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Avid travelers are flocking to these hotspots for an authentic experience — beyond the typical tourist traps
A Trusted Housesitters report finds Honolulu is the US destination where travellers most want to stay temporarily and experience local life. The findings matter because house-sitting offers visitors a way to spend longer in popular, costly places while living beyond the usual tourist routine.
The report analysed four years of data. Honolulu scored 79.8 out of 100, averaging seven applications per sit within a week; 78.9% of sits filled to capacity, and stays averaged 12.3 days. Miami ranked second at 76.9, with applications up 43.2% year on year, while Manhattan, Brooklyn and Fort Lauderdale placed third to fifth. High housing and hotel costs were cited as part of the appeal of house-sitting.
In short
- Honolulu topped the house-sitting destination ranking.
- Stays there averaged 12.3 days.
- Miami had the fastest application growth among the top five.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
House-sitting can help travellers spend more time in expensive destinations while caring for pets and homes, creating a more residential routine and opportunities to engage with local neighbourhoods. The strong demand reported for Honolulu and other cities suggests many visitors value this kind of stay alongside conventional tourism.
The case against
A house-sit is not necessarily an authentic window into local life: visitors may still experience a place mainly as temporary guests, and the report measures platform demand rather than cultural connection. In popular, costly destinations, more visitor stays could also add pressure to housing and neighbourhoods, so the benefits to travellers may not be shared by residents.