Anyone fancy a house swap?

[knakered]

I was just thinking how great it would be to house swap with someone from Mumsnet...house would be all set up for children - we could swap tips for local restaurants/days trips etc...maybe just for a weekend. I have a 3 bed detached house (huge garden)in beatuiful South Bucks village...25 mind drive/train into central London, 10 mins Windsor. 30 mins Oxford etc.

Is there any official within UK house swap websites

[WideWebWitch]

Knackered, I agree, have put details of what we've got on scummy's "any ideas for a cheap holiday" thread. My sister has just paid to register with 2 houseswap web sites so I'll let you know whether there was anything worth swapping on there and whether it was worth the money (£20 for each site).

[jennifersofia]

good idea, with the house swapping. I know that NCT also has a house swap register, but I haven't checked it out yet. Anyone given it a try?

[Rosy]

JS, check out what I've written about the NCT Houseswap register on the thread about cheap holidays. (Look in last day/last week at the top of the talk boards.) As for experience of actually doing one, ask me again in September!

[AnnieMo]

We have done a couple of NCT Houseswaps and both were really successful. It was quite a bit of work before hand as we left the house clean and tidy and did quite a bit of research with leaflets etc about local attractions - and we were lucky that our swapping partners did the same. Both houses were really child friendly and the kids loved trying out new toys (anything special lock away) It was great to have someone to feed the cats! I would certainly do it again - I suppose it is just luck if your swap has similar standards to your own - but our experiences were good.

[Tati]

We live in Chiswick, West London & are thinking of moving to the area around Brighton. Would love to do a weekend swap if anyone was interested. We have a 5 bedroom house, loads of living space, big playroom & good sized London garden with climbing frame, swings, slide, etc. Two minutes from the tube & only 15 mins walk from Kew Gardens. Could also set you up with a babysitter so you could wander up the road - lots of restaurants nearby, or even venture further afield.

[Tinker]

Tati - can't help you with Brighton but if you fancy swapping with a flooded 2 bed house in Stockport, I'm your girl

[MABS]

Tati - can't help with the house swap but I do live in Brighton - so any info you need - just ask away. Regards Mabs

[ScummyMummy]

Oi! Hands off, Tinker! I KNOW Tati is desperate to swap to my 2 bedroom flat in Victoria. You are, aren't you Tati? You could get to Brighton in no time from Victoria station and we have a beautiful car park out the back... Tempted?

Was it bad weather that flooded you or a leak, Tinks? Sounds a bit rubbish. Was much damaged?

[Rhubarb]

Anyone want to live in my 2up 2down terraced in Preston? Now before I get flooded with offers (sorry Tinker!), I will tell you its good points, it has a nice back garden which is not overlooked, it is a 20 minute walk from the city centre, just around the corner from a very big and lovely park with a river, we have a family friendly pub with a playground, we're just a 10 min walk to the station and on a good route to Blackpool and the Lake District.

Now don't all reply at once, I know it will be in demand but I am picky about the house I want to swap to - it's got to be better than mine for a start!

[leese]

LOL Rhubarb! Don't think you'd want to house swap with me - lovely cottage, psychotic neighbours....but there lies another story...
BTW, did you see that programme 'Home From Home' on C4 tonight? Follows a house swap pairing - this time a slightly eccentric couple from Derby with a very British semi (or detached - you get the picture), swapping with a typically American couple from San Diego, who managed to damage their car AND put a dent in their lounge wall(?!!)
Whenever I see these programmes, I always think the Americans get a raw deal coming here - giving up palatial lifestyles for a semi in Derby.....hhhhmmmmmm.....

[Tinker]

Thanks for asking Scummy. Not quite a flood but enough to mean the whole dining room and my daughter's bedroom need completely redecorating after this lovely weather!!!

[Marina]

Sorry to hear that, Tinker, hope it does not cause you long-term problems. I spent last week in Carlisle and nearly got washed into the Solway Firth by the river thundering past my parents' windows...

[bossykate]

bad luck, tinker. must be awful. hope at least the repairs etc. are as speedy as possible.

[Tati]

Lucky you Mabs, will get back to you, thanks.
Sorry about the flooding Tinker, hope you're drying out! Hey Scummy Mummy, thanks for the offer, but you're not quite close enough! May see you there KS, are you still thinking about it or doing something about it? We're just thinking, but are sick of London traffic, pollution, schools, etc. Would like a bit more of a unhectic life for the kids. May rent for 6 months to suss it out first.

[Tinker]

Thanks for concern ladies. Dining room probably needed redecorating anyway.

[Rhiannon]

We're off to Cornwall on a houseswap next Friday, will let you know how we get on. They live a 5 minute walk from the beach. Can't wait and it's all free! R

[Tinker]

Did you see that programme yesterday pm about house swap - Edinburgh to France? What miserable sods the non-French family were - can't imagine they would have enjoyed themselves anywhere!

[Rhubarb]

Sob, no-one want my house then?

[leese]

Tinker - absolutely agee! Watched in amazement as they arrived and proceede to criticize everything barr the pool - they wasted their holiday complaining/trying to find somewhere else - they should have taken a leaf from their sons book, jumped in the pool, and enjoyed themselves.
What exactly was the problem anyway? The house seemed fine to me - OK, a little more simplistic (rustic) in style than Mrs Edinburgh's twee house, but isn't that what hols are about? If yiou want your house - stay at home! Did you notice, once they'd started their incessant complaining the TV crew kept flashing to scruffier areas of the property - like behind the shed etc! Now who has got a tidy area behind their shed?......... bet I'll wish I never asked that.......

[leese]

Oh, and just to add how sorry I felt for the lovely French couple, who wouldn't sleep in the main bedroom, so as not to mess it up, and wouldn't eat in the dining room - bless!

[sis]

this programme sounds great - what is it called and what time&channel is it on please? How comes I've missed it, I love those shows where you get to nose in other people's houses (Iknow, I'm tragic...)

[Jendy]

Rhubarb would love your house but I don't think you'd want mine. Bare plaster on walls (where there is plaster), no carpet in some areas, heating system and water system about to pack up et ...

[Tinker]

sis - it's called Home From Home. I think they're repeats but it's on Channel Four at about 5 or 5.30 in the afternoon. This couple were particularly ungrateful. They swapped overcast rainy Edinburgh for the sunny South of France and couldn't find anything postive to say!!!! Some people!!! Agree with you completely Leese.

[sis]

Thanks Tinker, now I know why I am unaaware of this televisual feast - usually on my way home from work at that time - I'll look out for any more series which might be shown later in the evening.