House swapping: SF + NY
My darlings, have you guys ever done a house swap (or considered it)? We're heading to San Francisco for a week-long vacation this Friday, but instead of staying in a hotel, we'll be trading places with Victoria from the blog SFGirlByBay. We'll stay in her San Francisco apartment, while she crashes at our New York apartment. Yahoo! Here are a few photos of her place...
Isn't her home beautiful? (I did a little mental dance when I saw that hammock:) We'll sleep in her room, and Toby will sleep next to us in his Baby Bjorn crib (which is the best--such an easy and comfy travel crib).
Have you ever swapped homes with someone? (Would you be nervous to swap with strangers?) House swapping is a great way to travel, we've always found. You feel like a local, get much more room to spread out, have the option of cooking at home (or even inviting friends over), and, of course, save money. (Victoria, we're excited to have you here!)
P.S. Thanks again for all your San Francisco travel tips...
(Photos by SFGirlbyBay and Rue Magazine)
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142 comments:
I have wanted to try this ever since I saw the movie The Holiday! What a fun idea. Be sure to let us know how it goes! And enjoy that hammock :)
Her house looks amazing! So does yours though!
I have considered house swapping before! It's quite cool. Up til now we've always had roommates though. Maybe with our new apartment we'll give it a try!
Her place looks so perfect! A house swap really does sound like a great idea...weren't you nervous th first time? I've heard from so many people how great it always turns out! HAVE A BLAST!
Wow, her place is beautiful!!
how exciting! I just heard about this house-swapping thing, it sounds pretty good. luckily for you her home is gorgeous! let us know how it all works out, I'm curious to hear a first hand account :)
Victoria's house is absolutely stunning. I had never really thought about doing a house swap, but the idea seems pretty perfect. I would love to have the option to shop local markets and cook for myself while visiting somewhere new. Have so much fun!
We had a great experience with house swapping using homelink http://www.homelink.org/
We loved cooking (and food shopping at local markets) and feeling like a real natives.
I highly recommend it.
I havent ever heard of house swapping, but now I have! It sounds fun!
I'm kinda like literally inspired to go redecorate my boring room.
how fun! Such a great idea. We'll have to look into that for future family vacations.
As a friend who has asked exactly those questions you mention in the article, I LOVED reading more! Such a great piece!
awesome. and her place looks gorgeous.
I didn't think about the house swap before but it looks like a good idea
http://girlynote.blogspot.com/
Me and my boyfriend have stayed in vacation rentals the last few times we went to NYC-we just got back last week! And we love it!! We get to stay in an actual apartment and love feeling like we actually live in the city. But I love the idea of actually swapping.
wow, her place is beautiful. You are right, you have more space to spread out, especially with an infant. that's great that you were able to coordinate to exchange homes at the same time!
She has such a charming apartment! A house swap would be fun, but maybe a bit more planning would be involved. I would definitely have to spruce up my plain-looking apartment, though.
Great article. Like Alexa said, ever since watching The Holiday, I've been curious about house swapping. I'm a bit of a control freak, but I could probably tame that side of me if it meant a free stay somewhere fabulous! I'm in Dana Point, CA by the beach...anyone interested? hehe
haha, yes, it's just like The Holiday, minus jude law :)
sounds like great fun
i know, vanessa! her house is GORGEOUS. i hope she likes staying at our place; it's definitely not as big/pretty!
bree, that sounds amazing! apt rentals are just as awesome -- totally feels like you're a native.
yes, and the first thing i thought of was the movie Holiday :)
yeah, jessica, my friends have asked about the risks of swapping with complete strangers (what if they break something? what if they're trying to con you, etc.) -- but i have to say, we've done it about 20 times and we've never had a problem! :) i figure, why would you go to all the trouble of arranging a house swap if you weren't really invested in it? plus, i think you can get a great sense of people from their emails.
(in our case, we already knew Victoria, though, and adore her!:)
Yes! My Mister and I did 2 swaps from NYC to Paris over the years. Both went great. I wish you luck. It's the best, we are planning on doing it again soon! Hmmm where to go....enjoy!
