Can I get paid just to be somewhere for a long time?
December 1, 2009 6:12 PM Subscribe
Starting next summer, is there a way I can make money just by being somewhere for up to 18 months? I'll only need an internet connection.
Starting sometime next summer I'll be wrapping up my degree online, and will therefore not really need to be in any specific location. Is there a way I could relocate and turn this into some sort of income?
Because of the time I'll be spending on school, things that require a lot of work, like WWOOF are out, but something low-key, like long term paid house-sitter (or Gondorian Warning Beacon Guard) would presumably be a perfect fit. I plan on taking anywhere from 12-24 months to finish, with a more definite time to be determined in the next few months.
Beyond house-sitter - can I even get paid for that? - are there any other "jobs" that would pay me just for being somewhere? Being located in the Mid-west would be ideal, but I'm very interested in anything else.
Starting sometime next summer I'll be wrapping up my degree online, and will therefore not really need to be in any specific location. Is there a way I could relocate and turn this into some sort of income?
Because of the time I'll be spending on school, things that require a lot of work, like WWOOF are out, but something low-key, like long term paid house-sitter (or Gondorian Warning Beacon Guard) would presumably be a perfect fit. I plan on taking anywhere from 12-24 months to finish, with a more definite time to be determined in the next few months.
Beyond house-sitter - can I even get paid for that? - are there any other "jobs" that would pay me just for being somewhere? Being located in the Mid-west would be ideal, but I'm very interested in anything else.
There are a few fire towers left, but most of those are only staffed in the summer. You might need to pay for your own satellite internet connection.
posted by yohko at 6:25 PM on December 1, 2009
posted by yohko at 6:25 PM on December 1, 2009
Well, night security guards probably do a fair amount of "just being there", maybe spend some time doing rounds. In between, I imagine you could do coursework on a computer - probably depends on the job. You won't make a LOT of money, but some.
You could man a fire tower, but many of them are volunteer positions, and for the ones that aren't, your satellite internet expenses will probably be more than your income. Also, most are only manned in the dry months.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 6:41 PM on December 1, 2009
You could man a fire tower, but many of them are volunteer positions, and for the ones that aren't, your satellite internet expenses will probably be more than your income. Also, most are only manned in the dry months.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 6:41 PM on December 1, 2009
Backpacker hostels and sometimes offer free board in exchange for two or three hours of cleaning and bed-changing each morning. I've also seen similar arrangements advertised at cafes and other businesses in remote locations.
Generally, though, most parts of the world are not so desperate for people that you can be be paid simply for your presence. You'll almost certainly have to work several days a week, although not necessarily for the whole day.
posted by embrangled at 6:42 PM on December 1, 2009
Generally, though, most parts of the world are not so desperate for people that you can be be paid simply for your presence. You'll almost certainly have to work several days a week, although not necessarily for the whole day.
posted by embrangled at 6:42 PM on December 1, 2009
Response by poster: You'll almost certainly have to work several days a week, although not necessarily for the whole day.
To clarify, I'm planning on being available to work at least 20 hours a week.
posted by niles at 6:48 PM on December 1, 2009
To clarify, I'm planning on being available to work at least 20 hours a week.
posted by niles at 6:48 PM on December 1, 2009
So really, you are just looking for a part time job then? Or you're looking for a job that you can work on your school work while on the clock?
posted by Think_Long at 8:13 PM on December 1, 2009
posted by Think_Long at 8:13 PM on December 1, 2009
Response by poster: Or you're looking for a job that you can work on your school work while on the clock?
Yeah, something like that. I already have a good part-time job, but this question on house sitting (turns out to mostly be "cheap, short term rent with extra work") made me wonder if there was some way I could get paid to move out to somewhere and do something. It's entirely possible that no jobs exist like this, or that they require a large amount of training, but lighthouse keeper is a good example of what I'm looking for. You presumably make sure things are in working order, turn a few lights on each night, take care of emergencies as they come up, but beyond that don't have to do much. Or the fire tower jobs, wherein I would presumably hang out in a tower all day and wait for smoke.
Again, maybe I'm looking at this all much too hopefully and no one gets paid to sit around.
Perhaps a better way of stating my question would be, "Beyond completing my schoolwork, my days can be completely empty. I am willing to go anywhere, and do anything, including traveling between lots of 'anywheres'. What jobs would be a good fit for me?"
posted by niles at 8:38 PM on December 1, 2009
Yeah, something like that. I already have a good part-time job, but this question on house sitting (turns out to mostly be "cheap, short term rent with extra work") made me wonder if there was some way I could get paid to move out to somewhere and do something. It's entirely possible that no jobs exist like this, or that they require a large amount of training, but lighthouse keeper is a good example of what I'm looking for. You presumably make sure things are in working order, turn a few lights on each night, take care of emergencies as they come up, but beyond that don't have to do much. Or the fire tower jobs, wherein I would presumably hang out in a tower all day and wait for smoke.
