I’m putting together an info site aimed at providing visitors to these sunny shores ( :rolleyes: ) with the sort of stuff that might help ‘enrich the experiece’. So I thought I’d better look into the goodies and baddies of the ‘Home Exchange’ concept.
There’s quite a lot of information online but most seems to be the official company word and I’m looking for more practical, down to earth input. The eclectic, international, discerning (enough ?) TM seems like a good place to start.
Wondering also if the idea of exchanging homes for the vacation/holiday in your own country as opposed to, say, Europe, makes it more or less of a good idea.
What about a partial cash deal if the respective party’s accommodation is very different ?
Here’s what I have as seeming to be important factors:
Building up trust
Establishing a common ground and rappour with your ‘buddies’.
Sometimes protracted negotiation over the deal (car included ? dates ? accommodation size and location issue’s).
Lots of hotel bills avoided.
Do you have a contract (for instance, unexpected damage)
Electricity and sockets.
So, have you tried it, would you and if so, in your own country of further afield, bargain of insanity ?
Yes, my family has done a house-exchange with a family in London. Granted, it was a long time ago, but it worked out very well.
Probably the first thing I need to mention is that we didn’t know the people before we left for the UK! A mutual friend in the UK knew my parents wanted to vacation there with the kids, and told us about friends of his who wnated to do the same in the US. They probably spoke on the phone to decide on dates, but then we just jumped right in! We had known Mick, the mutual friend, for a while, so we weren’t too worried (or so my parents say now).
We flew to London and stayed with our new frinds for a couple of days to get acclimated (dad hadn’t been to England in about 20 years). Then, they left for sunny SoCal and our house (we would get home a couple of days before they left to show them anything they missed). No contracts or anything- we were all decent, considerate people, so we just trusted each other. Cars were included in the exchange.
It worked out great! Saved a ton on hotels, obviously, but more important, it relieved some of the “vacation stress” of being in a hotel or hotels. It gave the whole trip a very different feel, not so touristy. We have been close friends with the family ever since (1982!).
Great idea, go for it! I would do it again in a minute!
I’m sure that nowadays, it would be a more formal arrangement, but totally worth it.
OK, EJ’sGirl - That’s a really nice experience and it does make me think this might be worth pursuing. Seems it does seem to work if the people are on the same wave length - think that is probably important. Thanks.
fredicus - any relation to Dickus Maximus ?. Might leave Dalton’s, couldn’t see anything on the beeb site but i’m going to see if there are any newsgroups. Cheers.