That looks amazing! Such fab idea.
C x
http://memiorsofalittlethingcalledlife.blogspot.com
That's awesome! What an adorable house. I would love to do something like that someday! Have an amazing trip :)
So white and immaculate looking, but cozy at the same time!
What a lovely home! I do prefer having something more home-y for longer travels. (Not having a kitchen can feel so weird.) I'd definitely check out swaps for a future vacation.
This looks amazing, Joanna! I hope you have a great time. Toby will LOVE all the new things to look at!
Another fun way of travelling is by using couchsurfing or hospitalityclub!
You have a couch to offer? So just post it and a traveller can crash for free on your couch.
You have the chance to meet openminded people from everywhere, it's like travelling without leaving for you place. And on the other hand you can save money and meet locals!
I have never house swapped, but did rent an apartment in Madrid from home away. It was fantastic living like a local and having a place to cook!
That's wonderful! I follow both of your blogs! Hope you both have a great time in each other's apartments!
Much love!
This apartment looks amazing!
That was a great article - the LA couple sound unreal! Why would they agree to a houseswap if they were worried about fingerprints on their refrigerator!?
Well, Joanna...if you ever get the inkling to visit Oklahoma in the middle of one of our ridiculously hot Summers, I will gladly switch houses with you :) We even have a nursery set up for Toby. But I must warn you, you'll have to clean the cat box!
This is random, but how do you fly with the Bjorn Travel Crib? We have it too, and we love it, but I am just wondering how to pack it for our upcoming flight. Thanks.
Genius!! I love the idea - especially a house swap with another fantastic blogger!
I've always been intrigued by the idea of house swapping but honestly yes, the idea of doing it with strangers terrifies me. Now if it was a fellow blogger whose house I'd seen photos of and loved and who'd likewise seen pics of my place, then maybe, but from just a house swapping listing I don't think I'd ever do it.
http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/
I've always wanted to do a house/apartment swap ...got the first when I saw the movie the Holiday with Cameron DIaz and Kate Winslet.....
I just read on Victorias blog that you switching. yay how fun. what a great idea... i really want to do it someday.
I have friends who traveled to New Zealand and the Philippines last year house sitting! I thought your friend had giant lemons on her kitchen shelf in your photo cluster. hehe.
I've been thinking of trying this, but I think I'm too creeped out by the idea of a stranger in my space. I guess it works best if you know the other person, or know someone in common. Sounds like so much fun, though, and her place is fantastic! Just don't go through her stuff ;-)
an almost one-year-old toby + someone else's white couch = you are a brave, brave woman.
have a blast!
so excited to swap, joanna!!! and to stay in your lovely home!
and thanks to everyone for your kind comments about my home! :)
I am so jellie! I absolutely love sfgirlbybay...her blog is one of my all time faves [along with cup of jo of course] & her house is amazing!
Two of my favorites bloggers swapping houses...how cool!
That sounds insanely wonderful! Have a blast!
xx
Loved the stories of your experiences!
I'm determined to try swapping for my next vacation.. hopefully I can convince my boyfriend of the idea.
I've heard Airbnb.com is a great site and one way swapping is possible (for those who are a little uneasy about lending their home but okay with staying at someone else's house).
I love swapping! When we can't swap, we also try to rent a house, because with two kids (and occassionally my mom) in tow, is so much easier to find a space that fits all of us rather than rent multiple hotel rooms or spend the money on a suite. We also try to travel on the "off" season (May and late September or October) to get better rates. For example, we rented a 4 bedroom house in Rockport MA last September that was amazing and very close to town/beach for $600/week!
nerissa, we just carry it like an extra bag. when we check in, we check the item as a "baby item." then we get it at baggage claim when we arrive. (when you fly, you can check extra items for free if they're baby items (like strollers, travel cribs, etc.) hope that helps!
deanna, that's amazing!
such an awesome idea. ps just read your baby kissing post and loved it.
