“We’re having a ball in retirement”: the couple who found a new lifestyle through homesitting”
For Flora and John Cooke, retirement hasn’t meant slowing down, it’s opened the door to an entirely new way of living.
The Glasgow-based couple became homesitters with Homesitters Ltd in 2018 shortly after Flora retired from her role as a residential social worker. John, a Contracts Officer for Glasgow City Council, admits the idea wasn’t something they had ever planned.
John says: “It all started when Flora spotted an advert in a magazine and showed it to me and I said, ‘that sounds like a lot of fun.’ And that was it.”
Both lifelong animal lovers, the couple had chosen not to have pets of their own in recent years, preferring the freedom to travel. Regular trips to India, along with visits to Cyprus and Portugal, are a big part of how they enjoy retirement.
Homesitting, they discovered, offered them the perfect balance, combining their love of animals with a flexible lifestyle.
Flora comments: “We’re having a ball in retirement. We never imagined we’d end up doing something like this, but we absolutely love the lifestyle it gives us.”
Now they complete around 12 sits a year, roughly one each month, the couple have built up a strong reputation with their clients. Their dedication has led to repeat bookings and a busy schedule stretching well into 2027.
Flora explains: “We take the role very seriously. We are responsible for someone’s home and their animals, so we understand it’s important to keep to their routines and do everything properly. We take a lot of pride in that.”
Over the years, Flora and John have cared for a wide range of animals, from dogs and cats to rabbits and guinea pigs, and even peacocks. John says: “They all have their own personalities and that’s part of what makes it so enjoyable.”
Longer assignments are a particular highlight. The couple regularly undertake an annual five-week homesit, during the winter months, which allow them to fully settle into a new environment.
Flora comments: “In the winter, especially when we’re away for a longer sit, we do notice the savings on utility bills. It’s a nice bonus.”
In addition to reducing household costs while they’re away, the couple say homesitting provides a modest supplementary income, which helps support their travel plans.
John adds: “We were already keen travellers, but this just makes it that bit easier to keep exploring.”
For John, the lifestyle has brought an unexpected sense of purpose. He says: “It’s been an interesting change of direction. It keeps us busy, and we love that.”
More than anything, the couple value the experiences it has brought them, from meeting new people to exploring different parts of the UK.
Flora concludes: “We’ve met some incredible people and looked after the most wonderful animals. It’s given us a lifestyle we never expected, and we wouldn’t change it.”
