Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

10 good reasons to arrange a home exchange #9: studying/improving language skills

Many Home Base Holidays members seek to immerse themselves in another country while on a home exchange in order to learn or improve language skills, and some arrange (for themselves or their children) to attend classes locally. The following are recent examples:

'I am a 45 year old mother of a 7 year old girl. Our exchange party also comprises another mother of two girls (6 and 10 years old). So, 5 people in all. We're looking for a house in Altrincham, Hale or Sale (or very nearby areas) because our girls will be attending a primary school in Altrincham between June and July. My friend and I are both freelance translators and would be working from home (so internet connection is necessary). The home offered for swap to one of the towns in England mentioned is a small, pretty house located in Chia, a beautiful seaside resort in southern Sardinia; stunning sea view from the house.

'We are a Catalan-Italian couple. Toni is an illustrator and wildlife artist from Barcelona while Valentina is a journalist from Tuscany, now fully dedicated to our children. Toni has some projects going on in the UK and we both have lived and studied in the UK and would like to go back again. We also want our kids to improve their English and have a first full immersion experience.' See the family's three storey, stone walled house offered for exchange in an unspoiled small village in rural Girona, north-east Catalonia.

'We are a couple in our 40s with two kids (10 and 17 years old). We would love to spend a couple of weeks next summer in Great Britain in order to improve our English language.' See the family's apartment for exchange in the Southern area of Madrid near the historical San Isidro park.

10 good reasons to arrange a home exchange #8: moving to another country

As I well know, moving to another country, especially if far away from 'home', is a major life change. If you have the option, it is a good idea to spend a lengthy period in the country before making the final decision to immigrate, and arranging a home exchange in a location you would like to live is ideal. You will get a much better feel for what life will be like once you move than you possibly can when staying in a hotel for a short period. Swapping homes is a great introduction as your exchange partners are bound to be able to point you in the right direction to find important information - on local schools, job opportunities, public transport and local facilities. During the time you spend in your 'rent-free' home, you will be able to research the cost of renting or buying a property and generally get a good idea of the cost of living.

The following are examples of Home Base Holidays members using home swaps as a first step in their planned moves to other countries:

London to Sydney: 'We are Jason and Katy. Early 40's. No children. A Photographer and Stylist. Laid back, happy and looking for the possibility of a 12 month swap in Sydney, Australia as a first step to a permanent move. We are a creative couple and our eclectic home and art collection reflects this. Our location is fantastic for getting the best London has to offer, with great transport links to visit the rest of the country and Europe.' See the couple's lovely apartment offered for home swap (includes a two storey cabin in the yard, complete with Victorian bathtub and a Queen sized bed!).

USA via France to the UK: 'I'm a 53-year old single American freelance journalist planning to move to the UK. I'm hoping to have a few exchanges in different cities to find a place I like, and eventually move there sometime in 2013. I'd be alone and working during the exchange, and all I need is an internet connection, as I'd bring my laptop with me. Ideally, I want to exchange for homes in the centers of towns, as I wouldn't be comfortable driving on the wrong side of the road.' See her home for exchange in Gap, a town of 40,000 people in the southern French Alps.

Australia to the UK: 'We are Frank and Loraine and are both retired Naval Officers. I was a helicopter pilot and Loraine a nursing sister. We are interested in travelling and are considering moving to the UK but would like to try a long term exchange before making a permanent move.' See their home exchange offer on Bribie Island, Queensland, a beautiful warm seaside holiday escape.

 

10 good reasons to arrange a home exchange #7: to attend special events

Last year a large number of Home Base Holidays members offered and arranged home swaps near 2012 Olympic venues in London and other areas in England. Arranging a home exchange to attend an international sporting event is an excellent idea. There are always locals who aren't interested in the sport who are happy to offer their homes for exchanges with sporting fans during major events.

As well as for sports, many members arrange exchanges to attend cultural events too as in the following examples:

Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA to London: 'We have traveled to over eleven different countries and we enjoy immersing ourselves in history, architecture and culture. Of particular interest is traveling with our 11 year old grand-daughter to London in June 2013 for the Queen's Birthday celebration.' See the couple's large home for exchange, on one and a half acres of grounds with 36 foot in-ground saltwater pool and backyard pavilion; located in the 'festival capital of Louisiana'.

High Peak, Derbyshire, England to London: 'We are particularly interested in a swap in London in August so we can get to the Proms and have now booked the third full week in August off work.' What a splendid opportunity for Londoners to enjoy a stay in the couple's large Victorian house offered for exchange; in half an acre of garden surrounded by the Peak District hills.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Edinburgh, Scotland: 'I am looking, among other things, to exchange for Edinburgh for the festival for much of August. I am a retired academic who has exchanged successfully on various occasions.' The home offered for swaps is a stunning top floor apartment on one of main canals in Amsterdam; stupendous location, ten minutes' walk from Central Station.