Again, maybe I'm looking at this all much too hopefully and no one gets paid to sit around.
Perhaps a better way of stating my question would be, "Beyond completing my schoolwork, my days can be completely empty. I am willing to go anywhere, and do anything, including traveling between lots of 'anywheres'. What jobs would be a good fit for me?"
posted by niles at 8:38 PM on December 1, 2009
Sleep study? Not the most exciting of environments, I imagine, but it might work if they allow you to do internet things during the day. It probably wouldn't last eighteen months, but it could be a good way to at least save some money initially.
posted by sentient at 9:00 PM on December 1, 2009
posted by sentient at 9:00 PM on December 1, 2009
Motel night desk clerk. Pick a town in an area where the rooms fill up earlier on in the day.
A friend of mine did this, had lots of time for reading and internet access with a laptop, at least most nights. It's not just sitting around though, there's accounting to do and emergencies come up.
posted by yohko at 9:08 PM on December 1, 2009 [2 favorites]
A friend of mine did this, had lots of time for reading and internet access with a laptop, at least most nights. It's not just sitting around though, there's accounting to do and emergencies come up.
posted by yohko at 9:08 PM on December 1, 2009 [2 favorites]
Previously. There's a lot of stuff in there that isn't really what you're looking for exactly (since you wouldn't be able to do schoolwork on the clock), but also a lot of interesting leads for ideas.
posted by Ashley801 at 11:16 PM on December 1, 2009
posted by Ashley801 at 11:16 PM on December 1, 2009
A few ideas that have worked for friends involved in intense university studies:
1) work at a low-traffic video rental place or convenience store. Similar to being a security guard/motel night desk clerk, you will have oodles of spare time (mainly on the night shift), though some responsibilities. Choose a low-crime area, though.
2) A friend of mine recently became the caretaker in her apartment building, which means she and her partner get super cheap rent for duties that definitely work out less than 20 hours per week. She's a full-time student and manages to get it all done. Not sure how you'd apply for something like this, but I'm sure it can be done - my old apartment building went through a few different caretakers in my time there. (Avoid buildings popular with students, IMHO, since you'll have more maintenance to take care of, especially with weekend partying, and a higher turnover rate.)
This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but jobs that truly pay you to do next to nothing would, I imagine, be in pretty high demand.
posted by nicoleincanada at 3:31 AM on December 2, 2009
1) work at a low-traffic video rental place or convenience store. Similar to being a security guard/motel night desk clerk, you will have oodles of spare time (mainly on the night shift), though some responsibilities. Choose a low-crime area, though.
2) A friend of mine recently became the caretaker in her apartment building, which means she and her partner get super cheap rent for duties that definitely work out less than 20 hours per week. She's a full-time student and manages to get it all done. Not sure how you'd apply for something like this, but I'm sure it can be done - my old apartment building went through a few different caretakers in my time there. (Avoid buildings popular with students, IMHO, since you'll have more maintenance to take care of, especially with weekend partying, and a higher turnover rate.)
This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but jobs that truly pay you to do next to nothing would, I imagine, be in pretty high demand.
posted by nicoleincanada at 3:31 AM on December 2, 2009
Seconding (nighttime) security guard or hotel desk clerk. I see those people reading textbooks all the time, usually while watching television. This doesn't strike me as very challenging, and I am jealous. The best I can do is flip to two minutes of MeFi wankery between work clicks.
For that matter, many cab-drivers have a textbook propped on the dashboard, too. But that's a job with many more interruptions.
posted by rokusan at 4:03 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
For that matter, many cab-drivers have a textbook propped on the dashboard, too. But that's a job with many more interruptions.
posted by rokusan at 4:03 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
I knew some older folks with an RV who arranged to be the caretakers at a state park/campground. A few hours a week to maintain the restrooms got them free RV space for the summer and a small stipend.
posted by CathyG at 7:22 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by CathyG at 7:22 AM on December 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
The son of one of my friends got a job babysitting a server farm. All he needed to do was reset the computers from time to time and it was fully expected that he would work on school stuff while he was there.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 8:06 AM on December 2, 2009
posted by The Light Fantastic at 8:06 AM on December 2, 2009
Pretty much any kind of night shift. Helpdesk, internal operator, desk clerk, cashier, all-night fitness center, etc.
My wife and I have both been through night shift jobs with nothing to do to occupy us other than read and play around on the Internet. You might have to get a wireless 3G card or tether your cell phone to get Internet access, but it would probably be worth it.
posted by joshrholloway at 12:09 PM on December 2, 2009
My wife and I have both been through night shift jobs with nothing to do to occupy us other than read and play around on the Internet. You might have to get a wireless 3G card or tether your cell phone to get Internet access, but it would probably be worth it.
posted by joshrholloway at 12:09 PM on December 2, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by reptile at 6:23 PM on December 1, 2009 [2 favorites]