This text will give you all the knowledge that you must discover wonderful house 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 reinforce my total touring expertise and on this submit, I’ll inform you 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 a minimum of every year however since leaving the UK in 2022 I’ve spent 3 lengthy stints house sitting in numerous states and cities throughout the US.
It may be powerful, and maybe slightly daunting, getting began. However there are some nice web sites to assist ease you into the position of a home sitter. Together with a couple of helpful suggestions and my very own private experiences, this text will set you heading in the right direction to securing some really wonderful home sits within the USA.
Learn how to Home Sit within the USA
Though basically providing an identical service, many house sitting websites accessible have completely different options. Discovering the suitable one for you is a vital step when turning into a home sitter.
Beneath, 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 greatest so that you can attempt.
1. Trusted Housesitters
My go-to platform is for sure Trusted Housesitters. It is among the premier web sites for home sitting and at present has over 3,500 properties accepting functions within the US alone. It’s a nice web site in the event 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 excellent web site and app. Trying to find the exact itemizing you need, within the space you need, throughout the precise time-frame that works for you is less complicated 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 change into 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 choice is the fundamental membership at $129/12 months with limitless worldwide home sits.
Goats On The Street readers obtain 20% off the membership payment. Click 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 owners in search of sitters and is a incredible useful resource to have in your arsenal. At simply $49 a 12 months, it’s a discount besides.
The web site could be very simple to navigate and trying to find your particular sit standards is straightforward and easy. The filters even go as deep as trying to find properties with out backyard care, which may be helpful to know in the event you don’t have inexperienced fingers. Householders checklist without cost so there are all the time ample lively home sitting jobs within the US.
Some listings supply fee, and it’s the one web site I’ve seen the place you will get paid to be a house sitter. Watch out although as non-US residents could also be breaching vacationer visa guidelines by accepting fee. Be certain all the time to remain compliant along with your visa.
Join shortly and simply to Housesitters America utilizing this exclusive link.
3. Workaway
Whereas primarily often known as a useful resource for locating volunteer placements, Workaway is a useful addition to my home sitting toolkit. Over the previous three years, I’ve persistently utilized this web site to seek out volunteer alternatives in alternate for lodging and meals. However what shouldn’t be missed is the five hundred+ home sitting listings at present accessible.
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 usually reply promptly and there’s a pleasant group spirit about the entire web site.
Membership is priced at round $50/12 months or $30/particular person for {couples}, and it supplies entry to an intensive community of alternatives. I’ve cast lasting friendships and established useful world connections by means of my experiences on Workaway.
4. Thoughts My Home
Mind My House is a superb platform with a lot of US home sitting listings. At simply $29/12 months, it’s essentially the most budget-friendly home sitting web site round. This low value permits newcomers to ease into the home sitting expertise with none actual important monetary outlay. Householders checklist their properties without cost, making certain a continuing stream of numerous listings throughout the US.
Potential home sitters can freely discover the positioning, even earlier than committing; shopping accessible alternatives with detailed data. The helpful statistics page provides insights into the positioning’s lively customers and their places. It is a nice function that means that you can 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 environment. 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 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 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 present lively within the US. Bear in mind, the right sit for you might solely be listed on one web site, as hosts don’t have a tendency to checklist on a number of websites. For that motive, 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 pondering of entering into the home sitting sport. Added advantages equivalent to insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include the top-end package deal, which at round $190/12 months 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 scores 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 received it! 4 horses, 3 cats, 2 canines, and a swimming pool on a ravishing ranch-style residence in Oro Valley. I had the perfect time and have been invited again with an open invitation at any time when I’m on the town.
This was shortly 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 have been two very completely different postings, however each properties have been completely unbelievable. The usage of a automobile 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 a minimum of 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 received a couple of curious glances being in my 30s, however everybody was very pleasant. The onsite facilities included a health club, library, pool, and tennis courts.
My favourite home sit up to now was in Durham, North Carolina. Just a few unusual coincidences led me to use for a 3-month sit in a metropolis I knew treasured little about. I completely liked my time there, taking care of a pleasant Airedale known as Ladybug. Residing minutes from Downtown Durham was a dream and I met many pleasant locals while having fun with a complete summer season in a ravishing 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 couple of of my favourite spots for home sitting within the US:
1. Nashville, TN.
After the pandemic, Nashville was excessive on my checklist 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 slightly 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 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 mountaineering alternatives, and a welcoming and open vibe all through the town that might enchantment to anybody.
