Living off the grid is a growing trend nowadays with more and more people attempting to live away from the luxuries and comfort of modern life. Alternative living options such as tiny houses, van life, and yurts offer various amenities and freedoms, providing a different perspective compared to living in a tent. But before you do anything drastic and life-changing, you must first know how to live in a tent long term, so you would be more prepared to handle situations that you don’t usually encounter in an urban setting.
Invalid table id.Advantages of Tent Life
First off, find out the reasons why you want to live inside a tent for a long period. Why do other people do it? What are their motivations, and why do they know how to live in a tent long term with as many as 8 other people?
- Simplification
The hustle and bustle of the daily grind are what make up the modern life. This can be intoxicating, even addicting to some, but the majority would feel that the stress that comes with the need to survive in this era is a little too much. This is usually when off-griders often stop and think about what to do next to live a stress-free life.
Basically, living in a tent means getting rid of all the unnecessary electronics and other material things. Instead, you would learn to live with what you have without asking for more than you know would be hard to find. A canvas tent offers simplicity and durability for long-term living, making it an excellent choice for those looking to minimize their lifestyle.
- Increased Connection
Delete those apps and deactivate your social media accounts. There’s no way you’ll get to update people still trapped in the city from wherever you will go. You would lose those connections, yes, but you will connect with something more primal, something more nurturing and powerful–Mother Nature in all her glory.
- Smaller Footprint
A big house or an apartment building takes up a lot of space in the city, and the materials used to build them create a larger footprint still. Living in a tent is an alternative option that minimizes your impact towards the environment, especially if the materials used for your temporary shelter are made of recovered or recycled materials.
- Increased Mobility
One of the advantages of living in a tent is that you can move from one camping area to another by just striking it down and packing it up before trekking and setting it up again. It is pretty convenient, and you get to have a different view every single day if you want. A bell tent is particularly easy to set up and move, making it a great option for those who value mobility.
- Saves Money
One of the downfalls of owning your own house is the mortgage that comes along with it. You may end up paying more than you should, and it would always be a burden no matter how often you complete your payments. Tent living gets rid of these fees and regulations, saving you more money that you can use to finance your extended campout. Using a wall tent for long-term living is also cost-effective, providing a sturdy and spacious shelter without the high costs associated with traditional housing.
Invalid table id.How to Live in a Tent Long Term: The Checklist for Proper Preparation
The main objective of living in a tent is to free yourself from the stress of modern day living and allow you more free time to enjoy the simplicity of living in the woods. It is therefore implied that preparing to live in a tent for a long period should not take long and should not have a long checklist to accomplish.
- Goals
Before anything else, think about your goals in choosing to live inside a tent for a long term. Are you just trying to prove something? Are you running away from something? These kinds of questions matter as this would further solidify your need to live a simple life inside a tent. Proper preparation is crucial for ensuring a safe, comfortable, and rewarding experience.
- Duration
Once you’ve set your goals and have fully understood why you’re still going to push through with this venture, see how long you would like to live in a tent. Some would try it a few months in a year, going back to their old homes every winter as it makes more sense that way, while some adventurous souls live in their tents the whole year round, extending their camp out to several years. Living in a tent year round presents unique challenges and benefits, such as dealing with weather changes and enjoying the freedom and cost savings of long-term camping.
- Location
Much like what you do with business, it’s all about the location. Ideally, the campsite should be within an hour drive away from an urban center, or at least a small town with medical facilities. It’s much better to rest at night knowing that medical help is but twenty miles away. Look at designated campsites inside national parks as they are more established and would further lessen your impact to nature.
- Current Stuff
If you are a bonafide homeowner, then you can skip this part as you can just leave your otherworldly things at home and lock them up in a secure section. However, if you live in an apartment or condominium, then you might want to think where you would place your other stuff while you are gone. Storage units are available for long-term rent, and most city centers have this along with the fringes of its boundaries. Additionally, ensure you have adequate storage space inside your tent for clothing, valuables, and other essentials.
