This text will offer you all the knowledge it’s worthwhile to discover wonderful home sitting jobs within the US. For two years I’ve been touring the world as a digital nomad. I take advantage of home and pet sitting web sites to maintain my expenditure down and to boost my general touring expertise and on this submit, I’ll let you know how.
I’ve all the time 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 very 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 robust, and maybe just a little 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 wonderful home sits within the USA.
Tips on how to Home Sit within the USA
Though primarily providing an identical service, many home sitting web sites obtainable have completely different options. Discovering the suitable one for you is a crucial step when changing into a home sitter.
Under, I’ve outlined my high 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 for sure Trusted Housesitters. It is without doubt one of the premier web sites for home sitting and at the moment has over 3,500 houses accepting functions within the US alone. It’s a nice web site if you happen to’re critical about house-sitting in America.
Trusted Housesitters is primary for the sheer variety of listings they provide, however in addition they have an ideal web site and app. Trying to find the exact itemizing you need, within the space you need, through the actual timeframe that works for you is simpler than on every other web site I’ve come throughout. It can save you filters and searches and choose to be notified instantly when the suitable outcomes grow to be lively.
Trusted Housesitters provides three membership tiers, every with distinct advantages akin to the value. The premier membership, priced at $260, consists of cancellation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and two annual airport lounge passes. A extra budget-friendly possibility is the fundamental membership at $129/12 months with limitless worldwide home sits.
Goats On The Street readers obtain 20% off the membership charge. Click on right here to obtain that particular low cost.
2. Housesitters America
I assume the title says all of it. Housesitters America is one other nice possibility for locating home sitting jobs in America. The location is unique to US owners searching for sitters and is a unbelievable useful resource to have in your arsenal. At simply $49 a 12 months, it’s a cut price as well.
The web site may be very straightforward to navigate and looking for your particular sit standards is straightforward and simple. The filters even go as deep as looking for properties with out backyard care, which will be helpful to know if you happen to don’t have inexperienced fingers. Owners record free of charge so there are all the time ample lively 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. Ensure all the time to remain compliant along with your visa.
Enroll rapidly and simply to Housesitters America utilizing this unique hyperlink.
3. Workaway
Whereas primarily often called a useful resource for locating volunteer placements, Workaway is a precious addition to my home sitting toolkit. Over the previous three years, I’ve constantly utilized this web site to search out volunteer alternatives in change for lodging and meals. However what shouldn’t be neglected is the five hundred+ home sitting listings at the moment obtainable.
Their handy app is an additional advantage that doesn’t include many different home sitting web sites. I’ve discovered that hosts with lively 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 gives entry to an intensive community of alternatives. I’ve cast lasting friendships and established precious 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 probably the most budget-friendly home sitting web site round. This low worth permits newcomers to ease into the home sitting expertise with none actual important monetary outlay. Owners record their properties free of charge, guaranteeing a relentless stream of various listings throughout the US.
Potential home sitters can freely discover the location, even earlier than committing; looking obtainable alternatives with detailed data. The helpful statistics web page provides insights into the location’s lively customers and their areas. It is a nice characteristic that permits you to see if that is going to be the suitable possibility for you earlier than signing up.
Established in 2005, Thoughts My Home distinguishes itself from different web sites with a community-oriented ambiance. An app would make looking out and making use of considerably simpler however attaining sits remains to be fairly easy. So, whether or not you’re a seasoned home sitter or simply testing the waters, Thoughts My Home is a perfect and really accessible start line.
5. Nomador
I’m fairly certain 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 worldwide home sitting web site. It has dozens of listings at the moment lively within the US. Keep in mind, the proper sit for chances are you’ll solely be listed on one web site, as hosts don’t have a tendency to record on a number of websites. For that purpose, it’s a good suggestion to maintain your choices open with quite a few home sitting platforms.
Nomador’s 3-month fundamental membership plan is nice for individuals pondering of stepping into the home sitting recreation. Added advantages reminiscent of insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include the top-end bundle, which at round $190/12 months remains to be lower than a few nights in a mean lodge.
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 bought it! 4 horses, 3 cats, 2 canines, and a swimming pool on a stupendous ranch-style residence in Oro Valley. I had the perfect time and have been invited again with an open invitation each time I’m on the town.
This was rapidly adopted by 3 weeks with a stunning chilled canine referred to as August in stunning Lafayette, Colorado. Then a home sit with some fairly intense gardening duties in Waco, Texas. These have been two very completely different postings, however each houses have been completely unimaginable. Using a automotive was included in every sit (extra on that later).
Managing my U.S. vacationer visa, I all the time exit properly earlier than the 90-day restrict and keep away for at the very 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 wonderful. I bought a number of curious glances being in my 30s, however everybody was very pleasant. The onsite facilities included a gymnasium, 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 beloved my time there, taking care of a pleasant Airedale referred to as Ladybug. Dwelling minutes from Downtown Durham was a dream and I met many pleasant locals while having fun with a whole summer season in a stupendous residence.
Greatest Areas to Home Sit within the US
The USA is such an enormous nation that even in spite of everything 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 have been all just a little completely different. Two have been inside strolling distance to Broadway and one was half-hour exterior of city in leafy Hermitage.
Nashville isn’t nearly nation music, although in fact that performs an enormous half on Broadway. There are additionally many unimaginable eating places, cool breweries and bars, a wonderful cafe tradition, sensational climbing alternatives, and a welcoming and open vibe all through the town that may enchantment to anybody.
In fact, Nashville can also 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 precious 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 in case you have any considerations.
