Discover Home Sitting Jobs within the US (Free Lodging)
This text will give you all the data you should discover superb home sitting jobs within the US. For two years I’ve been touring the world as a digital nomad. I exploit home and pet sitting web sites to maintain my expenditure down and to reinforce my general touring expertise and on this submit, I’ll let you know how.
I’ve at all times had an affinity with the USA. I visited for the primary time over 14 years in the past and instantly fell in love with the place. I’ve made a behavior of returning at the least annually however since leaving the UK in 2022 I’ve spent 3 lengthy stints home sitting in varied states and cities throughout the US.
It may be powerful, and maybe somewhat daunting, getting began. However there are some nice web sites to assist ease you into the function of a home sitter. Together with a number of helpful suggestions and my very own private experiences, this text will set you heading in the right direction to securing some actually superb home sits within the USA.
Home Sit within the USA
Though basically providing an analogous service, many home sitting web sites obtainable have completely different options. Discovering the appropriate one for you is a crucial step when changing into a home sitter.
Beneath, I’ve outlined my prime 5 web sites for locating home sitting jobs within the US. I’ve additionally outlined the professionals and cons of every, that I’ve come throughout that will help you select which one could also be finest so that you can strive.
1. Trusted Housesitters
My go-to platform is no doubt Trusted Housesitters. It is likely one of the premier web sites for home sitting and at present has over 3,500 houses accepting functions within the US alone. It’s a nice web site should you’re critical about house-sitting in America.
Trusted Housesitters is primary for the sheer variety of listings they provide, however additionally they have an amazing web site and app. Trying to find the exact itemizing you need, within the space you need, through the precise timeframe that works for you is simpler than on every other website I’ve come throughout. It can save you filters and searches and decide to be notified instantly when the appropriate outcomes turn into energetic.
Trusted Housesitters affords three membership tiers, every with distinct advantages comparable to the value. The premier membership, priced at $260, contains cancellation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and two annual airport lounge passes. A extra budget-friendly possibility is the essential membership at $129/12 months with limitless worldwide home sits.
Goats On The Highway readers obtain 20% off the membership payment. Click on right here to obtain that particular low cost.
2. Housesitters America
I suppose the identify says all of it. Housesitters America is one other nice possibility for locating home sitting jobs in America. The positioning is unique to US householders on the lookout for sitters and is a improbable useful resource to have in your arsenal. At simply $49 a 12 months, it’s a cut price besides.
The web site could be very straightforward to navigate and looking for your particular sit standards is easy and simple. The filters even go as deep as looking for properties with out backyard care, which will be helpful to know should you don’t have inexperienced fingers. Owners record totally free so there are at all times ample energetic home sitting jobs within the US.
Some listings provide cost, and it’s the one web site I’ve seen the place you will get paid to be a home sitter. Watch out although as non-US residents could also be breaching vacationer visa guidelines by accepting cost. Be certain at all times to remain compliant together with your visa.
Enroll rapidly and simply to Housesitters America utilizing this unique hyperlink.
3. Workaway
Whereas primarily referred to as a useful resource for locating volunteer placements, Workaway is a priceless addition to my home sitting toolkit. Over the previous three years, I’ve persistently utilized this website to seek out volunteer alternatives in change for lodging and meals. However what shouldn’t be ignored is the five hundred+ home sitting listings at present obtainable.
Their handy app is an additional benefit that doesn’t include many different home sitting web sites. I’ve discovered that hosts with energetic profiles sometimes reply promptly and there’s a pleasant neighborhood spirit about the entire web site.
Membership is priced at round $50/12 months or $30/individual for {couples}, and it offers entry to an intensive community of alternatives. I’ve solid lasting friendships and established priceless world connections by way of my experiences on Workaway.
4. Thoughts My Home
Thoughts My Home is a superb platform with numerous US home sitting listings. At simply $29/12 months, it’s essentially the most budget-friendly home sitting website round. This low worth permits newcomers to ease into the home sitting expertise with none actual vital monetary outlay. Owners record their properties totally free, making certain a continuing stream of various listings throughout the US.
Potential home sitters can freely discover the location, even earlier than committing; shopping obtainable alternatives with detailed info. The helpful statistics web page affords insights into the location’s energetic customers and their places. It is a nice characteristic that permits you to see if that is going to be the appropriate possibility for you earlier than signing up.
Established in 2005, Thoughts My Home distinguishes itself from different web sites with a community-oriented environment. An app would make looking and making use of considerably simpler however attaining sits continues to be fairly simple. So, whether or not you’re a seasoned home sitter or simply testing the waters, Thoughts My Home is a perfect and really accessible place to begin.
