About Me

Welcome to Electronic Cottage – part digital notebook, part “let’s see if I can actually pull this off” project. It’s where I document the journey to getting my own off-grid property in Spain which lets me work remotely, live well and be more self-sufficient.

Less grid. More doing things your own way. Less noise. More, I don’t know… clarity?

I’m Max. It’s not my real name—I don’t want to make enemies among the authorities and honestly, this blog isn’t about me. It’s about figuring out how to live more independently without going full hermit.

Right now, I’m renting a flat on the coast, in the Valencia region. Sea view to die for, terrible form for actually going swimming. The dream? Buy a patch of land somewhere around Alicante. Off-grid. Sustainable. Not just to “escape the system” or whatever, but to live in a way that actually makes sense—for me, for the planet, for whoever comes after.

It started with a writing gig. My first proper job—documenting renewable energy projects in Indonesia for a charity. I saw tiny businesses built from biogas, water flowing from micro-hydro systems, community gardens feeding entire families. It wasn’t just about tech. It was resilience, creativity, living better with less nonsense. I’ve been hooked ever since.

Tried—twice now—to buy an off-grid property here in Spain. Couldn’t get a mortgage. Too much likelihood of fines and red tape. I found out I’m apparently very bad at “being patient.” But giving up? Not me. This blog keeps me focused, keeps me learning. If it helps someone else dodge the same headaches, even better.

What You’ll Find Here

Off-grid life isn’t slapping solar panels on a roof and calling it a day. It’s wires, water systems, legal hurdles, and more swearing than you’d expect. It’s also fascinating—which is why I write about it.

Expect stuff like:

  • How many solar panels you actually need
  • The reality of charging an electric car off-grid (spoiler: it’s complicated)
  • Is battery storage worth the price tag?
  • How to keep a house cool without killing your power supply
  • What happens when you’re your own water, heating, and waste department

There’ll be guides, case studies, and hard numbers. Wins, screw-ups, and the “why did no one warn me about this?” moments.

This isn’t some extreme minimalist fantasy. I’m not moving into a yurt or living off foraged mushrooms. I like my espresso machine. I want reliable Wi-Fi. Under-floor heating. Off-grid should mean freedom, not self-imposed suffering. Every decision boils down to one thing: Does this make life better without making me dependent on someone else’s system?

Join the Ride 

If you’ve ever thought about cutting ties with the grid—whether to save money, shrink your footprint, or just understand how it all works—you’re in the right place.

Ask questions in the comments. Argue with me if you think I’ve got it wrong. And contact me if there’s a topic you want covered (I speak Spanish and in my former job as a journalist, I’m used to ringing up town halls and getting answers.)

This is Electronic Cottage. Let’s build something that lasts.