What an amazing apartment !!! I'm thinking of doing a house swap over the summer.. My apartment in Paris is tiny, but it makes it very authentic ;)
ahhh this looks amazing. we are all SF girls...you scored a sweet spot in the city!
I've always wanted to do that! Especially after the movie 'The Holiday'. I know you'll have an amazing time in San Fran!
love,
dana
danalovestobake.blogspot.com
the boy and i have hosted guests via Air BnB before which is always fun, however i don't think our chicago apartment is in a clean enough condition to let people take over our bedroom!! that san francisco apartment is so charming and tempting!
WOW - If my house looked like that I'm not sure I'd ever leave! :)
I would do it in a second if you were the one to arrange it! xx
Boyfriend and I took a trip to Portland last week and I wanted to list our place on AirBnB but he got nervous. I think he was convinced we were going to be robbed? I don't know. The only thing that worried me was figuring out how to safely swap housekeys!
I'm in love with house swapping, and have turned all my friends onto it - coming up this summer, we've rented a house for ten for $350 in the Hudson Valley (the town where the house is located is called Coxsackie - don't worry, I still childishly giggle at it too). It has working fireplaces in each bedroom and a private pond. I don't think these sort of deals or experiences are found when you stay at a hotel.
Have a blast in San Fran!
Becca
Wow! What an amazing home! Can I come too!
When I was young, my parents would always reserve rooms at bed & breakfasts or rent houses to stay in while we were on vacation. It feels so much more comfortable to me. Hotels seem cold and a bit sterile in comparisson.
I haven't done a house swap, but I think it would be so fun to do with someone you know online, but hadn't met in real life.
Love this idea! My parents were going to do this w a home in France.
xo,
cristin
I have never tried housing swaps, and might be a little afraid of it! but in the movie The Holiday it looks fun!
she has a lovely home, but I think I would be a little to weirded out to sleep in someone else's house!
*too
Unfortunately, I dont live anywhere cool enough that someone would want to come and stay. Haha, i did do a little house swap across provinces with some friends once, we stayed in their house and they came and roughed it at our cabin. It's not as weird as I thought it might be, but a little nerve wracking getting everything ready for someone to stay!
Best idea ever! Especially if both of you have amazing places....nice!
What a great way to save on cost and live like a local! Nothing beats this way of traveling! So excited for you both! ^_^
wow, lucky you! her house is so beautiful!
My Uncle and his family did this years ago and it worked out really well.
They traded their Bend, Oregon home for one on Maui.
They needed a vacation, and the other guy need to get to a business meeting. And they both took care of each other pets!..
Fun! What a fantastic idea!
I haven't done a proper swap, but I have used sirbnb to rent someone's apartment (internationally at that!) and rent my apartment out while I was away. Both were successful experiences!
Hi Joanna! We did it a few years ago (before Maeve) with a French family from Paris and loved it. Such a great way to travel when you have kids. See you at the park. Maybe today?! xo
How exciting!! I've never done a house swap but I want to :)
Re-edited vsn of The Arrival now up and just .99c for May ONLY
how flipping incredible!!! LOVE hammocks. You are going to have an amazing time.
Also, I'm obsessed with your blog. I discovered it last month and went back and read all archives ;)
Plus, I'm a twin!
have a fabulous vacation.
It looks soo beautiful! I want to stay there too!!! :-)
Have fun!
Elina
What a lovely lovely home! I bet Toby will have a field day on that shag rug! And that sweet kitchen is such a visual treat.
Pretty sure you will have the perfect adventure.
Yes please!!!
I think a house swap would be the best.
I also happen to live in paradise, within the national park, two minute walk to the beach....maybe i should try this out too?
St John anyone?
LOL......
I'm hoping to be out in SF this fall for the fist time, have a blast, please let me know what is a must do ;)
sage
just like the movie the holiday! my hub and i rent homes instead of hotels with other couples. it is sooo much better than hotels! plus it is really fun to see how other people live and decorate. i am always inspired when i come home!
