Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
14 Jan 2025
Reply rate
54.6 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
24
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
I have a two family house about 10 minutes north of Boston by car. It's on the bus line, as well as a short walk to the subway. The work is some outside maintenance, some dog walking, some small painting projects, gardening, sewing, organizing, cleaning... I am seeking a helper or two. My dogs are unruly and would benefit from training so experience with that would be welcome. Mostly right now, it will be mostly work outside, depending on the weather. lots of gardening. Creativity is welcomed, as I have approximately 32 art projects planned. I’m trying to build a pizza oven in my back yard, make birdhouses, and build a large figure(maybe an insect) from repurposed/recycled materials, and mosaic projects this summer. I 've also been clearing out my basement this past summer and that continues. And organizing! I have two much stuff in my basement, actually too much stuff everywhere. We have three dogs and two cats, 5 fish outside and many birds outside who are attracted to the feeders. Also, tho, squirrels! The expectation is that you work for 4 hours a day (usually 8:00 - 12:00),6 days a week in exchange for room and board. Mostly you will be cooking your own food but sometimes I’ll cook. Also, i’m a quite lapsed Vegan...sigh. Then you have the rest of the day to yourself. If you have experience in the trades, that would be useful.
Also, there are numerous woodland trails for hiking or running nearby in the Fells. And basketball courts a block away. I have a bicycle or two around for your use. And there’s Lyft and Uber of course.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I'm a licensed mental health counselor and Professor, and my grown daughter has access to cheesecake (she works at the Cheesecake Factory). We both read a lot and can yarn on for days.
Help
It will be quite helpful for you to have some organization/ construction/gardening experience, be physically fit to be able to move heavy stuff. Also the ability to mess around in the garden, clean and paint would be good. If you're creative, that's good too and you'll get to use that creativity
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Accommodation will be a single bed if you're a single person in a kind of alcove (the nook). It’s small but it does have a limited view of the Boston skyline thru one window. I'll buy food and probably, most of the time, you'll prepare your own food. Sometimes I'll cook or another helper will and we'll all share a meal together.
What else ...
Boston has a good transportation system so you really can get anywhere - Cape Cod by ferry or Salem by train, for instance. We're busy but we've hosted about 30 people - (also using Helpx) some for a week and others for much longer, and it has worked out well almost every time. Three helpers have returned for a bit a few years later
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (12)
The whole experience never once felt to me like I was a workawayer doing something for someone else; I was part of her everyday life and she quicky became part of… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The whole experience never once felt to me like I was a workawayer doing something for someone else; I was part of her everyday life and she quicky became part of… read more
In my time in Boston, I walked her dogs, did a lot of different and interesting projects, and helped her finish a pizza oven. Which I really hope is working great… read more
Jobs are very relaxing and working hours are flexible. I waked with the dogs and helped her with some tasks at the… read more
Pounce and Charlie (the dogs) are great fun, always nice to walk them.
Malden is a very nice place to walk around with parks and trails close by and it's easy to get to Boston and spend the day.
