Avid travelers are flocking to these hotspots for an authentic experience beyond the typical touristtraps
They’re living la vida local.A new report reveals where Americans most want to live — at least temporarily.The organization behind it, Trusted Housesitters, crunched four years worth of data to discover the destinations where American travelers want to feel less like a tourist and more like a townie.And the results reveal only one thing seems more appealing to U.S.
travelers than the Big Apple:A fantastic beach.Honolulu, Hawaii, took the crown with an average score of 79.8 out of 100 — and a high number of house-sitting requests from the site, too.The island capital averaged seven applications per sit within seven days, the highest figure in the study.Furthermore, 78.9% of sits reached the maximum number of applicants within a week.The island appeal was evident, with 74.4% of sitters coming from out of state, and average stays hitting 12.3 days, the longest among any of the survey destinations.According to experts, this extended stay allows folks to drop into a lived-in routine and enjoy generally flawless weather and a distinctly different pace of life.
It also makes sense to stay longer because for nearly every American, Hawaii is at least a 6-hour flight.What’s more, house-sitting may feel more reasonable than homeownership in Honolulu.It’s among the country’s most expensive housing markets, with a median home sales price of $1.16 million and an annual increase of 7.3%.Miami came in second place with a score of 76.9 out of 100.
However, the Florida locale recorded 43.2% year-on-year growth in applications — the largest increase among the top-ranked destinations.The Magic City averaged 5.9 house-sitting applications within seven days of posting thanks to its sunny weather, easy beach access and lauded food options.But that ocean air doesn’t come cheap.Consumer prices in the Miami metro have climbed 36% since 2019, while Miami-area home prices have soared 79% since the pandemic, suggesting a house-sitting vacation is an ideal way to enjoy Miami ...