Off-grid location guides · International
International Off-Grid Guides
Alt Ordo's off-grid location guides now go beyond the US. Each country gets the same treatment as our US guides: every county-level area scored with the Freedom Score (0–10) from official data, and the local and national rules on tiny homes, RVs, composting toilets, building permits and livestock read and linked, with the number to call. Metric units, local currency.
Canada · live now
All 13 provinces and territories and all 293 census divisions (regional districts, counties and regional counties), from Statistics Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada. Single guides C$24, province sets C$79, all of Canada C$249. Browse every Canadian guide.
| # | Province or territory | Score | Grade | Divisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
New Brunswick Top county: Queens
|
5.8 | B | 15 |
| 2 |
Nova Scotia Top county: Guysborough
|
5.7 | B | 18 |
| 3 |
Manitoba Top census division: Division No. 5 (Killarney area)
|
5.5 | B | 23 |
| 4 |
Saskatchewan Top census division: Division No. 2 (Weyburn area)
|
5.5 | B | 18 |
| 5 |
Newfoundland and Labrador Top census division: Division No. 3 (Channel-Port aux Basques area)
|
5.4 | C | 11 |
| 6 |
Prince Edward Island Top county: Kings
|
5.0 | C | 3 |
| 7 |
Quebec Top regional county: Le Rocher-Percé
|
5.0 | C | 98 |
| 8 |
Nunavut Top census division: Qikiqtaaluk
|
5.0 | C | 3 |
| 9 |
Alberta Top census division: Division No. 4 (Hanna area)
|
4.7 | C | 19 |
| 10 |
Ontario Top county: Rainy River
|
4.6 | C | 49 |
| 11 |
British Columbia Top regional district: North Coast
|
4.1 | D | 29 |
| 12 |
Yukon Top census division: Yukon
|
4.1 | D | 1 |
| 13 |
Northwest Territories Top census division: Region 1 (Inuvik area)
|
4.0 | D | 6 |
A province's score is the median Freedom Score of its census divisions, compared with every division in Canada.
Australia · live now
All 8 states and territories and all 544 council areas (local government areas), from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, SILO climate records, the National Emergency Management Agency, ABARES farmland prices and each council's planning scheme. Single guides A$26, state sets A$89, all of Australia A$279. Browse every Australian guide.
| # | State or territory | Score | Grade | Council areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Northern Territory Top council area: Tiwi Islands
|
5.9 | B | 19 |
| 2 |
Queensland Top council area: Blackall Tambo
|
5.4 | C | 78 |
| 3 | Australian Capital Territory | 5.2 | C | 1 |
| 4 |
New South Wales Top council area: Coonamble
|
5.1 | C | 129 |
| 5 |
South Australia Top council area: Kimba
|
5.0 | C | 71 |
| 6 |
Western Australia Top council area: Yilgarn
|
4.9 | C | 137 |
| 7 |
Tasmania Top council area: West Coast
|
4.7 | C | 29 |
| 8 |
Victoria Top council area: Yarriambiack
|
3.8 | D | 80 |
A state's score is the median Freedom Score of its council areas, compared with every council area in Australia.
United Kingdom · live now
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and all 361 council areas (local authorities), from the Office for National Statistics, HM Land Registry, Met Office 1 km climate averages, PVGIS and each council's local plan. Single guides £14, nation sets £45, the whole UK £139. Browse every UK guide.
| # | Nation | Score | Grade | Council areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Wales Top council area: Pembrokeshire
|
6.4 | B | 22 |
| 2 |
Scotland Top council area: Dumfries and Galloway
|
6.0 | B | 32 |
| 3 |
Northern Ireland Top council area: Fermanagh and Omagh
|
5.6 | B | 11 |
| 4 |
England Top council area: South Hams
|
5.2 | C | 296 |
A nation's score is the median Freedom Score of its council areas, compared with every council area in the UK. The UK score has fewer parts than other countries: there is no open, comparable UK data by council for land prices, natural hazards or water testing, so those are left out rather than guessed.
