Building an Off-Grid Life in Bulgaria with Kayleigh & Phil Uden
- Georgia Kitson
- Mar 11
- 4 min read
Leaving the conventional path isn’t always a carefully planned decision. Sometimes it’s the result of a series of life experiences that make you question whether the life you’re living truly aligns with your values.
In this episode of Soul Sufficient, I sat down with Phil and Kayleigh from Off Grid with the Udens to talk about their journey from a conventional life in England to creating an off-grid lifestyle in rural Bulgaria.
Parents of two young children, Phil and Kayleigh made the bold decision to step away from the predictability of modern life and start again on nearly two acres of land in the Bulgarian countryside.
Their story is one of courage, learning, adaptation, and the desire to build a life that feels slower, more intentional, and deeply connected to nature.
Why They Chose to Leave England
Like many families, Phil and Kayleigh had followed the traditional route, working, paying bills, and trying to build a stable life.
But over time, they began to realise something wasn’t quite right.
Financial pressure and a traumatic birth experience became major catalysts that prompted them to question whether the life they were living truly aligned with the future they wanted for their family.
Instead of continuing down the same path, they decided to explore alternatives.
This led them into a period of downsizing and minimalism, selling many of their possessions and converting a Sprinter van into a home on wheels.
Van life allowed them to reassess their priorities and experience a more flexible way of living, one that eventually led them to Bulgaria.
Why Bulgaria?
Their interest in Bulgaria actually began years earlier during a road trip through Europe.
They were drawn to the country’s affordability, welcoming people, and beautiful rural landscapes.
What began as a plan to simply have a base in Europe while travelling in their van eventually turned into something much bigger.
While researching properties online and exploring the area further, they discovered an opportunity to buy land for just £6,000.
Although deals like this are increasingly rare today, it was enough to make them take the leap and begin building their new life.
Their Current Off-Grid Setup
Phil and Kayleigh’s journey is still very much in progress.
At the moment, the family is living in a caravan with a decking area while they work on developing the land and building their future home.
Their current off-grid setup includes:
A solar power system for electricity
A diesel heater to stay warm during colder months
A water supply system, with plans to drill a borehole for better water quality
A generator for backup when needed
Living off-grid requires flexibility, planning, and patience, especially when balancing building projects with raising young children.
But despite the challenges, they both say the lifestyle brings a sense of freedom and simplicity they never experienced before.
Building a Straw Bale Home
One of the most exciting parts of their journey is the construction of a straw bale building.
Straw bale homes are a form of natural building that uses tightly packed straw bales as insulation and structural walls. They are known for being highly energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and relatively affordable compared to conventional building methods.
Their first straw bale structure will initially serve as guest accommodation, with plans for a larger permanent home in the future.
Phil and Kayleigh emphasise the importance of spending time understanding the land before building permanently.
During their first year on the property, they observed things like:
Water flow patterns
Seasonal weather changes
Sunlight direction throughout the year
These observations have helped them make more informed decisions about where and how to build.
Raising Children Off-Grid
Living off-grid with children brings both challenges and rewards.
Phil and Kayleigh admit that balancing multiple projects while parenting can sometimes feel overwhelming.
There are fewer social outlets than in a city or town, and living on a building site can create additional stress for young children.
However, they also believe their children are gaining something incredibly valuable.
Growing up surrounded by nature, witnessing their parents build a home from the ground up, and learning practical skills are experiences that can’t easily be replicated in a conventional environment.
Their children are already involved in parts of the building process and learning how things work — from foundations to problem solving.
Making Finances Work Off-Grid
One of the biggest misconceptions about off-grid living is that it automatically means financial freedom.
In reality, it still requires careful planning and income streams.
Phil and Kayleigh sustain their lifestyle through a mix of:
Remote work
Income from their YouTube channel
Phil’s part-time job with Fogstar
They emphasise that living off-grid doesn’t necessarily eliminate financial responsibility, but it reduces living costs and provides more flexibility.
Learning practical skills such as plumbing, electrical work, and building has also helped them reduce expenses and maintain independence.
Lessons They’ve Learned
Reflecting on their journey so far, Phil and Kayleigh shared several insights for others considering a similar lifestyle.
Start small
Rather than jumping straight into a major life change, they recommend testing alternative lifestyles first — whether that’s van life, extended travel, or renting in a rural area.
Do your research
When buying property abroad, especially in countries like Bulgaria, understanding the legal process is crucial.
For British buyers, property purchases often need to be made through a registered company, which requires preparation and legal advice.
Spend time exploring areas
The surrounding environment — community, landscape, and infrastructure — will have a major impact on daily life.
It’s worth spending time in different areas before committing.
Be open to change
Their journey hasn’t been perfectly linear.
Plans evolve, projects take longer than expected, and new challenges appear along the way.
But the willingness to adapt has been key to making the lifestyle work.
A Different Way of Living
Phil and Kayleigh’s story is a powerful reminder that there isn’t just one way to live life.
While off-grid living comes with its own challenges, it can also bring a deeper connection to nature, stronger practical skills, and a lifestyle that aligns more closely with personal values.
Their journey shows that sometimes building a different life doesn’t require perfection — just curiosity, courage, and a willingness to try something new.
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here:
👉 Spotify: Listen here
👉 You Tube: Watch here
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