good news is that whilst the vast majority of people end up caught, a reasonable number end up getting some kind of permission or reprieve (more like a ceasefire). Nevertheless, it is not for the fainthearted.
Well put. UK land law is Feudalism. Keep the peasants from self sufficiency.
Man you are an inspiration to me.
For many years I’ve wanted to break free from society and you are the push I needed.
I love this guy. He is so no nonsense straight forward and super practical. He connects to life and is a natural survivor. He inspires hope and life into doing stuff for yourself. He has true strength of character ability and substance. He is gorgeous looking too and his warmth of person wins your heart for him. An amazing man that commands respect. I love watching his videos
yes, I am 80 but I noticed how handsome he was and he seemed to have a lovely warm personality. What a shame he hides his face with the beard, maybe it's to keep the women at bay.
What’s inspiring in this, is that you started from £0 and still made something brilliant there mate
YT is full of lovely looking off-grid dwellings and owners conducting proud tours of their living spaces... but this is one of the best in-depth discussions of the how's and where's I have come across, top marks and well done. I envy your practicality.
Me too!
Most of the ones I see are doing it in there family or friends land which isn't really off grid it's using some one else on grid access.
The Royal Mail address section was interesting. I'm liking your videos. Thanks
The address bit was both hilarious and wonderful.
I liked that bit too. Good info.
I will have to try your way. I have lived in a caravan in a friends woodland for 13 years. I went to the PO to ask about putting up a postbox and they said Id have to bring in my council tax form - which of course I hav'nt got! I live in Wales so maybe different rules apply? Think I'll try your way. Will let you know how it goes. Thank you for your informative video.
@Susan Hills - sounds more like an unhelpful post office! What business is it of theirs whether you pay council tax? The postal service is not council funded. It is a limited company paid for by the people who buy the postage stamps. In fact, isn't it THEY, and not the council, who issue the postcode address? Probably, you can't even pay council tax without a postcode address!
Susan Hills let us know if it works. Just put a box up and send the letter
good to hear from someone off grid here in the UK. I learn a lot from the videos from over the pond but get disheartened thinking it can't be done here, you've given me hope Max
jill e agreed, we can do it
Thank you
It can be done.
we have to be ""off grid"" in our own way. The seed planted. Sacrifice. If you don't use you don't get metered. The rates go up. The mass complains. THEN something will be done. They will not listen to common sense from one small number. Yes could take a generation. The other, wait for comm and tech to do their disruption. Fresco(rip) of The Venus Project predicts this.
Oh and breaking news. Many pep do live off grid,,if they are rich. Funny, can't seem to convince the cops that they should protect the tax payer, but I guess big money also means big guns.
Thrilled to see almost all the comments are so positive. Faith in humanity is being restored 😊
Stuart Crabtree - This is a grown folks channel that’s why. ☺️
I've been sheltered and warmfully homed my whole life without much thought of living off the grid, and yet, I just watched the entire video without realising. It's so interesting, and you're so great at talking about it. Thank you Maximus!
Watching you from Colorado and the bit about the "my land, I can do what I want" made me laugh because it's so true.
Colorado is so pretty, especially Rockies.
"As soon as I got the Postman trained"......!!
So funny Thumper, nice-one man....
Fairly straight forward in Australia.Basically one puts up a mail box on property (or where the designated mail drop area is in a rural area),with your name and address on it,send yourself a letter (from some distance away),and it's usually that simple.Has worked for me (a couple of times) over the years.Take care anyhow.
It’s actually amazing what you are doing mate! I wish everyone else thought the same about self sufficiency. Top bloke!
Credit where it's due..
as an architect of many decades my best advice on planning is: everything in life is negotiable and especially the law. Stand up and say your piece and then do it again and again. The system can't afford to keep that up and will cave
Edwin Henry Blachford , thanks for your comment Edwin, appreciated
generally there are costs/fees in any government process; often not too expensive just a bloody nuisance. However, your advantage is always that in "legal" matters you can represent yourself..whereas the government entity must send along a qualified legal professional of some kind - at great cost. They can't send the dog catcher to a planning matter.. If this legal process is repeated during mediation, the cost of legal representation for the government entity can approach excessive amounts.. and it is often this simple situation which encourages the government entity to adopt a reasonable point of view. A simple example: a client ended up in a "mediation" session in Planning Court.. the Local Council hired a barrister.. who cost AU$8,000/day.. the magistrate doing the mediation kept adjourning the matter to another day..in the end the Council had paid AU$50,000 to the barrister and blown their legal budget on the matter.. so caved on the issue and granted my client approval. In other words the rate payers had AU$50,000 of their money wasted on a matter that was trite and which would always have been approved in the end either way. In contrast the client lost 3 mornings of his time.
