A FAMILY who ditched their posh flat, fast supercars and successful property empire say they “love” living off-grid.
Rob, Amy and adorable little Casper made the life-altering move 50acres off-grid in the Scottish Highlands after tiring of relentless stress.
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The dad-of-one had served in the air force before starting his property career in London – where he met wife Amy who was working as a musician.
They realised they both had talent in the real estate industry and teamed up together to buy a block of 18 flats in the capital.
After working tirelessly for 10 years, building and completing construction work themselves, the couple had grown a profitable empire.
“We wanted the business, wealth lifestyle and all the benefits we thought went with that,” said Rob.
“But then we realised when Casper was born we thought it probably wasn’t the best place to raise him.
“We wanted off-grid because it’s cheaper. This has electricity but no water and no drainage – it was perfect.”
The ex-property mogul explained how buying a supercar by the age of 30 had always been his goal.
“I wanted a supercar, we had a very nice flat, and I bought a Lotus 430 Cup, very fast and achieved my dream car.”
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But, Rob explained how big bills accompany big buys and suddenly their flash lifestyle didn’t feel like a big enough pay-off for a decade of hard work.
“It was great fun but in the end money wants more money and the goals are hollow,” he added.
“We had everything I had ever dreamed of but in the evenings I just wanted to be a hermit in a shack with no possessions, eating lentils for a few years to burn that off.”
Amy added: “It was a big change.”
SELF-SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Supercars and fancy flats have now been swapped for Highland cattle, pigs and sheep.
The couple plan on rearing their animals on the extensive plots of land, to slaughter and eat themselves.
They also plan on re-foresting the area, with the help of the pigs who will turn up the ground for seeding and growing crops.
Rob and Amy are going to build their home using the trees in their fields to make the house feel as though it’s grown from the earth.
The ambitious pair are hoping to live self-sustainably and go a full 12 months without spending any money for a “fun challenge”.
There are wetlands too, which Rob wants to use to raise trout so the family can have an endless supply of fish.
Blueberry, raspberry and blackberry bushes will go hand in hand with their vegetable plot as well.
Rob takes water from two natural rivers which powers his hydro system for power.
The barn they’re currently working out of is also powered by solar.
DOWNSIZING
At the moment the family are running their caravan, drinking water source, tumble dryer and DIY construction station all from a small portable camping generator.
The family use a composting toilet system which they don’t have to fork out money on to empty.
“We used to live in a flat the size of that barn, we had our own gym. We’re now living in this caravan which is the size of the gym. I love it,” said Rob.
“If there was no stigma around living in a caravan, I would live in this forever.
“My favourite part of this lifestyle has to be the nature and freedom to do what we wish.
Amy added: “The least favourite part is the freezing cold, when it’s windy and stormy we get no sleep.”
“The caravan moves like a boat on water,” said Rob.
The pair also told how when temperatures plummet, the rivers freeze over which stops their water supply.
Rob warned others thinking of making the same lifestyle change that setting up can be very expensive.
But, the couple did say anyone could do it, provided they had put the necessary provisions and savings in place beforehand.
It comes as many people make the bold jump into off-grid living.
A couple who were fed up with the rat race of their “mundane” lives decided to pack up and jump into vanlife.
Dave and Emily felt disillusioned with the monotonous routine of waking up early, stressing about work, and skyrocketing bills.
A man who made the bold move said he loves the freedom of going off-grid – and escaping the cost of living crisis.
Paul, aka, The Off Grid Nomad, was fed up being left with just £100 to play with at the end of every month amid soaring bills.
The proud “lorry life” community member now travels across the British countryside in his ex-military converted truck.
Meanwhile, another couple converted an old van into their dream tiny home on wheels.
Tom and Iz, known as the Lost in Transit duo on social media, share what life is like living on the road.
Another woman revealed she lives in a van and absolutely loves it because she can travel and save money.
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Vin said she doesn’t care that people call her “homeless”, and enjoys the lifestyle.
And a family of four had the same idea and ditched everything to live in a van.
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