In fact, Nashville can be the placement of the one pet sit up to now that I wouldn’t rush again to. I survived it, and the placement was nice however the home was fairly uncomfortable to be in – it was fairly soiled! I realized a useful lesson about trusting my intestine with listings. My recommendation is solely to belief your instincts earlier than accepting any position 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 japanese aspect of the USA. It’s serviced by a major international 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 high places to go 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 excellent location for consuming BBQ and mountaineering. Take a look at my earlier article in regards to the 15 best hikes and 15 best BBQ spots in Durham. It was additionally only a 10-minute stroll from Downtown Durham – such a cool area to stay in Durham.
The tree-lined suburban streets, quaint cafes, top-notch restaurants, cool craft breweries, and super-friendly folks made it considered one of my favourite home sitting places up to now. There are all the time a ton of listings that come up for Durham and Raleigh so it’s an excellent 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 Beach 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 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 Beach, San Diego. The entire keep felt like a dream and stays the most effective issues I’ve ever achieved. 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 function 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 all the time inside quick access wherever you keep and the seashore city vibe is current all through the town. Home sits are often accessible in San Diego and it might be an excellent place to remain.
Location: San Diego is situated 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.
Should you like mountaineering, anyplace in Colorado could be nice for a home sit. Many excellent trails are all inside simple attain and far of the character and surroundings is breathtaking. I sorted a really giant, stunning home, and an excellent chilled canine known as August in Lafayette, simply exterior of Boulder.
Boulder is a enjoyable place filled with attention-grabbing issues to do. The Museum of Boulder and the Museum of Contemporary Art are two nice cultural sights. Broadway has an enormous collection of road meals choices, wonderful eateries, cafes, and funky bars. My favourite was the Sundown Saloon, an underground college bar with pool tables and a number of the most cost-effective beer pitchers on the town.
On high of the mountaineering, my favourite reminiscence from house-sitting in Colorado was going to the Red Rocks Amphitheater. This iconic out of doors venue constructed into the crimson rocks of the Colorado hills had been on my to-do checklist for years. As luck would have it, David Gray, a fellow Brit, and somebody’s music I’ve all the time 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 International 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 postpone by the price of accommodations. 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 life-style. 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 life-style.
Hawaii’s numerous islands present a variety 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 often listed throughout the entire state however the majority appear to be on the Large Island. It might 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 couple 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 Areas: The USA provides an enormous 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 obstacles. This enables easy communication with owners and locals.
- Various Local weather: From the sunny seashores of San Diego to the snowy mountains of Colorado, the USA’s numerous 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.
- Automotive Included: Within the US, typically the automobile is insured, not the driving force. This enables for home sitters to have use of the host’s automobile, (ought to or not it’s accessible 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 look after numerous animals; from city-dwelling cats to ranch-based horses.
- Iconic Points of interest: Home sitters can discover iconic landmarks, nationwide parks, and cultural sights while on assignments within the US. The prospect to discover Broadway in Nashville, Instances Sq. in New York, or the Las Vegas Strip with free accommodation is a significant 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 anyplace else I’ve taken accepted a sit.
Cons of Home Sitting within the USA
- Visa Restrictions: Non-U.S. residents could face visa limitations, probably proscribing the length 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 influence a home sitter’s finances.
- Seasonal Extremes: Some areas of the USA expertise excessive climate situations, equivalent 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 components of the US, your individual transportation is important and you might must think about the associated fee and availability of transportation and vehicle rentals if a automobile just isn’t supplied with the sit.
- Safety Issues: Relying on the neighborhood or metropolis, larger 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 components of the world. Do not go to with out enough 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 inner flights may be dear. Don’t overlook 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. You could be coated for healthcare conditions as even a small medical occasion may be very, very costly.
What’s extra, flight delays and cancellations don’t work the identical as they do within the UK or Europe. Should 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 change 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 in search of sitters within the US. My private favorites are Trusted Housesitters (click here for 20% off) and Housesitters America.
Usually, there isn’t any fee concerned for home sitting within the USA. The alternate is common within the type of a beautiful free residence in an excellent space to discover.
Housesitters America does supply some listings that embody a per diem fee. Nevertheless, 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 fee 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. Nevertheless, for essentially the most half, a pet or pets, are typically 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 will have and the place you’re from. You should definitely totally analysis this earlier than accepting any home sits. Additionally bear in mind that merely leaving the nation and returning instantly to get a recent 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 checklist. Being a home sitter is like residing someplace as an area slightly than merely passing by means of.
No, a automobile just isn’t all the time included with US home sits but it surely’s all the time 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 should utilize it, ours shall 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 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 turned an excellent 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 troublesome to realize a long-term visa to remain within the US however home sitting has supplied me with the chance to really feel like I’m an area residing there.
There are literally thousands of home sits in America simply ready to your utility to hit their inbox, so get to it!
