House Sitting Around the World: A Guide to Affordable Travel

Traveling the world (or even your home country) is a dream for many, but the cost of accommodation can quickly add up. One way to cut costs and experience life like a local is through house sitting. Over the past couple of years, we’ve had the privilege of house sitting in four different countries: the snowy tourist hotspots of the USA and Canada, a serene Australian farm, and a charming English country cottage just to name a few. Each experience has been unique, enriching, and cost-effective. Here, we’ll share our experiences, along with some tips and guidance to help you get started.

House sitting involves taking care of someone’s home and pets while they are away, typically in exchange for free accommodation. This arrangement allows travelers to experience living like a local, often in desirable locations, without the financial burden of hotel stays. Many home and pet owners look to have a sitter come for many reasons, most often that the pets are more comfortable in their own home rather than a kennel, or they need more comfort than just a daily walk. Also some pets don’t suit a kennel as they are chickens for example, and finally once you start adding the costs of more than one pet, the fees really do add up.

Not to mention the other benefits for the house such as lawn maintenance, mail collection, security and unforeseen damage reduction. Most of all, house sitting is more than just a way to save money on accommodation for you and pet care fees. It offers:

• Immersive Experiences: Live like a local, whether it’s in a bustling city or a remote countryside.
• Cozy Comforts: Stay in a home rather than a hotel, complete with personal touches and often pets to keep you company.
• Mutual Benefits: Homeowners can travel knowing their home and pets are cared for and secure, while you enjoy free accommodation.
• Pet Care: Many house sits involve caring for pets, which is a rewarding experience for animal lovers and we love that it helps teach Aria responsibilities and caring for others.

We’ve found Trusted House Sitters to be invaluable and the most reliable platform for both the home owner and the sitter. Its user-friendly platform offers:

Creating your profile is straightforward. Focus on being personable and reliable. Highlight why you’re passionate about house sitting and share any relevant skills or experiences. An additional feature we love about THS is the online Welcome Guide attached to each sit. This very detailed and step by step guide set up by the home/pet owner means all details are included in writing for the care requirements and home features. This can mean when the rubbish bins are to be collected, feeding requirements, special heating instructions and even what can and can’t go into the dishwasher.

• Global Opportunities: Access to sits in over 130 countries.
• Comprehensive Profiles: See detailed homeowner requirements and pet care expectations.
• Secure Messaging: Communicate easily and efficiently with homeowners.
• Reviews and Ratings: Both the home owner and the sitter have detailed and public reviews and ratings. These outline categories such as reliability, cleanliness and communication.

House sitting in ski towns and snow-covered landscapes was a magical experience. In Park City USA, we stayed in a gorgeous estate home with breathtaking mountain views. Canada’s snow-laden suburbs gave us the chance to care for a playful Burmese Mountain Dog and Keeshond while enjoying a winter wonderland.

• Highlights: Proximity to ski resorts, fireplaces to unwind by, and snowy hikes with the resident pets.
• New Experiences and Learning: Shoveling/Snowblowing driveways and navigating walking fluffy dogs in the snow.

On an Australian farm, we experienced the beauty of rural life. Our responsibilities included feeding chickens, guinea fowl and geese and goslings, tending to a vegetable garden, and ensuring the property’s two farm dogs had their daily exercise.

• Highlights: Fresh produce, evening sunsets over the paddocks, and bonding with the farm animals.
• New Experiences and Learning: Adjusting to farm tasks in the rain and learning basic farm chores.

Nestled in the English countryside, we stayed in a picturesque cottage straight out of a storybook. Our days were spent walking through quaint villages, countryside and enjoying the local views.

• Highlights: Traditional English gardens, scenic countryside walks, and exploring historic landmarks.
• New Experiences and Learning: Driving on narrow country roads and getting used to the cottage’s quirks, like its low beams and wood-burning stove.

Amongst the locals we lived a suburban life in Seattle, USA experiencing a ‘normal’ life and explored and experienced tourist hot spots too.

• Highlights: Visiting a larger USA City and a international manufacturing centre
• New Experiences and Learning: Coping with a wet winter in the USA

We lived a mix of nature and city in two suburban sits in Australia, having major shopping centres just 10 minutes drive away but Australian nature and wildlife at our back door.