I love the idea, and I'd do it. I saw a few other people mentioned AirBnB – my husband just used it to stay at an apartment in Hong Kong, and he had a great experience. You should read "What's Mine Is Yours" – it talks about how younger generations are more attuned to sharing what they own, like AirBnB's mentality.
That's so cool! I read SFGirlByBay all the time. Her house is seriously gorgeous.
I'm not sure how I feel about house swapping. I think I'd be too nervous if I didn't know the person fairly well (or know enough about them, anyway). The option to cook at home and the amount of space, plus avoiding annoying hotel mates, though, could win me over.
what a great idea! have so much fun..
What a sweet pad! I've always wanted to try home exchange. Have fun in SF!
I love her blog and her home is stunning. Enjoy SF
I love this! I've never swapped before, but I have stayed in locals' places before instead of going to a hostel or hotel. It really does make you feel like you're getting a more genuine experience.
I'd love to swap houses, but sadly it's not very common or well-known in Europe (esp. Germany). It would safe us a lot of money I guess.
Have a nice trip! Maja
I LOVE it! What gorgeous airy photos of the place you're staying in! Yes, that hammock looks ridiculously comfortable, completely nap worthy. The lemons in the kitchen photo montage really brightened it all up. Thanks for being such an inspiring blogger! Xo Eva
I think this is a great idea! Being a NY-er I think its one of the many perks of living here! I've always wanted to swap, but haven't had the chance yet. My top pick would actually be SF or of course, like many New Yorkers, to someplace rural and beautiful!
I actually just started renting out my Manhattan apartment and was definitely nervous at first..."what will they think of that ugly picture frame?" But it turned out so well. I actually loved leaving out maps for them and giving them recommendations for our 'hood. I feel like a little inn keeper.
Have a great time, Joanna! It looks like a gorgeous place!
I was just reading Victoria's post about your swap ;) Think it is a great idea and swapping with her seems less strange then swapping whit a total stranger I would swap with people I talk with a lot online I think ;)
Hope you are having a great time in SF ;)
...i ADORE her house...have FUN in the city....LOVE san francisco so much !!!!
kary~~~ 4 hours south in san luis obispo
My fiance and I swapped for 2 weeks last summer to go to Paris- it was fantastic! We are hopefully switching with the same folks this October, but they have moved to Berlin! Very exciting. They are the parents of a friend of ours, so we weren't too worried about the trade! : )
Yes! How fabulous. My parents did do that a couple times. Get this, they swapped their Berkshires cottage for a week in Paris. Paris hello!
You picked a good one in SF.
PLEASE take food photos for us? Some of us are die-hard foodies and need to see the wonderful food places in SF. OK? lol
Hubby and I have house-sat for friends that went away on vacation, but never swapped houses exactly. I think it would be great, as long as it was someone you knew you could trust, and that really trusted you! Communication would be vital. I'm sure you'll have a great time! :-]
I think both you and Victoria are going to have a great time. House swapping is a great idea. I never really thought about it before. I especially like the idea of swapping with fellow bloggers. You know there will be high speed internet.
While living in SF I liked going to the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building. Here is the link.
http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers_market.php
Cynthia
http://coffeeonthepatio.com
http://www.cynthiasblog.com
When I was four we swapped houses with a family in London for a month in the summer. We went to Dublin and they came to our house In Irvington, NY. Even though I was four I have some real memories of it...both of Ireland and the time spent with my siblings. Two interesting things happened on our watch....their cat died (we gave it a proper burial in their backyard) and their T.V. was repossessed. I also vividly remember the tinkers knocking on the door while my parents were out and we hid.
Both of your blogs have been in my bookmarks for years, so I am a bit nerdily excited about your house swap!
Looks like a great apt in San Francisco! What a great idea :)
I'm an SF native and I would love to share some of my favorite spots with you. Perhaps I can send you a private email? Yes, I will do that!
I would love to swap! But my house is in St. Louis - not quite a big tourist town, although plenty of wonderful things to do. And I guess they would need to use my car as well...
