Q: I was looking at the Home Base Holidays website and really like the idea of home swapping. My wife and I are now retired and are hoping to spend several months in Australia visiting our son in Melbourne and also with the thought of moving there at some point in the not so distant future. Do members arrange longer duration home swaps of say three to four months or is it more for people looking to arrange shorter holidays? Look forward to hearing from you.
- Tom & Ann (Cornwall)
A: Thanks for getting in touch and great to hear that home swapping appeals to you! The majority of home swaps do tend to be either short breaks such as long weekend getaways or holiday swaps of one to three weeks. However, there are many members that arrange long term home exchanges that can be anything from one month to one plus years. Arranging longer term home exchanges can be a great way to visit family or friends living overseas such as in your case, or, if you yourself are an expat living overseas, a great way to visit your native country while still enjoying your own space. Longer term exchanges can also be an exciting option for digital nomads, writers or any other location independent workers whose only work restrictions is a good internet connection.
You mentioned that you were thinking of possibly moving to Australia at a later date; longer term home swaps can be an excellent way to test out the expat life before fully committing to a permanent move. You'll be staying in a real home and be able to take advantage of tips and advice from a real local in your exchange partners.
When arranging a long term home swap, you need to give yourself plenty of time to find a suitable match and then discuss with them all details of the exchange so that you're both happy with the arrangements. As you'll be staying in each other’s homes for a lengthy period, you'll need to agree on how to pay for utility bills during your stay.
It is always important to be as proactive as possible when arranging a home swap and this even more the case when arranging a long term home swap. Join Home Base Holidays several months prior to your travel dates and spend time searching and contacting members so that you find a suitable match.
Finding a long term home swap:
- Go to the home exchange search page
- Select the location you wish to visit
- Under the 'Type of exchange' heading, tick the "Long term exchange" option
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Arrange your 2020 home swaps Sign up to Home Base Holidays and cut the cost of your 2020 getaways. By swapping homes you'll enjoy free accommodation plus all the space and convenience of a home from home. |
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