Recently, I chatted with Kate; she travels with her partner, Dave! Together, they have done over 40 housesits around the world! Their latest house sit was in Hawaii (the dream!!) Find out how they got started, where they will be heading next and how you can get started too.
Tell us a little about yourself—who you are, where you are from, and whether you house full-time or sporadically.
I’m Kate Evans. My husband Dave and I left our native California to live a traveling life nine years ago when I retired from teaching university at 50; we are now grey nomads.
I’m a writer, part-time writing coach, and book editor. My book Call It Wonder: An Odyssey of Love, Sex, Spirit & Travel explores our unconventional lives and their ups and downs, including my experience with a brain tumor.
I’m currently writing a book about housesitting. We have a casita in Baja California Sur, Mexico, where we spend a few months each year. The rest of the time, we travel, which often involves housesitting.
How many housesits have you had and where?
About 40, all over the U.S., Australia, Mexico, and Malaysia.
Why did you do petsitting? What is the main motivation?
We want to explore the world.
Housesitting is a great way to travel cheaply and to be in lovely homes rather than stale hotels or expensive Airbnbs, although we do sometimes fill in the gaps with rentals.
We like being in neighborhoods rather than hotel rows, and we love animals, so having pet companions is a bonus.
We also like to travel slowly, so getting stays of a month or longer is great.
Was it hard for you to secure your first housesitting gig? How many applications did you have to send before you got accepted for your first assignment?
We got the first sit we applied for. Dave says we get a lot of interest in our applications because I’m a writer. 😊
How much luggage do you travel with?
We’re minimalists. If we’re flying, usually one carry-on and one backpack each. If we have the car, it’s stuffed.
Pros of House Sitting?
It’s a great way to see the world cheaply and get in our animal fix.
We love cooking our food in nice kitchens, soaking in people’s hot tubs, using their cars, and having room to spread out.
We both like to do yoga at home, which isn’t possible in most hotel rooms.
Also, we’ve met many wonderful homeowners and their neighbors who’ve become friends.
Cons of House Sitting?
Having responsibilities—such as animal care, gardening, etc.—means you don’t have as much freedom.
Also, if you fall in love with a pet, it can be hard to say goodbye.
How do you decide on a destination?
Sometimes, we want to spend time with family and friends, so we look for places to stay in those areas. Other times, we have an event we want to attend (a wedding, a concert, etc.). Usually, though, I scan the listings on the sites, and when one looks great to us, we apply!
For the past year and a half, we’ve driven thousands of miles all over the states, riding our bikes along the rim of the Grand Canyon, hiking underground through Carlsbad Caverns, visiting our niece at her university in Tennessee, and going to music extravaganzas in New Orleans…and we house-sat all along the way.
What’s been the biggest adventure so far?
A four-month housesit on the Big Island of Hawaii, followed by a few weeks at an Airbnb on the island of Molokai, and then another month-long sit on Maui.
How did you find out about house sitting?
Somehow, I stumbled across the fact that there were housesitting websites out there, and we joined two. That was while we were caring for a friend’s small farm, and I suddenly realized we could do this for strangers, too!
What was your favorite housesitting experience to date and why?
Hawaii. Because, Hawaii.
Have you had any funny housesitting experiences?
The funniest was caring for Duke, a pug in West Hollywood who weighed maybe ten pounds.
On our walks, he’d comically do a handstand while arcing his pee as high as he could. His goal seemed to be to spray his scent so other dogs would be in awe of the colossal canine passing by.
Tips for others wanting to get started?
You can search for sits not only on the websites but most towns/cities/areas have Facebook pages for housesitters or nomads or expats, which can be another great way to find sits.
Also, starting out, do short ones in your area to build up some initial reviews. The short sits are less competitive, and you’re more likely to get them if you’re nearby.
Where to next (when you can)
We are currently housesitting in Southern California, in the San Diego area.
When we leave here in mid-June, we drive back down to Baja Sur, park our car in our bodega, and then fly to mainland Mexico, where we spend six weeks in the Lake Chapala area outside of Guadalajara.
After that, we fly to Panama for two month-long housesits. One of them is on a small island resort; the resort will be closed, and we will stay in the owners’ home, caring for their two dogs.
They told us they would catch enough fish to stock the freezer for us! That’s another thing I want to mention: We have found the hosts’ generosity phenomenal.
Want to see what they get up to next?
You can follow Kate and Dave’s adventures here and here
Want to try House Sitting?
There are thousands of opportunities to house sit around the world!
Check out the resources here to get started as a house sitter.
Author: Britt
I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past 7 years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats 1 turtle, and 1 rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.
The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.
Through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters, I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures and meet new people.
Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.
I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so if you have any questions, please reach out! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!
You can read more about Jay and me here!
Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house-sitting community on Facebook.
Are You Ready to Start House Sitting?
