To be off the grid - to be self-sufficient for electricity, water, etc. Depending on how remote you are, it might be the cheapest option.

You can like that idea without wanting to 'return to nature'. People can like independence without buying in to any of the rest of your ideas...

Try building a new house outside of a city. Look at how much it costs to run wires/pipes even a few hundred meters. Poles will cost to 10k each and you will be on the hook to maintain them. That it IF the local service has capacity for you. You might be asked to upgrade an entire service line. Today, for the same money, you can get a massive off-grid solar rig and never have to pay an electric bill.