House swaps - a way to test the waters (houses, high school)

[Calico Salsa]

Has anyone tried house swapping, as a way to check out an area to move to?

I have friends who swap houses for vacations. They trade living in places with people from the mainland and other countries. It occurs to me that a cost-effective way to check out Hawaii would be to house swap with someone for a week or so. Then you could see what living here was really like.

The trick, of course, would be in finding someone to swap with. I understand there are websites set up for that. And there are Hawaiian residents who would swap over to mainland, so that they can visit relatives or see sights, and save money too.

Anyone had any experience with this? I sure would love to hear about it.

[Kapalua]

No, never had any of my friends do this, but this type of arrangement has been out in the open for over 20 years now.

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by Calico Salsa

Has anyone tried house swapping, as a way to check out an area to move to?

I have friends who swap houses for vacations. They trade living in places with people from the mainland and other countries. It occurs to me that a cost-effective way to check out Hawaii would be to house swap with someone for a week or so. Then you could see what living here was really like.

The trick, of course, would be in finding someone to swap with. I understand there are websites set up for that. And there are Hawaiian residents who would swap over to mainland, so that they can visit relatives or see sights, and save money too.

Anyone had any experience with this? I sure would love to hear about it.

I have a friend on Oahu who has done this for years, and had great success. I emailed her and asked how she did it, and she said that

homelink.org

Was the place where she had the most success. Most of her exchanges were with folks in Europe.

Hank

[Calico Salsa]

Thanks Hank!

[eureka1]

Around here there seems to be an upsurge in such activity in late May or June, when the college and high school graduations occur and families are looking for a cheap place for a week or so. Seems like a great idea. I read somewhere that most of the unhappiness and disputes that arise from these exchanges have to do not with the house but when they're also swapping cars.