In the UK, allotments are low-cost, sometimes even free for people who are on a small income.
Lots of allotment associations traditionally allow chickens, rabbits, goats and other stock.
A large garden could be turned over to food production – you could have one or more greenhouses.
You could rent ground – from neighbours, private individuals and local councils.
Keeping livestock in town can be a problem – people will complain about smells and noise.
Town-based self-sufficiency has to be tightly controlled because space is at a premium.
There will be local restrictions – how many chickens, how much noise, and so on.
You might not be allowed to have a wind turbine, but you could insulate your house and fit solar collectors.
You will be able to draw inspiration from cultural activities such as visiting museums, art galleries and theatres and attending lectures.
You could bring public transport into the overall equation.
You will easily be able to do part-time paid work to support your go-green activities.
You could sell produce like goat’s milk, cheese and fresh vegetables at the garden gate.
There are a growing number of inner-city community farms; perhaps you could join such a set-up.
Your children will easily be able to get to school.
A large number of allotment holders are already completely self-sufficient in organic fruit and vegetables.
For some people the off-grid option complete with a wind turbine is at the heart of the dream.
Countryside
The feeling of space can be spiritually uplifting – you will be very aware of the changing seasons.
In the context of self-sufficiency, living in the country equates with more space, which in turn equates with more choice.
If you have a large garden – 0.2 hectare (half an acre) or more – you will be able to keep livestock – anything from chickens through to a cow.
Living in the country will give you greater access to tools and materials – all the things that you need to set your self-sufficiency dreams in motion.
Noise pollution is low, which is very important. You will be able to hear yourself think, the birds singing, your animals calling, the wind in the trees, and so on.
Light pollution is low. You will be able to see the stars at night – perfect if communing with nature is important to you.
Land costs, meaning those of agricultural land, are low. You can rent whole fields, spreads or woods.
Rural activities are good fun and relatively low-cost, but more importantly many of them will relate to your go-green endeavours. For example, not only will the various county shows feature old tractors, crafts and eco-products, but perhaps more importantly they might offer you an outlet for your goods or produce.
Not only will you have room to take up horse riding, watch nature, build eccentric garden structures, run around the garden singing or whatever takes your fancy, but the space will allow you to experiment and build some of the off-grid options – such items as a wind turbine or a water turbine, in fact all sorts of large structures that you could not build in town.
There are fewer people in the countryside. You will have more personal space, which can be very important for some people.
Is urban self-sufficiency feasible?
Reports suggest that there are three groups of go-greeners: those who live in the town and yearn for the countryside; those who live in the countryside and want to be even more isolated; and those who enjoy living in the town and want to stay put. There are few country people who yearn to live in the town. The town dwellers who want to stay put are at an advantage because they are already familiar with the possibilities and limitations of their environment.
A carefully chosen, well-fitted, on-house wind turbine is a good option for a town house.
An allotment will allow you to be self-sufficient in basic fruit and vegetables for the table.
Fresh herbs can be grown in containers on the patio and doorstep, as well as indoors on the windowsill.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You can turn the majority of your garden – most of your decorative beds – over to food crops.
Is it possible to be self-sufficient in town? Yes, but it is very different from trying to make a go of it in the countryside. As might be expected, town-based self-sufficiency usually has more to do with the efficiency of the house, growing produce, and keeping chickens, rather than having large dynamic structures such as wind turbines, and practising large-scale animal husbandry.
Are allotments a viable option? Allotments are a very good option in some countries – they are low-cost and in most of the UK there are still plenty on offer. Many allotment associations traditionally allow holders to keep small livestock such as chickens, rabbits and goats.
Can I turn my whole garden over to growing fruit and vegetables? Yes, as long as you do not break any local regulations or codes. For example, while you can have one or more greenhouses, you usually cannot have a polytunnel.
Can I turn my garden over to livestock? Much depends upon the size and location of your garden, but usually there is nothing to say that you cannot have small animals such as chickens or rabbits.
Are there any restrictions against animals? Most local-authority restrictions concern noise, mess and smell. For example, in a town house, although you might be allowed to keep chickens, pigs might be off limits.
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