Why This Family Willingly Lives In Isolation 11 Months Of The Year

David and Romey Atchley lived totally off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness for decades, embracing a strict, self-sufficient lifestyle. After raising their children mostly secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city, they finally opened up about what it was really like to leave the modern world behind.

Living along the Nowitna River

The Atchleys are the only residents anywhere along the 250-mile stretch of the Nowitna River. Residential areas are far from this woodsy terrain, but living way out there was a life Romey always dreamed of.

Secluded open space

“Growing up I was really interested in living off the land,” the then 45-year-old Romey told Jenny Brockie, the host of SBS' Australian documentary program Insight in 2018. “I had this desire to have space around me and really think about life.”

The Atchley children

David and Romey have two boys, Zack and Sky. Understandably, Zack moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, when he was just 17 years old, as he craved civilization. Sky, who was 16 years old as of 2020, still lived with his parents.

Life in isolation?

While Zack clearly felt secluded and off the beaten track, his father never felt that way. “I never considered myself as isolated. I knew we were remote, but for me it was about having the quiet and hearing my own mind without the noise of the town,” said David.