Location: Nashville, TN is situated on the central jap facet 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 daily. 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 certainly one of my high areas 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 ideal location for consuming BBQ and climbing. Take a look at my earlier article concerning 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 individuals made it certainly one of my favourite home sitting areas up to now. There are all the time a ton of listings that come up for Durham and Raleigh so it’s an ideal place for touchdown home sits within the states.
Location: Durham and Raleigh NC are situated towards the mid/east part of the USA. Raleigh/Durham Airport (RDU) is a serious 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 deal with sit in San Diego nevertheless it’s certainly one of my everlasting saved searches on Trusted Housesitters. I’m simply ready for the celebrities to align and the suitable 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 performed. Though on the time I rented an Airbnb, it was this journey that has spurred me on to search 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 severely cool areas to have shut by with an untold variety of nice bars and eating places. The beautiful ocean is all the time inside easy accessibility wherever you keep and the seashore city vibe is current all through the town. Home sits are recurrently obtainable in San Diego and it might be a really perfect place to remain.
Location: San Diego is situated on the southwest facet 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 serious worldwide transport hub.
4. Boulder, CO.
If you happen to like climbing, wherever in Colorado could 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 sorted a really giant, stunning home, and an excellent chilled canine referred to 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 number of avenue meals choices, high-quality eateries, cafes, and funky bars. My favourite was the Sunset Saloon, an underground school bar with pool tables and a few of the least expensive beer pitchers on the town.
On high of the climbing, my favourite reminiscence from house-sitting in Colorado was going to the Pink Rocks Amphitheater. This iconic out of doors venue constructed into the purple 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 all the time loved, was taking part in – it was a spectacular present.
Location: Boulder is situated 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 instances however have been repeatedly postpone by the price of motels. Home sitting gives an actual alternative to discover Hawaii with out that vast added expense of lodging.
I’m notably drawn to Hawaii’s charming 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 Massive Island’s awe-inspiring volcanic terrain. I’ve seen home sits recurrently listed throughout the entire state however the majority appear to be on the Massive Island. It will for sure 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).
Professionals and Cons of Being a Home Sitter within the USA
Though home sitting has modified my life, in all the perfect 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 beneath to contemplate earlier than making use of for any postings within the USA.
Professionals of Home Sitting within the USA
- Various Places: The USA provides an unlimited array of locations, from bustling city cities and suburban neighborhoods to laid-back coastal retreats and desert ranches. Home sitters will all the time have an array of choices.
- Language Comfort: For English audio system, home sitting within the USA eliminates any language boundaries. This enables easy communication with owners and locals.
- Different 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 swimsuit 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, usually the automotive is insured, not the motive force. This enables for home sitters to have use of the host’s automotive, (ought to 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 Range: You will notice listings for a variety of pets. Home sitters may have the chance to take care of various animals; from city-dwelling cats to ranch-based horses.
- Iconic Points of interest: Home sitters can discover iconic landmarks, nationwide parks, and cultural points of interest while on assignments within the US. The prospect to discover Broadway in Nashville, Occasions Sq. in New York, or the Las Vegas Strip with free lodging is a serious enchantment.
- Pleasant Communities: From private expertise, there are numerous pleasant neighborhoods and welcoming communities within the USA. Integrating and feeling at residence 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 could face visa limitations, doubtlessly 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 affect a home sitter’s finances.
- Seasonal Extremes: Some areas of the USA expertise excessive climate situations, reminiscent of 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 must consider the associated fee and availability of transportation and car leases if a automotive will not be supplied with the sit.
- Safety Issues: Relying on the neighborhood or metropolis, increased crime charges could be 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 ample insurance coverage to cowl a healthcare state of affairs.
- Insurance coverage Prices: On account of the medical prices within the US, insurance coverage premiums are excessive for insurance policies that embody 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 large nation and inside flights will be dear. Don’t neglect how large 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’ll want 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. If you happen to miss a flight within the US, whether or not it was the airline’s fault or not, for probably the most half, you received’t get any monetary aid from the airline.
To grow to be 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 the moment have a ton of listings searching for sitters within the US. My private favorites are Trusted Housesitters (click on right here for 20% off) and Housesitters America.
Typically, there isn’t any cost concerned for home sitting within the USA. The change is basic within the type of a stunning free residence in an ideal space to discover.
Housesitters America does provide some listings that embody a per diem cost. Nonetheless, that is the one one I’ve seen and will trigger points with non-US residents who might 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 control a property whereas the hosts are on trip. Nonetheless, for probably the most half, a pet or pets, are usually included as a part of the deal.
How lengthy you may keep within the US home sitting relies upon totally on the kind of visa you might have and the place you’re from. You should definitely totally analysis this earlier than accepting any home sits. Additionally remember that merely leaving the nation and returning instantly to get a recent visa may 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 various that also stay on my must-see record. Being a home sitter is like dwelling someplace as a neighborhood reasonably than merely passing by way of.
No, a automotive will not be all the time included with US home sits nevertheless it’s all the time a good suggestion to ask if nothing is talked about a couple of automotive within the itemizing. On quite a few events, I’ve requested a couple of automotive and the hosts have mentioned, ‘In fact you should use it, ours shall be right here!’ – regardless of not making this clear of their itemizing.
The insurance coverage within the US usually means the automotive is roofed for anybody with a sound license to drive it.
In Conclusion
The US has been like a second residence to me over the past 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 turned an ideal 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 achieve a long-term visa to remain within the US however home sitting has offered me with the chance to really feel like I’m a neighborhood dwelling there.
There are literally thousands of home sits in America simply ready to your software to hit their inbox, so get to it!
