Lasqueti is an island about an hour off-land from Vancouver, British Columbia. About 400 people call this island home, and you might be surprised by their way of life. The residents live completely off-grid, meaning they either have no electricity or use alternative energy sources such as solar or micro-hydro power. There are no paved roads in Lasqueti, no plumbing, almost no industry, no grocery stores, and practically no use for money. The people who live on Lasqueti do not have modern appliances like microwaves or dishwashers, and all of them live in humble homes. While you might think these people are crazy, they seem to be on to something big: simplifying your life can lead to great happiness. The video below features several different residents of Lasqueti, all of whom have different styles of living off-grid and who all came to the island for different reasons. Together, their stories create a fascinating portrait of what life is like on this unusual island.
One might be quick to make assumptions about the type of person who decides to leave modern convenience behind for a life on Lasqueti, but the island boasts a surprisingly diverse and talented population. According to Lasqueti’s official website,”poets, artists, physicists, fishermen, loggers, tree planters, designers, professional musicians, published authors, some small scale manufacturers, some commercial agriculture, mariculture as well as professional consultants in education, engineering, forestry and alternate energy make up a population that Statistics Canada says is the most highly educated community in British Columbia.” This makes perfect sense though; to be able to survive on an island with no infrastructure and no modern conveniences, you’d have to be incredibly savvy. The people that inhabit Lasqueti are as interesting as the concept of the place itself.
Would you ever consider living in a place like Lasqueti? Does it sound appealing to you, even if it’s not feasible? Do you think you could benefit from simplifying your life? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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