'Dating for homes saved me £20,000 on holidays'

Liz Barlow and her husband Ivan Greenaway have discovered a fascinating way to travel while saving a significant amount of money. They participate in home exchanges, which Liz describes as 'dating for homes. ' At 70 years old, Liz has successfully completed 31 home swaps and estimates that she has saved over £20,000 by staying in other people's homes without paying for accommodation. Their journey into home swapping began in 2015, but Liz admits that she had her doubts at first. She recalls thinking, 'What if someone damages my home or steals my belongings? ' However, after their initial swap, they felt more at ease with the process. Their first exchange took them to a charming bungalow in Australia, followed by a trip to South Africa, where they stayed in a unique clifftop house filled with quirky wooden furniture. One of Liz's most cherished memories is of a wooden house nestled in the heart of an Alaskan forest. She fondly remembers sitting on the deck, surrounded by trees, and enjoying the breathtaking views. 'It was absolutely stunning,' she said. 'During our two-week stay, we experienced a heatwave, went to the local state fair, attended a rodeo, and even went walking with reindeer on my birthday—it was fantastic! ' For Liz and Ivan, home swapping allows them to immerse themselves in the local culture and lifestyle of the places they visit. Occasionally, they encounter unusual requests from homeowners. For instance, during their stay in Alaska, the homeowner asked them to save her quilting supplies in case of an earthquake, rather than her family photos or jewelry. The concept of home exchanges dates back to the 1950s when teachers sought affordable travel options during their summer breaks. However, it gained widespread attention after the release of the 2006 romantic comedy 'The Holiday,' which featured two women swapping homes for the Christmas season. Inspired by the film, Rebecca Pyatt, a 35-year-old teacher, decided to try home swapping while working in the Seychelles in 2017. 'It provides a taste of going on holiday while experiencing the lives and cultures of others,' she explained. Rebecca and her family have traveled to various destinations, including a house used in the filming of the James Bond movie 'Spectre' in Mexico. She described the experience as 'incredible,' highlighting the luxurious features of the house, including an infinity pool and a personal chef. Unlike platforms like Airbnb, where booking is quick and easy, home swapping requires a more gradual process of building a profile and establishing connections with potential exchange partners. Rebecca has not encountered any negative experiences, but she acknowledges that there is always a risk of last-minute cancellations. Websites like HomeExchange offer assistance to members in finding replacement accommodations if plans fall through. Since the end of pandemic restrictions, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in home swapping, with HomeExchange reporting 200,000 active members globally, including 5,600 based in the UK. Jessica Poillucci, a public relations manager for the company, noted, 'As travel resumed, we observed a growing trend of people turning to home swapping. ' For individuals like Liz and Rebecca, home exchanges are built on mutual trust and a belief in the goodness of people. Rebecca expressed her confidence in the process, stating that the benefits of saving money far outweigh any potential risks. 'I don’t have anything particularly sentimental,' she said. 'If something gets broken, it can be replaced. ' However, not everyone shares this perspective. Charlotte Hindle, who operates a travel media firm, considers home exchanges to be her 'idea of a nightmare. ' She prefers the structure of Airbnb, where she can control her space and keep her personal belongings private. To ensure a smoother and safer experience, she advises individuals to take inventory of their possessions and consider insurance options. 'You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you are accused of taking something,' she cautioned. Kate Abby, a photographer, agrees that home exchanges require more effort than simply booking a hotel room. 'It involves a lot of work leading up to it, such as extra cleaning beyond what you would normally do,' she explained. However, she appreciates the opportunity to explore destinations that may not be typical tourist spots. 'We visited a lovely valley in the North York Moors, which I had never been to before, and it turned out to be a delightful experience. ' While home exchanges may not be suitable for everyone, for avid swappers like Liz, Rebecca, and Kate, they provide a chance to embark on adventures that would otherwise be financially out of reach. Liz shared some of her remarkable experiences, such as witnessing bears fishing for salmon in Alaska and observing beluga whales in Hudson Bay, Canada. Home swapping may not be for everyone, but for those who embrace it, it opens up a world of exciting travel opportunities.