Living off-grid in Mexico’s mountains with solar power, spring water, and WiFi. Most intentional communities fail – here’s what we did differently at Rancho Cicada.
The story
I’ve been living in the mountains of Jalisco, Mexico – pine trees, perfect weather, the kind of place that makes you wonder why you spent so many years elsewhere.
Here’s what nobody tells you about off-grid living: it’s not about sacrifice. We’ve got solar power, mountain spring water, high-speed WiFi, a cinema, hot tub, cold plunge, tennis courts. The machine shop is being built right now! There’s a greenhouse where actual food grows.
The data on intentional communities shows most fail within five years. Usually because they force connection or isolation – pick your poison. We don’t do that here. You want solitude? Take a hike through the pines. Need people? The kitchen’s always busy, or there’s the rec center.
What’s interesting is how little you miss once you’re away from the smelly, loud bustle of the city.
We facilitate what people need – companionship when they want it, space when they don’t. Mountain biking trails if you’re restless. The laundry room when needed.
Most people think off-grid means roughing it. Those people haven’t been here. This is Rancho Cicada – where the infrastructure works and the mountains stay put.
The mountains of Jalisco aren’t going anywhere. Neither am I.
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