The Good, The Bad, and The Furry: Lessons in House Sitting

On May 31st this year my husband & I closed the door on our lovely pool villa in Phuket Thailand to start our new lives as full time nomads. 

Our first stop was a beautiful all inclusive resort in Khao Lak where we supped coconuts by the beach & cocktails by the pool.

As I lay by the beach bathed in the suns warm rays and listening to the gentle waves lapping the shore, little did I know that in just a few weeks I’d be wearing thermals, cleaning out fridges, & inadvertently stepping in doggie doo in the garden. 

Ahh the joys of house sitting!

Here’s what I’ve learned so far;

The Good

1. It’s a fantastic way to save money while traveling. 

We came to the UK for a few months to visit family and friends, and sort out some personal stuff before heading out into the world. So as I’m originally from the UK and it’s more of a perfunctory visit than an exploration of wonder, we felt that short stay accommodation here was a wasted expense.

We therefore secured 5 house sits across 3 months and haven’t had to shell out for expensive Airbnb’s or hotel stays!

(As it is, our last sit got canceled and we’ve booked a trip to Mexico, but that’s another story) 

So if you want to save money on expensive accommodation costs, then house sitting is the perfect answer, provided the dates for the sits match up with the dates you need.

2. It’s a great way to see places you haven’t seen (or thought of visiting).

Because you’re looking for places nearby where you want to be and lining up dates etc, you may very well end up in a town or village you’ve never heard of, or thought of visiting.

On our sits so far we were in Sheffield (where my daughter was born 18 years ago), then a place called Retford, and currently a beautiful little town in Hertfordshire called Baldock which I’ve never heard of let alone visited.

Next we head to a lovely house on the outskirts of London with great transport links straight into the center of town.

It’s definitely been an education in new places in the UK I didn’t know existed.

3. It’s an animal lovers dream

The best part about house sitting is undoubtedly the animals, although it’s hard leaving them behind!

This current house sit I’m leaving a gorgeous little malt-poo who 100% captured my heart. 

The Bad

1. It’s a huge responsibility.

You are living in someone else’s house, looking after their belongings and their animals. 

I have found the whole thing a little awkward, though I dare say you’d get used to it the more you do it.

But in the last house the oven broke. In this house a couple of door handles have fallen off and the lawn mower doesn’t work properly. It’s been a bit cold but I’m nervous to put the heating on etc etc.

Because it’s someone’s home, there’s definitely a feeling of panic every time something goes wrong.

2. Check where you’re sleeping and if there’s space for you!

This is a biggie. In house sit one, we were on a mattress in the attic. In the current house we’re on a sofa bed in a room downstairs. 

In both houses there is nowhere to put anything like clothes, toiletries etc.

Particularly in the house we’re in now, there are plants on every spare shelf and all cupboards are full to the brim. I pulled out 2 t-shirts and a pair of jeans and have been literally living in the same clothes as I have no space to put down an open suitcase or fold some clothes up and leave somewhere.

When you’re staying somewhere for 3 weeks that’s a big deal. 

NB: Get a video walk through of spaces and sleeping arrangements.

3. The UK wasn’t the best place for us to start this journey.

Traditionally houses in the UK are small and drafty with minimal outdoor space. 

I have a feeling this would be a better experience in somewhere like OZ or the US where there’s more land and a better climate!

The Furry

Like I said the animals are the highlight.

Unfortunately I’m allergic to most of them :(

We didn’t have pets growing up due to my allergies, but after having Buddy our rescue dog in Thailand for the past 4 years and no issues, I thought I’d grown out of it.

Evidently not.

It hasn’t stopped me falling in love with each and every one of them.

• The energetic Welsh Springer who just wanted belly rubs

• The over anxious (but ridiculously intelligent) collie afraid of bins and dustbin lorries

• The black cat we never saw

• The old labradoodle, who just wants chin rubs and food

• The baby malti-poo who dislikes most people until she gets to know you and then can’t stop licking and loving you.

• The old spaniel who simply sleeps & eats.

Overall…

House sitting is a fantastic way to see more of the world and save money while travelling. It’s also a great way to make new connections, meet people and if you’re solo, having animals as a company is a massive bonus.

If you’re in your 20’s or 30’s just do it.

If you’re in your 50’s and beyond and enjoy your home comforts, ask lots of questions, get a rundown of exactly where you’ll be sleeping and where you can organize yourself.

Also it’s a good idea to find out exactly what’s expected of you! (My current home owner wanted me to do a bit of gardening, but I don’t know a Dahlia from a Dandelion! Thankfully I have my green-fingered sister on speed dial)

There’s loads of groups you can join to find out more and the way to get started is to simply sign up to one of the main housesitting websites.

Check out my post here for more details on how to start your own house sitting journey.

Have fun! It’s one of the three very sunny days we get in the UK each year here today, so I’m off for a BBQ! 😊