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So I was raised to not trust strangers. They're dangerous, right? Hmm...I'm not so sure. After years of traveling, I've begun to question this rule on which I was raised. Countless so-called strangers have given me places to sleep, food, and transportation through my travels. More importantly, countless 'strangers' have become friends of mine. The Wall Street Journal recently published a piece on housing swaps, but the trend is nothing new. Craigslist, namely, has an entire section devoted to housing swaps and they've been happening, effectively, for years.
How housing swaps work:
You trade your home with someone else for a certain period of time. You correspond with your fellow swapper by whatever communication means and set your terms. (Will your dog need walked? Will your car need moved? Are any rooms off-limits?) And then you show up in Paris or Hong Kong or where ever and have your own home to stay in while someone stays in your home. Instead of walking into a cold and predictable hotel room, you get a lived in home. You might have a yard, a pool, a spacious kitchen, an office...a whole lot more than you'd get at a hotel.
You pay nothing for this—that's the fundamental value of the swap! In exchange for trusting a stranger in your home while they're trusting you in theirs, you get comfortable housing for free.
It can seem daunting, I know. This is the kind of thing I would do, but I bet my parents would never get down with. And it's not for everyone. But if you're even remotely into the idea of participating in a housing swap, go for it! Money isn't the only thing you'll save. Hotels consume a ton of energy and are masters of waste. If you're staying in a house where you call the shots, you can easily make your entire vacation a green one. And you're dog back home can get walked while you're at it.
More on green vacationing:
How to Get a Deal on an Amtrak Ticket
5 Tips For Hitchhiking Safely and Effectively
Green City Guide: Denver
Should You Stay In An Airport Hotel? If You have To, Yes.
