Have you ever wanted to travel on-the-cheap and live like a local? Three opportunities to score free lodging include house swapping, house and/or pet sitting and volunteer work. Travelers can attain housing by working through friends or family or by using a web-based company that matches travelers and homeowners. If using online services, it is imperative to have a stellar profile that fits the needs of the homeowner. Any of these encounters will allow travelers to experience diverse ways of life – farm, rural, luxury home, city condo, bungalow, waterfront. Often hosts communicate their favorite restaurants, shops, local hang-outs, and activities so that visitors can easily integrate into the culture.
HOUSE AND PET SITTING
Travelers should have open communication with homeowners in advance of the trip to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding expectations. There are multiple websites that are set up to match home and pet owners with visitors. What could be better than taking a glass of wine and the dog for a walk on the beach at sunset as part of your “job” while house/pet sitting?
HOME SWAPS
There are three types of home swaps. A simultaneous exchange where you and another homeowner stay in each other’s house at the same time. Non-simultaneous exchanges are typically second homes or vacation homes that are traded. Hospitality Exchanges are swaps where you stay in another person’s home while they are there. My sister lives in the mountains and I live near the beach – perfect swap opp! There are multiple websites to help facilitate these transactions.
VOLUNTEER TRAVEL
Volunteer possibilities are endless. Numerous websites offer work-for-housing opportunities. 20 – 30 hours of work activities like being a nanny, helping with farm chores, working the front desk of a hostel, teaching a foreign language or guiding horseback tours can be exchanged for accommodations. The duration of a stay is typically several days to three months. There are numerous considerations to investigate prior to any trip. If traveling internationally, what type of visa will you need and will it cover the duration of your trip? Will the place you’re staying have a vehicle or transportation available for you? What is the distance to town, shopping, attractions? What is included in your stay – food, transportation, wifi/internet? Do you have medical coverage for your location? Always do your research and have a backup plan! Travel = expect the unexpected! This form of travel will not be for everyone and will take a bit of work, but might prove to be the experience of a lifetime!