Have you had a home swap to attend a special sporting or cultural event (or offered your home in order to escape at a busy time)?

10 good reasons to arrange a home exchange #6: for work

Sometimes work means moving to another country for a period, from a couple of weeks for a particular project to a year on sabbatical for academics. This can be expensive if you rent accommodation for a lengthy period and so, arranging a home swap is a great money saver. 'Real' homes, as opposed to typical rental properties, are likely to be much better equipped too. Another benefit is having the reassurance of your own home being lived in and cared for while you are away. The following are examples of Home Base Holidays members swapping their homes for work reasons:

Spain to UK: 'We are a Catalan-Italian couple. Toni is an illustrator and wildlife artist from Barcelona while Valentina is a journalist from Tuscany, now fully dedicated to our children.

Toni has some projects going on in the UK and we both have been living and studying in the UK and feel like going back again. We also want our kids to improve their English and have a first full immersion experience.

This will be our first home exchange experience. We are very happy to think that someone will be enjoying our place with care and respect, while we are doing the same in theirs.' See the family's home swap offer, a three storey, stone walled house in an unspoiled small village in rural Girona, north-east Catalonia.

 

Newcastle upon Tyne, UK to Perth, Australia: 'We are both university professors (Newcastle University) who are moving to fractional posts in 2013-14. Peter has a long-term research project at UWA and Kim is finishing a book so we are looking for a quiet house or apartment in WA, preferably in South Fremantle (which we know well).' See the couple's charming small house for exchange; ten minutes' walk from the centre of the fascinating city of Newcastle.

Have you ever had a home exchange for work reasons?

10 good reasons to arrange a home exchange #5: introduce children to your native country

With so many people moving abroad, settling down and having children, many families are separated from loved ones by thousands of miles (see our last post in the series, 'Visit family but have independence'). As well as wanting children to know their grandparents and other relatives abroad, it's natural to hope that they'll feel a connection to your country. You may keep your customs alive by celebrating special holidays, cooking traditional food and talking about your childhood (if they show any interest!) but nothing beats spending time in your country with your children, showing them the sights and introducing them to a different way of life.

When my London born children were young, we had almost yearly trips 'home' to Canada, staying with my parents. On one memorable exchange holiday we were able to take the grandparents with us for a week in a lovely old cottage on its own private island, something that wouldn't have otherwise been affordable with the high cost of fares for a family of four.

Although Theo, the child in the following family, will only be two when he visits his mum's homeland for the first time, this trip is likely to be the start of many visits, making England seem like home away from home for him too as he grows up.

Perth, Western Australia: 'This is our first family home, and we instantly fell in love with the open living space, big west-facing verandah and the amazing location. We are planning a trip back to England over Christmas to visit family and would love the opportunity to "live" in southern England again. Theo will be two in December and is very much looking forward to seeing his mum's homeland!' See the young family's home for exchange in Perth.

 

 

Are you bringing up your children in a country a long way from your country of birth? Have you ever arranged a home swap 'back home'?

10 good reasons to arrange a home exchange #4: visit family but have independence

Visiting family members who live far away can sometimes cause difficulties. Homes are not always large enough to accommodate extra people comfortably. It can also be hard for both guests and hosts who are close family members (or sometimes especially!) to feel totally relaxed for a lengthy stay. Arranging a home exchange nearby can be the best of both worlds - the chance to spend time together but with time to relax in one's own private space too.  Here are a few examples of Home Base Holidays members who use home exchange when visiting family:

Valencia, Spain: 'We have lived in Spain for over 20 years and have lived in this village for over eight years. Our children go to the local school. We are looking to exchange primarily in the UK so we can visit family for more extended periods than a normal holiday would allow.' The family's home is a large renovated Spanish style townhouse with a courtyard and a self contained flat in a quiet friendly village only 10 minutes drive from beautiful sandy beaches and exciting nightlife in the summer. See the full home exchange offer.

Bellmere, Queensland, Australia: 'We travel to the UK twice a year at present to visit family and friends. We want to spend a longer period each year in the UK to re-discover its charm. We have our own car in the UK and accommodation with family so can be flexible on timing. We would like to meet with potential exchange couples on one of these visits.' See the couple's modern home for exchange located half way between The Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Cornwall, England: 'My seven year old grandson lives in London and we love having adventures around the city and going to concerts and performances at music & drama colleges. I would like to spend more time with him and it would be good to have a home exchange to facilitate this without having to stay with family during each visit. The family lives in East London but any area considered.' Blackbird Cottage nestles in the Tamar Valley, designated area of outstanding natural beauty, East Cornwall. Riverside walks from doorstep through woods to National Trust quayside, country house & gardens. See her full home swap offer.

Have you used a home exchange when visiting family or friends?