The Nomadic Life: Living in NYC through House Sitting

In the ever-evolving landscape of urban living, innovative solutions emerge from necessity. In a city like New York, where rental prices continue to skyrocket to unprecedented heights, people are finding creative ways to survive and thrive without breaking the bank. One such individual is Alanna Parish, a millennial who has embraced a truly unique lifestyle choice: full-time house sitting. Her story, which has captivated nearly a million viewers on TikTok, offers a fascinating glimpse into an unconventional approach to city living that challenges our traditional notions of home and belonging in one of the world’s most expensive metropolises.

“I’m a full-time house sitter in NYC, I don’t have my own place. I live in other people’s homes full-time,” Parish explained in her viral video. Despite having lived in New York for only ten months, she has mastered the logistics of this nomadic lifestyle through careful planning and strategic scheduling. Parish meticulously arranges her house-sitting assignments to create a seamless transition from one home to the next, ensuring that “one ends and the next one begins on the same day.” This careful orchestration allows her to maintain continuous shelter without the crushing burden of New York’s astronomical rent prices. For those inevitable gaps that occasionally arise between assignments, Parish has developed contingency plans: “I will get a hotel for the night. I’ll get an Airbnb. I’ll crash at a friend’s. I have options available to me, I just don’t have my own place to go back to.”

What makes Parish’s arrangement particularly remarkable is the financial model she’s established. In most cases, she doesn’t charge homeowners for her house-sitting services, viewing the relationship as a mutually beneficial exchange: she receives free accommodation while the homeowners gain peace of mind knowing their property is being looked after. This symbiotic arrangement only shifts into a paid service when additional responsibilities come into play, such as pet care, which requires extra attention and commitment. In a city where the average monthly rent can easily consume more than half of a person’s income, this creative approach represents not just a cost-saving measure but a complete reimagining of urban living arrangements that challenges conventional economic models of housing.

The practical realities of this lifestyle naturally raise questions about personal belongings, daily routines, and the emotional aspects of not having a permanent home. While Parish didn’t initially address these concerns in her viral video, she later shared with Newsweek that she maintains a semblance of normalcy despite her unconventional living situation: “While house sitting, I maintain my regular work routine, care for the home and pets, explore the local area, and keep the space clean and organized. I treat every home as if it were my own.” This philosophy reveals an adaptability and respect for others’ spaces that has allowed her to transform what might seem like a temporary solution into a sustainable lifestyle. The question of where she stores her possessions and how she maintains a sense of personal identity while living nomadically remains intriguing, suggesting a minimalist approach to material possessions that many urban dwellers might find appealing in an age of overconsumption.

The benefits of this lifestyle extend beyond mere financial savings, offering a richness of experience that many traditional living arrangements cannot match. “Some of the biggest perks are flexibility, cost savings, getting to experience new places, and spending time with pets,” Parish explained. This constant change of scenery allows her to experience different neighborhoods, architectural styles, and local communities throughout New York, providing a panoramic experience of the city that most residents never achieve. However, Parish acknowledges the trade-offs inherent in her choice: “The biggest downside is lack of long-term consistency in one place and needing to adapt quickly to new environments.” This constant state of transition requires exceptional adaptability and resilience, qualities that have become increasingly valuable in our rapidly changing world. Despite these challenges, Parish maintains that “it’s a trade-off I’m happy with,” suggesting that the freedom and financial benefits outweigh the potential instability.

As average and median rents in New York City continue to reach record highs, Parish’s innovative approach to housing represents more than just an individual solution—it points to a potential shift in how we conceptualize urban living in increasingly unaffordable cities. Her story resonates with millions because it offers a glimpse of possibility in a housing market that often feels hopeless for many young professionals. While full-time house sitting may not be feasible or desirable for everyone, it exemplifies the creative thinking and flexibility that today’s economic realities demand. In a broader context, Parish’s lifestyle choice reflects a growing willingness among younger generations to challenge traditional markers of adulthood and success—like having a permanent address—in favor of experiences, flexibility, and financial freedom. As urban centers worldwide grapple with housing affordability crises, unconventional living arrangements like Parish’s may become increasingly common, reshaping our understanding of home in the 21st century and proving that sometimes, you really do have to do what you have to do to make it in the big city.