Anders Boisen, a 36-year-old from Denmark, once lived a typical urban life in Aarhus, the country’s second-largest city. He worked a steady job at the city administration and owned a comfortable two-room apartment. Over time, though, the constraints of city living and societal pressures started to weigh on him. Inspired by YouTube videos about off-grid lifestyles, he decided to make a bold change and quit his job to pursue something more freeing.
His journey began in 2018 when he started building his first mobile tiny house. Unfortunately, it was stolen just a few months later, making headlines in Danish media. Anders did not let that stop him. In 2019, he began work on a second house, completing it in spring 2020 after eight months of mostly solo effort, with occasional help from friends he connected with online.
The finished home measures about 21 feet long and 8 feet wide, providing just enough space for a simple, efficient life. He kept costs low by doing nearly all the construction himself, spending between $11,000 and $12,000 on materials. In 2021, he purchased a 0.4-acre plot of land outside Aarhus for around $21,000. The property sits at the end of a quiet gravel road, surrounded by meadows and a large forest, offering complete privacy.
Living off the grid means Anders relies on solar panels and batteries for electricity, along with a rainwater filtration system. He heats the home sustainably and manages waste through composting. Over the past four years, he has faced occasional power outages and one water issue, but these experiences have taught him to monitor usage carefully. In winter, he adapts by storing food outside to save energy, rethinking what he truly needs.
Building the house came with real challenges, including a leaking roof and stability problems when moving it. At one point, the frustration was so intense that he considered drastic measures, but he pushed through. What kept him going was the deep personal connection to the space. As he shared, realizing how much of himself went into it, filled with memories and decisions, made it far more meaningful than any contractor-built home.
Today, Anders grows his own food in a permaculture garden, cultivating potatoes, berries, apples, leeks, cabbage, and herbs. He feeds scraps to chickens or composts them, embracing seasonal eating. This way of life has brought him closer to nature’s rhythms. He enjoys looking forward to what each season offers and appreciating local, fresh produce.
Financially, he enjoys freedom with no utility bills, supporting himself through YouTube content and lectures on tiny living. The shift has also fostered personal growth, teaching him to consume fewer resources. Anders views the house as a tool for adapting his habits and needs. His goal from the start was to find the lowest comfortable level of consumption while maintaining a good quality of life.
Reflecting on the decision, Anders feels only gratitude for the independence it brought. Bad moments during construction pale in comparison to the reward of creating his own sanctuary. This new chapter has given him exactly the freedom he sought. Stories like his highlight how simplifying can lead to profound fulfillment.
What do you think about trading city convenience for off-grid independence—would you ever make a similar leap? Share your thoughts in the comments.