Edwin Henry Blachford I
Thanks that is very interesting!
and that is the very esence of coruption. abusing the system until it fails.
I watched this video about a month back now, before I come across this I really struggled to wrap my head around it and always wanted to move off-grid. Thanks to this video I have bought the Rural Planning Handbook and am about 3/4 my way through it! Great book! Off your advice and the knowledge gained from this book, I am purchasing some land next week and leaving it vacant while I serve the rest of my time in the RAF then move onto it with all the loans paid off and legally build my own dwelling out of reclaimed materials! And start my farming business/homestead truly can't wait! Thank you so much Max, you've genuinely nudged me and my family towards the future we've always wanted! And with all your other videos I feel far more confident in myself that it really is possible.
Side note, you've given me inspiration to also finish writing my book that I'd put down for a while. So you really have given me the push I needed. Who'd have thought a few short videos on UA-cam would do it aye, amongst all the other rubbish on here there's a diamond in the rough.
Keep it up!
I hope it all goes well. Glad to have inspired you!
How are you getting on?
@@sandwichbar8226 Apparently he went to prison.
@@bertiewooster3326
Lol! Really?
You are very humble .. massive respect to you. Now you land is worth well over £200,000 .. Good luck
I’ve craved living like this for years. Didn’t realise that it was actually a possibility
What an excellent video, so well explained, fair, honest, down to earth, and extremely helpful!
First video I've watched of yours... and mate... good on you sir. What an inspiration. I hope you carry on having the success you clearly deserve. What a nice guy
Nice one Maximus, very clearly put and very helpful to those of us (the vast majority) who can't afford to just buy into off grid living.
Interesting..!! I live in Minnesota USA. A lot of what you are talking about is Greek to me. But love that you stuck to ur plans and have developed the land you are living on. What you are doing is what I plan on doing. Here in the states somewhere..
Hi Maximus! Thanks for all the info you have given those who also want to live off-grid. It's not about most of us being sneaky to get what we want but there is untapped potential in rural Scotland that can bring in fresh people, ideas, green eco-homes and small businesses. I wish they would help those who would like to live off-grid in nature and in beautiful Scotland and hopefully earn a living too. It isn't for everyone it takes special people and should be helped. So thanks for breaking down all the dross for us.
Hi. You okay there?
THE most helpful video on the internet about this topic, thank you for posting this.
Brilliant video mate....I totally get the ability to 'get around' certain restrictions without being on the radar in that living peacefully and in harmony with your surroundings. People will always appreciate those with value, whether it be in skills or advice. I will have my 5 acres soon and have been trying out the solar and wind generating systems. Above all else I am looking forward to peace and quiet, getting my own wood for fuel and growing a big veggie patch with chickens and goats.
Hey Van Solo, may i ask. How the land is going now. I hope you are enjoying life - i plan to do similar
Thank you very much, you're a decent man for helping others who aspire to live as you do. Respect to you max, regards, John
Great story, great information and very inspirational. It's my dream to get on the land and having lived on farms in the past i know it's where i want to be. Ill be getting that booklet. Cheers
Weird this popped up on my feed when two days ago I seen a piece of land that was cheap but no dwelling now the land is an option for me again after this away am off to research my best option cheers for your video 6yrs after u did it
How did it go? Did you manage to get your land?
Well done on what you have achieved and thank you for passing the knowledge on. We need more genuine people like you in this world. Good luck.
I love your line of thought and reasoning - a man after my own heart. It's looking great
It's partially underground and it's got a camo net over the roof, but it's not concealed.
I was looking for this comment, it does seem a bit off, camo net is literally designed for concealing things, decent guy doing it for the right reasons but if it had gone to court, don't think he'd win that point.
Thanks for these videos, I'm currently looking to move to a field somewhere in the middle of nowhere and it's nice to see a similar path which someone has taken before. Relieves some of the anxiety to know it's not impossible to pull off.
Thankyou so much for this video...I've been struggling to get my head around where to start and you've made it very understandable and clear.I hope one day to be able to live like this myself.Inspirational video,thankyou.
Pure gold! I could not even bring myself to research the idea of off grid living for fear of being told "no you can't" and would have done it the hard way but one video and all my questions answered. Brilliant!!!!
Well done you! I loved listening to your story and I agree wholeheartedly with what you say about taking a first step towards a dream. Independence is so important for healthy mind body and spirit. Thank you Maximus Ironthumper - great name for a Viking and you have the beard! ;) Good work, good life, may you go from strength to strength.
First time viewing. You have planted a seed 👍 great informative watch.
You went balls to the wall in something most of us are fantasising about! Cheers for the detailed video!
