Six tips for scoring house-sitting gigs that will let you travel the world
- Live like a local, with free accommodation all over the world
- Ask lots of questions
In the past four years, Toni and Peter Farmer have visited France, England, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Switzerland and Australia, as well as a number of cities in the United States. For the most part, they haven’t paid a dime for accommodations. That’s because the two decided, in their retirement, to become house-sitters.
They travel to the home using their own money, then care for the property – and, often, pets – in exchange for the stay. “It’s enabled us to live in places we never dreamed we would get to in our lifetime, just because of the cost, and actually experience living in a culture which is not ours,” Peter says.
The two sold most of their belongings and their home in Chicago, packed two suitcases each and set off for a house-sitting adventure, opting for “sits” of a month or longer, when possible, so they could explore at a casual pace. “We’re able to travel slowly, live slowly,” Peter says.
● Let people know you’re available to house-sit, and give references. Talk to friends and family and post on social media that you’re looking for house-sitting opportunities. You never know when you’ll meet someone who needs a house-sitter, says Toni, who has met homeowners on a cruise, through her network, via house-sitting sites and by referrals. She suggests signing up on a few house-sitting sites and including referrals from friends and employers, and even a background check from your local police department in your profile.