5. Nomador
I’m fairly positive Nomador has taken a web page out of the Trusted Housesitters playbook with their web site strategy. Their user-friendly platform is straightforward to navigate, permits for very exact searches, and as soon as once more has the choice to save lots of particular filters and be alerted when an inventory matches your particular standards.
Though they’ve many extra listings in Europe, Nomador is a world home sitting web site. It has dozens of listings at present energetic within the US. Bear in mind, the right sit for chances are you’ll solely be listed on one web site, as hosts don’t tend to record on a number of websites. For that cause, it’s a good suggestion to maintain your choices open with quite a few home sitting platforms.
Nomador’s 3-month primary membership plan is nice for folks considering of entering into the home sitting recreation. Added advantages similar to insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include the top-end package deal, which at round $190/12 months continues to be lower than a few nights in a mean resort.
Private Expertise Home Sitting within the USA
After racking up 5 5-star scores home sitting within the UK, In 2022 I submitted a Hail Mary software for a 6-week pet sit in Tucson, Arizona. A lot to my delight (and shock), I acquired it! 4 horses, 3 cats, 2 canine, and a swimming pool on a wonderful ranch-style house in Oro Valley. I had the very best time and have been invited again with an open invitation at any time when I’m on the town.
This was rapidly adopted by 3 weeks with a beautiful chilled canine known as August in stunning Lafayette, Colorado. Then a home sit with some fairly intense gardening obligations in Waco, Texas. These had been two very completely different postings, however each houses had been completely unbelievable. Using a automobile was included in every sit (extra on that later).
Managing my U.S. vacationer visa, I at all times exit effectively earlier than the 90-day restrict and keep away for at the least 90 days. After these three sits, and following a 3-month stint in Costa Rica, I headed again to Texas. The home, in an over-55s neighborhood in Mission, was superb. I acquired a number of curious glances being in my 30s, however everybody was very pleasant. The onsite facilities included a fitness center, library, pool, and tennis courts.
My favourite home sit up to now was in Durham, North Carolina. A number of unusual coincidences led me to use for a 3-month sit in a metropolis I knew treasured little about. I completely cherished my time there, taking care of a pleasant Airedale known as Ladybug. Dwelling minutes from Downtown Durham was a dream and I met many pleasant locals while having fun with a complete summer season in a wonderful house.
Greatest Areas to Home Sit within the US
The USA is such an enormous nation that even in any case my years of visiting I don’t really feel like I’ve even scratched the floor. Home sitting is definitely serving to me to tick off extra states and cities yearly. Listed below are a number of of my favourite spots for home sitting within the US:
1. Nashville, TN.
After the pandemic, Nashville was excessive on my record of locations to return to. Having made a number of journeys to Music Metropolis over time I couldn’t wait to return. I spent 2-months there over Christmas in 2022. This included 3 home sits that had been all somewhat completely different. Two had been inside strolling distance to Broadway and one was half-hour exterior of city in leafy Hermitage.
Nashville isn’t nearly nation music, although after all that performs an enormous half on Broadway. There are additionally many unbelievable eating places, cool breweries and bars, a superb cafe tradition, sensational climbing alternatives, and a welcoming and open vibe all through town that will enchantment to anybody.
In fact, Nashville can be the situation of the one pet sit up to now that I wouldn’t rush again to. I survived it, and the situation was nice however the home was fairly uncomfortable to be in – it was fairly soiled! I realized a priceless lesson about trusting my intestine with listings. My recommendation is just to belief your instincts earlier than accepting any function and don’t be afraid to ask questions of your hosts when you have any considerations.
Location: Nashville, TN is positioned on the central japanese aspect of the USA. It’s serviced by a main worldwide airport (BNA) with many flights from across the US and the world arriving all day on daily basis. Memphis, TN is round a 3-hour drive away.
2. Durham, NC.
I knew little or no about Durham earlier than making use of for a 3-month home sit there in the summertime of 2023. I in a short time fell in love with the complete area and it stays one among my prime places to move again to as quickly as potential.
Durham is round a 30-minute drive from the North Carolina state capital, Raleigh. The home was a block from the Duke East Campus and it was an amazing location for consuming BBQ and climbing. Take a look at my earlier article in regards to the 15 finest hikes and 15 finest BBQ spots in Durham. It was additionally only a 10-minute stroll from Downtown Durham – such a cool space to remain in Durham.
The tree-lined suburban streets, quaint cafes, top-notch eating places, cool craft breweries, and super-friendly folks made it one among my favourite home sitting places up to now. There are at all times a ton of listings that come up for Durham and Raleigh so it’s an amazing place for touchdown home sits within the states.
Location: Durham and Raleigh NC are positioned towards the mid/east part of the USA. Raleigh/Durham Airport (RDU) is a significant nationwide and worldwide terminal for flights. Historic Wilmington and the coastal city of Carolina Seashore are round a 2.5-hour drive away.