New Zealand · live now
All 16 regions and all 66 district and city councils, from Stats NZ (2023 Census), MBIE rental bond data, TerraClimate climate averages, NREL sun data, each regional council's plan and each council's district plan. Single guides NZ$29, region sets NZ$99, all of New Zealand NZ$309. Browse every New Zealand guide. The Chatham Islands are not covered.
| # | Region | Score | Grade | Council areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tasman | 7.0 | A | 1 |
| 2 | Gisborne | 6.3 | B | 1 |
| 3 | Marlborough | 6.3 | B | 1 |
| 4 |
West Coast Top council area: Buller District
|
6.1 | B | 3 |
| 5 |
Taranaki Top council area: South Taranaki District
|
6.0 | B | 3 |
| 6 |
Bay of Plenty Top council area: Ōpōtiki District
|
5.5 | B | 6 |
| 7 |
Waikato Top council area: Waitomo District
|
5.3 | C | 10 |
| 8 |
Northland Top council area: Kaipara District
|
5.2 | C | 3 |
| 9 |
Canterbury Top council area: Mackenzie District
|
5.0 | C | 10 |
| 10 | Nelson | 5.0 | C | 1 |
| 11 |
Hawke's Bay Top council area: Wairoa District
|
4.8 | C | 4 |
| 12 |
Otago Top council area: Queenstown-Lakes District
|
4.8 | C | 4 |
| 13 |
Wellington Top council area: Upper Hutt City
|
4.3 | D | 8 |
| 14 | Auckland | 4.0 | D | 1 |
| 15 |
Manawatū-Whanganui Top council area: Ruapehu District
|
4.0 | D | 7 |
| 16 |
Southland Top council area: Southland District
|
3.5 | D | 3 |
A region's score is the median Freedom Score of its council areas, compared with every council area in New Zealand. As in the UK, land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by council, so they are left out of the score.
Ireland · live now
All 4 provinces and all 31 county and city councils, from the CSO (Census 2022), RTB rent data, TerraClimate climate averages, PVGIS sun data and each council's county development plan. Single guides €15, province sets €49, all of Ireland €155. Browse every Ireland guide. Northern Ireland is in the UK guides.
| # | Province | Score | Grade | Councils |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Munster Top council: Waterford
|
5.9 | B | 7 |
| 2 |
Connacht Top council: Leitrim
|
5.8 | B | 6 |
| 3 |
Ulster Top council: Donegal
|
5.1 | C | 3 |
| 4 |
Leinster Top council: Kilkenny
|
4.1 | D | 15 |
A province's score is the median Freedom Score of its councils, compared with every council in Ireland. As in the UK and New Zealand, land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by council, so they are left out of the score.
Mexico · live now
All 32 states, including Mexico City, grouped in 8 regions, from INEGI (Census 2020), SHF house prices, TerraClimate climate averages, PVGIS sun data, each state's urban development law and construction regulation, and federal law. Single state guides MX$299, region sets MX$999, all of Mexico MX$2,999. Browse every Mexico guide. Prices shown in pesos to buyers in Mexico.
| # | Region | Score | Grade | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mexico Northwest Region Top state: Baja California Sur
|
5.4 | C | 4 |
| 2 |
Mexico South Region Top state: Oaxaca
|
5.4 | C | 3 |
| 3 |
Mexico North Region Top state: Durango
|
5.3 | C | 4 |
| 4 |
Mexico Gulf and Southeast Region Top state: Campeche
|
5.2 | C | 5 |
| 5 |
Mexico West Region Top state: Nayarit
|
4.8 | C | 5 |
| 6 |
Mexico Northeast Region Top state: Tamaulipas
|
4.6 | C | 3 |
| 7 |
Mexico Centre Region Top state: Morelos
|
4.6 | C | 6 |
| 8 |
Mexico Bajío Region Top state: Guanajuato
|
4.2 | D | 2 |
A region's score is the median Freedom Score of its states, compared with every state in Mexico. Regions only group states; the states set the rules. As in the UK, New Zealand and Ireland, land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by council, so they are left out of the score.
