Want To Travel In Retirement? House Sit Your Way Around The World

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For Anne and David Paulson, the decision to spend part of each year house sitting was a no-brainer: Former neighbors of theirs, who had moved back to their home in London, were taking a short-term work assignment in Asia and needed someone to watch their beloved cat, Chester, for three months. The Paulsons volunteered, and a new phase of their lives began.

Like the Paulsons, many people dream of seeing the world when they retire. Often, it’s the high cost of travel that stops them before they get to the boarding gate.  One way to flex your passport while keeping your travel expenses in check is by house sitting your way around the globe.

The basic idea behind house sitting is simple: You keep an eye on someone’s home while they’re away, and you get to stay in that home for free. It’s a win-win arrangement for both parties. The homeowners get the peace of mind that comes from knowing their primary or vacation home and their pets (if they have any) will be well tended while they’re away; you get the benefit of free accommodations and the chance to immerse yourself in a new environment or culture for an extended period of time.

“The best part of the experience was the ability to get to know London in a deeper way than if we had simply stayed in a hotel,” said the Paulsons. “We wandered the city till we felt like natives and came home each day to a gorgeous home in Hampstead. We saw and experienced everything London has to offer and saved thousands of dollars in hotel bills in the process. An added bonus was falling in love with Chester, who turned out to be a total charmer.”

Since that first experience, the Paulsons have provided housesitting services three more times. They spent a month living in Salamanca, Spain; six weeks in Paris; and, more recently, three months last summer in Vail, Colorado. “This year, we’ll be going for two months to Seattle, Washington—our first time living on a houseboat.”

While some homeowners have specific requirements, housesitting usually involves keeping the house clean and tidy, collecting the mail, answering the phone and taking out the trash. You may be asked to tend the lawn and/or the pool; however, often those tasks are handled by a housekeeping and garden service. In exchange for keeping a watchful eye on the home, you have free use of the house and the chance to enjoy a new city or town at a more leisurely pace. You’ll also have the ability to cook your own meals, wash your own clothes, and have a comfy place to work or relax at the end of the day—an advantage that can make long-term travel much more enjoyable.

How do you get started house sitting?

A number of websites, such as House Sitters America, House Sitters International, The Caretaker Gazette and Mind My House among others, provide helpful information on house sitting. For a fee, they also enable you to register and list yourself for house sitting opportunities.

Before you list on one or more of these websites, consider the following five tips to help ensure your experience as a house sitter is a good one.

1. Get a head start. Most homeowners arrange for house sitting long before they need it. As a result, early planning is crucial. To make sure you land the right engagement for your needs and wants, think about your availability. Are you looking for a three-week trip, a summer-long stint in a foreign country, or something longer term? Do you want to travel domestically or take an extended trip overseas? Knowing what you want in advance can help save time as you consider what’s available. Once you’ve set parameters, start looking.

2. Know the rules. It may be your dream to spend six months in a villa in the south of France, but if you’re not a resident of a European Union country, you may not be allowed to spend more than 90 days at a time there without a visa. Each country has its own exit, entry and visa requirements. The U.S. State Department has a helpful travel website with information about passport, visa, inoculations and other requirements when traveling abroad.

3. Calculate travel costs. While house sitting can help you save thousands of dollars on accommodations, you still need to cover your transportation, food and other costs. Recognize also that while some house sitting arrangements involve a small payment for above-and-beyond types of chores, most are unpaid.

4. Set parameters. Are you willing to walk the dog and pick up after him but unwilling to clean the pool? Before you agree to a house sitting engagement, be sure you have a clear understanding with the owners of what is required. It’s always good to get your agreement in writing.

5. Keep an open mind. One of the downsides to house sitting is that it may not be “prime” season in the area you are going. It makes sense: A homeowner is more likely to want a house sitter for their mountain lodge in the warmer months than at peak ski season, for example. The key is to be open to the possibilities. Visiting a location in the off season may mean less-than-perfect weather, but it can also mean smaller crowds and lower travel and other costs.

House sitting can be a fun way to explore new places, get to know local people and experience life in a different culture. “We’ve met some amazing people while house sitting and had great experiences that we wouldn’t have had in a hotel,” say the Paulsons. “Our plan is to house sit our way across America, starting this summer, until we find the perfect place to retire. What a great way to explore the possibilities.”


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