A 25-year-old woman has traded traditional renting for a nomadic lifestyle as a full-time housesitter, living in other people's homes without paying rent. Tara Little, from Darwin, Australia, made the switch after struggling with rent payments, finding work, and enduring what she describes as 'horrible' shared housing situations.
A Career Change That Pays Off
Little now earns income as a housesitter while homeowners gain peace of mind that their property and pets are cared for during absences. Alongside her work as a social media manager, she has been able to stay in almost every suburb of Darwin, saving money and avoiding roommates. 'The best part of house-sitting is being able to live in solitude and without the stress of paying rent or bills,' she told creatorzine.com. 'No waking up to housemates slamming doors or clanging kitchen pots, and no bickering over who left their dirty dishes in the sink!'
Challenges of the Lifestyle
Despite the benefits, Little acknowledges the downsides. She lives out of three suitcases, limiting her wardrobe and ability to collect possessions. 'House-sitting has shown me how much we all participate in overconsumption and has forced me to make better choices in spending,' she said. Other restrictions include no parties and, in some cases, limited leaving times due to anxious pets. Cancellations can also be stressful, but she relies on family and friends for backup accommodation.
Financial Freedom
Little estimates she saves around $10,000 AUD (£5,298) per year in rent and bills. While she earned only about $5,000 from housesitting in the past year, the arrangement allowed her to focus on building her social media business. She has no plans to settle down permanently and dreams of travelling across Australia in a van, housesitting along the way. 'I've definitely gained much more from my lifestyle as a house-sitter. The only loss is the comfort of living in one place,' she concluded.