- Companions
Not everybody in your inner circle would love the idea of being away from their electronic devices for a long period, but there are still a few who would try. Living in a tent can be a lonely adventure for some and living with someone can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re the only people living in a cramped space. Find someone who shares your ideals and goals. More importantly, find someone who’s willing to live inside a different tent than yours.
The Essentials of Living in a Tent
This list some of the things you need to learn and take note of as you begin your journey toward living in a tent for a long term. Choosing a durable tent canvas is crucial for ensuring longevity and comfort.
Invalid table id.Choosing a Tent
When selecting a tent, consider the size, weight, and material. A heavy-duty 11 oz. polyester canvas material is often recommended due to its rot resistance, lighter weight, increased durability, natural waterproofing, and improved breathability compared to traditional cotton canvas. Additionally, using a wood stove for heating can be highly beneficial during cold weather, providing a reliable source of warmth.
Setting Up The Tent
Once you have identified your location and have purchased your tent, it is time to set it up. Here are the steps on how to do that:
Step 1: Find a spot on the campsite that is a little higher than the terrain, but keep it close to the established cooking area and latrines to avoid any inconvenience. Ensure you have proper food storage solutions to keep your food safe and fresh.
Step 2: Lay down a ground sheet that would come in between you and the ground. It is okay to use multiple sheets if you want.
Step 3: Set-up your tent as you would in a regular campsite. Fix your peg in and use a stone to bury it deeper into the ground.
Step 4: Flysheets can be draped over the assembled tent, or it can be placed on the side until it is more needed.
Step 5: Organize your things inside but lay down a thick blanket first to make the tent warmer and more comfortable. Embrace outdoor living to enhance your overall camping experience.
Finding Stuff To Eat and Food Storage
One of the things you would need to plan for is your sustenance. How would you eat? Where would you get your daily nourishment? While driving off to the nearest shop sounds like a great idea, it is not. For one thing, it uses up more gas doing it this way and the residue from the food you brought in might cause an imbalance in the ecosystem.
It is much better if you can learn how to hunt, fish and forage for fresh food. You would begin to appreciate the stuff that our forefathers did to survive, and it teaches a lot of patience as well. While waiting for your food to grow or be caught, you can take advantage of dehydrated food items or freeze-dried goods. Make sure that the ingredients are organic and locally sourced. The challenges and rewards of tent life include sourcing and preparing food, which can be both a test of resourcefulness and a fulfilling experience.
Caught more than you can chew? It’s okay. You can build your smoker and make your preserves, both of which can be a primary source of renewable income.
Invalid table id.Cleaning Up
One of the main objections of city folks when suggested to live outdoors is their compulsive need to be clean at all times. True, not all of them would be compelled, but this is always a question for them. Most campsites would have an available source of water within a few minutes’ walk, while some are strategically placed to be right beside a pond or a river.
Canvas tents are easy to clean and maintain, ensuring a hygienic living environment. A word of caution, use biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning solutions when washing dishes or when taking a bath so that the other inhabitants of the campsite would not have to live with your chemicals and what not. Most campsites would also have a latrine area, but make sure that this area is at least 30 feet away from the nearest water source to avoid contamination.
Final Words
Living in a tent is a great way to escape the harsh reality of a modern society where politics is the main driving force behind despotic rulers and an unfair social class system. However, doing it and saying it are two different things which makes acquiring the skill first a much better step than anything else.
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Our website author Tom is a devoted outdoor enthusiast and active blogger who has a profound love for the great outdoors, especially camping and kayaking.
This passion for the outdoors combined with studying an MSc. in Product Design, and working as a Product Engineer gives him the perfect combination of experience and expertise to help guide you on the best camping and kayaking gear.
Tom aims to inspire other travellers to appreciate nature’s beauty by sharing their experiences, wisdom, and intriguing stories in engrossing blog articles. He believes in working to promote respect for and preservation of our priceless landscapes out of a dedication to environmental stewardship.
Join Tom on their quest to find undiscovered treasures, exchange helpful advice, and arouse awe for the vast outdoors.