• Highlights: Visits from the native Australian birdlife every morning and afternoon, having a very lovable and playful dog to hang with each day.
• New Experiences and Learning: Caring for extremely shy and nervous cats

1. Choose a Platform: Trusted House Sitters is our go-to website. It connects travelers with homeowners worldwide at over 130 countries. You can join here to take a look around the site and see what it is like. Then once you decide you want to sign up and apply to begin your House Sitting journey, use the Code: OVERLAND for 25% OFF your sign-up fee.
2. Create a Profile: Highlight your skills, experience, and love for animals. Include:
   • A friendly introduction.
   • Details about your past house sitting experiences if you have any, or any pet care experience you have including your own pets.
   • References from previous sits (if available) or character references from a friend / family member.
3. Search and Apply: Use filters to find sits that match your preferences, whether it’s location, dates, duration, or pet type.
4. Communicate Clearly: When applying, write a personalised message. Show enthusiasm and address the homeowner’s specific needs, use the pets names and always offer to have a video call chat to get to know each other.
5. Prepare for the Sit: Once accepted, discuss expectations and gather details like emergency contacts, pet routines, and house rules. On Trusted House Sitters, this is easily done through the detailed and categorised welcome guide. Some owners prefer to email you details or leave you a print out at the house.
6. The Days Leading up to the Sit & the Day Of: Make contact with the home owner to finalise arrival time and details. We have on occasion arrived the day before the sit is to begin so the owners can talk us through the details and chat further without the rush or hurry the day they are leaving. We have also on an occasion arrived after the owners have left, but we had extensive video calls in advance and the requirements of the pet care and home were pretty straight forward.

• Build Trust: Offer references and, if possible, a police check to reassure homeowners.
• Be Flexible: The more open you are to dates and locations, the more opportunities you’ll find.
• Embrace Responsibility: Caring for pets, maintaining gardens, or managing basic house tasks are part of the deal.
• Pack Smart: Bring essentials, but remember that most homes will have what you need, it is always good to check in advance what you can and can’t use.
• Stay Communicative: Send regular updates to homeowners, especially about their pets while on the sit.
• Research Locations: Investigate the area around your potential house sit to ensure it meets your needs for amenities and transportation.
• Plan Ahead: Plan your transport for the sit in advance, and discuss a back up plan if you have travel delays. We usually like to be in the area the day before, but sometimes that isn’t possible.

• Visa Requirements: Research visa regulations for the countries you plan to visit. Some countries have strict rules regarding the length of stay for tourists, which may not align with house sitting durations. Some countries also consider House Sitting as paid work (even though there is no money exchanged), so research these and be careful.
• Financial Backup: While house sitting can cover accommodation, it’s wise to have funds available for unexpected gaps or cancellations.
• Commitment Level: Understand that house sitting responsibilities include caring for pets and maintaining the home, which may limit your ability to explore as freely as you would while on vacation.

House sitting as a family can be an enriching and unique travel experience, offering opportunities for children to learn responsibility, adaptability, and cultural awareness. While some might perceive traveling with children as a potential challenge in house sitting, many families find success by being strategic and transparent in their approach.

For families considering house sitting, platforms like Trusted House Sitters typically provide clear details about the suitability of sits for children. Homeowners often specify if their home or pets are not child-friendly, which allows families to self-select appropriate opportunities. Before applying, families should carefully review listing details, checking the number of bedrooms, house layout, and specific requirements to ensure compatibility. When creating a profile, it’s beneficial to highlight the positive attributes of your children. In our family’s experience, we include a dedicated paragraph about our daughter that emphasizes her love for pets, her respectful nature, and her previous experience caring for homes and animals. We also ensure Aria is included in the video calls when meeting and discussing a potential house sit, so the owners can meet her too. This approach helps build trust with potential homeowners and demonstrates that children can be responsible and valuable house sitters.

While having multiple children might present additional logistical considerations, it doesn’t make house sitting impossible. Many homeowners appreciate the opportunity to have a family care for their home and pets, seeing it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. Families should remain patient, communicate clearly, and be selective about the sits they apply for.

House sitting is an incredible way to see the world, save money, and make unforgettable memories. Whether you’re walking a dog in a snowy village, feeding chickens on a sunny farm, or relaxing in a cozy cottage, the experiences are as diverse as the destinations. So, why not give it a try? With a little preparation and enthusiasm, you could be embarking on your own house sitting adventures in no time! Sign-up to Trusted House Sitters now to get started!

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If you’re looking for more helpful information for international trips, you can check out our other blogs such as E-sims and Location Guides. & Don’t forget to check out our YouTube Channel for our Vlogs and other helpful information, especially travelling Europe and UK via Airbnb!