I was stuck with life didn’t know what to because I am from farming family but watching your video I can finally c myself there. Thanks 👏👏🙏
Great advice about the neighbours and it’s always good to help them out if you can.
Yes, I should have emphasised that more - be a good neighbour and it's more likely the neighbours will be good to you!
+Maximus Ironthumper you name suggests you are a blacksmith am I correct
15:50 i lived in Seychelles, no road names or house numbers or anything on Praslin.
You tell the bank who your neighbours are and then they know where you live...😂
thanks for taking the time to make these videos.. very informative.. and interesting to me.. for the last two years I've been living out of my transit van.. even more strangely and worrying to some people, im enjoying it.. at 50 years old.. no money really.. free though
you remind me just of my cousin who moved to canada, i have not much interest in living off grid but ii loved watching you.
thanks.
Whether or not I'll use this info - it's simply great; PHANTASTIC!!!! Thank you so much for doing this and being encouraging, inspiring and making others think in more realistic and possibility-ways.
Xxxxxxx
This vid just randomly pop up !! You tube must be tapped into my thoughts. Excellent video mate 👍 glad you have done what many others ( like myself) only dream of.
At last someone talking sense on UA-cam ! ..... and not a flat earth theory or a ufo sighting even mentioned
SUBSCRIBED
keep it real buddy
You think the earth is a ball??
you are amazing to share your experience. thank you
Just love what have achieved and your articulate ability to educate us out here in the world. I live in Western Australia but I am guessing from your neck of the woods - ish originally. THANK YOU!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Inspiring, helpful, encouraging, and a real hope for the future of our planet. Keep it up. Love it. X
Thank you for the lovely comment :-)
@@maximusironthumper looking for land here in Queensland, Australia.
Qlder here.
Wow, so excited to have found you!! I really enjoyed your video. Gave me butterflies because I'm doing it too. Borrowed money two years ago to buy 5 acres of woodland which I call Robin Hill. I built a cabin (10x10) and have met my neighbours (that advice is gold). Look forward to the next video. Thanks for your wisdom and charm. Tim from Canada
I would live there in a heartbeat. Well done mate, well impressed...
This guy gets straight to the point no gimmicks good honest advice ill sub
We are lucky in this country to have Post men and Post women that will go out of their way to deliver a letter for you, it's one of the few institutions that still have a bit of Pride in the work that they do.
They dont close my bloody gate though!
Who wouldn’t want a little detour into no where? It’s less work anyway! Would be a highlight.
@@Dantonwonton that is because you are sat on the porch , on a rocking chair with a shotgun across your lap.
Thank goodness for youtube and coming across channels like yours. So interesting.
Dear Maximus,
Thank you so much for sharing your story and the tips; exactly the info I was after. I find your words of encouragement very valuable. And the DIY Planning Guide you recommend sounds like the book I need in my life right now.
So once again, thank you! I'm off to chase the book now, so I can be off grid sooner than later 🙂
I have warmed to you. Excellent video. I don't usually comment but I have a mate who, along with others he knows, has purchased land and also lives on it off-grid in Britain. I suspect they don't have inclination or capacity to record and upload videos. Nevertheless, yours is quite inspiring in various ways, Max. The decoy idea was humorously inventive. I laughed hard. Brilliant btw. And the comment about the workshop/house taking so long because you were so skint - I can relate to that very closely. You are clearly a brother of ours and your words in explanation of the distinction between illegal and unlawful, police/courts repercussions is simple yet sound. The whole video is great. All the very best to you sir!
The most important thing to know about living off grid is that is its essential to wear rustic clothes and preferably own a fantastic beard like this guy. excellent video Maximus thank you.
It's nice to see an off grid video that goes into the nitty gritty of how you do it with no cash.
Really appreciate you taking the time to put these together. This is my first delve into your work, I'm guessing I'll be working my way through them this weekend. Cheers!!
Good stuff, Max.. I'm in the States, so not all of it will apply. But I live in the country in the Southeastern U.S., and at 63, I'm having a desire to do this. My house is almost paid off, and we may down size even more when I retire at 66. I'm enjoying all the knowledge you can receive off these "Off-Grid Videos"', and yours are truly helping me. Thanks.
Very happy to hear my videos have any relevance at all so far away from here! Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
Yes indeed, that was worth a beer! Just bought my little space and started building. Lucky for me the farm nextish to me is the chairman of the parish council and loves what I'm doing. Just trying to get hold of the rural planning book you suggested, so many thanks for your video, I'm subscribing now. Happy days
**Update** The excellent Planning Briefings mentioned has now been revised and republished as The Rural Planning Handbook see: tlio.org.uk/rural-planning-handbook/
For more updated info on what I'm up to building wise - join my patron (for £1) and get exclusive build project videos!
