House Sitting Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find Work, What to Expect, and Where to Start

House sitting jobs in Atlanta can be a flexible way to earn income, save on rent, or explore the city’s neighborhoods from the inside. Whether you live in Atlanta full-time or are planning an extended stay, there is regular demand for reliable house sitters across the metro area.

This guide walks you through how house sitting works in Atlanta, where to find jobs, typical pay, and what homeowners here usually expect.

How House Sitting Jobs Work in Atlanta

In Atlanta, house sitting usually means staying in someone’s home while they’re away to:

• Keep the home secure
• Collect mail and packages
• Water plants or maintain the yard
• Care for pets (often dogs and cats)
• Handle basic household tasks (trash day, simple cleaning)

Many “house sitting” roles in Atlanta also involve pet sitting, especially in pet-friendly areas like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Midtown, Buckhead, and Decatur.

You might:

• Stay overnight for the full duration of the trip
• Visit once or twice a day without overnight stays
• Combine house sitting with remote work or studying, using the home as your temporary base

For longer trips (two weeks or more), homeowners in Atlanta’s suburban areas—like Sandy Springs, Roswell, Marietta, and Smyrna—may be especially interested in someone who can give their property a lived‑in look and keep an eye on things.

What Types of House Sitting Jobs Are Common in Atlanta?

1. Short-Term Vacation House Sits

Common in: Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Buckhead, West Midtown, East Atlanta

These are typical when people leave for:

• Long weekends
• Week-long vacations
• Holiday trips (Thanksgiving, winter holidays, spring break)

Tasks often include:

• Bringing in mail and packages
• Turning lights on/off
• Taking trash/recycling bins to the curb
• Basic pet care if included

2. Pet-Focused House Sitting

Pet-centric sitting is very common in Atlanta. Many homeowners prefer someone to stay in their home instead of using a kennel, especially for:

• Dogs that need walks around Piedmont Park, Grant Park, or the BeltLine trails
• Older pets needing routine and medication
• Multiple-pet households

You may be asked to:

• Walk dogs 1–3 times a day
• Clean litter boxes
• Feed on a strict schedule
• Administer simple medications (only if you’re comfortable and clearly instructed)

3. Long-Term House Sitting Arrangements

Common in: Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Druid Hills, North Decatur

Longer assignments can run several weeks to a few months, often when:

• Owners travel abroad
• Snowbirds spend seasons elsewhere
• People are managing extended work assignments out of town

These may involve:

• More consistent yard checks
• Being present for service appointments (HVAC, pest control, deliveries)
• Occasional coordination with property managers or neighbors

Where to Find House Sitting Jobs in Atlanta

You can find work through online platforms, local networking, and community spaces. Using a mix of methods tends to work best.

Online Job & Gig Platforms

Many Atlanta sitters rely on general job or gig websites and house/pet sitting platforms. Look for:

• Keywords to use:
  • “house sitting jobs Atlanta”
  • “pet sitting Atlanta”
  • “overnight house sitter Buckhead”
  • “dog sitting Midtown Atlanta”

Create a clear profile that includes:

• The neighborhoods you can cover (for example, “intown neighborhoods: Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Grant Park”)
• Whether you have a car or rely on MARTA
• Your availability (nights, weekends, holidays)
• Whether you’re comfortable with large dogs, multiple pets, or special needs animals

Local Neighborhood Connections

House sitting in Atlanta often grows through word of mouth. Focus on:

• Neighborhood Facebook groups and forums, especially in:
  • Candler Park
  • Kirkwood
  • Decatur
  • East Atlanta Village
  • West End and Westview
• Nextdoor posts in your local ZIP code (e.g., 30307, 30309, 30318, 30319, 30327)
• Posting a simple flyer at:
  • Community bulletin boards in local coffee shops
  • Independent pet supply stores
  • Libraries and community centers

When posting locally, include:

• First name and initial of last name
• General area you cover (e.g., “Based in Grant Park, serve nearby intown areas”)
• Contact info (phone or email)
• Short bullet list of services (overnights, drop-ins, dog walks, etc.)

