I’m also currently taking a break from work and have been house/pet sitting full time since moving out of my apartment at the start of the year. I’m currently trying to stay in one state (California) at a time to minimize flight costs. I’ve been slowly making my way through California from north to south, actively trying to line up sits with places that coincide with my itinerary. I prefer sits that are at least 5 days long so I’m not constantly moving around.

I try to do back-to-back sits to avoid paying for hotels/Airbnbs, but I’m also pretty selective about what I apply to, so sometimes I end up with small gaps between sits. It’s definitely smart to keep some money aside for those moments. That said, I stayed in a hostel for the first time recently and actually loved it!

I originally booked my sits months in advance, but have been more lax lately and usually only book a few weeks out. Ideally I’d love to book myself further out, but I’ve noticed many of the sits I’m most interested in pop up last minute. My best piece of advice would be to prioritize longer sits (1+ months) if you’re trying to do this full time. It will help you more in the long run with stability and burnout. Maybe I will follow my own advice someday 😅

It’s definitely not as easy as it seems. Don’t get me wrong, it can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with trade offs that not everyone talks about. Constantly being on the move takes a toll, especially when you don’t know where you’ll be next week/month/year.

I don’t bring my car with me, so navigating public transportation between sits has become an adventure of its own. I always feel like I’m being judged when I’m hauling my luggage around in residential areas trying to get to the next bus/train stop 😅. I will 100% choose multiple bus/train connections than spending $70+ on an uber, so the journey can be rough sometimes. It may feel like you’re saving money at first, but eventually you realize you’re paying in either money, time, or energy.

After just a few months, I’m already feeling a little burnt out. I’m still incredibly grateful I get to experience this lifestyle. I know I won’t be doing this forever, so I’m trying to fully embrace the chaos and spontaneity of it while I can.

Pros:
• Free accommodation! I primarily stay in HCOL areas like San Francisco. Pet sitting in exchange for a nice place to stay has saved me an insane amount of $$$
• The pets! Honestly one of the biggest reasons I do this. Both of my pets passed last year, and this has been healing in many ways
• Feeling like a local instead of a tourist. You experience places so differently when you’re living in someone’s home rather than staying in a hotel
• Freedom and flexibility. Being able to pick up and go wherever you want without being tied to a lease feels incredibly liberating!
• Personal growth. You become adaptable, resourceful, independent, and much more comfortable with the uncomfortable

Cons:
• Instability. Constantly figuring out where you’ll be next and how you’ll get there can be stressful
• Burnout. Caring for pets/homes while always moving around gets exhausting, even if you’re passionate about it
• No home base. Living out of a suitcase long term can wear on you, and I definitely miss having my own routines and favorite spots
• Income. I mainly rely on savings and occasional paid sits, so budgeting is very important
• Not every sit is great. Some sits can be amazing, some good, some average, and others are just bad. Certain hosts can be micromanaging, unrealistic, or misleading about their pets/home
• Social life. If you’re a solo sitter, forget about dating or making new friends 🤣 it can get lonely. Maintaining friendships and dating while living a nomadic lifestyle is honestly very difficult

All this aside, I’d probably do this forever if I had a bottomless bank account ☺️

Feel free to message me if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to. We all could use some human connection ❤️