Most travel blogs will sell you a chaotic dream: 12 countries in 12 months, a new hostel every three days, and a backpack that serves as your entire existence. They call it freedom. We call it a recipe for burnout.
If you really want to understand a culture, save serious money, and actually get some work done, you shouldn't be moving more. You should be moving less.
The "fast travel" addiction is exactly what keeps most nomads broke and exhausted. The contrarian truth we’ve learned after years on the road? The ultimate travel hack isn’t a cheap flight; it’s staying put. It’s agreeing to watch a farmhouse in rural France for three months, or looking after a condo in Vancouver for a season.
As we explored in our previous guide on House Sitting for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers, having a stable WiFi connection and a desk is non-negotiable. But once you’ve secured the ability to work, the next step is mastering the longevity of the stay.
Long-term house sitting, sits lasting from one month to six months or more, is a different beast entirely. It’s not just a holiday; it’s a temporary relocation. It requires a different mindset, a different packing list, and a very different strategy for managing homeowners.
Here is the honest reality of long-term sitting, including the huge benefits, the psychological hurdles, and the specific strategies Caro and I use to keep our sanity (and our 5-star reviews) intact.
The "Trial Run": Testing a New Life Risk-Free
One of the most underrated strategies for using house sitting opportunities is treating them as a "try before you buy" life experiment.
We often hear people say, "I'd love to move to Switzerland," or "I think I'm a beach person." But signing a 12-month lease in a foreign country based on a hunch is a financial gamble.
Long-term house sitting removes that risk. Imagine thinking of moving to Switzerland, why not move there for a month or two to see what it really is like without the full commitment of renting a place? You get to deal with the grocery prices, the local bureaucracy, the weather, and the commute, all while living in a fully furnished home for free.
If you hate it? You leave when the sit ends. No broken lease, no furniture to sell.
Scaling Up Your Lifestyle
There is also the "upgrade" factor. Caro and I lived in a 38m2 unit in Bochum, Germany. Since then, through house sitting, we have lived in two-story properties with three bathrooms, enormous kitchens, many bedrooms, and even saunas.
Honestly? It’s nice, but we learned something about ourselves: we actually prefer smaller homes with extra comfort. Maintaining a mansion is hard work. But we wouldn't have known that if we hadn't lived it.
The Reality Check: Cons of Staying Put
We need to be transparent here. While benefits of house sitting are massive, long-term sits come with constraints that weekend trips don't.
1. The "Travel Itch" and FOMO
If you love the rush of airports and new cities, you will have to put it off for the duration of the house sit. You are signing up to look after pets and a house for a few months. This means you cannot just pick up and move onto the next spot or go on a spontaneous three-day bender in a neighboring city.
Caro and I were actually thinking of taking a 5-month house sit in Annecy, France. It sounded dreamy. But seeing as it was right at the start of our trip around Europe in our VW T4, we realized we would prefer to move around a bit and see different things before settling down in one place for a longer period.
Strategy: If you are new to this, don't book a 6-month sit immediately. You might feel stuck. Our best advice would be to start with a few shorter sits (2 weeks max) and build up to the longer ones.
2. Isolation and Loneliness
In our previous discussion about solo vs. couple sitting, we mentioned how traveling with someone makes it much less lonely. If you decide to take up a house sit on your own for a few months, isolation is a real threat.
Strategy: You cannot rely on the homeowner for social interaction, they are gone. You need to build a life.
Join Social Apps: Use Meetup or Bumble BFF to find locals.
The Gym Routine: Join a local gym immediately. It gets you out of the house.
Language Exchange: If you are in a foreign country, offer language exchange at a local university.
Local Haunts: Find a pub or cafe and become a regular.
If you are a senior traveler, this aspect is crucial. House Sitting for Seniors can be incredibly rewarding, but having a community strategy is key to mental health during long stays.
Logistics: The Nitty-Gritty of Long-Term Stays
When you are staying for three days, you can live out of a suitcase. When you are staying for three months, you are moving in.
The "Dick Move" Utility Charge
This is a major red flag you must watch out for. Do homeowners typically expect long-term sitters to contribute to utility costs?
Usually, no. The exchange is free care for free accommodation. However, we have seen a few people suggest it. In fact, when I traveled to France for a 5-month house sit, just before we jumped on the plane, the homeowner asked us for €500 per month for the use of a car and utilities.
This was a total "dick move" as it should have been outlined before accepting us for the house sit. It put us in a terrible position.
The Rule: Whatever the house owner thinks regarding utility costs, it must be discussed before commencing the house sit. If you are using Trusted House Sitters or Kiwi House Sitting, check their specific terms, but always clarify this in your video call.
