This text will offer you all the knowledge you’ll want to discover wonderful 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 total touring expertise and on this publish, 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 very least every year however since leaving the UK in 2022 I’ve spent 3 lengthy stints home sitting in numerous 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 couple of useful ideas 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.
The best way to Home Sit within the USA
Though basically providing an analogous service, many home sitting web sites out there 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 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 can assist you select which one could also be greatest so that you can attempt.
1. Trusted Housesitters
My go-to platform is indubitably Trusted Housesitters. It is likely one of the premier web sites for home sitting and at the moment has over 3,500 properties accepting functions within the US alone. It’s a nice web site when you’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 awesome web site and app. Looking for the exact itemizing you need, within the space you want, through the precise time-frame that works for you is simpler than on some 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 energetic.
Trusted Housesitters provides three membership tiers, every with distinct advantages akin to the worth. The premier membership, priced at $260, consists of cancellation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and two annual airport lounge passes. A extra budget-friendly choice is the fundamental membership at $129/yr 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 choice for locating home sitting jobs in America. The positioning is unique to US householders in search of sitters and is a improbable useful resource to have in your arsenal. At simply $49 a yr, it’s a cut price as well.
The web site could be very simple to navigate and looking for your particular sit standards is straightforward and easy. The filters even go as deep as looking for properties with out backyard care, which will be useful to know when you don’t have inexperienced fingers. Owners listing at no cost so there are at all times ample energetic home sitting jobs within the US.
Some listings supply fee, and it’s the one web site I’ve seen the place you may get paid to be a home sitter. Watch out although as non-US residents could also be breaching vacationer visa guidelines by accepting fee. Make 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 often known as a useful resource for locating volunteer placements, Workaway is a worthwhile 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 out there.
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 group spirit about the entire web site.
Membership is priced at round $50/yr or $30/individual for {couples}, and it supplies entry to an intensive community of alternatives. I’ve solid lasting friendships and established worthwhile international connections via my experiences on Workaway.
4. Thoughts My Home
Thoughts My Home is a superb platform with numerous US home sitting listings. At simply $29/yr, it’s essentially the most budget-friendly home sitting web site round. This low worth permits newcomers to ease into the home sitting expertise with none actual vital monetary outlay. Owners listing their properties at no cost, guaranteeing a relentless stream of various listings throughout the US.
Potential home sitters can freely discover the positioning, even earlier than committing; shopping out there alternatives with detailed data. The useful statistics web page provides insights into the positioning’s energetic customers and their areas. It is a nice characteristic that lets you see if that is going to be the suitable choice 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 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 method. Their user-friendly platform is simple to navigate, permits for very exact searches, and as soon as once more has the choice to avoid wasting 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 the moment energetic within the US. Bear in mind, the proper sit for it’s possible you’ll solely be listed on one web site, as hosts don’t have a tendency to listing 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 primary membership plan is nice for individuals pondering of moving into the home sitting recreation. Added advantages akin to insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include the top-end package deal, which at round $190/yr remains to be lower than a few nights in a median resort.
Private Expertise Home Sitting within the USA
After racking up 5 5-star rankings home sitting within the UK, In 2022 I submitted a Hail Mary utility for a 6-week pet sit in Tucson, Arizona. A lot to my delight (and shock), I obtained it! 4 horses, 3 cats, 2 canine, and a swimming pool on a wonderful 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 beautiful chilled canine referred to as August in stunning Lafayette, Colorado. Then a home sit with some fairly intense gardening tasks in Waco, Texas. These have been two very completely different postings, however each properties have been completely unimaginable. The usage of a automobile was included in every sit (extra on that later).
Managing my U.S. vacationer visa, I at all times 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 group in Mission, was wonderful. I obtained a couple 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 thus far was in Durham, North Carolina. A number of unusual coincidences led me to use for a 3-month sit in a metropolis I knew valuable little about. I completely cherished my time there, taking care of a pleasant Airedale referred to as Ladybug. Residing minutes from Downtown Durham was a dream and I met many pleasant locals while having fun with a whole summer season in a wonderful residence.
Finest 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 actually serving to me to tick off extra states and cities yearly. Listed below are a couple of of my favourite spots for home sitting within the US:
1. Nashville, TN.
After the pandemic, Nashville was excessive on my listing 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 somewhat completely different. Two have been inside strolling distance to Broadway and one was half-hour outdoors 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 superb cafe tradition, sensational climbing alternatives, and a welcoming and open vibe all through town that might enchantment to anybody.
In fact, Nashville can also be the situation of the one pet sit thus far 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 discovered a worthwhile 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 issues.
Location: Nashville, TN is situated on the central jap facet of the USA. It’s serviced by a significant worldwide airport (BNA) with many flights from across the US and the world arriving all day day by day. 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 your complete area and it stays considered one of my prime areas to move again to as quickly as doable.
