Colín you have a 5 star nose.
Why dont they just allow reviews and none of these stupid stars that every internet company uses. So stupid, fake and not even suited for school children!
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I’m very interested in etymology. Could non-British English speakers comment on what they infer from the word “homeless” please?
In UK the use of “homeless” pretty much exclusively implies a down-and-out circumstance, someone who can’t get anywhere to live, relies on charity and possibly begging and has no job etc. I can’t immediately think of a word that describes someone who has a job, income and social status but chooses not to have a permanent home base. Some people are itinerant, historically called gypsies or specifically Romany and some are “New Age Travellers” but they are not usually described as “the homeless” in Britain.
When I saw the headline, my brain really just imagined a street-sleeper in a luxury home. (I mean no offence to the chap in the article, of course. I’m only referring to how the headline manifested in my mind).
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Hi Saltrams, I’m an American and yes, the word homeless means the same thing here. Journalists often use inaccurate headlines to draw in readers, so I can see why they use the word homeless. However, a homeless person is typically thought of as someone who does not have a job, cannot pay for a place to live or food to eat, and is sleeping in a shelter or on the street. People like me who are employed in a career that can be done virtually, are not tied to a specific location, and have chosen to travel full-time are often called digital nomads or people who are location independent. While there have been people doing this for at least the last 20 years, it’s become much more common over the last couple of years now that more people are able to work virtually. I spent 2017-2019 traveling in Europe and a few months ago I put my stuff in storage again for a least a few years to travel again. I’m new to housesitting, in the past I’ve primarily stayed in Airbnb’s or other short-term rentals as well as hotels. I’m really enjoying housesitting because I get to spend time with wonderful pets in addition to seeing places that I have not visited before.
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We had the same, and I’d be okay with that if the system was balanced, with criteria for sits as well as sitters. We have loved nearly all our sits, and would genuinely be hard pushed to find something to score down with most of them - it’s the fact that sitters don’t have that option that feels a bit skewed!
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I think after Covid, there were a lot more people offering sits than there were sitters, so I understand TH looking for ways to increase the number of sitters on their books.
Regarding types of sitters: I think this cuts both ways. Some hosts see TH as a relationship of equal exchange based on hospitality, care and mutual trust. Others are less interested in the social side, seeing it more as a transaction: ‘professional’ sitters who’ll take care of everything for free.
I guess there are all kinds of hosts and sitters, with varying values, interests and priorities. It’s always nice to find a good match, but we’ve often been pleasantly surprised when we may seem to be coming from different angles, but find we have plenty of common ground too!
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A guy applied recently for me and after going back and forth a bit I was going to meet with him because he was local here and he asks me " so I didn’t ask you about how much the fee will be while I’m there?" He obviously had to read the THS terms and conditions and was new so I filled him in so he was gone. No interest in staying on the beach as he didn’t live too far but still!?
@Saltrams My hubby and I often use the term ‘nomadic’ to describe our lifestyle. We are not ‘homeless’ in the usual understanding of the word as we have an independent income and we always have somewhere to stay- just not our own home! We do actually own properties but they are rented out enabling us to travel on the income we receive. We are also not gypsies or travellers- although we were, for 7 years, full time motorhomers! We also associate the term ‘location independent’ more with those working remotely- digital nomads.
We are simply free spirits who have chosen (for the last 10 years so far) to have no fixed base and to travel the world on our small income, living simply and enjoying the small things. For the last 4 years, and this year in particular, housesitting has become an increasingly prominent part of our lifestyle. It has taken us on many adventures around the world and opened wonderful new doors!
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We sound like twins! Except its been almost 13 years for us.
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Hello! I think homeless should refer to someone without a home or a job or a way to support themselves. We unknowingly hired someone that was homeless and she was a nightmare. Perhaps people traveling could be referred to as travelers, not currently owning or renting a residential home. Two very different types of people. Our current sitter is doing this! And she has been a wonderful sitter for us. And many people come to our state as they consider moving here permanently. So now we require employment or a source of income. And we ask about it. This is what works for us.
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“Location independent.” I like it. My guess is we’ll continue to call ourselves nomadic because people understand it, but location independent better captures it - and sounds more spohisticated 
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Free peoples don’t really need a label. We can call ourselves, go where ever we want and be whoever we want to be. We are ok just the way we are .
Good journey
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Recently I was interviewed by The New York Times about my lifestyle home and pet sitting. The article is yet to be published. There was no discussion about money, not savings or expenses.
Mostly about the joy of living, travel, connection with pets and people. Alternative retirement living. Human elements of life vs practical how tos and financial advantages.
I will be looking to see how it turns out.
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Yep. Like that too 
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I more often than not tell people deliberately “I am homeless” simply to watch their reaction (disbelieve, shock) which I find absolutely priceless 
Otherwise, I find the term “location independent” most appropriate
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It’s interesting isn’t it how words are used as a measuring tool of people’s value. A belief that our possessions are indicators of our worthiness, stability or productivity in society.
I gave at the office. I reserve the right to be a vagabond 
, sitting on a flight or coach so much better than a rocking chair or recliner.
Snuggling with a warm little buddy in a new place that stimulates and challenges the senses is the elixir of life.
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Hi @Saltrams I’m Australian. Where I come from homeless generally means someone who is living on the street.
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@Saltrams I think NOMADS is a better word to use than “homeless”.
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I asked my husband which term he would use to refer to moving here and there pet sitting, he said a wanderer, then sang (badly) a few lines of this….
A few of the lyrics 
Oh well, I’m the type of guy
Who will never settle down
Where pretty girls are
Well, you know that I’m around
I kiss 'em and I love 'em
'Cause to me they’re all the same
I hug 'em and I squeeze 'em
They don’t even know my name
They call me the wanderer
Yeah, the wanderer
I roam around, around, around, around…
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Great terminology @Daisy999
Found myself singing along and knew all the words too
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