I want to house swap...but does it have to be £99?

[PrincessOfWails]

To join the scheme, that is. I know it's a bit cheeky seeing as mumsnet run the new home swap scheme, but I can't pay £99 to join! And how would paying £1 for a 4 week trial work? Would I have to do some exchange or something within the 4 weeks?

There are lots of holiday home exchange websites. Take a look at www.exchangeholidayhomes.com/details.htm or www.holidayhome-exchange.co.uk, not sure if they are free or not, but as with anything it's worth looking around.

if its not just for a holiday home, Homeswapper is good and its £8.99 for 3 months.

I live in Costa Rica and am up for a home swap in the UK, where are you?

There's been a few threads on this the last couple of weeks. The mn scheme isn't what id hoped it would be - far too luxury focused.

I've been home swapping for quite a few years and love it. I use the Guardian's home exchange service (www.guardianhomeexchange.co.uk) and have had really great experiences so far - in fact I have another exchange arranged this March :) It's much cheaper (I think I pay around £30ish per year) and from what I've seen has IMHO a much better selection of homes.

I've not used them but there are also other schemes - someone mention NCTs service. Or you might get lucky and find someone (such as MummyAbroad) where you can just arrange a swap privately.

Oh, gosh, missed loads on here! (Had mastitis, went off the radar!)

Alleycat - will try that scheme.

MummyAbroad Costa Rica...oh, man, I wish I could! Could I, with a 3yo and a newborn??? And no money?

I'm on Anglesey, have a 3bed (one is a kiddy bedroom!) converted barn. Close to great beaches, a view of snowdon from the garden, and just up the road from the Royals. (That's actually true!) I'm not always there, as DH works in London and we tend to go there for school holidays. Would you like to give it a go, MummyAbroad? PM me!