3. San Diego, CA.
I’ve but to accommodate sit in San Diego nevertheless it’s one among my everlasting saved searches on Trusted Housesitters. I’m simply ready for the celebrities to align and the appropriate sit, on the proper time, to come back alongside.
Round 5 years in the past I took a sabbatical from work and spent 2 months in Mission Seashore, San Diego. The entire keep felt like a dream and stays among the finest issues I’ve ever accomplished. Though on the time I rented an Airbnb, it was this journey that has spurred me on to seek out methods like home sitting to make these sorts of journeys a everlasting characteristic of my life.
The Gaslamp Quarter and Downtown San Diego are significantly cool areas to have shut by with an untold variety of nice bars and eating places. The beautiful ocean is at all times inside quick access wherever you keep and the seaside city vibe is current all through town. Home sits are frequently obtainable in San Diego and it might be a great place to remain.
Location: San Diego is positioned on the southwest aspect of the US, 20 minutes from the border with Mexico. It’s round a 2.5-hour drive north to Los Angeles. San Diego Airport (SAN) is a significant worldwide transport hub.
4. Boulder, CO.
For those who like climbing, wherever in Colorado can be nice for a home sit. Many very good trails are all inside straightforward attain and far of the character and surroundings is breathtaking. I taken care of a really massive, stunning home, and a brilliant chilled canine known as August in Lafayette, simply exterior of Boulder.
Boulder is a enjoyable place stuffed with fascinating issues to do. The Museum of Boulder and the Museum of Up to date Artwork are two nice cultural points of interest. Broadway has an enormous choice of road meals choices, superb eateries, cafes, and funky bars. My favourite was the Sunset Saloon, an underground school bar with pool tables and among the most cost-effective beer pitchers on the town.
On prime of the climbing, my favourite reminiscence from house-sitting in Colorado was going to the Crimson Rocks Amphitheater. This iconic outside venue constructed into the pink rocks of the Colorado hills had been on my to-do record for years. As luck would have it, David Grey, a fellow Brit, and somebody’s music I’ve at all times loved, was enjoying – it was a spectacular present.
Location: Boulder is positioned fairly centrally within the USA and is round a 30-minute drive from Denver, CO. The closest worldwide airport is Denver Worldwide round 40 miles (64 km) away.
5. Hawaii
One other US State that I’ve my eye firmly on is Hawaii. I’ve checked out visiting many occasions however have been repeatedly delay by the price of lodges. Home sitting offers an actual alternative to discover Hawaii with out that massive added expense of lodging.
I’m notably drawn to Hawaii’s fascinating pure magnificence and distinctive island way of life. Home sitting would provide an unparalleled alternative to expertise the aloha spirit whereas being immersed within the wealthy native tradition and embracing a laid-back way of life.
Hawaii’s various islands present a spread of environments, from the bustling power of Oahu to the tranquillity of Maui and the Large Island’s awe-inspiring volcanic terrain. I’ve seen home sits frequently listed throughout the entire state however the majority appear to be on the Large Island. It will no doubt be an idyllic place to safe a placement!
Location: Hawaii is round a 6-hour flight from the west coast of the USA. The island state at its closest level to the mainland USA is roughly 2,500 miles (4,023 km).
Execs and Cons of Being a Home Sitter within the USA
Though home sitting has modified my life, in all the very best methods, and I’ve encountered many professionals, I’ve additionally skilled a number of cons while home sitting within the USA. I’ve outlined the important thing ones under to contemplate earlier than making use of for any postings within the USA.
Execs of Home Sitting within the USA
Various Areas: The USA affords an unlimited array of locations, from bustling city cities and suburban neighborhoods to laid-back coastal retreats and desert ranches. Home sitters will at all times have an array of choices.
Language Comfort: For English audio system, home sitting within the USA eliminates any language boundaries. This enables simple communication with householders and locals.
Various Local weather: From the sunny seashores of San Diego to the snowy mountains of Colorado, the USA’s various local weather ensures that home sitters can select environments that go well with their preferences.
Accessibility: The well-developed and dependable infrastructure and transportation networks make it straightforward for home sitters to discover quite a few states and areas.
Automotive Included: Within the US, typically the automobile is insured, not the motive force. This enables for home sitters to have use of the host’s automobile, (ought to or not it’s obtainable and naturally agreed previous to the sit). If it’s not talked about within the itemizing, I realized that it by no means hurts to ask.
Pet Variety: You will notice listings for a variety of pets. Home sitters can have the chance to take care of various animals; from city-dwelling cats to ranch-based horses.
Iconic Sights: Home sitters can discover iconic landmarks, nationwide parks, and cultural points of interest while on assignments within the US. The possibility to discover Broadway in Nashville, Instances Sq. in New York, or the Las Vegas Strip with free lodging is a significant enchantment.
