Mature artist/volunteer seeking serene space

Seeking a serene home and quiet, orderly shared space in or near NYC. Fiscally 100% dependable, but prefer lower-cost living situation in order to save for my volunteering work and travels. Willing to trade skills / chores in exchange for rent. I left the corporate world to care for wildlife orphans in Africa, discovering my "calling" and art skills. Want a room of my own where I can have my things, with a trusted housemate, and come and go on adventures (sometimes gone for months but would retain the space.)

Have spent years in communal living and am highly respectful of others. Professional interior designer, organizer, love to cook, food shop, clean closets and garages, paint. Have done lots of housesitting, and pet-sitting, and some elderly care.

Ideally, I imagine someone in a large space situation who would only consider an extremely trustworthy, quiet, congenial individual who will respect and appreciate their space and treat it like their own. And at the same time, they'd be helping support my mission to save animals.