Hi… I first joined THS in 2012 to get house sitters for our home on France, but I have’nt not renewed my THS membership because of issues recently discussed (5 applicants rules, booking fees) and I now registered with other house sitting platforms. I had 2 or 3 US sitters in the past, lovely people, but unfortunately because of the situation between EU and USA, I am now very hesitant to consider US applicants. So yes, as a European I can look at an excellent US applicant and think “Well, you look great! (removed) …”
I am both Canadian (naturalized) and British (by birth). I doubt I’d have any problem getting a sit in the UK, especially when I could first visit family so be in the country in advance. However, I will not cross the border south of my home. I think the current political climate does come into consideration for many owners and sitters.
It comes into consideration with me. Looking at the vast amount of sits going in the states it seems I could sit myself all over the place. But I wouldn’t. So many citizens must be scared and on edge. Not to mention the fact that our social media would put us in the “not allowed in camp” anyway.
@Snowbird, in case helpful we are also dual citizens Canada-UK. We’ve completed many sits in both Canada and UK, amongst other places. We would be surprised if you had difficulty securing UK housesits, provided prior reviews and able to give UK host comfort that your travel to UK is confirmed/booked. Enjoy!
We are from the US and have done multiple international sits, including quite a few in the UK. Our daughter lives in the UK and we always note that. We also only apply to sits that are at least a week or two after our arrival in that country because realistically there are a lot of travel delays and there needs to be a time cushion to assure getting to the sit on time. We clearly state that in our application. I agree that sitters often want sitters who are likely to return, so local often wins out. BUT I do think that politics do play a role. Border issues are in the new even though these should not impact leaving, who knows! We have started adding an apology (it is heartfelt) about the current situation. But with over 40 5 star sits, we do get refused at times, it happens.
I want to give my take on this subject. I have recently had 2 applications from the US and we have hosted several Americans before with no problems.
Firstly, if you are travelling so far it is probably beyond someone in Europe that you would just jump on a plane to come and to a sit at my house in France for 2 weeks. Maybe you are used to making such journeys. For my part I want to know that you will either be here doing a tour or have other plans or know exactly where you are going. For example, recent applicant when I asked what there travel plans would look like (dont expect them to have booked everything) had a reply of ‘ I will leave that up to you to advise’. I am not a travel agent. One couldnt understand NO TRANSPORT you NEED A CAR, they told me they didnt drive and thought they could just hire a bike and expected me to arrange the hire. We live in the countryside and if you say you want to see some of France you will need transport. Yes we had sitters who didnt want to move from the house but they carefully explained their reasons i.e. just want to work, recovering from an illness and just wanted peace and quiet.
The last American we booked let us know 3 days before the sit that all planes had been grounded due to storms. Fortunately he was meeting up with family members so had to get here so he did a massive detour to Rome and flew from there to Paris and then to a city 2 hours from where we are. We had to collect him with was a 4 hour round trip then another 4 hour round trip for him to pick up his hire car which he had booked for the day after his arrival, that with us already facing a 7 hour drive to our ferry crossing in the north of France.
In short, I just want to be reassured you have thought carefully about the logistics and that you are going to actually be able to get here.
On the political subject I really dont care who you voted for as long as you keep your politics to yourself. Our last American was a staunch Trump supporter and let us know.
We dont hate Americans but we are quite unsettled about the situation in your country.
@frenchlife wow, l think you went above and beyond with all that driving for your sitter. Coming from even further away (Australia) any sitting in Europe would be part of a bigger trip for us and we would at least be in the UK if not Europe. Would never expect a host to collect us at that level, maybe 10 mins from a local transport. But if there isn’t transport we would hire a car and arrive in it! I continue to be boggled by some people’s ideas of “fair exchange”.
Cathie, I think we were just so grateful they had arrived as we would have been totally in trouble if not, 3 days notice and no sitter was a disaster for us. This is why we are much more inclined to look to Europe (and I include the UK)
Yeah before I read the forum I never thought about people cancelling on either side, just thought “you’re going on holidays and I’ve said I’ll be there” simple as that. Boy I was naive. There is advantage in proximity.
Her exact words were on asking what are you doing for transport after landing (flying to Paris) said ‘I will leave that up to your obvious better local knowledge’. Our knowledge is there IS NO TRANSPORT. I know it might put some people off but most people arrive in their own car through Europe/UK or hire a car at the airport. I dont have knowledge as I have never hired a car or a bike in France.
We stayed at a relative’s home in Provence a few years ago. My husband and I rented a car. It took 2 of us - me to navigate, him to drive a stick shift - but we got around quite well. We loved that trip.