Japan · live now
All 47 prefectures grouped in 8 regions, from the Statistics Bureau of Japan (2023 estimates and Housing and Land Survey), TerraClimate climate averages, PVGIS sun data, national law and each prefecture's ordinances and guidance. Single prefecture guides ¥2,500, region sets ¥8,500, all of Japan ¥26,500. Browse every Japan guide. Prices shown in yen to buyers in Japan.
| # | Region | Score | Grade | Prefectures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Japan Shikoku Region Top prefecture: Kochi
|
6.4 | B | 4 |
| 2 |
Japan Chugoku Region Top prefecture: Yamaguchi
|
6.1 | B | 5 |
| 3 |
Japan Chubu Region Top prefecture: Toyama
|
5.6 | B | 9 |
| 4 |
Japan Kansai Region Top prefecture: Mie
|
5.3 | C | 7 |
| 5 |
Japan Kyushu and Okinawa Region Top prefecture: Oita
|
5.3 | C | 8 |
| 6 | Japan Hokkaido Region | 4.7 | C | 1 |
| 7 |
Japan Tohoku Region Top prefecture: Akita
|
4.4 | D | 6 |
| 8 |
Japan Kanto Region Top prefecture: Gunma
|
4.1 | D | 7 |
A region's score is the median Freedom Score of its prefectures, compared with every prefecture in Japan. Regions only group prefectures. As in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland and Mexico, land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by council, so they are left out of the score.
Portugal · live now
All 20 districts and island regions and all 308 municipalities, from INE (Census 2021 and rents), TerraClimate climate averages, PVGIS sun data and each municipality's master plan (PDM). Single municipality guides €15, district sets €49, all of Portugal €155. Browse every Portugal guide. Mainland, Madeira and the Azores.
| # | District | Score | Grade | Municipalities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Guarda Top municipality: Manteigas
|
6.0 | B | 14 |
| 2 |
Bragança Top municipality: Alfândega da Fé
|
5.9 | B | 12 |
| 3 |
Castelo Branco Top municipality: Idanha-a-Nova
|
5.9 | B | 11 |
| 4 |
Viseu Top municipality: Penalva do Castelo
|
5.8 | B | 24 |
| 5 |
Portalegre Top municipality: Castelo de Vide
|
5.7 | B | 15 |
| 6 |
Vila Real Top municipality: Boticas
|
5.7 | B | 14 |
| 7 |
Évora Top municipality: Arraiolos
|
5.5 | B | 14 |
| 8 |
Viana do Castelo Top municipality: Melgaço
|
5.5 | B | 10 |
| 9 |
Beja Top municipality: Almodôvar
|
5.4 | C | 14 |
| 10 |
Braga Top municipality: Terras de Bouro
|
5.0 | C | 14 |
| 11 |
Coimbra Top municipality: Pampilhosa da Serra
|
4.9 | C | 17 |
| 12 |
Santarém Top municipality: Chamusca
|
4.9 | C | 21 |
| 13 |
Faro Top municipality: Alcoutim
|
4.8 | C | 16 |
| 14 |
Porto Top municipality: Baião
|
4.7 | C | 18 |
| 15 |
Setúbal Top municipality: Alcácer do Sal
|
4.5 | C | 13 |
| 16 |
Aveiro Top municipality: Arouca
|
4.4 | D | 19 |
| 17 |
Leiria Top municipality: Castanheira de Pêra
|
4.4 | D | 16 |
| 18 |
Lisboa Top municipality: Azambuja
|
4.2 | D | 16 |
| 19 |
Azores Top municipality: Lajes das Flores
|
4.1 | D | 19 |
| 20 |
Madeira Top municipality: Porto Moniz
|
3.5 | D | 11 |
A district's score is the median Freedom Score of its municipalities, compared with every one in Portugal. Land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by area here, so they are left out of the score.
South Africa · live now
All 9 provinces and all 52 districts and metros, from Stats SA (Census 2022), TerraClimate climate averages, PVGIS sun data, municipal land use schemes and by-laws, provincial planning law and national law. Single district guides R299, province sets R999, all of South Africa R2,999. Browse every South Africa guide. There is no official price or rent figure by district, so the score leaves money out there too.
| # | Province | Score | Grade | Districts and metros |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Free State Top district: Lejweleputswa
|
5.7 | B | 5 |
| 2 |
Northern Cape Top district: Pixley ka Seme
|
5.5 | B | 5 |
| 3 |
North West Top district: Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
|
5.3 | C | 4 |
| 4 |
Mpumalanga Top district: Gert Sibande
|
5.2 | C | 3 |
| 5 |
KwaZulu-Natal Top district: Harry Gwala
|
5.1 | C | 11 |
| 6 |
Eastern Cape Top district: Joe Gqabi
|
5.0 | C | 8 |
| 7 |
Limpopo Top district: Waterberg
|
4.8 | C | 5 |
| 8 |
Western Cape Top district: Central Karoo
|
4.8 | C | 6 |
| 9 |
Gauteng Top district: West Rand
|
4.4 | D | 5 |
A province's score is the median Freedom Score of its districts and metros, compared with every one in South Africa. Land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by area here, so they are left out of the score.
