How a Young Adult Built an Autonomous Farm Away from Urban Centres

Having only recently moved away from urban centres, this young adult has chosen to produce some of his own water, energy and food.

A year and a half ago, he was training in medical analysis and living in a city. Now, he spends his days on a rural plot shared with his twin brother and his partner. Looking after animals, tending the vegetable garden, drawing water from the well and managing solar panels, he is working to minimise what he needs to buy or source elsewhere.

Breaking away from the urban routine

His move was not the result of a childhood plan. Instead, he says he gradually became uncomfortable with the pace of city life. Commuting, continual shopping, noise and the feeling of having to follow a pre-set path eventually began to weigh on him.

In his view, city life often encourages consumption while leaving little room to develop practical skills. He does not criticise people who live in major cities, nor those who prefer that way of life. Rather, his objection is to a habit of moving forward without asking what one truly wants.

For this young man, wealth is not about accumulation, but about being able to live with fewer imposed needs.

The decision nevertheless remains a radical one. Leaving the city also means giving up certain immediate conveniences: nearby shops, regular public transport, services available within minutes and a guaranteed electricity supply. On his land, every resource requires time, maintenance and constant attention.

Goats, chickens and learning by doing

The property includes olive trees, a chicken coop and four goats. Before moving there, the young man had never kept chickens or milked a goat. He has therefore learnt through experience, including the mistakes and unexpected problems that come with it.

Milking has become one of the tasks shaping his mornings. The milk collected can then be made into butter or cheese. Producing these foods at home has altered the way he sees what he eats. He no longer sees only the finished item, but the whole process behind it: the animal, its care, collection, processing and storage.

What an autonomous farm requires

• Checking water supplies and the condition of the pump every day.
• Monitoring electricity generation and battery charge.
• Keeping chickens safe from predators.
• Preventing goats from leaving their designated area.
• Preparing feed, repairing equipment and planning for difficult periods.

This routine is not the same as a countryside holiday. A breakdown, damaged fencing or a shortage of water can quickly disrupt the entire day. He readily acknowledges that everything depends on the people living there. They must be able to observe, make decisions and sometimes respond quickly.

Living more autonomously does not remove constraints: it shifts responsibility back to the household itself.

An installation costing tens of thousands of euros

The idea of a simple life can be misleading. Both the land and the house needed complete restoration. The building was in a very poor state, with neither working water nor electricity. Basic infrastructure had to be rebuilt before animals or food production could even be considered.

The budget rose to tens of thousands of euros. It covers the purchase of the property, renovation work, photovoltaic panels, batteries, water-related equipment and a vehicle suited to rough tracks. This is therefore neither a cost-free solution nor an approach that can be applied to every situation without financial means.

His thinking is different: in his opinion, a substantial initial investment could reduce certain future costs and provide a life more aligned with his priorities. Many rural households, however, face a more complex reality. An isolated home requires regular repairs, reliable access to healthcare, fuel, insurance and sometimes the help of tradespeople.

The sun as the guide for the day

The lack of urban lighting has also changed his relationship with time. He starts the day at sunrise and naturally slows down when darkness arrives. The animals reinforce this pattern: chickens and goats do not follow the timetable of an office or shop.

The young man says he has reduced his night-time activity, particularly prolonged phone use. Without presenting this routine as a universal rule, he describes feeling less tired when his days are more closely aligned with natural daylight.

Silence as a way-of-life criterion

He still travels into town about once a week, for essential shopping or administrative tasks. These journeys remind him of the noise he had become used to: engines, horns, neighbours, screens and constant demands on his attention.

On the property, he mainly highlights the sounds of birds and animals. This peacefulness matters as much to him as the savings he hopes to make. It is even one of the main reasons for his move, alongside his desire to work with his hands.

Independent electricity during a widespread power cut

His system is based on photovoltaic panels linked to batteries. The electricity generated covers everyday needs and runs a pump that draws water. During the major power outage that occurred the previous spring, the household reportedly realised only later how extensive the national incident had been.

The episode strengthened his interest in energy independence. It does not mean that solar equipment alone can solve every problem. Generation depends on sunshine, storage capacity, battery condition and the power required by appliances.

Limits to understand before getting started

An autonomous photovoltaic installation must be carefully sized. A fridge, pump, electric tools or heating can rapidly drain reserves when the battery bank is inadequate. Short winter days also make generating power more difficult.

Water is another sensitive issue. A well or spring can experience falling levels, especially during droughts. Filtration, pump maintenance and storage must be planned for, as must health checks depending on the intended use. Autonomy therefore requires skills, financial reserves and a genuine ability to adapt.

His experience does not claim to offer a single model for young people. Instead, he supports the right to choose one’s own path, whether that involves a farm, an urban profession, travel or another project. On his land, every day serves mainly as a reminder of one thing: independence is built through small, repeated actions, far from an effortless life.