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Former Corporate Worker Travels Full-Time by House-Sitting
Alanna Parrish left her 9-to-5 job to explore the world and save money by living in other people's homes.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:35pm
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After nearly a decade in corporate management, Alanna Parrish decided to leave her job in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2022 and start traveling full-time. To stretch her savings and extend her travels, Parrish began house-sitting, which has allowed her to stay in homes across the U.S. and internationally without having to pay for hotels or rentals. Parrish has cared for pets and homes in over 15 different cities so far, from Honolulu to Brooklyn, and says the freedom and connections she's made through this lifestyle have been incredibly rewarding.
Why it matters
Parrish's story highlights a growing trend of people, especially younger professionals, opting out of traditional 9-to-5 jobs and corporate life to pursue more flexible, location-independent lifestyles. House-sitting provides an affordable way for these digital nomads to travel extensively while avoiding high housing costs.
The details
After nearly a decade in her corporate management job, Parrish decided she wanted something different. In 2022, she left her job, booked a one-way flight to Italy, and began traveling full-time, living off her savings. To stretch her funds and extend her travels, Parrish started house-sitting, where she cares for people's homes and pets while they are away in exchange for a free place to stay. This has allowed Parrish to live in homes across the U.S. and internationally, from Honolulu to Chicago to Brooklyn, without having to pay for hotels or rentals.
- In 2022, Parrish left her corporate job in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Parrish has been traveling full-time for over two years since 2022.
The players
Alanna Parrish
A former corporate manager who left her job in 2022 to travel full-time, using house-sitting as a way to save money and extend her travels.
What they’re saying
“I love the freedom that this life brings, not only financially but also emotionally.”
— Alanna Parrish
“Building these relationships with the homeowners and their animals has been such an amazing part of this experience.”
— Alanna Parrish
The takeaway
Parrish's story demonstrates how house-sitting can provide a flexible, affordable way for people to travel extensively and experience new places like a local, rather than as a tourist. This lifestyle allows her to stretch her savings and pursue a more location-independent, adventurous way of living.
