Hi everyone,
Over time I have read comments about “homeless” sitters and I wanted to gently offer another side of the story. Housesitting is built on trust, and when someone doesn’t have a traditional home base it can raise questions. But I’d like to share my experience as someone who has lived this lifestyle full-time for a decade.
I don’t keep a home of my own. This is my life: I move from sit to sit, carrying everything I own, and I’ve been doing it successfully for ten years with just under forty five-star reviews. In the beginning, like many new sitters, I took whatever came along—ramshackle cottages, cluttered homes, last-minute changes, even the occasional cancellation that left me scrambling. I’ve seen every end of the spectrum: spotless luxury properties and places that needed serious TLC. I’ve been asked to pivot on a dime, and I’ve also been blessed with incredibly generous, thoughtful hosts who made me feel like family.
What I’ve learned over all those sits is this: those of us who have chosen not to maintain a permanent home are often the least likely to cancel on you. We don’t have a backup apartment or family house to retreat to when things go sideways. That reality makes us take the responsibility incredibly seriously. When we accept a sit, we show up fully—because our stability and peace of mind for the next weeks or months might literally depend on it. We’ve had to develop a deep level of self-reliance and self-respect just to make this lifestyle work. We’re not entitled; we understand that going the extra mile (and sometimes two) keeps the whole arrangement smooth and respectful for everyone.
We’re also not desperate or “willing to put up with anything.” Yes, many of us started with less desirable sits to build our profiles—that’s how credibility is earned. But after years in the community we’ve learned to value ourselves too. We know how to communicate diplomatically when something isn’t working (I’ve had plenty of practice politely negotiating reliable Wi-Fi as a digital nomad). We’ve learned that standing up for ourselves, even when it risks losing a sit or a good review, is part of maintaining the dignity this lifestyle requires.
The truth is, no one here knows anyone else’s full story. Some of us chose this path after selling everything to travel or simplify; some after life changes; some simply because it fits who we are. We’re not a monolith, and we’re certainly not “losers” or “feral creatures.” We’re just adults who have made a different choice about home—and many of us have become some of the most reliable, low-drama sitters you’ll ever meet.
I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m simply asking that we stop painting an entire group with the same brush. The “homeless sitter” stereotype dismisses the very qualities that actually make many of us excellent at this: resilience, gratitude, accountability, and a genuine love for the homes and pets we care for.
I’m grateful for every wonderful host I’ve sat for, and I’m grateful for this community that makes this lifestyle possible. I just wanted to offer a fuller picture from someone who’s lived it for a long time.
Thanks for reading, and happy sitting to all of you—whether you have a home base or not. We’re all here for the same reason: to give pets the best care possible and to keep good homes looked after.
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Beautifully said and thank you for sharing. It’s quite the ride, isn’t it!? I’ve learned so much about adaptability and not fearing the unknowns. Wishing you a joyful next chapter! 