Working with Local Pet & Community Hubs

Even if a job is centered on “house sitting,” many leads come from pet-related spaces:

• Veterinary Clinics & Animal Hospitals
  Reception staff often hear about people seeking sitters. You can ask if there’s a bulletin board where you can leave a card. Examples of busy areas:

  • Clinics along Ponce de Leon Ave, Peachtree St, and Roswell Rd

• Atlanta Humane Society – West Midtown Campus
  1551 Perry Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 875-5331
  While they don’t place house sitters, volunteers and adopters often share pet care referrals.

• City of Atlanta Parks & Dog Parks
  Dog parks like Piedmont Park Dog Park, Freedom Barkway (Old Fourth Ward), and Reservoir Park Dog Park (Brookhaven) are natural networking spots. Some sitters meet clients simply by being regulars there with clear business cards.

Typical Pay for House Sitting Jobs in Atlanta

Rates in Atlanta vary based on location, tasks, and whether pets are involved. The table below gives ballpark ranges many sitters and homeowners use as starting points:

Factors that can increase your rate:

• Multiple pets or special care needs
• Very early morning or late-night duties
• Long commute (e.g., from South Atlanta to far North Fulton)
• Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, major event weekends)

Many Atlanta sitters offer package pricing like:

• “Flat rate per night including morning and evening dog walks”
• “Weekly discount for 7+ consecutive nights”

Always discuss expectations clearly before quoting a rate.

Neighborhood Considerations Across Metro Atlanta

Atlanta is spread out, with traffic and transit heavily affecting your schedule. When planning where to work:

Intown Atlanta (Inside or Near the Perimeter)

Areas: Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, West End

• Often walkable and transit-accessible via MARTA
• Good for sitters without a car
• More condos and apartments; jobs may involve garage/concierge check-ins

North Atlanta & I‑285 Perimeter

Areas: Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee

• Many single-family homes and townhouses
• Higher likelihood of longer sits and higher rates in some neighborhoods
• Traffic on GA‑400, I‑285, and Peachtree Rd can be heavy during rush hours—plan travel times carefully

East & West Suburbs

Areas: Decatur, Avondale Estates, Tucker, Smyrna, Marietta, East Point, College Park

• Mix of older neighborhoods and newer developments
• Yard and outdoor tasks (plants, small lawns, patios) may be more common
• Some areas are bike-friendly; others require a car for reliable access

Tip 📝: When advertising, clearly state where you’re based and how far you’ll travel. Many Atlanta homeowners prefer sitters within a reasonable drive in normal traffic (not just by miles).

Skills and Responsibilities Atlanta Homeowners Expect

Basic Home Care

Most homeowners expect you to:

• Lock doors and windows and double-check alarm systems
• Rotate lights so the home appears occupied
• Bring in packages and mail, especially important in dense areas and buildings
• Take trash and recycling bins to and from the curb on the correct pickup days

Because summer storms and heavy rains are common, you might also need to:

• Check for water leaks near doors and windows
• Verify that sump pumps or dehumidifiers are working (if the owner mentions them)
• Watch for downed branches or debris in yards or driveways

Pet Care Specific to Atlanta Life

With the city’s heat and humidity, especially from late spring through early fall:

• Walk dogs early morning or later evening to avoid hot pavement
• Ensure pets have plenty of water and shade
• Follow owner’s instructions on walking routes—some owners prefer parks like Grant Park, Piedmont Park, or the BeltLine and may avoid busier or hotter areas mid-day

Be honest about what you’re comfortable with:

• Large breeds
• Reactive or anxious dogs
• Pets needing insulin or other injections
• Frequent car transport to parks, groomers, or daycare

Communication and Safety

Atlanta homeowners typically value:

• Daily updates by text or email, often with photos

• A quick heads-up if anything looks off (damaged fence, suspicious activity, power issues)

• Awareness of local emergency contacts, such as:

  • City of Atlanta Police non-emergency line: (404) 658-6666
  • Local animal hospital or emergency vet provided by the owner

Never promise to handle something beyond your training or comfort level—for example, complex medical care or major home repairs.

