We are an American/Austrian couple 48 and 59, living on a mini-farm in the famous Vienna Woods outside the city. One partner is an artist/graphic design teacher and one a farmer/musician. We don't smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs and appreciate the same in others staying here.
The property includes pastured poultry, a horse, cats, ever-expanding organic fruit and vegetable gardens, forested hillside, two historic cottages and outbuildings, and a tiny house/guest cabin. The tiny house/cabin is usually the accommodation offered to helpers/sitters, depending on time of year. It is newly renovated and has electricity, kitchenette, shower, compost toilet, wifi, loft bed which sleeps 2, and wood stove for heating in cold weather.
Our property is part of a tiny village of 10 cottages which was originally an experimental homesteading community in the 1920's. We are working to restore our property with respect for its history and to demonstrate, educate, and inspire others towards more sustainable, creative living.
Necessary tasks generally include gardening, carpentry, maintenance/renovation of buildings, and animal care (1 horse, 4 cats, 17 chickens). Prior experience with rural living, gardening, carpentry, and horses preferred. The work may also include some domestic household duties, cleaning, organizing, food preservation, and interacting with other guests and visitors. This is real farm work in addition to housesitting, so you need to be in good physical shape and energetic! Enthusiasm and willingness to help with all sorts of tasks necessary.
At times when we are away, you would need to be on site most of the time and take full responsibility for the garden, animal care, maintenance and repairs etc.
A general guideline would be hours work per person/per week in exchange for accommodation and food. Providing your own food and working fewer hours is usually an option during the winter months.
This is a beautiful scenic area; sort of the first mini foothills of the Alps. A rare combination of quiet peaceful seclusion where you can see the stars at night, surrounded by thousands of acres of public forest land for hiking, yet only 45 minutes from the city center of Vienna. An ideal home base for touring the amazing city of Vienna, the rest of Austria and central Europe. The world class museums and amazing architecture of the city, plus medieval castles, historic monasteries and churches, quaint villages, and gorgeous mountains all within an easy day's drive if you decide to rent a car, or by the slightly slower but very efficient European public transport options.
The closest village is about 5km away and the train station about 10 km. We can provide bicycles, but for more sightseeing options you may want to rent a car.