We Went BACK ON GRID. Why? 

Let me start by saying this video is yet another incredible edit. Aust and the gang are making these videos entirely on their own and yet they stand up to any major tv program you'll find with big budgets, fancy gear and whole production team. Perhaps I'm biased since I am featured in some of them and he portrayed my story in such a positive light. But I just can't help but respond to some of these comments. Aust is FOR SURE down playing how tough he and the family are, and I believe he is doing it for your entertainment. Not saying it isn't honest but anyone who has six kids and drives to Alaska with 2 cats and dog to try out a different lifestyle is a certified BADASS in my book. I got to spend enough time with them to know these kids not only loved the experience but will forever be thankful for the incredible journey their parents responsibly took them on. Bravo to you guys, I am so inspired by your adventurous spirit, I have my first child on the way, a baby girl, and you guys expanded the limits of what I thought possible. Thank you for that. But yeah, ya'll ARE most definitely "tough enough" for off-grid, but hell, it makes for good TV and it's a humble perspective to take, which is refreshing in these times. So thank you for taking us all along on this awesome journey, showing me what good parenting is all about, and for the awesome memories we made in such a short time. Hats off to this wonderful family.

The children’s excitement about the bathrooms in the beginning was epic! 😂

Just so glad you practiced off grid before upturning your life cold turkey. Doing laundry and feeding a family are both overwhelming ideas to me off grid.

Great content. My family (grandmother and mother as a kid) came from a very simple "off the grid life" (not because it was cool, because it was what it was), living in a really small house, no electricity, washing dishes by a small river, out house, hours to get to a doctor or market, etc. Eventually they went out of this rural area in search of more opportunities and more quality of life. So I grew up with stories of how tough things are off the grid and, as a kid, we visited a lot of grandma friends that still lived that life for a while and got to experience a lot of that (even if only for one or two days at a time), so I find kinda funny when some people say they really want to live off the grid in a very simple way (ie no electricity, washing machine, etc) and they have no idea what they are going into, specially if you are married, even more if you have kids. My mother says she would never go back and that "it's easy to get used to better things, not the other way around". So if you never had washing machines, warm showers, toilets, etc., once you have it, you don't want to lose that; but if you always had it, you might think that you don't really need it... until you lose it, then you understand how great it is. Could you get used to living without any of that? I'm sure you could, but it's easier if you never had it in the first place. I enjoy camping for a day sometimes, going for small hikes here and there, but at the end of the day I want my warm shower, in a hot day I want my A/C, etc., because I've experienced - briefly as a kid and teen - what it's like without any of that, and while there are fun moments and good memories, the reality is that a lot of that just sucks.

K is such a loving and gentle mommy. I love how she interacts with each child.

I really love how candid you folks are about challenges. People hype up soloar as the solution for every scenario. It ain't so. Yet the establishment is in the process of banning gas generators.

The younger you are the easier it is to bear down and roll with the punches. Already having a sizeable family raises the stakes for each setback and narrows the margin for error. Alaska is a very challenging place to homestead. Not that you couldn't do it, but it's a matter of whether you and the kids feel most fulfilled. There are degrees of being off grid, and ways to do it a little closer to amenities of civilization and in a more forgiving climate. There are millions of acres in the lower 48 and elsewhere that it can be done on. The crunch usually comes when you are old, or when your health starts to fail, or you have some physical trauma (easy to come by in the woods) and it becomes life or death as to how quickly you can get the medical care you need. It's different for each person and family, and you have taken a good experimental approach to see what fits for you. Very enjoyable how you have documented and presented it. Lots of luck and best wishes going forward!

This is THE BEST serie to the people who want to move to the Northern parts of the world AND thinks its the same life like they are living in southern warm and sunshine 😄 AND this is SUMMER season. Greetings from Mirja 66.3°N, Finland [The SAUNA country 😁]

I appreciate the bearanoia segment. Fear can really hold us back.

You are such a great story teller. Thank you for bringing such high quality content to the homesteading community 🤩 I have really been enjoying these episodes.

You're videos are always wonderful to watch! Thanks for sharing your adventure 😀

Ive been watching Homesteady for about a year now. And only recently, with this Off Grid Challenge, have I realized what a good story teller Aust is. Just like a book, each of these episodes have a beginning, a middle, and am end, and they are masterfully tied together. Its awesome to listen

First minute and look how happy everyone is! It's a success in getting them to appreciate how privileged EVERYONE in the modern world is!!

Well filmed. Fantastic story. We struggle with solar in the winter.

When off grid power management is everything.

The life experience your children experience are amazing! You both are great parents!!! Love following your journey. Best wishes

THIS has been so great watching this journey!..

