Experienced, reliable, digital nomad (43y) | House & pet sitter

About this sitter

My name is Niklas, I am male, 43 years old, and of German-Finnish descent.

Since November 2023, I have been living as a digital nomad.

Currently in Norway, where I am looking after a house and a cat.
The cat is second-hand and new to the 400-year-old house.

What I enjoy most is taking on responsibility: keeping a house in good shape, caring for animals, improving processes, and leaving things a little more organized and efficient than I found them.

I feel more comfortable in quiet, rural environments with lots of nature than in big cities and party atmospheres.

Being outdoors (walking, cycling, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling), a clear, rational view of things, and mindful use of resources are me.

Many would describe me as methodical, reliable, and well-organized.

For 21y I've bin a IT Professional , now I decided to change my career to become a mindset coach, which is why peace and quiet, structure, and a reliable workplace are important to me.

I like honest, respectful communication and enjoy working independently and on my own initiative.

Why they want to house sit

Firstly, I love animals.
And then I fundamentally look for a place where I can imagine living for a very long time.

Looking after houses or animals is very helpful because it allows me to experience a lifestyle or area in a way that would never be possible as a tourist.

Their experience

Yes.
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Pets
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I am experienced in dealing with dogs and it is completely normal for me. I grew up with a dog.

My family got the dog when I was about 1 year old, and when I was 18, the dog died.

The dog was always there. As a child, it wasn't one of my regular chores, but exploring the world with my dog and my bike, especially in the summer, is one of my most positive childhood and teenage memories.

Later, after the dog died, cats joined the family. My family is still big pet lovers today, so I get to enjoy the company of these wonderful animals time and time again.

In addition to my childhood and teenage experiences with pets, during my 4 months in Norway, I integrated a cat into the household. The cat was "second-hand", so it had to be adapted to the house and slowly and carefully and introduced to the outside neighborhood. This naturally included tick and worm treatments and a visit to the veterinarian, because the animal was bitten during its second outing. This was followed by antibiotic treatment with a special diet and homemade natural yogurt. All completely independently.

I often looked after my father's dog & house during his long absences. A very well-behaved creature named Paco.

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House
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For four months, I looked after a 400-year-old wooden house in Norway, which is part of a larger farm, and I prepared this house and some parts of the farm for winter. I renewed the insulation on doors, windows, and pipes. And from -5°C, it was also necessary to heat the apartment with wood-burning stoves. Otherwise, there were electric oil stoves and some air conditioners.

Even in such an old house, there is always something to do, to repair or improve.

The house was very secluded in a small village 20 kilometers from the nearest shopping facilities. In that respect, I am quite used to solitude and I prefer to be a little secluded rather than in the middle of the city.

What can they bring to the assignment

Driving, driver's license up to 3.5 tons. And 2 driver safety courses in my home country of Germany, completed by the local automobile club ADAC.
Extensive experience driving in snow, on black ice, and in generally very poor weather conditions.

DIY, gardening, I used to enjoy building raised beds out of wood, in different layers with an ecological bio-layer in between, so that the beds could supply themselves with nutrients for as long as possible. And I harvested abundantly. Basically, I love plants.

Everything that is green produces oxygen, which I need to live, so we are a natural fit.

I am very good at organizing things. Delegating tasks and creating order in chaotic situations. I generally like structure, and if there is no structure, I like to introduce it.