Pleasant Communities: From private expertise, there are numerous pleasant neighborhoods and welcoming communities within the USA. Integrating and feeling at house has been simpler within the USA than wherever else I’ve taken accepted a sit.
Cons of Home Sitting within the USA
Visa Restrictions: Non-U.S. residents might face visa limitations, probably limiting the length of their home sitting assignments within the USA.
Value of Dwelling: I’ve discovered the price of dwelling in sure areas of the USA to be excessive. This might enormously impression a home sitter’s funds.
Seasonal Extremes: Some areas of the USA expertise excessive climate circumstances, similar to hurricanes, wildfires, or winter storms. Analysis the forecasted climate of the world you’re contemplating earlier than making use of for a sit.
Needing a Automotive: In lots of elements of the US, your personal transportation is crucial and chances are you’ll have to consider the price and availability of transportation and car leases if a automobile will not be supplied with the sit.
Safety Considerations: Relying on the neighborhood or metropolis, larger crime charges is usually a actual concern for guests. All the time analysis the world you’re contemplating earlier than making use of for any home sit.
Medical Prices: The worth of healthcare within the US is staggering in comparison with different elements of the world. Do not go to with out satisfactory insurance coverage to cowl a healthcare scenario.
Insurance coverage Prices: On account of the medical prices within the US, insurance coverage premiums are excessive for insurance policies that embrace the US.
Wildlife: I’ve been warned at quite a few home sits to be cautious of rattlesnakes, mountain lions, coyotes, and even toxic toads! Simply one thing to contemplate if wildlife consciousness doesn’t sound like your cup of tea.
Flight Prices: The USA is a big nation and inner flights will be dear. Don’t overlook how massive it’s; getting from one state to its neighbor, and even from one finish of a single state to a different, can take money and time.
Home Sitting within the US: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on home sitting within the USA:
Sure, you completely want insurance coverage for visiting the States. Though most home and pet sitting web sites will provide inside their memberships protection for a number canceling, don’t underestimate the healthcare prices within the US. You have to be coated for healthcare conditions as even a small medical occasion will be very, very costly.
What’s extra, flight delays and cancellations don’t work the identical as they do within the UK or Europe. For those who miss a flight within the US, whether or not it was the airline’s fault or not, for essentially the most half, you received’t get any monetary aid from the airline.
To turn into a pet sitter within the US you first want to enroll to a home or pet sitting web site. There are a few nice ones on the market that at present have a ton of listings on the lookout for sitters within the US. My private favorites are Trusted Housesitters (click on right here for 20% off) and Housesitters America.
Usually, there isn’t any cost concerned for home sitting within the USA. The change is common within the type of a beautiful free house in an amazing space to discover.
Housesitters America does provide some listings that embrace a per diem cost. Nonetheless, that is the one one I’ve seen and will trigger points with non-US residents who will not be allowed to work or obtain cost on a vacationer visa. So tread very rigorously right here and do your analysis earlier than making use of.
Sure, there are home sits within the US with out pets. I’ve seen common listings throughout many web sites that merely require somebody to regulate a property whereas the hosts are on trip. Nonetheless, for essentially the most half, a pet or pets, are typically included as a part of the deal.
How lengthy you’ll be able to keep within the US home sitting relies upon totally on the kind of visa you’ve and the place you’re from. Be sure you completely analysis this earlier than accepting any home sits. Additionally bear in mind that merely leaving the nation and returning instantly to get a contemporary visa could be very dangerous, extremely unlikely to achieve success, and an all-round dangerous concept.
Home sitting within the US is a dream come true for me. I’ve loved the number of completely different states I’ve visited and may’t wait to tick off the numerous that also stay on my must-see record. Being a home sitter is like dwelling someplace as an area quite than merely passing by way of.
No, a automobile will not be at all times included with US home sits nevertheless it’s at all times a good suggestion to ask if nothing is talked about a couple of automobile within the itemizing. On quite a few events, I’ve requested a couple of automobile and the hosts have mentioned, ‘After all you need to use it, ours can be right here!’ – regardless of not making this clear of their itemizing.
The insurance coverage within the US typically means the automobile is roofed for anybody with a sound license to drive it.
In Conclusion
The US has been like a second house to me during the last 5 years or so. After my sabbatical from work in 2018 the place I spent 2-months exploring California, there was by no means any trying again.
Home and pet sitting grew to become an amazing software for extending and enhancing my journeys and means I’m now capable of journey with out an finish date in sight. For a lot of, myself included, it’s tough to realize a long-term visa to remain within the US however home sitting has offered me with the chance to really feel like I’m an area dwelling there.
There are literally thousands of home sits in America simply ready on your software to hit their inbox, so get to it!
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