Omggg so cute seeing the children appreciate what all of us take for granted! It made me stop and appreciate my little apartment as well! You guys are amazing! ❤

I’m only half drunk and I am still very excited to see you guys back

I love the kid's reactions. I am praying for your family and I hope you are all doing well.

I love watching these videos. I appreciate the care taken in sharing both the hard realities of the A-frame and the sheer joy of finding 2 flushing toilets. Thanks for taking all of us on this journey with you! Looking forward to the next installment!

Well, I am sure enjoying how you have documented your adventure. Your voice over story telling is excellent. Thank you for sharing.

Your video about off-grid is really refreshing...all those creature comforts are more than that when you have a large family, it is very taxing and sometimes impossible to make things work when you don't have the resources you need at your disposal, I think with a large family this becomes essential to survival...I go camping with my kids and that is hard enough!!! Good on you all for giving this challenge a go.

Your family gives me hope that the old ways that are the glue that must be rediscovered in order to hold society together are not completely lost. You guys have my full respect.

Amazing. You are so talented. Keep up the good work!!

I’m thoroughly enjoying this Alaska series. Great story telling, editing, and filmography. Looking forward to the next one!

I have watched these videos like a TV show, anxiously waiting for the new episode to be available. I finally had time to sit and watch this one. And yet again yall have me crying! Some profound words spoken and definitely relatable, I grew up in town but my grandparents owned a tiny farm and I've been trying to make my way back to those tiny farm roots. Love yalls adventure! Can't wait to hear more.

Best episode yet! Can’t wait to see the last cabin. You’re such a great speaker. Love your content.

I'm kinda shocked by how many bad comments have happened since you started this series but yall have been doing youtube for a long time and are getting alot new viewers with this series and new editing style. So whoever reads this If your a new viewer I'll shed some light on the situation. These guys have been doing youtube for a long time with less views and are by no means youtube RICH like people are assuming. I guess people don't understand that they've been living a more normal life like the majority of us watching for a long time and building their own homestead on land that got. I think it's very wise if you are building from scratch to figure out what kind of homestead you want before you dump your money into those things. That's what this series was about. They wanted to figure out if they even wanted to live off grid or even 50/50 off grid and different types of housing. Anyway their money isn't our business but I think these comments have come from the fact that inflation and alot of us live in poverty now and it can be very hard to be happy for others success let alone people we don't know. It's sad but we should enjoy these guys success journey because at the end of the day they make these videos for our entertainment and perhaps give us poor folks hope that we can get atleast something like this one day.

YAY there's more! I can't wait! I am still loving this series! I hope y'all are well! -Dusty

Your videos are exceptional. Thank you for another great one.

I am new to the channel and thoroughly enjoying your journey. I find myself laughing (out loud) with you all - and your content is excellent and the family is so approachable. Excellent all around 🙌🏻

i just came over this channel and im so happy i did,greetings from norway

When I was a kid, we spent all summer, every summer at a camp on Sebago Lake in Maine. Little 3 bedroom (very small) log cabin. Not totally off grid as we had electricity but bathing was done in the Lake and there was an outhouse. The sink had a pump handle and a pipe was run all the way to the lake (About 150 feet, lol). Heat, when needed, was a wood stove (mornings could be cool). Honestly, if I could live there now, I would. My parents eventually sold the camp to my Dad's parents (so we still got to use it, lol) and they added a toilet that used propane to just turn waste to ash and a shower with a 5 gallon propane water heater. I definitely think there are ways around the issues you've encountered. Renting a cabin is a great way to experience the life. It's also a great way to figure out what things you would want in an off grid home you BUILD.

Wise choice! On the grid, that is where at least 99% of all the other people live! And that alone is worth it, for in the end, it is people that matter!

Ohhh my goodness! Fresh salmon 🍣 Yummy! Can’t wait for the next video ❤

Great video and amazing story telling. It's been a pleasure following you guys on this adventure. Best regards from a Brazilian in Newfoundland.

I think this was a wonderful documented experience for your family. Now you know what you are willing to sacrifice or maybe plan for if you did make these lifestyle changes. A summer camp cabin in Alaska might be just in store for you guys. I love watching these types of videos of yours because so many families really go through it, and we only get to see the aftermath, before and after deal. I still think you are manly and your wife is womanly and your family is precious and worthy ✨️

Love joining in all your Alaska adventures.

Can’t wait for the next video

I enjoy this series, and I'm so impressed with your videos, I've watched you guys off and on for some 3+ years ( off and on due to me just living a good life) and I'm just like, wow, on how well you all are presenting your experience and life to us, well done. Ps My family and I utilities are not through our town, so can relate to the learning curve and adjustment. Now our systems are second nature and no big deal it's our comfort zone, it's our life, and it's our way of living…and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Great series! ❤ remember though...you won't be living in Alaska, off grid doesn't mean living without water,plumbing and electricity and kids adapt. They will feed off of their parents energy. Also whenever you make a big change in your life it takes at least a month to get in the groove....can't wait to see more.

