Back in May I wrote the post "5 Ideas for Rent-Free Living." The ideas ranged from being a Lighthouse Keeper to a Professional Housesitter. At the time I truly had no idea we would actually become professional housesitters or "caretakers." Seriously. No idea! We were leaning more towards the living in an Airstream option (though it wasn't really an option because we didn't have an Airstream.)
My point is that we didn't know that we would end up signing a contract to be caretakers and live rent-free for 2 years on an island, but I did write about The Caretaker Gazette in that post and not long after I got my own subscription.
From their site:
"The GAZETTE provides its subscribers with thousands of house sitting and property caretaking jobs each year. We have housesitting jobs in all 50 US States, Canada, Mexico and dozens of other countries."
It costs $29.95 for an annual subscription where you get access to opportunities like this:
OREGON
ESTATE CARETAKER needed. We are seeking a live-in caretaker for a gorgeous, private, riverfront estate near the Oregon coast. We will provide an apartment and all utilities (including phone, internet and satellite TV) plus a salary of $1,500 a month and a $150 vehicle expense. Applicants will need a background in grounds care, landscaping, home maintenance and housekeeping. You must be non-smoking, dependable and a caretaker who can work unsupervised. The property is located approximately 70 miles from Portland and 15 miles from the beach in Manzanita.
Sounds amazing, right? Not only do you get a place to live rent-free you get all your utilities covered AND a salary. Of course, this opportunity requires a work. It sounds like a full-time job. And is perfect for the right person.
Other opportunities that don't involve as much work usually don't come with a salary...but are still rent-free. And you can even find vacation opportunities. Once I came across a post that was advertising a cabin in Costa Rica near the beach for a week as long as you were willing to take care of the owner's dog. A free vacation spot for a dog-lover in Costa Rica.
This is beginning to sound like an infomercial for The Caretaker Gazette. I assure you, I am getting nothing out of posting this. No toasters involved, I swear. Only the satisfaction of sharing our good fortune. Our caretaking gig in the San Juan's didn't come from the Gazette, but it might have... as the owners were about to post a 'Caretaker Wanted' ad in the upcoming issue. Which will be available online to subscribers starting tomorrow.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up and find your rent-free paradise!
And if you have any other proven resources for housesitting/caretaking or rent-free living ideas, please share them in the comments section. Thanks!
