Couple discusses building fantasy off-grid yurt in forest and pros and cons of living there. Quick look at Jill and Charles’ off-grid yurt:

Jill and Charles have been working on their ideal house for almost eight years: an off-grid yurt set on a forested slope in Vermont. The homestead is built responsibly, with solar panels, a rainwater collection system, and a rocket mass heater. Their project demonstrates a strong commitment to environmentally sustainable living and a greater connection to nature.Jill and Charles’ quest began with their wish to live off the grid. Charles grew up in the country and has long wanted to create a self-sufficient homestead.

“Living in a city was simply a means to an end—to return to the country. It’s lot more tranquil, and I don’t want to rely on any incoming services,” he stated.Jill, too, was lured to nature and the ability to live more autonomously. “I wanted to hear birds instead of city noises, and I wanted to get to know my backyard,” she told me. They relocated to Vermont eight years ago, first purchasing 20 acres and intending to work in Dallas for five years before relocating.

Off-grid yurt filled with snow

However, they purchased ten more acres, pushing their plan back another year. Despite the setbacks, the pair stayed dedicated to their off-grid dream. The off-grid yurt is being built from concept to reality. The off-grid yurt, a 30-foot building, was assembled from a kit and rests on a platform intended to accommodate the land’s rough terrain.

The bathroom inside the off-grid yurt

It has 700 square feet of living area, with a large, open-concept layout. Charles built a deck around the yurt, which allowed him to lift it on piers and beams. The yurt is thoroughly insulated with PVC vinyl and bubble wrap for warmth during the winter months. The couple added solar power using a 6kW, 20-panel solar array that they built themselves with the support of family members.

A closer look to the kitchen, showing Jill cooking

They also installed a rainwater collecting system, which collects water from the yurt’s gutters and stores it in three subterranean tanks, providing enough water to last for months. Charles, known for his hands-on approach, built the majority of the yurt, including a wind and snow kit for structural stability. “Anyone putting up a 30-foot yurt should be aware they’ll need help and, ideally, scaffolding,” Jill said, noting that the roof material alone weighed roughly 400 pounds.Here’s a quick look at Jill and Charles’ off-grid yurt:

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