8 Tips for Working on the Move as a Freelancer and House Sitter in 2025

When you dream of being self-employed, you imagine ultimate freedom like working where you want, when you want, doing what you love.

In reality though, you still need to earn some cash to fund that freedom-filled lifestyle. And while you can technically work from anywhere, the truth is you still need somewhere to plug in your laptop, find decent Wi-Fi, and get things done.

In 2024, I decided I was finally ready to quit my 9-5 corporate job. After being told I had to be back in the office four days a week, despite working perfectly well remotely for years, I hit my limit and handed in my notice.

I also decided to move out of my one-bedroom Bristol flat and house sit full time. No rent and fewer outgoings meant less pressure while building my business and finding new clients.

It was unconventional (and a little terrifying), but after a year of doing it, it’s honestly been the best decision I’ve ever made. I plan on continuing house sitting and working on the move for at least another year, maybe longer.

I’m not quite your traditional remote worker or digital nomad, I’m not sitting by a pool in Bali, but I’ve explored some lovely corners of the UK, stayed in incredible homes, and looked after some very cute pets. There’s a lot of travelling, lugging laptops around, and living out of bags, and travelling between sits can definitely be disruptive.

So, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way to help me stay productive, calm, and connected while working on the move.

1. Use a Screen Extender

I work a lot in spreadsheets and reports, so having an extra screen was an absolute must for me. For a while, I was lugging a full-sized monitor around to every house sit. It was fine when I had the car, but it took up a lot of space and I definitely couldn’t carry it into cafés.

Then I discovered screen extenders, a far more portable solution that fits into my laptop bag so I can take anywhere. They simply clip onto your laptop, plug in via USB, and instantly double your screen space.

It’s been a total game-changer for me as a freelancer and house sitter, especially when I’m deep in data or working on reports. This is the one I bought from Amazon, and it’s worked perfectly so far (though definitely check compatibility with your laptop before ordering).

Laptop Screen Extender Monitor

2. Use Your Mobile Hotspot (or a Portable Wi-Fi Device)

If you’re camping, working from your car or van, or in a café that doesn’t have reliable Wi-Fi, your mobile hotspot can be a lifesaver. I’ve used mine countless times while house sitting, especially in countryside homes where the signal can be patchy.

Just make sure you check your data plan first. Most mobile providers now include hotspot usage as part of their unlimited data packages, and it’s worked perfectly for me so far.

If your coverage isn’t great, or you’re travelling to more remote areas, there are other options too. Portable Wi-Fi dongles or devices like Starlink are great alternatives. I haven’t personally used Starlink yet, but it’s become a popular choice among van lifers, freelancers, and digital nomads who need strong, consistent internet on the go.

3. Find a Hot Desk or Research Your Local Cafés

I mostly work from the house I’m sitting, but sometimes there are days in between sits where I might be camping, travelling, or staying with a friend and I don’t always want to take over their space all day.

For those times, I usually try to find a hot desk where you can rent a desk for a day or research local cafés that support remote working. A change of scenery can make a huge difference to your focus and creativity.

Here are a few of my favourite spots to work from so far:

• Desklodge, Bristol – lush décor and quiet spaces to focus.
• Distil Co-Working, Somerset – free parking and weekend desks available.
• The Work Nook, Pineapple Estate, Bridport – you can even camp on-site!
• Bee Hive Café, Portland – free parking and great brownies.
• Loaf, Bristol – the best pastries (seriously).
• The Steamer Coffee House & Kitchen, Cullompton – voted Devon’s best breakfast.
• Sea View Farm Shop, Port Isaac – amazing coastal views.
• St Kew Farm Shop & Café, Bodmin – a cute resident dog called Selby and a lovely indie shop to browse.
• Blend, Nottingham – laptop-friendly policy and delicious lunch options.

If you ever find yourself in Bristol, check out Aime at Studio Cotton's list of the best cafés for client meetings and remote working.

And if you’ve got any favourite hot desks or laptop-friendly cafés of your own, I’d love to know, I’m always adding to my list!

4. Charge on the Go

If you rely on your mobile hotspot or use your phone’s GPS for Google Maps, you’ll probably notice your battery drains much faster than usual and you won’t always have easy access to a plug socket.

That’s where a power bank comes in handy. It’s a simple bit of kit that can save you from running out of charge mid-email (or mid-Spotify playlist). They also come in handy if you can't find the nearest plug in the house you're sitting!

I’ve invested in an in-car laptop charger as well, which has been a total lifesaver when I’m travelling between places. It means I can top up my laptop battery while driving, so I’m never caught short when I stop to work from a café, farm shop, or campsite.

Having a backup power source will keep everything running smoothly, when you're on the move.

5. Pack Smart and Stay Mobile

Travelling light makes life so much easier, especially when you’re constantly on the move between house sits, cafés, or co-working spaces.

I keep a dedicated work bag that always stays packed with my essentials: laptop, chargers, mouse, screen extender, extension lead, notebook, and noise-cancelling headphones. That way, I never forget anything when I’m switching locations or setting up a workspace on the go.

It might sound simple, but having a grab-and-go work bag saves so much time and headspace, particularly when you’re juggling travel days, client calls, and finding the nearest plug socket!

6. Stick to a Routine (Even on the Move)

When your environment changes constantly, having a routine helps you stay grounded. I start most mornings the same way: a cup of tea, a dog walk if I’m dog sitting, and then my first focused work block.

Those small, repeatable habits keep me centred and productive, even when I’m working somewhere completely new.

I also use an hourly tracker spreadsheet to log the time I spend on client work and to help me plan my days. It’s a simple tool, but it keeps me organised and ensures I know exactly what needs to be done, and how long it should take, no matter where I’m working from.

7. Plan Travel Days Carefully

Don’t schedule big client calls when you might be be mid-journey, or plan a heavy workload on a day you’ll be on the move. There’s nothing worse than losing signal right before an important meeting, being stuck in traffic with a deadline looming, or trying to power through work when you’re exhausted after a long travel day..

Instead, take the pressure off those travel days. Keep your to-do list light, focus on small admin tasks or planning work, and give yourself a bit of breathing space. You’ll thank yourself later and you won’t end up in a pickle if things don’t go exactly to plan.

8. Protect Your Files

I never store any of my work directly on my laptop, everything lives safely in Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Cloud storage keeps your files secure and easy to access no matter where you are.

When you’re constantly on the move, your laptop goes through a lot and it might get knocked around, or you might need to leave it in your car occasionally. Unfortunately, that means there’s always a risk of it being damaged or stolen.

If the worst were to happen, cloud backups mean you haven’t lost everything. You can replace your laptop and get straight back to work without losing your files or your clients’ trust.

Finding Freedom That Works for You

Working on the move has taught me that freedom doesn’t mean chaos, it just means building the systems and habits that make life flow wherever you are.

From investing in the right tools, like screen extenders, power banks, and cloud storage, to staying flexible with routines, travel planning, and where you work, these small things make a big difference when your office changes every week.

Whether you’re house sitting in the countryside, camping by the coast, or working from a café with great Wi-Fi and even better cake, the key is to find what works for you.

So, if you’ve been thinking about taking your work on the road, maybe this is your sign to give it a try. You might just find that freedom feels a lot closer than you think.

If you’d like more tips on freelancing, house sitting, and working on the move, you can follow along on Instagram or TikTok. I’d love to hear about your own adventures and if you have any extra tips (and your favourite laptop-friendly cafés, of course!).