Christine Estima, a writer, has found a unique way to travel the world and save for her dream home: house-sitting. This article explores her experiences, the challenges and rewards of this lifestyle, and how it has allowed her to explore different cultures and places while maintaining financial stability.
Christine Estima knows firsthand that as a writer, you can work from anywhere, as long as there's WiFi and a cup of coffee. At 43, she's a full-time house-sitter, saving every dollar for her dream home. It's a pursuit that has taken her around the world, from Montreal to Portugal to Dubai. In 2024 alone, she house-sat 17 different homes, experiencing 17 different lives. Estima's journey started around 2005, informally caring for friends' and neighbours' cats.
But in 2013, while living in Europe and facing financial hardship, she discovered TrustedHousesitters, a website where homeowners post details about their homes and responsibilities like pet care and amenities. She honed her house-sitting skills, mastering the art of communication, organization, and leaving a place cleaner than she found it. This allowed her to bounce around Europe for two years, staying in one house after another.Returning to Toronto a few years later, she found herself priced out of the rental market. A one-bedroom apartment now cost $2,500 a month, beyond the reach of a writer's income. Remembering her successful house-sitting experiences, she decided to leverage her platform, boasting numerous five-star references, to find rent-free living in Toronto. When Toronto sits were scarce, she had the option of housesitting in Montreal, her hometown, allowing her to visit family. Estima considers her Tunisia experience the best house-sit ever. It was a remote, gated villa with a pool and garden, owned by a British expat couple. The villa was solar-powered and had a housekeeper and gardener. Her role was to care for four cats and two dogs. She recounted walking to the Atlantic Ocean from the villa, witnessing Roman ruins with mosaic tiles crumbling into the water. Another highlight was a 300-year-old stone house in Croatia on the island of Hvar, still using the church clock to keep time. She's had diverse experiences, from penthouses in Brussels to lavish apartments in Paris, London, and Dubai. Last year, she even house-sat a villa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Besides the thrill of travelling and avoiding rent, what makes house-sitting ideal for Estima? In Toronto, it's like a staycation, allowing her to explore parts of the city she wouldn't normally visit. It's also helping her in her decision-making process about buying a house in the future. She's had house-sits in The Beaches, a neighbourhood she only visited in summer, and in the Yonge and Davisville area, challenging her preconceptions about staying away from Yonge Street. She discovered the beauty of Mount Pleasant Cemetery and the Beltline Trail. While house-sitting seems idyllic, there are downsides. Estima recounts instances where things went wrong. Once, in Portugal, a cat fell ill, requiring a vet visit and tooth extraction. But the worst experience involved a homeowner abruptly asking her to euthanize their cat after disclosing its declining health. Estima refused, finding the situation emotionally overwhelming and beyond her job description. Life as a house-sitter allows Estima to save for her dream home and retirement while travelling the world. Does she feel like she's cracked a code? She admits there's a degree of privilege involved – no children or elderly family members to care for, and a flexible job that allows her to work remotely. However, she acknowledges that this lifestyle isn't for everyone. Currently, she's taking things day by day, adapting to the ever-changing housing market. While she sometimes misses having her own place, she prioritizes her financial goals, recognizing the importance of saving over owning a place right now.
House-Sitting Travel Lifestyle Financial Independence Remote Work Saving Retirement
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