How to Live Off-Grid in Connecticut (Common Challenges)
Connecticut is one of the smallest states in the country, with a similarly modest population. Although people are still moving here, the population is approximately 3.6 million. Not many people can be found living off-grid in Connecticut. Bridgeport has a population of 145, Stamford has a population of 135k, New Haven has a population of 130k, Hartford has a population of 125k, and Waterbury has a population of roughly 110k.
General Statistics
Although living off-grid in Connecticut is legal, it is not a good state for it due to expensive property taxes and an undesirable environment. Because Connecticut receives a lot of rain, you won’t have any trouble acquiring freshwater, but you’ll be limited in what crops you can plant. Although Connecticut is not as expensive as its neighboring states, there are a number of factors that make it unsuitable for off-grid living.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many positive things to say about Connecticut, except for the fact that it has a great educational system. High taxes and a dearth of jobs, on the other hand, are the main reasons why this state is losing so many residents. Living off-grid in Connecticut is not suitable because it has the same issues as the rest of the east coast states. I’m looking at you high taxation and high population density.
Connecticut currently has the third-highest tax rate in the US; the state takes a lot and gives back very little; just a few years ago, they increased a lot of their taxes, and this trend will only continue. The main reason for Connecticut’s high tax rate is that its economy lags behind that of neighboring states; therefore, instead of attempting to entice investment, the state nickel and dimes its residents.
When it comes to off-grid living, I recommend checking out a few other states. Read my Off-Grid Living Guide to Colorado here.
What is Connecticut’s Climate?
Even though Connecticut is a small state, it has two climates, similar to its neighboring states: humid continental in the north and humid subtropical in the south. Both are humid, regardless of whether it is summer or winter. If you’ve never been to Connecticut, you might be shocked by the weather, which is nearly always cloudy. The average summer temperature is around 85°F, while the average winter temperature is around 5°F.
In Connecticut, the highest temperature ever recorded was 106°F in 1995, and the lowest was -32°F in 1943. The primary issue with the climate is the persistent humidity, which occurs both in the summer and winter. If you’re looking for a state with a more mild climate, I recommend Tennessee.
What are the Best Crops to Grow in Connecticut?
When it comes to crops, you don’t have a lot of options. The majority of the fields grow barley and wheat, although there are numerous greenhouses that grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. If you want to live off the grid in Connecticut and grow your own food, the best choice is to build a greenhouse because the local environment is not conducive to crop growth.
What is Freshwater Availability Like in Connecticut?
There aren’t as many animal farms in Connecticut as there are in surrounding states; therefore, the groundwater isn’t as contaminated with saltwater. However, the closer you come to the ocean, the more likely the groundwater is contaminated with saltwater.
The rain in Connecticut is above average at 50 inches per year. While this is a decent amount, it’s not a surplus, so you’ll have to be careful! Again, the groundwater isn’t as contaminated as other states, so a well should be fine when living off-grid in Connecticut.
What kind of Wildlife does Connecticut Have?
Connecticut does not have diverse biodiversity because of its tiny size; the majority of animals are small rodents. There are a few predators that feed on them, such as foxes and weasels. Moose can also be found in the northern portion of the state, where they can cause a lot of problems when they wander into cities. Crappies, trout, walleye, and largemouth bass can be found in nearby rivers and lakes, while striped bass, bluefish, dogfish, tautog, and hickory shad can be found along the coast.
Freshwater and saltwater fishing, as well as hunting, require different licenses, which can be obtained easily online. Although most states allow you to purchase licenses online, the majority of government websites are difficult to navigate.
How to Get Off-Grid Power in Connecticut?
Solar power: Connecticut is not the best state for solar power due to the high frequency of cloudy days. You can apply for a federal tax credit of 30% if you opt to install a solar power system. You can also apply for the Green Bank’s Residential Solar Investment Program, which offers a lower percentage than the federal tax credit but can save you up to 50% on the total cost of your solar system if combination.
Wind Power: Wind generating systems are eligible for the federal tax credit, and the Green Bank’s Residential Solar Investment program also provides large rebates and incentives. Although the incentives for wind power are slightly higher than for solar electricity, the cost of installing even a tiny wind turbine is far more than the cost of installing a solar power system.
Are There Any Off-Grid Living Laws for Connecticut?
When living off-grid in Connecticut it is legal to collect rainwater, and to build your own greenhouse. Because the education system in this state is relatively high-quality, it will be more difficult to homeschool your children there; however, if you follow the homeschooling laws and procedures, you should have no problems; just make sure to notify the authorities that you are homeschooling in a timely manner.
What is Road Access In Connecticut Like?
Connecticut has few road access issues, as even the most distant regions are likely to have at least a dirt road. The biggest issue with road access is caused by the local climate; in most years, snowfall is abundant throughout the winter, so you’ll have to plan accordingly.
What is the Price of Land in Connecticut?
Many people believe that land and housing in Connecticut is highly costly, but the truth is that it is just approximately 4% more expensive than the national average. When comparing Connecticut to Massachusetts, you’ll find that Massachusetts is significantly more expensive than the national average in terms of housing. The cheapest land is often found in the western section of the state, while there are some hidden jewels along the coast as well.
What is Connecticut’s Property Tax?
Connecticut’s property tax is nearly double the national average; it is now around 2.07%, whereas the national average is 1.08 percent. With a property tax rate of 2.21 percent, Hartford is the county with the highest property tax rate.
What is the Cost of Living in Connecticut?
In general, you will pay about 7% more than the national average; the things that will cost you more are utilities, which will cost you 18% more, and transportation, which will cost you roughly 12% more. You’ll also have to spend 7% more on food and 4% less on health-care services. Connecticut appears to be reasonably priced, despite the fact that it has a number of taxes that are far higher than the national average, such as the income tax.
What is the Job Market Like in Connecticut?
The unemployment rate currently stands at 3.6 percent, which is lower than the national average of 4%. Finance, insurance, health care, computer and data processing services, and tourism are the largest industries with the most people employed. Hartford has a large number of insurance companies, and those in the industry refer to it as an insurance center. The state’s minimum wage is $10.10, much more than the national average of $7.25.
What is Connecticut’s Crime Rate?
Connecticut’s crime rate is much lower than the national average; it now stands at 2.07 crimes per 1000 people. That’s much less when compared to the national average of 4 crimes per 1000 people. With that said, Connecticut has a serious drug problem, particularly with opioids. Hartford is smack in the thick of it as one of the state’s most dangerous cities. In general, the areas near Voluntown, Lyme, North Stonington, Pomfret, and Salem are the safest.
Is Living Off-Grid in Connecticut Affected by Natural Disasters?
Tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods, thunderstorms, and snowstorms are all common natural catastrophes in Connecticut. Thunderstorms are the most common natural disasters, and some of them are followed by flash floods in some circumstances.
Can You Live Off-Grid In Connecticut?
Overall, Connecticut has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to off-grid living; the issue is that there are far too many disadvantages to relocating here solely to live off-grid. Although the taxes are slightly higher than the national average, the main issue is the local temperature, which is simply unsuitable for growing crops, necessitating the use of a greenhouse.