21:29 your sons gonna cry like hell watching this clip once you pass on. He’ll remember it.

Maybe you have already answered this and I havent watched this video yet but who did you get to watch all your animals for the summer? That is something that holds me back on getting dairy animals....

Beautiful show

You guys are killin' it! So impressed! This last cabin is going to be hilarious. It has nothing?! 😅😂 Can't wait till the next episode drops!

Love the video and editing. Also, Austin, I am finally used to the moustache. 😂

Thanks for sharing. Alaska does have an extremely wide range of living options.

Loved this video and hoping for the next one soon. I had bear fear when we visited Alaska...its real.

I love the story telling and editing in this series! It will be fun to show my husband. This is how we lived when i was a kid in AK! Lol i really like the grid, but grateful for the experiences for sure.

Welcome back

Dont give up on the off grid dream. There are ways to make it work and still keep your modern convenience. It just takes knowledge.

Loved your salmon meal. I never tried to pan fry salmon. I always bake it in the oven will try it like that next tine. Love your videos.

Beautiful couple!!

Such great wholesome content

Thanks for sharing your journey... off grid where there is winter would be no fun! I would definitely not do it. I'm very thankful for the modern conveniences we have.

I too get excited about multiple toilets, dishwashers, and free ice with your water fridges. ❤😊 I also am a big fan of bath tubs after living in a house with only a small shower. And I am a fan of working washer and dryers. Because if you ever had to go without them it makes you appreciate them much more. 😂 I am not built for off grid. But I always loved when ten poser went out when I was a kid. We would light candles and play board games. Watching the kids play monopoly bright me back. 😊 These are fantastic memories and skills your kiddos are learning.

Wario is a recurring character in the Super Mario franchise, designed to be an arch-rival to Mario, and appears to prefer living on grid.

Come to between TN and NC you won’t regret. ❤

Im excited to see you guys back in PA

When we retired in Texas, I had snake-anoia! I still believe there’s a venomous snake around every tree and we live in a forest where they are plentiful…however I’ve chilled and even wear flip flops in the summer! Great video. You’re a wonderful narrator!

U.K. viewer here with plans to buy some land @ 61yrs. I've watched a good few of your videos. Excellent content! Austin, my take is that I need to find a strong woman to do it with, just like you have.

Because you know yourselves. Being authentic is great.

Most people up here who say that a bear was “in the bushes” growling at them have actually encountered a cow moose. Cow moose will actually let out a roar when they are agitated.

Great thinking on charging from the van, but there has to be a better way to utilize your van alternator. The van can put out around 400-500w at idle so you are only getting 1/4 of your idle potential. The kids absolutely loved being back on the grid, lol.

I'm like the kids! Yay🎉🎉🎉 there's two bathrooms! 😂

My mom grew up off grid because that was life on a farm. She says, never go back to that….. It’s just a hard life. Chopping wood every day 3 hours a day, gathering water 2 hours a day, and then trying to heat water to coo and clean, , leaves you no time to enjoy life. You may want a secluded life, but enjoy running water and electric, and heat.

“This is so big to run, Mommy!” Although I understand the intent behind this trip and off grid living, there are some aspects that don’t seem fair especially to the kids. Their comments are so illuminating, like their daughter saying she doesn’t like going outside in the rain to use the bathroom. I hope the parents listen to them.

Looks better, more comfortable for the kids

Off grid in the summer in Alaska can be hard - but at least the days are long. It would be a whole different level of hard with only a couple hours of sun per day.

I'm a novice with solar panels but that second cabin seemed to be really close to the trees. Looking forward to seeing how going even more off-grid (off-griddier??) goes. Hopefully it has more room than the a-frame!

the kenai is wet and dreary esp closer to homer. soldotna can get nice but i prefer up around wasilla to talkeetna or around tok to delta junction. the later is generally much warmer and sunnier and drier in the summer. hopefully you spent some time in those areas. much nicer in my opinion.

Electricity and running water is freaking great isn't it !! 😅😅😅 I know Y'all don't know me at all. But if your ever in SC and you want to see an offgrid homestead farm you should come visit ❤. I'm actually going to put parts of the farm ongrid. If we want this farm to make enough money to support us we have no choice. Love this series!!

It's called a pipe dream. Personally I don't think you and your family were cut out for an "off grid" life and that's OK too. Move to Alaska, in a decent size town or just on the outskirts, that way you can have all the amenities and you'll be fine. You can fish till your hearts content. Or don't move and just go to Alaska on vacation.

