The House Sitting Hack That Has a Local Woman Living for Free
Let’s be real, rent in Florida isn’t exactly cheap. In fact, it’s about 16% higher than the national average, and climbing faster than your dog chasing a squirrel. So when we heard about someone living rent-free in beautiful homes just by watching people’s pets… well, our ears perked up like a golden retriever hearing the treat bag crinkle.
A local woman has been bouncing from home to home—sometimes across Florida, sometimes across the world—all by using a platform called TrustedHousesitters. The idea is simple: people with pets need someone to watch their home and animals while they travel. You show up, take care of Fido and Fluffy, and in exchange, you live there for free. That’s it. No rent. No bills. Just a suitcase, some kibble, and a whole lot of flexibility.
She’s racked up stays in 13 states, several international destinations, and most recently found herself in a cozy home in St. Pete caring for a cat named Ziggy. And she’s not the only one. A few others are catching on, one guy is even watching two Labradors in a $2 million house overlooking the Sunshine Skyway.
Now, is this the next big thing? Probably not. We’re not saying everyone should ditch their apartment and start swapping rent for a litter box. And becoming a full-time, globe-trotting pet sitter may not be the life goal for most folks. But hey, different strokes for different folks.
If you’ve got a nomadic spirit, love animals, and wouldn’t mind saving a serious chunk of change, there are definitely worse ways to live. And in a state where the average rent is over $2,400 a month, a roof over your head (with pets included) doesn’t sound like the worst trade-off.
So while it might not be everyone’s dream gig, it’s a clever little hack that’s letting a few adventurous souls live large, without a lease in sight.