Anyone want to come to St. Louis??
we've been talking about doing this with one of my dearest friends from school, who lives in melbourne. our kids are exactly the same age, so it would make travelling so easy not having to worry about cots, carseats and highchairs et al.
you've prompted me to get on and organise it!
xo
Sounds like wonderful fun - so much better than staying in a hotel, especially with baby! Have fun.
Oh wow! I'd love to do that!! Sounds like an awesome fun thing to do.
Love,
Camie
http://lovecamie.blogspot.com
Now I am dreaming of Hammock weather.
I love the way her home is decorated :)
Have you only done swaps with people you know? Or with strangers, too? If you swap with a stranger, do you hide your valuables or something? How does that work? I'd love to hear more about house swaps. I've always wanted to do it, but would be nervous to take the plunge.
Is Lucy included in the swap? ;)
These pics made me swoon. Such beauty and I'm one of those people who love both ny and sf quite ardently. Have a great time over there!
just checked back in, and wow so many comments!
i need to read through them all! i'm loving reading all these so far!
but, no christine, lucy is not included. but that may be arranged temporarily, under serious scrutiny! :)
i just wanted to add - i swapped via craigslist with a total stranger from toronto. to cover my bases, i spoke to his company's HR person, required a copy of both his passport and driver's license, and a ss# number.
usually, if you have a good feeling about your conversations with someone, their emails (as well as ability to spell - and i mean this, because it protects you from the fraudulent) and all that paperwork and a deposit, it works out very well.
to go the easy route - check out airbnb.com - it's an awesome site for finding rooms/apts/home all over.
can't wait for nyc!
Yay! Maybe I'll run into you. =)
Anyone familiar with house swapping - do you typically clean out your closets, dressers, etc. for guests?
We are interested in swapping our place in SF for a place in Paris this summer.
That sounds perfect! San Francisco is wonderful, and Victoria's apartment looks fantastic. Have a great time!
We've been doing it for 12 years now. First time in California (we live in Paris), then a long pause because of the children... then London, Amsterdam, Sicily (an enchantement !) and, this June, Rotterdam, and, this summer, Sardinia ! It is exciting, nice, we meet nice people, the children love it when we exchange with families (the joy of discovering new toys ! They sometimes don't want to come back); it is the joy of discovering a town through the eyes of its inahibants, we feel much less tourists and more part of the town. Our exchange site : Homelink, well known to American and Australian.
And to Anonymous 12.57 yes you do, except if it is for a short exchange (the lady we exchange with for Rotterdam says she will put her things on a chair, it is only for 5 days, and we'll leave our things in the suitcases too).
this is so genius!!! I love the idea of house swapping with bloggers! I hope you have an amazing trip!! xo, Abbey
I adore that fabulous vintage kitchen ... such a stylish call to the past and a fun way to make memories. Great hammock. All around fabulousness!
Hi!! It's great your post about home swapping. I also love it and we have done home exchange with my hudsband for 4 years now. We have gone to NY twice, SF, Berlin, Paris, Instambul, Marrakech, ...all our holidays. It has change our way of travelling. We like it so much that we have launch a new web for home exchange www.knok.com. We have just launched and we offer free suscription for one year to those that want to join until the end of May. We have many houses in Barcelona, that is where we live, and many are interested in going to NY. So if you are thinking about it, give it a try in www.knok.com!!!!
Great idea. I might try!!
Wow, that place is amazing! I think I need to move out of my teeny tiny NYC studio!
Love the hammock! Her place looks so beautiful...I love that duvet that she has in her room...I've been eying it myself on Dwell. Ha.
alexa
www.theshortandthesweetofit.com
She has such a beautiful home! I love white-walled, light filled rooms.
Reminds me of the movie "The Holiday"... a great idea - especially when you walk into a place like that one!
http://inherentstylela.blogspot.com/
What a great idea! This looks so beautiful and relaxing! I hope you have a wonderful time! Be safe!