Maximus Ironthumper thank you so much for continuing to provide updates and any future content, such a unique resource I can't help but come back to time and again.
Hi Max you said you live in the valleys , what valleys in Wales ?
Would love to visit you for a wknd .
Thank you!
I wish I could do what you did man I am so fed up with the way things are now and I just wish I could live of my own back, if you ever have a cabin to rent let me know 👀
Excellent video thank you
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You have no idea how much faith in my plans you have restored. Myself and the wife have decided that going off grid is definitely in our future and have started to genuinely educate ourselves on the matter.
I was aware of the 10 year rule but his 4 year rule seams like it can genuinely work and gives me so much hope. I feel excited for our future
Good luck
Good info Max, it would appear that you have not only worked hard but struggled hard as well. You are inspirational and all the knowledge you have to share will help a lot of people get out of this rat race. Thankyou for your info.
Great Video! Thanks for sharing.
Was born and raised in UK (West Midlands) and always had a love for nature and a dream to one day own my own land and have a small farm with a permanent dwelling. In my 30's i ended up joining my parents in Dallas ; Texas and started a career in IT (Software development).
Despite the money that came with that career, i never felt fulfilled and my burning desire to realize my dream in reality only became stronger and stronger.
I've been interested in 'Off the Grid' living for several years now and have been researching it a lot, to the extent that it's become quite a hobby for me.
My plan is to eventually moved back to UK and with my savings, purchase some land with a similar plan to what you have here. It's really nice to see true happiness and contentment with life when i watch your video's. You are a real inspiration to me and likely many other's. Keep it up Sir.
All the best. Cheers.
Im just about to start something like this, so very informative, my only problem that i can see is my age. 4 yrs is a long time when you're already 55yrs old, i would like to be settled and relatively comfortable by 60, not having to start building a slightly bigger house, so i am going for the planner help. You are very inspiring though, i just wish id sold my boat 5 yrs ago and stated then. But better to start late than never at all. Thanks for the inspirational vid Maximus.
All the very best Sandra. God bless ya.
Really enjoyed this video. Thank you!
Great instructional video. Cuts through some of the misconceptions around off grid living. Cheers
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! Simple but very honest and informative. Hats off to what you did. 👍
Thank you again for such useful and inspiring info. It is so impressive how you persevered without any money to start up with. GIves us all hope! Blessings on all you do from Western Australia x
Thanks for this! Great insight.
Thank you for sharing. This is really inspiring! I don't imagine it's been easy, but you've given hope to a lot of people
thank you so much for this mate, me and my girl needed this talk
14:12, "and trees, yeah, trees are great". Cant argue with you.
this guy lives life how it's supposed to be lived
Congratulations on your established rights. All good advice too! I would also add another thing to look out for when buying land. Make sure the sporting rights are included, or get confirmation that they are not retained. I only discovered that there was such a thing because it was mentioned in the sales particulars of the land I bought. Some landowners, apparently, retain the sporting rights. I later met someone who found out the hard way not to be "not bothered because I don't intend to hunt". Throughout the hunting season he had the hunt coming through his property.
Good point!
Hats off to you my well grounded friend
good luck, and i look forward to your autobiography when you get round to writing it! this stuff is genuinely inspirational.
Just came across your channel. Awesome vids. Less is more. I think many more people than you think want to live "off the grid". A friend is quitting his government job as of today and choosing another path towards being self-employed.
Found it!!!!! I wathree a different video and asked about planning etc. Well, now i found it. Thanks for taking the time to help others.I am jealous of your way of life. Enjoy all you do 😀
A really useful video, thank you. I live abroad at the moment but am thinking about returning to the UK and your point about getting on with it is well taken.
massive respect to you for sharing this, i know it cant be easy to give away hard earned knowledge. many of us would love to live an uncomplicated sustainable lifestyle in this way. me most of all, i have so much knowledge and skill that would be well used and shared if i ever do get to live off grid. i think we would become good mates if we knew each other. thank you for the time it has taken you to share your knowledge.
Thanks for the pep talk. I have been wanting to do this for years.
Hats off to you. Well done! 👍
The best off grid videos I have seen! Thanks for making it all seem possible to do in the UK! Keep uploading!
Lovely story,you seem like a really nice person and I wish you all the best.
I find this video by accident, but I had always wanted to buy land & build a home. I will definitely watch the rest of your videos. Thank you for putting up the video.
absolutely amazing and goddamn inspiring if i may say. congrats and thank you for uploading. i’ve been researching and haven’t quite found a video describing my ideal situation, but this entire video is an absolute dream for me. i want to live alone, with a couple of dogs and cats, in a home i’ve built by myself.