TheseBoots is heading for Berlin on a home exchange...
Written by: Julie Ovenell-CarterRegular TheseBoots readers already know I’m a major fan of home exchanges, and today Brad and I are heading to Berlin, Germany, where we used the services of HomeLink to line up an apartment right in the heart of the city. (Last year, we had a terrific flat in the Le Marais district of Paris.)
We’re really looking forward to welcoming our German house guests before we leave. Last year we didn’t get the chance to meet the French family we exchanged with, but after months of e-mail correspondence we still felt like we had a relationship with them. It’s a treat to actually be able to connect this time around. (And to my Bowen friends who might be reading this: if you see Christa and Uwe around the island, please say hello!)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: home exchange makes it possible to travel to places you thought you’d never be able to afford, and to immerse yourself fully in another culture–whether it’s on the other side of Canada or the other side of the world. Except for airfare, it costs roughly the same to live away as it would to stay home, especially if you arrange to swap cars as well as homes. If you’re hesitating–don’t!
Have you participated in a home exchange? What service did you use? And what advice would you offer to others who are thinking about it?
Related links: Top 10 Tips for a Successful Home Exchange and 66 Practical Home Exchange Tips
Sher
on July 31st, 2009Bon Voyage. I’m making the final preparations for our first house swap tomorrow.
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on August 1st, 2009Great Sher! Where are you headed? And which company did you go through?
Ms Traveling Pants
on August 2nd, 2009I would love to take the opportunity. Would anyone want to take the opportunity to live in a suburban house in Fort Lauderdale Florida?
Ms Traveling Pants
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on August 3rd, 2009Hey Ms. Pants: I think you’d be surprised how quickly you’d find a taker on that offer if you registered yourself with one of the busier home exchange companies. We used HomeLink, but there are lots out there…we found our Paris apartment within five days of registering, and our Berlin flat in under a week. Good luck!
Christa
on August 3rd, 2009Dear Julie,
have a nice time in Berlin.
We love Bowen island very much!
Christa
Julie Ovenell-Carter
on August 4th, 2009Dear Christa,
I’m glad to hear that! I hope you’ve been taking advantage of the swimming beaches during the recent heat wave. We are LOVING Berlin–by far the most exciting city we’ve ever visited. The teenagers have discovered currywurst!