Have you noticed how most long-term house-sitters are international travellers? Almost to the point where it’s an assumption that if you sit you must be touring the world. But, just to break the rule, there are some people out there who house-sit without a passport - me, for one.
A decision I made primarily because I like the nomadic life, the variety, and (as cliche as it sounds) I like the fact that it enables other people to enjoy holidays they might not have had otherwise - plus both my passports (UK and Aussie) are out of date. Besides, look at Australia… It’s one of the largest countries in the world, has numerous climates, a diverse heritage… In fact, I could probably spend a lifetime exploring it and still miss bits. So staying makes perfect sense to me.
The risk, though, if you do want to travel within a country is that it’s easy to get too comfortable in one town or city. It’s not like you spent thousands on a plane ticket, so have a set time-frame. Plus, of course, if you do a good job you’ll get referrals, rebooks, become the go-to person and before you know it you’ll be booked up twelve months in advance. Of course, if that’s what you want, that’s fine. But, if it’s not, it’s easy for time to slip away.
Over the last few years, other than a handful of sits on rural blocks, all our bookings have been in and around Perth. Last year, we planned to head out of the state (or even just out of Perth) but we didn’t quite make it - people just kept requesting and we kept booking. It’s so easy when you know the people, homes and pets.
Still, this year will be different, this year we will travel! How do I know this? Because last month we bought a car (suitable for long distance travel and the occasional sleep-over) and yesterday I made a conscious decision and turned down a lovely-looking booking for September (when we plan to head out). I’m even looking for sits in Tasmania from September onwards! So it’s definite - we are going!
I have no doubt we could keep house-sitting in Perth for years. But the decision to move is all about not getting so settled that you forget your dreams. I’m not in a position where I need life to be predictable, I’m in the wonderful position where I can do just about anything I like. What a situation to be in, huh? And not one to waste, or regret ignoring later. So it’s official, this September I venture out of the comfort of Western Australia to start the next stage of house-sitting, and truly house-sitting in (and across) Australia.
