Quoted:
It's been my experience that people who live, or want to live, "off the grid" are either enviro-nutjobs, tax evaders or have a particular reason (most often criminal) for staying out of Uncle Sams watchful eye. The rest of us go to work, pay our taxes and hump the daily grind like every one else.
I've had the opposite experience. The ones I know are smarter than the average consumer. I've only known a few criminals, and they have all been either too stupid or lazy to live off the grid.
Two of the guys I know technically "live" off the grid in terms of their actual home they live in is out in the country and use solar power and generators. They work in town and own several rental properties though. One grew up in the 60's, loves guns and hates the .Gov. The other is a survivalist kinda guy. Both have degrees and make good money.