Some millennials in the U.S. have abandoned the prospect of owning a home, but one young woman has taken it to the extreme, living both a mortgage-free and rent-free lifestyle.
Alanna Parrish is a full-time housesitter who hops from home to home, acting as a custodian and pet sitter, often in exchange for free lodgings. She also shares her experiences on TikTok.
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“House sitting has given me a lifestyle that feels aligned with my values — trust, flexibility and meaningful connections,” she told Newsweek in an article published Jan. 3 (1). “I’m grateful for the experiences and people that it’s brought into my life.”
Sound intriguing? While having no fixed address may not be realistic for everyone, there’s much to be said about her lifestyle and finances. Even if you’re not willing to give up a space of your own, there are still some smart ways you can review your financial goals and readjust the cost of your housing to meet them.
Here’s how Parrish makes it all work.
Trading permanence for flexibility and freedom
Parrish, who is in her early thirties and originally from San Francisco, worked for eight years in property management and real estate investments before quitting her job in 2023, according to People magazine (2). She traveled the world for a year, and decided to prolong her adventures by living as a nomad in America. She’s been a housesitter in Hawaii, Oregon, Texas, Florida and Maine. She had been staying in New York City homes since early 2025, but was back in California as of February.
“I wanted the opportunity to live like a local in cities I had never visited but was curious about potentially living in one day,” Parrish told People in an article published Nov. 22. “House-sitting allows for longer, more grounded stays instead of quick, tourist-style trips.”
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She has a regular fee of $75 per night, but admits she accepts the vast majority of her jobs for free stays. It’s unclear if she has other sources of income. She also diligently plans jobs to minimize any gaps in her schedule.
“It’s usually only a day, maybe two, max, where I have a gap in my schedule,” Parrish explained in a TikTok video posted Dec. 15 (3). “So, 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.”
Otherwise, she basically lives out of her suitcase, which she may not even bother unpacking on short stays. The length of a stay can range from a couple of days to a month. She estimated in another TikTok video she averages one job a week (4).
Reduce your housing costs
The prospect of packing up your belongings and moving to a different home each week might not be appealing to everyone, but it’s a lifestyle that comes with clear advantages.
“Some of the biggest perks are flexibility, cost savings, getting to experience new places, and spending time with pets. The biggest downside is lack of long-term consistency in one place and needing to adapt quickly to new environments,” Parrish told Newsweek. “That said, it’s a trade-off I’m happy with.”
That being said, there are merits to owning a home, including building equity and the stability of knowing your housing isn’t dependent on a landlord. Either way, whether you still dream of owning a home one day or you’re resigned to being a renter forever, there are ways to cut down your budget that don’t include living a nomad’s life like Parrish:
- Consider getting a roommate to share your space, or renting your home while you’re away on vacation to bring in extra money.
- Look for a new neighbourhood or city. While it may be more convenient to live in a large metro, adding a little extra time to your commute can help trim down your housing costs.
- Can you downsize? If you have more space than you need, finding a smaller home or rental can significantly reduce your monthly living expenses.
- Look for ways to boost your income. If you’re unable to move or change your living situation, this may be the only way to tackle unaffordable housing costs.
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Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Newsweek (1); People (2); @alannaparrish (3, 4)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