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 awesome location for consuming BBQ and climbing. Try my earlier article concerning the 15 greatest hikes and 15 greatest 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 considered one of my favourite home sitting areas thus far. There are at all times a ton of listings that come up for Durham and Raleigh so it’s an awesome 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 significant nationwide and worldwide terminal for flights. Historic Wilmington and the coastal city of Carolina Seaside are round a 2.5-hour drive away.
3. San Diego, CA.
I’ve but to deal with sit in San Diego but it surely’s considered one of my everlasting saved searches on Trusted Housesitters. I’m simply ready for the celebs 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 Seaside, San Diego. The entire keep felt like a dream and stays the most effective issues I’ve ever executed. 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 critically cool areas to have shut by with an untold variety of nice bars and eating places. The beautiful ocean is at all times inside easy accessibility wherever you keep and the seaside city vibe is current all through town. Home sits are frequently out there 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 significant worldwide transport hub.
4. Boulder, CO.
In case you like climbing, wherever in Colorado could be nice for a home sit. Many very good trails are all inside simple attain and far of the character and surroundings is breathtaking. I taken care of a really giant, stunning home, and an excellent chilled canine referred to as August in Lafayette, simply outdoors of Boulder.
Boulder is a enjoyable place filled with attention-grabbing 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 collection of avenue meals choices, tremendous eateries, cafes, and funky bars. My favourite was the Sunset Saloon, an underground faculty bar with pool tables and a few of 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 Pink Rocks Amphitheater. This iconic out of doors venue constructed into the crimson rocks of the Colorado hills had been on my to-do listing 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 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 inns. Home sitting supplies an actual alternative to discover Hawaii with out that vast added expense of lodging.
I’m notably drawn to Hawaii’s fascinating pure magnificence and distinctive island way of life. Home sitting would supply 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 variety of environments, from the bustling vitality of Oahu to the tranquillity of Maui and the Huge 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 Huge Island. It will indubitably 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 execs, I’ve additionally skilled a couple 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.
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 at all times have an array of choices.
- Language Comfort: For English audio system, home sitting within the USA eliminates any language obstacles. This permits simple communication with householders and locals.
- Assorted 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 simple for home sitters to discover quite a few states and areas.
- Automobile Included: Within the US, usually the automobile is insured, not the driving force. This permits for home sitters to have use of the host’s automobile, (ought to it’s out there and naturally agreed previous to the sit). If it’s not talked about within the itemizing, I discovered that it by no means hurts to ask.
- Pet Range: You will note listings for a variety of pets. Home sitters could have the chance to look after 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 possibility to discover Broadway in Nashville, Occasions Sq. in New York, or the Las Vegas Strip with free lodging is a significant enchantment.
- Pleasant Communities: From private expertise, there are various 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 might face visa limitations, doubtlessly proscribing the period of their home sitting assignments within the USA.
- Value of Residing: I’ve discovered the price of residing in sure areas of the USA to be excessive. This might drastically impression a home sitter’s finances.
- Seasonal Extremes: Some areas of the USA expertise excessive climate situations, akin 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 Automobile: In lots of components of the US, your individual transportation is important and it’s possible you’ll have to think about the associated fee and availability of transportation and automobile leases if a automobile isn’t supplied with the sit.
- Safety Issues: Relying on the neighborhood or metropolis, greater crime charges generally is 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 components of the world. Do not go to with out enough insurance coverage to cowl a healthcare state of affairs.
- Insurance coverage Prices: Because 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 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 supply inside their memberships protection for a number canceling, don’t underestimate the healthcare prices within the US. It’s good 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. In case you 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 reduction 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 in search of sitters within the US. My private favorites are Trusted Housesitters (click on right here for 20% off) and Housesitters America.
On the whole, there isn’t any fee concerned for home sitting within the USA. The change is common within the type of a beautiful free residence in an awesome space to discover.
Housesitters America does supply some listings that embrace a per diem fee. Nevertheless, that is the one one I’ve seen and will trigger points with non-US residents who is probably not allowed to work or obtain fee on a vacationer visa. So tread very fastidiously 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 keep watch over a property whereas the hosts are on trip. Nevertheless, for essentially the most half, a pet or pets, are usually included as a part of the deal.
How lengthy you’ll be able to keep within the US home sitting relies upon solely on the kind of visa you’ve got and the place you’re from. Be sure you completely analysis this earlier than accepting any home sits. Additionally remember 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 unhealthy 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 might’t wait to tick off the various that also stay on my must-see listing. Being a home sitter is like residing someplace as an area quite than merely passing via.
No, a automobile isn’t at all times included with US home sits but it surely’s at all times a good suggestion to ask if nothing is talked about a few automobile within the itemizing. On quite a few events, I’ve requested a few automobile and the hosts have stated, ‘In fact you should utilize it, ours might be right here!’ – regardless of not making this clear of their itemizing.
The insurance coverage within the US usually means the automobile is roofed for anybody with a legitimate license to drive it.
In Conclusion
The US has been like a second residence 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 awesome device 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 residing there.
There are millions of home sits in America simply ready in your utility to hit their inbox, so get to it!
