It is so good to see people writing about this topic on here and one of the main reasons why I like Steemit! To me homesteading means taking responsibility for yourself, trying (as you said) to live a sustainable life and less material life, in harmony with one´s environment and finally working together with others.
I am just starting out on all of this and moved from the city to a 5 acre small -holding literally in the middle-of-nowhere. Having said that we do have electricity, but no water and the nearest town is 8 miles away along dirt (often impassible) tracks.
I consider myself to be incredibly luckly to have been given an opportunity to live a new life and am determined to make a go of things!