Italy · live now
All 20 regions and all 107 provinces, from ISTAT (2025), OMI home prices, TerraClimate climate averages, PVGIS sun data, regional planning laws and each capital's town plan and building regulation. Single province guides €15, region sets €49, all of Italy €155. Browse every Italy guide.
| # | Region | Score | Grade | Provinces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aosta Valley | 6.1 | B | 1 |
| 2 |
Calabria Top province: Catanzaro
|
5.9 | B | 5 |
| 3 |
Sardinia Top province: Sud Sardegna
|
5.8 | B | 5 |
| 4 |
Umbria Top province: Perugia
|
5.8 | B | 2 |
| 5 |
Basilicata Top province: Matera
|
5.6 | B | 2 |
| 6 |
Friuli-Venezia Giulia Top province: Udine
|
5.6 | B | 4 |
| 7 |
Trentino-South Tyrol Top province: Trento
|
5.6 | B | 2 |
| 8 |
Lazio Top province: Frosinone
|
5.5 | B | 5 |
| 9 |
Piedmont Top province: Vercelli
|
5.4 | C | 8 |
| 10 |
Tuscany Top province: Arezzo
|
5.2 | C | 10 |
| 11 |
Campania Top province: Avellino
|
5.1 | C | 5 |
| 12 |
Molise Top province: Isernia
|
4.9 | C | 2 |
| 13 |
Emilia-Romagna Top province: Piacenza
|
4.8 | C | 9 |
| 14 |
Liguria Top province: La Spezia
|
4.8 | C | 4 |
| 15 |
Sicily Top province: Enna
|
4.8 | C | 9 |
| 16 |
Lombardy Top province: Sondrio
|
4.7 | C | 12 |
| 17 |
Marche Top province: Pesaro e Urbino
|
4.7 | C | 5 |
| 18 |
Veneto Top province: Belluno
|
4.6 | C | 7 |
| 19 |
Abruzzo Top province: L'Aquila
|
4.5 | C | 4 |
| 20 |
Apulia Top province: Foggia
|
4.3 | D | 6 |
A region's score is the median Freedom Score of its provinces, compared with every one in Italy. Land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by area here, so they are left out of the score.
France · live now
All 13 regions and all 96 departments, from INSEE (2026), the 2025 rent map, TerraClimate climate averages, PVGIS sun data, local plans (PLU), each department's health rules and national law. Single department guides €15, region sets €49, all of France €155. Browse every France guide. Metropolitan France and Corsica.
| # | Region | Score | Grade | Departments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nouvelle-Aquitaine Top department: Landes
|
6.0 | B | 12 |
| 2 |
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Top department: Savoie
|
5.9 | B | 12 |
| 3 |
Corse Top department: Haute-Corse
|
5.8 | B | 2 |
| 4 |
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Top department: Hautes-Alpes
|
5.8 | B | 6 |
| 5 |
Bretagne Top department: Côtes d'Armor
|
5.7 | B | 4 |
| 6 |
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Top department: Haute-Saône
|
5.5 | B | 8 |
| 7 |
Occitanie Top department: Ariège
|
5.4 | C | 13 |
| 8 |
Pays de la Loire Top department: Mayenne
|
5.1 | C | 5 |
| 9 |
Grand Est Top department: Vosges
|
4.9 | C | 10 |
| 10 |
Centre-Val de Loire Top department: Indre
|
4.5 | C | 6 |
| 11 |
Normandie Top department: Orne
|
4.2 | D | 5 |
| 12 |
Hauts-de-France Top department: Somme
|
3.5 | D | 5 |
| 13 |
Île-de-France Top department: Val-de-Marne
|
2.4 | F | 8 |
A region's score is the median Freedom Score of its departments, compared with every one in France. Land prices, natural hazards and water testing have no open, comparable data by area here, so they are left out of the score.
Coming next
More countries, and guides in other languages, follow.