Hollywood actor Josh Duhamel loves living off-grid at his home in Minnesota which is “deep in the woods” because it forces him to “get back to the basics”. The ‘Transformers’ star has built a property in rural Minnesota, which is 40 miles away from the nearest store, and Josh admits he enjoys spending time there with his family because there are no distractions.
He told Parade magazine: “Part of the reason I built my place out in Minnesota, deep in the woods, is it’s removed from everything.”
“The closest store is 40 miles away. Once we get there, it’s really about everybody taking care of each other - making memories, spending time with family and friends. You really get a chance to get back to the basics.”
“You’re not consumed by all these other distractions. When you’re out there, it’s really about having fun, making sure everybody’s warm, everybody’s got food and water.”
He added: “It really got me back in touch [with nature]. There’s something about it that fulfils the soul in a lot of ways.”
Josh enjoys the house with his 11-year-old son Axl - with his singer ex Fergie - and his baby boy Shepherd, who he welcomed last year with his wife Audra Mari, but it’s also become a place where he can bond with his father Larry and mom Bonnie.
He explained: “I’ve become a lot closer to my own parents because of this place, which has been interesting. My dad absolutely loves coming out there to hang out. And we’ve spent more time together in these last five, 10 years than we ever did growing up.”
“I’m much closer to my dad. My mom now loves coming out there. It’s become a real, central hub for all of us.”
Josh’s house has been featured in Architectural Digest magazine, and it took him many years and a lot of cash to create the perfect sanctuary.
During an appearance on ‘In Depth with Graham Bensinger’, Josh explained: “What I acquired it for is a fraction of what I put into it.”
“I spend a lot of my money out here. My business manager doesn’t love it. But I’m like: ‘You don’t get it, man.’ I’d rather buy tractors and attachments for my tractors than some Ferrari in Los Angeles.”