Laurren
I did a swap last July with a guy in Paris—found the listing on Craigslist via Jauntsetter in March, emailed him, and arranged everything within a couple of weeks. In retrospect it might have been a bit risky—I'm no Craigslist fan—but I just went with my instincts and took the leap.
It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed the month of my life in my very favorite city. I have zero regrets and a lifetime full of memories, as well as a new friend in Paris—I was there again last week and got to meet my swap partner for the first time. My instincts were right on the money, and he was as sweet as could be.
If you're thinking about a swap, do your homework, listen to your gut, and go!
Very chic home! Came across a home exchange website that focuses on "stylish-chic-luxury" homes for exchange. HomeChicHome. It seems to be free to join. Your swap place would fit right in with the other homes on the site.
We've been swapping for several years - Hawaii, France, Portugal, ...
The key to being comfortable with swapping is to spend time getting to know the other family. We make sure to exchange lots of e-mails and have at least one phone call (Skype makes video calling cheap and easy). We also discuss and agree to all the possible issues up front (i.e.: what if someone breaks something, expectations on home cleanliness, ...)
We've exchanged with people we know and by using home exchange websites. (Haven't tried Craigslist - just too many scammers to make us 100% comfortable.)
Have a fun home exchange!
Beautiful photos and great blog!!! Come to visit my blog too :))
WWW.RENEBRAUN.COM
Kisses!
I could never do that...ever! Both homes look wonderful but my home is just too....well, mine! I do hope you enjoy yourselves! It's good we are all different in our own way. I love SF and NYC! I think you are amazing! Love your blog.
C.
@A charmed Life : are you kidding ? Living in Paris we have been doing it for years, through Homelink : Sicily, California, London, Amsterdam, Greece. And this year, Rotterdam in June, and Sardinia in August. Considering Budapest for October !
My house is way too messy!
Thanks to your blog, we did a home exchange with a couple in Barcelona and it went off without a hitch. They seemed really cool, we wished we could have hung out with them. They even asked me for decorating advice! Thanks to your inspiration our travel destinations are endless.
Lauren
undeclaredpanache.blogspot.com
I absolutely adore the decor of home! It looks like it is straight out of a magazine!
A house swapping would be fun, but maybe a bit more planning would be involved.Loving all the Images,especially the the bedroom..its exactly gorgeous apartment...thanks for sharing.
Never tried but the idea excites me, not with complete strangers though :)The hammock is gorgeous by the way. A perfect place to chill and flip some magazine :)
what a neat idea! I've never thought of that :)
I love the idea of house swapping! We are considering it for our apartment in Devon in England for October, trying to find someone who wants to swap in America. If only all apartments were as stylish as both of yours!! :)
This an interesting idea. But I am not sure here in Asia we can do that. People are more cautious here. But I would love to have one someday.
My husband and I have house swapped our flat in Prague, CZ with others in Europe, US and Mexico. It's a great way to travel, get a better sense of life as a local and you can save a lot of money. Another great perk are the new friendships you create and the warmth that spreads across house swappers. Check out homeexchange.com!
Swapping Homes is an idea that has been around, but has not gotten as much attention as it does today. If you want to Swap your home, you should check out http://MyHouse4Trade.com or TrySwappingIt.com MyHouse4Trade.com is a free site to register, find and collaborate a home swap. http://tryswappingIt.com includes tweets on the latest house swaps and background information on home swapping and swapping other things of interest.
Here is a Totally free site, This works if we continue to spread the word. Realtors can make full commissions, and sellers can move on with their life's dreams. See http://www.MyHouse4trade.com It's Free for all so try it out, it will be our way of helping home sellers - check it out!
Of course, the writer is completely fair.
A great idea and its all so beautiful and the arrangement of all single place is also so beautiful.
These are great San Francisco lodging ideas!
Quite effective info, thanks so much for the post.
The writer is totally fair, and there is no question.
metal buildings
I`d love to swap houses!
So if you ever like to visit Germany (we`re living in Colonge)let us know :o)
nadine
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