People choose to live their lives in many different ways. Some prefer to settle in one place, while others enjoy following their favorite seasons, moving from location to location throughout the year.
One common reason for this seasonal lifestyle is to avoid harsh weather—many retirees, known as “snowbirds,” seek warmer climates during winter to escape the cold. This migration opens up fantastic house-sitting opportunities for those looking for a cozy winter getaway.
In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of house-sitting for snowbirds during winter, along with tips on how to find the best house-sitting opportunities during the colder months.
What is a Snowbird?
A snowbird migrates from colder northern regions to warmer southern areas during winter to escape the harsh cold. Popular destinations for snowbirds include the Sun Belt and Hawaii in the United States, as well as sunny spots in Mexico and the Caribbean.
While snowbirds were once primarily retirees, this lifestyle now attracts people of all ages, from remote workers to younger travelers seeking a seasonal escape.
Are you looking for a winter getaway? Check out house-sitting opportunities in Hawaii, where you can soak up the sun and leave the cold behind! House sitting can be the perfect way to enjoy warm climates without the high cost of traditional accommodation.
Why House Sit in Winter?
House sitting for snowbirds in winter has lots of pros.
- Forget about paying substantial power bills at home to heat your house.
- You dont have to worry about winterizing your car or home
- Visit the beach while everyone back home is bundled up in layers and layers of clothes
- Learn about different ways of life, learn different skills and sports.
- Look after unique animals and houses.
The Best Locations For Winter House Sitting Opportunities
The best winter house-sitting opportunities are often found in Canada, North America, New Zealand, and Japan. These regions experience beautiful summers but can become extremely cold during the winter months.
Many retirees and remote workers who dislike the cold prefer to spend their winters in warmer, more affordable climates. This creates a demand for house sitters, especially in areas where homeowners don’t live near ski resorts.
While some homeowners rent their homes to ski enthusiasts, those in colder regions without ski tourism often find it more convenient to hire a house sitter to look after their property during the winter months. House sitters can provide peace of mind, making it a win-win for both parties.
Cons and Things to Think About Before Applying for Winter House-Sitting Jobs
House sitting in winter has its challenges, especially for those not from colder climates.
- When house sitting in winter (particularly in Canada and Japan), temperatures can get very cold. Depending on your exact location, we are talking anywhere from -10 to -25 Celsius. This can present unique challenges you might not be used to. It can be difficult for those from warmer climates, and it is worth doing a smaller ‘test sit’ or trip to make sure you will be able to live in such temperatures.
- Driving and getting around can be difficult for someone who has never lived in snow before. Driving in snow can be very dangerous and should be taken very seriously, particularly if you are using the homeowner’s vehicle or you have the homeowner’s pet with you. In a lot of smaller towns, there isn’t very good public transport, and that can make it difficult for you to get groceries or see the local area.
- Living in winter can be expensive. Many winter locations are destinations for skiers and snowboarders, and like any tourist destination, they usually come with a hefty price hike. It can also cost a lot more to get items to certain destinations because of snow.
- Daily tasks might be a little out of your comfort zone. Living in winter can make daily tasks a little hard. While looking after our home in snowy locations, we have had daily tasks that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. We have cleared snow, chopped wood, had to unfreeze pipes, walked dogs in knee-deep snow, and had to dig out various household services.
- Heating in winter is very expensive, and sometimes, some homeowners will ask you to chip in or pay for heating expenses while you are house-sitting.
How to Find House Sits in Winter
We have found that there are a couple of websites that are better than others for finding winter house-sitting opportunities.
Another great place to find winter house-sitting opportunities is in local Facebook groups where you want to house-sit. This can be at the country, state or even town level.
Things to do While House Sitting in Winter
While house-sitting in winter, you can get into or watch lots of activities.
- Snowboarding and skiing
- Curling
- Ice hockey
- Bobsled
- Tubing
- Ice fishing
- Snowshoeing
- Cross country skiing
- Winter bird hunting
- Dog sledding
- Winter fat biking
- Ice hiking
Start Your House-Sitting Adventure Today!
Are you excited about house-sitting? We love helping others turn this dream into a reality. Find all the resources you need here, and reach out if you have any questions or need support!
Author: Jayden Mckinlay
Hiya! I am Jayden. I am originally from New Zealand and am one-half of the Travelling House Sitters. During my house-sitting journey, I looked after 35 cats, 25 dogs, and one turtle!
I have cared for over 40 homes in 15 countries and even a catamaran in the Caribbean!
I want to show you how to become a professional housesitter by putting together all the resources I wish I had when I started. You can enjoy this lifestyle as well!
You can read more about Brittnay and me on our about page.
Or connect with me on Facebook or in their house sitting community on Facebook
Nice one – thanks for this. We had sits arranged for UK and Scotland for 2020 winter, before it all went haywire. Had to spend it in sunny Queensland instead but we’ll get back to it when COVID passes.
Kirsty
thanks Kristy! were you house sitting in Queensland? thats not a bad spot to be, we loooove the Sunshine Coast!! fingers crossed for travel in 2022! We are hoping to do some house sitting in Mexico!!