Home Exchanges

[GillyT]

Has anybody done any Home Exchanges? If you have, was it good/bad/a hassle?! Did you go thru a website ?? Suggestions welcome!!!

Hi GillyT do you mean privately owned exchange or housing association/council etc exchange?

We have just done one through NCT. Its UK only though. We had no problems with it, was a bit of a pain getting the house really clean and not quite as relaxing once we got there as being in a holiday home, but other than that great value for money and meant we didn't need to bring travel cot, steriliser etc etc

Hi goldendelicious - yep I meant the holiday exchange type of home-exchange....

My worry would be about breaking something in somebody elses house!!!

We've done several holiday home exchanges. Highly recommend it. Cost savings can be quite signficant, especially if you include a car exchange. Fantastic for families with kids. We've always used a home exchange Website and often use several. Take a look Tips for finding a home exchange .

We've done several holiday home exchanges. Highly recommend it. Cost savings can be quite significant, especially if you include a car exchange. Fantastic for families with kids (separate rooms, TV/DVD, garden, neighbour's kids, ...).

We've always used a home exchange Website and often use several. Take a look 1st Home Exchange They also have tips for finding a holiday home exchange .

We have and can't shut up about it! Cleaning the house thoroughly is a pain but it is a minor details considering the financial saving and the fun of staying in someone else's house - different toys, videos, foodstuff in the cupboards, etc. and that's before the usual holiday stuff of sights and food.

We hid the children's most favourite toys (ok, just DS's thunderbird!) and locked away financial and personal information and that was it. It's a great way of experiencing a tiny bit of someone else's life too - e.g. talking to neighbours, rubbish/recycling collection - things that you wouldn't normally get to see.