Although home exchange is still most often used for short vacation periods, typically between one and four weeks, and for long weekend breaks, there is a trend towards arranging exchanges of up to a year - or even longer.
Some exchangers, most notably academics, take sabbaticals; others use a longer home swap as a way of trying out a new country or area before moving there permanently. Now that many people can work or run a business from anywhere in the world as long as there is a reliable high-speed internet connection, arranging a lengthy exchange is a great way to combine work with a change of pace in a different environment. Retired exchangers sometimes use a long home exchange to visit family in far off countries, having their own 'home' as a base rather than impose on relatives. Many people who have emigrated use longer home swaps as a way of introducing children born abroad to their home country too.
Lengthy exchanges do usually require a longer planning period, time to find members in the area you want to exchange to who are able to also consider a long term exchange and whose dates/destinations match your needs. So, it is a very good idea to list your home well over a year in advance of the exchange dates wanted (and, if you can be flexible on dates, length of exchange and location, that will also increase your chances of finding a suitable long-term swap). Of course it helps alot too if you live in a desirable location, as is the case of Bridget, a new Home Base Holidays member from Italy who joined this week, who is planning to return to England with her family for a year from August 2010 to July 2011:
'I origially came to Pisa in 1994 as an EFL teacher but this year I took up an administrative role at the University in Pisa and also work for an international non profit association at the local hospital. My husband, Paolo, is a city policeman and a football referee in his spare time. Fortunately our jobs permit us to spend considerable time with our two children, Vittoria(9) and Mattia(6), both very lively, sporty and nearly bilingual. The idea to spend a year in England was mine. I'm keen for my family to get to know my country a little better and to give our children the opportunity of attending an English school. Paolo will also hopefully find work so he too can improve his English. I intend to find a job in Education.'
Check out the family's home exchange offer:
An old, renovated semi-detached house with vaulted ceilings. The view from the back upstairs looks out to pretty Pisan hills. We live about 5 km east of Pisa in a quiet semi residential area with very easy access to Pisa. Read in detail and see more photos, HE21671.