🏡 See the world one house-sit at a time!

Inspiration Postcard #11: How you can stay at people's houses abroad to save money while traveling

Welcome back, my friend.

You’re tuned into another edition of Itchy Feet. Thank you for supporting this newsletter!

Before we set sail again, here’s last week’s post in case you missed it:

💰 Want to move abroad? These countries will pay you!

This week is an Inspiration Postcard dedicated to a fun niche way to travel:

House-sitting

Reading time: 5 minutes

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Like stars in the sky, there’s a nearly infinite way to see the world.

For instance, in my last post, I mentioned how teaching English is a viable way to live abroad and make income.

Another unique way to see the world is by staying at people’s houses.

It sounds like I’m about to talk about Couchsurfing, but this is something else!

I’m talking about house-sitting. 🏡

Sure, most of us have probably lent a hand to watch a friend’s house.

Back in 2015, I crashed at a friend’s house for a few days when they went on vacation to Europe.

I’m a big fan of house-sitting. You get a fresh set of scenery, often free food, and you get friendship points because it’s you who’s doing them a favor.

I typically feel like I’m the person receiving a favor because I love visiting new places.

Now, imagine being able to do this in London, Berlin, or Bangkok.

House-sitting is a niche means of travel where both people win.

However, there is a slight catch:

• You actually need to look after the house. It’s not an Airbnb where you can leave it untidy afterward.

• You may have a list of choirs.

• The owner will set guidelines that house-sitters must follow. Each house has its own rules.

• Some houses are isolated, so you might not be able to visit any other sites nearby.

• It’s not 100% free because you need to pay your own travel expenses and membership fees to the platform you use.

• Also, pets are usually involved. Sometimes, you may have multiple pets to take care of. So, if you don’t mind watching Pinky and her friends for a few days, you’re in business.
  

There are many platforms dedicated solely to connecting travelers with homeowners.

Here are a few examples:

• Nomador: This in-depth platform connects homeowners to house and petsitters. The site is straightforward: You create a profile and start looking. There’s even a feature called Stopover which lets you find one or two-night stays. In some cases, you don’t even need to watch anything - you just get a free place to crash! The cheapest membership options are either $32 for three months or $200 for a full year.
  

• Trusted House Sitters: This large traveler network is user-friendly and has many search filters so you can narrow the options that best fit your needs. For example, there’s a filter called “Local Attractions.” This lets house-sitters choose between beaches, mountains, cities, or countryside. You can also pay membership dues based on the kind of sitter you want to be like a pet, house, or combo-sitter. Fees range from $129 to $399 per year.
  

• Workaway: Workaway is a robust work-exchange website to help travelers find hosts around the world. Although house-sitting isn’t its primary focus, you can still find many international opportunities here. For example, as of today, over 600 house-sitting hosts are looking for people (like you!) in Europe. Yearly membership is $59 for single people or $69 for couples.
  

• HouseCarers: HouseCarers has connected homeowners and house-sitters since 2000. Membership costs $50 per year, making it the most affordable option on this list.

  

If going abroad, consider this before you house-sit:

House sitting is not a paid gig. If you’re overseas, you cannot legally accept money from the homeowner.

House-sitting does not give you a special visa. You can only house-sit if you are eligible for a tourist visa and must leave before it expires.

Why you should try house-sitting:

House-sitting is an alternative way to see the world. You get an exclusive look at how people in foreign countries (or states) live without paying expensive lodging fees.

If you love animals, you get to hang out with a wide range of furry friends. You’re also being of service to another like-minded person or family.

Watching their house gives them peace of mind so they can also do what you both love: travel.

In essence, you’re giving back to another traveler. ♻️

I strongly believe that you always get back what you give to other people.

If you're in a relationship or married, you can also consider house-sitting as a fun alternative way to travel.

In conclusion

If you’re on the fence about house-sitting, don’t worry!

Countless resources are available for you to brush up on this fun travel niche.

You can’t go wrong watching YouTube videos or different Reddit community chats to get a better idea of what it's all about.

I’m not affiliated with any of these house-sitting websites, nor have I tried them.

However, House Sitting Magazine offers a comprehensive guide for the Best House Sitting Websites Compared for 2025 (link).

Also, Wanderlusters is a travel blog with an in-depth article about house-sitting.

Back to you: Have you ever house-sat before? If so, what was the experience like? Leave me a comment!

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Thanks for reading! That’s a wrap for this week. I made this Inspiration Postcard available to everyone.

In the past, the whole post was just for paid readers. I’ll explain in my next post.

Have a fantastic week and see you again soon.

Much love,

-Daniel

Instagram / Bluesky / Travel Coaching / LinkedIn / Buy me a Coffee

P.S. Refer someone to Itchy Feet and get a solo travel checklist on the house!

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