There are two type of people, those who quit off-grid and those who buy more batteries.

Wait until this guy gets his hands on SORA!! Watch out crews and casts everywhere!!

I caught the part where you said, I already wanted to move to Alaska! 😉

Going back to the grid - because sometimes even adventurers need a recharge! 😄 Your journey is like hitting the reset button on wilderness living. On my channel, we're diving into similar topics and exploring the balance between off-grid and on-grid living. Let's keep unplugging and plugging back in together! 🔌🌲

I liked how the water gave you ice for free.

There is survival, and living. It takes infrastructure to live well. Large roof on a cabin with water running off during a rain,yet out of water several days prior. No way to provide power to live with a family. This cabin is set up for a single person outside every day,and only needing bare essentials at night. 200 years ago,houses were set north and South to get passive heating. Cities always grew up around water,and homesteads were built with water access as a very important priority. In the end everyone decides what they will give, to get something else. Poor planning will always give a poor result. Great planning doesn't always guarantee a great outcome due to unforseen obstacles.

Hey!!! I've been wondering about y'all!!!

So smart to rent and try it out without committing. Living remotely could be nice but it’s a lot of work, especially with a large family.

I love the nod to uno moss and boon.

Lots of people in my parent's Homeland, Cuba, live off the grid. It sucks.

Sigh, everyone has their own opinion on what off grid means. For me, it’s not being connected to the grid but still having all the modern conveniences that houses on the grid do. Especially since you can have a solar power system set up to power almost everything and a generator for those times where there isn’t enough sun for the panels to collect. Part of my childhood was in a house on the back end of my grandparents property, it wasn’t what my parents wanted for us but we couldn’t afford a more ‘modern’ house. So made due until we could, it was hard on my parents but I loved it. We had electricity for lights from my grandparents place, a wood burning kitchen stove for heat and cooking food, an outhouse for bathroom trips. Mom had to haul water over from her mothers place to wash dishes but we went to Nana’s place to have baths. The only thing I would change from my childhood is having a proper bathroom and get my own well dug, I prefer wood heat instead of electric heat and I definitely prefer cooking over a wood fire over gas or anything else. I could use an electric stove if need be but really want my wood burning kitchen stove. The only ‘on grid’ thing I will accept is a telephone line, simply because where my parents live is a ‘dead zone’ for cell service. Their place is between two service areas and the providers aren’t willing to make the adjustments just for a few families.

Imagine if you would have to live off grid during perpetual darkness and 50 bellow zero for monts...

We always cooked our fish row. My fad had a secret recipe that he never shared, unfortunately. But we used pan fush row, I never had salmon row. So I have no idea what that tastes like. 😊❤

Bro, should have given a glimpse of the next cabin… But that said. Good episode!

Generational knowledge is a different sort of generational wealth, but it counts just as much as money. You are giving your kids a capital of skills and experiences towards their own adulthood that is greater than what your parents were able to give you, and they in turn will give their children more than you have given them. We don't build generational wealth in one generation, much as we wish we could. But every generation building on what their parents gave them and passing that on to their children is how we create security for our families into the long term.

❤

That stache is the best bear defence.

I have a house, in a city. The property is at the limit of the forest. Bears walk each night behind my house, to get to the city trash bins. I allready met a few times with bears. Luckily i got away just with the scare, mainly because agresive bears, are removed.

Next time, try doing off-grid without combining it with unbearably-primitive? A decent off grid power system will run your lights, fridge, dishwasher, and washing machine, and a water pump so you have running water - including hot water from either a solar or heat pump hot water service. Also, you have indoor bathrooms and enough bedrooms because you have a normal size house. In fact if your water supply is rainwater, you put a premium on making the house bigger because that gives you more catchment. Farm sheds are good for that too. You make a lot of changes to live off grid, like using LED house lights instead of more power-hungry lighting, and you budget your power by saving washing for days when you've got a lot of generation happening. But it's just a lifestyle change. It's not deprivation!

"Off grid" doesnt have to mean no power, no bathrooms and no running water. I always appreciate these videos but it does make people think incorrectly about a sustainable lifestyle.

i'm sure you've watched homesteading alaska tough people rough life alaska is brutal

Live in a camper while you build your own it'll be everything you want

How is everything going today back in Penn.??

These scenes are breathtaking, I’m getting so emotional in a good way. 🥹

It’s funny that children think everything they get is free until they grow up and realize you even have to pay for free ice. I like the second cabin, however I stopped at one kid because that itself was difficult, I don’t know how parents with multiple children deal with all that frustration.

Homer fishing hole love the place 😍