I've been a local house/pet sitter since 1989.
For about seven years I've been occupying the third floor apartment of the home of close friends in Cheltenham, in exchange for managing the house and property in their absence, which is 3 months or so per year.
I have a very close bond with this family and would like to stay with them, but their family circumstances changed recently and I may have to move. If I do have to move, I'd like to find another situation like this one.
Managing their property consists of: pet care, including routine veterinary visits; limited garden work (watering, some weeding) and watering house plants; screening phone calls; monitoring another property in another location by phone and mail; monitoring the mail, taking care of important correspondence, paying bills, and screening phone calls; dealing with contractors (house cleaners, repair people, landscapers) who perform maintenance on the house; being sure that the house is secure and looks occupied; and running any necessary errands. This is in exchange for housing.
I'm looking for a barter situation of housing in exchange for performing these kinds of duties for home owners who are away for extended periods of time.
I'm a 50-something woman, a Penn alum still active in the Penn community. I have excellent references for pet care and trustworthiness. I'm a non-smoker and I live a quiet, responsible life. These friends and I have an excellent relationship of mutual caring, trust, and respect.

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I'm quirky, don't like being categorized but I'm probably far left of center, though in this USA, being subversive isn't hard. I have a strong sense of justice.

Thats going to be a tough one to find, but if I hear of any similar situations I'll try to pass the word. Its not entirely out of the question since many of the big three story Victorians here have In-law suites and a lot of Poweltonians travel for extensive periods of time.

I'm sure you're aware, but try checking Craigslist & the Penn dept of off-campus housing.

Best of luck.

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- George -

http://www.barackobama.com

Thanks for looking around. Yes, I've already done Craig's List, and Penn off-campus housing is next.

Thanks again.

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I'm quirky, don't like being categorized but I'm probably far left of center, though in this USA, being subversive isn't hard. I have a strong sense of justice.