Housesitting Adventures in New York City: 8 Gigs, Neighborhood Discoveries, and Proven Tips
During my four months in New York City last summer, I housesat eight times—all secured after I arrived. (I'll share tips for landing NYC housesits at the end.)
I arrived specifically for one gig booked months earlier via MindMyHouse: I spotted the ad, sent a personalized application, and connected with the homeowners via Skype. We clicked, and I got the job. As noted in my July travel update, it fell through due to the owner's health recovery—they canceled their trip, leaving me without the planned puppy and cat care after flying halfway around the world with no return ticket.
This was one of several housesitting firsts for me. Despite co-authoring The Ultimate Guide to Housesitting and completing over a dozen global sits, surprises like sudden cancellations happen—highlighting why a third edition is due. Stranded without housing, I searched desperately but lucked into a room two days later, just blocks from the original Upper West Side spot.
The owners rescheduled a shorter June trip, so I stayed to help. NYC summer listings emerged, leading to two July Brooklyn gigs that extended my visit. I hadn't planned such a long stay, but the city's allure grew addictive.
Beyond sites, word-of-mouth worked wonders. Networking as a free pet sitter in a pricey city yielded gigs: two East Village cats in June, Crown Heights' cutest puppy in August, and a Chelsea kitty near High Line Park. Friends vouched for me—no references needed; texts like 'Friend needs a cat sitter first two weeks of August. Free?' poured in. I even turned some down.
July's sits shone: Jessie the cat in Prospect Heights (my favorite, revisited thrice) and a TrustedHousesitters dog gig in Prospect Lefferts Gardens—15 minutes away. Prospect Park offered daily runs, free Philharmonic concerts, and easy picnics. Housesitting introduced me to neighborhoods I'd never explore otherwise, with pet walks revealing historic gems.
Little Monkey in Crown Heights—my top apartment and neighborhood—blended Caribbean vibes, hipster spots, stoop hangs, and Biggie tunes. The spacious kitchen and dining room enabled a dinner party (rare in sublets).
Each sit showcased NYC variety, from rents to vibes, guiding future sublets. A quick Carroll Gardens MindMyHouse apply scored a top-floor brownstone cat sit same-day. Short-notice bookings defined summer.
Chelsea's luxurious High Line apartment capped it perfectly. Visa limits ended it, but I'll return for more.
My Tips for Scoring a Housesit in New York City
With advantages like local presence and flexibility, here's expert advice from dozens of sits:
Be flexible. Fixed dates limit options. Prioritize owners' needs in applications.
Mention if you're local. In-person meets build trust fast. Friends Nat & Jodie scored via this.
Manage expectations. NYC apartments are modest vs. global luxury homes.
Network locally. Share on socials/Facebook; word-of-mouth outpaces sites amid fierce competition.
Apply immediately. Owners decide quickly.
Weigh responsibilities. Cats are easy; dogs demand walks. Consider sick/elderly pets or touring limits.
Sign up now! TrustedHousesitters leads NYC listings. Use this referral link for 25% off.
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