We’ve REALLY wanted to do this, but can’t figure out a way for our elderly pets to be loved. Not much in our home to worry about, but our animals are very very social , as well as very senior, and need more than feeding/watering. We would need to go with an agency as previously mentioned, and are just so apprehensive on how to find someone who truly loves the animals.
We don’t live in a tourist magnet area. Lots to see and do here, but I’m guessing sitters that match through agencies are looking for more exciting places to be than a Midwestern city suburb?
We also haven’t solved the insurance issue. Our insurance will not cover liability or home contents for someone else staying in your home. We’ve actually started this discussion with a new agent, who is currently researching for us.
My H and I have been talking about doing a month away at a time in early retirement. We have two cats that are just 5 years old now so we would like someone to stay in our home while we are away. Since we live in a very popular destination for tourists not far from the beach we think it will not be too hard to find a house/pet sitter.
Our plan would be to travel for 4-5 weeks in the winter to do a lot of skiing and then go somewhere in the fall for a month. It could be international travel or it could be travel to National Parks around the US. I will be following this topic closely so I can get ideas for what works for when we actually do this.
ArtsyKidDad - would you mind sharing those alternative-to-Air-BnB portals? I’ve found Air BnB prohibitively expensive with all the new cleaning and service fees lately. Hotels are often quite a bit cheaper and have pools and breakfast!
To make your adventure more adventurous… Lol… My daughter did this in Vietnam. Free housing and food for teaching English while traveling South East Asia…
@Knowsstuff Hadn’t come across that website before, but have it bookmarked now. Wandering is one of our options as we get closer to retirement (vs buying a condo to snowbird in). Thanks for sharing it!
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No problem. Glad it can be helpful. FYI -my daughter spent 6 months in South East Asia over 2 trips and they picked her up from the Airport in Vietnam. They couldn’t be more helpful. Go by the reviews but these are all legit. She just wanted free room /board and the experience. She stayed mostly in youth hostels and backpacked. She said the youth hostels were all very nice and it was like a social most nights with other travelers. Mostly women traveling from different countries… Wish their was like a hostel for Adults… Would be kinda fun… Or maybe not… Lol
In the Northeast, most airbnb’s and other short term rentals are full already. You have to book far in advance, and the COVID work-from home movement (as well as rental and home sale shortages) has made it even harder.
BB: Great article. Hope they have no plans to return to Seattle and buy a home though. Guessing what they sold their for is now worth double - or more. I’d love to travel a year or two as they have, but afraid to leave the real estate market for an extended period for fear we could not affort to get back in. Also not really wild about renting our home temporarily either.
That article says they sold their house but then it also say they rented it out. Not sure what came first… these folks can afford to travel like this… it is their “business”! They are likely making a handful of $$ from their book and blogs. I have to shake my head at the environmental impact these AirBNB hoppers leave. The article mentions IKEA stuff that gets tossed after a few renters to freshen up the spaces… plus all the jet fuel that gets burned. Not my cup of tea for sure. I personally would be OK with snowbirding and occasional trip here and there, but I posted the article for those are curious about this sort of travel life.
