A few years ago, I was working a typical 9-to-5 administrative job in the San Francisco Bay Area.
After about ten years in my field, I had a car, a house, emergency savings, and no debt to pay. I did everything “right” and achieved things that many strive for, but I was not completely satisfied.
Then, in 2022, I quit my job, booked a one-way flight to Italy, and started traveling full-time. What I thought would be a short break turned into two years of seeing new countries while living off my savings.
I kept thinking, “When will I get tired of always walking… and how can I extend this lifestyle until that time comes?”
In an effort to increase my savings and expand my travels, I started living at home.
Living in a house and staying at home has helped me to keep traveling and stretch my savings
In 2022, I wanted something different for my life. Alanna Parrish
I came up with the idea of living in a house while looking for ways to travel economically. By taking care of someone’s house when they are away, I get a place to stay.
To me, this sounded like an amazing business and a way to avoid paying hotels or rent. Sometimes, I also get paid for these gigs – especially if animal housing is involved.
I have looked at homes and pets in many different cities. Alanna Parrish
Once I started, I expanded my network through travel, and found a great demand for housekeepers, not only in the United States but also abroad.
So far, I have seen pets and homes in over 15 different cities, including international ones.
I woke up to an ocean view in Honolulu; reviewed a restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico; I biked along Chicago’s Gold Coast; and found hidden cafes throughout Greenpoint and Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
I love the freedom this lifestyle brings and the connections I’ve made
Many of my housesitting gigs involve pet watching. Alanna Parrish
Most people’s biggest expenses are rent or housing, but I don’t have to worry about budgeting for those. I try to arrange my seats so that I don’t have to pay for hotels or rentals as often.
This has completely changed the way I live. I love the freedom this life brings, not only financially but also emotionally.
Because I stay at home and often for long periods of time, I get to explore different cities and places the way the locals live, rather than being a passing tourist.
It was great to see other places as a local. Alanna Parrish
I meet hosts from all over the world who have been very generous and welcoming, often going above and beyond to make sure I feel at home in their place.
Building these relationships with the owners and their animals was an amazing part of the experience. I take it seriously that people trust me to live in their places and take care of every home and pet as if it were my own.
It’s not always easy to live this way, but I enjoy it
Before I started living in a house, my life was very different from what it looks like now. Alanna Parrish
This lifestyle is not for everyone. I live out of a suitcase and often don’t know where I’m going.
I’m always planning where I’m going to live and how I’m going to get there. Sometimes I’m booked months in advance; sometimes, I’m thinking about things a few days in advance or dealing with last-minute cancellations.
The uncertainty can be stressful, but the business was worth it to me in the end.
These days, I work remotely while juggling paid and unpaid positions to keep moving. I don’t know when I will live in the same place again.
Currently, this lifestyle fulfills my desire to explore, connect with others, and discover new places. And I still have a bucket list of cities I’d like to visit – both in the United States and internationally.
Regardless of whether I see them by staying indoors or not, I don’t see myself slowing down anytime soon.