How to Get Started as a House Sitter in Atlanta

1. Decide Your Service Area and Availability

Start by picking:

• Primary neighborhoods: for example, “Midtown–Old Fourth Ward–Inman Park corridor” or “Decatur–Druid Hills–Virginia-Highland”
• Whether you can:
  • Stay overnight
  • Offer early morning visits
  • Handle last-minute bookings

This helps you avoid over-committing, especially with Atlanta’s traffic and distance between suburbs.

2. Create a Simple, Clear Profile

Include:

• Short introduction (where you live, why you house sit)
• Experience with homes, apartments, and pets
• Any relevant background (property management, prior nannying, pet care, or hospitality work)
• A list of services and price ranges (even if flexible)
• At least one professional-looking photo

You can use the same core profile on:

• Online job/gig platforms
• Neighborhood group posts
• Printed flyers and cards

3. Gather References and Reviews

When you’re starting out, consider:

• Offering discounted rates to a few local clients in exchange for written references
• Asking friends, coworkers, or neighbors in Atlanta if you can house sit when they travel
• Saving all positive reviews or messages so you can quote them (with permission)

Homeowners in Buckhead, Decatur, Midtown, and similar areas often ask for references before handing over keys.

Legal, Safety, and Practical Considerations in Atlanta

Transportation & Timing

• Build in extra cushion for rush-hour traffic on I‑75/85, I‑20, GA‑400, and I‑285
• If you depend on MARTA, confirm:
  • The nearest station or bus stop to the home
  • Your travel time at the hours you’re expected to arrive and leave

For late-night or early-morning sits, some homeowners prefer sitters with their own vehicle for safety and reliability.

Security & Access

Before the job starts, clarify:

• Alarm codes and how to disarm/re-arm systems
• Where spare keys are kept and whether a neighbor has one
• Any gated entry procedures (codes, gate remotes, concierge desks)

Many Atlanta condos, especially in Midtown and Buckhead, require:

• Driver’s license check at the front desk or gate
• Guest registration or parking passes

Taxes and Income Tracking

If you’re doing house sitting as more than occasional side work:

• Keep a simple log of your income from each job
• Save receipts for business-related purchases (business cards, transit to sits, supplies)

Many sitters treat this as self-employment income, so it’s wise to speak with a tax professional if house sitting becomes a regular income source.

Tips to Stand Out in the Atlanta House Sitting Market

• Know the city layout: Mention that you understand the difference between “15 minutes” on a weekend and at 5 p.m. on I‑285. This shows you’re realistic and responsible.
• Be pet-savvy: Many jobs revolve around dogs and cats—knowledge of Atlanta’s dog parks, walking routes, and hot-weather precautions makes you more attractive.
• Offer clear communication: Commit to daily updates and fast responses. Atlanta homeowners working long hours or traveling frequently often prioritize sitters who communicate consistently.
• Be flexible on holidays: Holiday travel is common here. Being available around Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and major spring/summer breaks can quickly fill your calendar.
• Build neighborhood loyalty: Focusing on a specific cluster of areas—like Midtown + Old Fourth Ward + Inman Park, or Decatur + Druid Hills + Virginia-Highland—helps you get repeat clients and referrals nearby.

If you’re in Atlanta and looking for house sitting jobs, you’ll find opportunities across the city—from condos overlooking Peachtree Street to historic homes in Grant Park and family neighborhoods around Decatur and Sandy Springs. By defining your service area, setting clear expectations, and connecting through both online platforms and local communities, you can steadily build a reliable stream of house sitting work that fits the way Atlanta actually lives and moves.