Managing Maintenance and Cleaning
How does the reality of maintaining a large, luxury property differ from a small apartment?
We found so far that the bigger the homes, the more likely there is going to be a cleaner. In many cases, you don't even have to worry about deep cleaning. However, if you are a clean person, you probably will find that every few weeks you should vacuum, mop, and general clean the place anyway.
Handling Emergencies:
What happens if a boiler breaks in January?
You need to call the house owners and inform them of it immediately. It's their home and you are just looking after it; that does not mean you need to replace anything. It's the homeowner's responsibility to replace the boiler and pay for repairs.
For more on where your responsibility ends, check our guide on house sitting legal issues.
The Guest Policy
Can you have your partner visit? Can your mom come for a week?
I would always ask this during the call with the homeowner before accepting the house sit. In most cases, homeowners will understand that you are in one place for a longer period of time, so they are lenient.
If they say no, you can always decline the house sit. Don't sneak people in; neighbors talk, and it will ruin your reputation on the platform.
Vetting the Homeowner (The Interview Strategy)
When you commit to a long-term sit, you are entering a relationship. You need to vibe with these people.
Red Flags during the Video Call:
If you get to a point during the interview that you feel uncomfortable with the responsibility, that is a good indication that maybe it's not right for you.
For example, if they have a high-maintenance dog that requires 4 hours of walking a day and you have a full-time remote job, be honest. If they seem micromanaging about how you load the dishwasher, imagine dealing with that for 90 days.
Is house sitting worth it if the owner is a nightmare? Absolutely not.
Packing for the Long Haul
How does a packing list for a 6-month house sit differ from a standard travel list?
You might need clothes for different seasons, but remember: 6 months in one home usually means there will be a washing machine and dryer. Think of it less like backpacking and more like moving to your parents' house for a season. What do you wear the most? Bring that.
If you are hopping between climates, say, using Aussie House Sitters for a summer sit and then heading to Canada, layering is key. But don't overpack; you're not trekking through the jungle; you're living in a house.
Emotional Goodbyes
There is a psychological cost to this lifestyle that no one talks about. How do you handle the emotional toll of saying goodbye to pets after bonding with them closely for several months?
I feel this is just part of house sitting. With some pets, you will have incredible connections; with others, you won't. It’s just part of life. To make it easier, maybe you can arrange to come back and visit from time to time. We always take photos to remember the pet by.
We have been invited back to many sits because we treated the animals like our own. Building that trust is what leads to repeat house sitting jobs.
Getting Started
If you are ready to trade the chaotic backpacking life for the stability of long-term sitting, you need to be on the right platforms.
For the US, check house sitting america or read our guide on What are the best house sitting platforms available in the United States.
For the UK, look at Uk House Sitters.
For Canada, House Sitters Canada is excellent.
If you want to go global, Trusted House Sitters is the heavyweight champion.
And if you are worried about the safety of staying in a stranger's home for months, read our comprehensive guide on house sitting safety.
Long-term house sitting isn't just about free rent. It's about slowing down, integrating into a community, and finding a temporary home in a world that never stops moving. It takes practice, but once you settle into your first month-long sit with a cat on your lap and a glass of local wine in your hand, you'll wonder why you ever traveled any other way.
Caro & Konrad 🐾🚐
DM us @housesittersguide if you have questions!
How can long-term house sitting serve as a low-risk "trial run" for moving to a new country?
It allows you to experience the daily reality of a location—grocery costs, bureaucracy, weather, and culture—without the financial commitment of a lease or buying furniture. If you don't like the country, you can simply leave when the sit ends.
How do solo house sitters combat loneliness during long stays?
We recommend joining local gyms, using social apps like Meetup or Bumble BFF to find locals, and frequenting specific cafes or pubs to become a "regular." If in a foreign country, offering language exchange at a university is a great way to meet people.
Do homeowners expect sitters to pay utilities on long-term sits?
Generally, no. However, some owners may ask for contributions, especially for heating in winter. It is critical to discuss and agree on any financial contributions for utilities or car usage before accepting the sit to avoid awkward surprises upon arrival.
What should I pack for a 6-month house sit?
Treat it like moving to a temporary home rather than backpacking. You will likely have access to a washer and dryer, so you don't need excessive clothing. Focus on layers for changing seasons and the clothes you are most comfortable wearing daily.
Can I take overnight trips while on a long-term sit?
This is difficult because the primary responsibility is the pet. However, you can ask the homeowner beforehand if neighbors or friends can cover for a night. Never assume you can leave the pet alone overnight without explicit permission.
