@Manda so brilliant for them to live “different” and take it in their stride … builds confidence and resilience, empathy and character … we too love the open countryside; it’s a dramatic yet equally beautiful contrast to our lives down under where we live regionally by the beach 
We are in Cambridge UK now, however hail from Newcastle, NSW, we really miss the seaside, we are in the Grain bowl of UK, lol.
@Manda we’re fair-weather travellers, so we like to leave the Australian winter behind to embark on our very own “Escape to the Country”
@WeRPAWsome I do the exact same thing, escaping Victoria’s chilly winter for an ‘Escape to the Country’ pet sitting experience in the UK which I’ve done since 2016. I’ve returned too early this year as it’s still nippy!!
I think the answer lies in a few different scenarios… 1) if it’s really last-minute, it makes sense for a HO to reach out to sitters close by because they wouldn’t have to book flights or even have to build in long driving times. 2) I see in this forum that brand new sitters are often encouraged to find short sits close to home to get some good reviews. The same could be said for new homeowners, as I see that listings with no reviews yet are less apt to get applications from sitters. 3) some sitters may want an easy “trip” more locally to get a change of scenery without it being too involved. I live in an area where within a half hour I can be at the ocean, in rural countryside in the woods, or in a big city. I sometimes consider sits at the shore even though it’s only half an hour from home. 4) some sitters might want a break from their living situations! I have a family member who lives with our mom and loves to cat sit for a friend nearby just to get some alone time. Another reason could be if you’re looking for housing while your own place is being renovated. So all in all, I do see the value in homeowners giving it a try!
I’m a professional pet sitter along with a sitter for fun on THS. I am currently doing a three-week overnight paid sit for a cat half an hour from my house. This cat needs small meals spread out, so the clients like me to stay over and pay me handsomely to do it. Meanwhile, I “commute” the half hour back to my own house every day for several hours to feed my kitty, scoop the litter, take care of any pressing household duties, and mostly snuggle with my own sweet kitty. So if you look at it from that standpoint, it’s not a big deal to go back and forth between two houses and the respective pets. If anything, it’s better for my cat if I’m close by and can stop in because she’s still a scaredy cat with anyone but me. For that reason, I am not a homeowner on THS.
That’s really too bad. Have you found appealing sits that aren’t very far and can give you a free change of scenery? Even though THS won’t lead to paid housesits directly, I bet some good reviews from this site if you sit close to home will help you attract prospective clients.
I get these a lot! I wish apts in Paris would contact me LOL