From City Lights to Sandy Solitude: How a NYC Native Found Peace and Purpose Off-Grid in Rural New Mexico

When housing prices skyrocketed during the pandemic, many people looked beyond urban areas for affordable living. One such individual was Jacqueline Sauter, who left New York City and headed to rural New Mexico. Having grown up in the city, she never expected to own land, but in 2023, she became a first-time homebuyer, purchasing an off-grid house on 55 acres outside Santa Fe. Motivated by affordability and her desire to live in tune with nature, she embraced a lifestyle that includes hauling water, using solar power, and raising goats.

Despite the challenges of rural infrastructure and learning to live self-sufficiently, Sauter finds great satisfaction in her new lifestyle. She says the slower pace and connection to the land offer a level of peace and fulfillment she never experienced in urban life. While the transition wasn’t easy, especially navigating real estate as a first-time buyer, she believes that moving off-grid has brought her closer to her values and long-term goals.

Read more about Off-Grid Water.