I've lived without electricity for a number of months and it's not that bad. The hardest part is no refrigeration so your food goes bad quicker. But it's an easy adaptation. Cold water showers suck, but camp showers can warm up water, too.

I question how much people would have to adapt to this lifestyle, especially if they still have housing.

Now, living in a tent when it gets brr cold and snowy, now that really sucks because the tent can come down on you.