You can work from the second floor of a Georgian manor home overlooking the sparkling ocean. This is not the way I expected to work when I bought my one-bedroom flat in north London.
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I decided Airbnb was too expensive an option to just upgrade where I worked-from-home and after browsing house sitting options, I decided to sign up for TrustedHousesitters.com. This is a well-known worldwide membership site that charges?129 per year. It mainly focuses on caring for pets in exchange for accommodation. I also get to see different interiors and test out various kitchen appliances by stepping into strangers’ homes. As I lay down on various sofas, I can create a mental moodboard of the home I would like. My first cat sitting was in August 2020 in a chic two-floor maisonette in Bristol’s trendy Stokes Croft. It was so simple and thoughtful in its design that I felt like I was staying in an Airbnb. It was so nice to have a garden after the first lockdown. This one was adorned by apple and pear trees which I was allowed to pick. The pros: the basement level bedroom was cool in the summer and quiet in the central area. The cons: A velvet sofa can be dangerous and not suitable for someone who is a bit clumsy, like me. I felt very isolated in Guildford as things were reopening last year.
/ HandoutNext up was a charming, cozy flat in Guildford that offered beautiful views of the sunset. The second bedroom was transformed into a tranquil yoga room. This listing was a mistake. The balcony I listed wasn’t an outside one, but the stairwell leading up to the front door. It was still nice to explore a new town just as it was reopening. I will say that choosing a house to sit in was a difficult decision. I felt isolated in a small town. My third sit was in a beautiful Georgian family home in Henleaze. I was able to work from the 10-person-long kitchen table under the skylight. I could also use the sitting room with a piano in the front. The kitchen was well-equipped and airy, which made it easy for me to cook. The house had a beautiful garden and a comfortable bed. I was unable to sit in any other 2020 sits due to Covid restrictions. However, things picked up in 2021 starting in April. I was able to cat-sit in a lovely Victorian home in Haringey.
/ Handout Another highlight of my sits was caring for a dog in Clevedon, Somerset for the entire month of June 2021. I fell in love both with the labradoodle as well as the manor house that I was able to stay in. It had a tiered garden with views of the sea and sunset at the top, as well as a roof terrace at its front and a large bath. Pros: The dog, the views, and the walks. Cons: Old houses can leak in stormy weather, and I was a bit afraid of the Henry VIII statue in its cellar. I stayed in a Grade II-listed four-storey townhouse in Ramsgate in Kent on another dog sitting in October. I found that being near the sea was good for my mental health and I enjoyed the cozy snug with the wood-burning stove. I also know that I want a fridge that can dispense ice and a dishwasher in my dream home. It is essential to have outdoor space. It is also essential to have outdoor space. You can find online courses that teach you about pet care and behavior. You should be aware of the expectations from the homeowner. Pets may need to be walked a lot or have special medical needs. It is up to you to decide what is best for you. It’s amazing to be given gifts like wine, food, and candles by strangers. Some people may want to see their pet every day, while others may prefer to relax and enjoy their vacation. These boundaries will help you set the stage for success.
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