It’s amazing what you can find on the Internet these days. What if you could approach the classifieds with a clear vision of what you were seeking and bring it your way? This week, I set out to find a place to stay in Marin for a couple of nights, closer to where Aaron is currently working, and closer to Mendocino – where we’re headed on Friday for the Wine and Mushroom Festival. I wanted to save us driving time, gas, toll money, but most of all: energy. I didn’t know what I’d find, but I posted an ad on craigslist house swap with the intention of finding a conscious, free spirited, dependable person. Out from cyberspace came Adrienne, with all those three qualities, and a cute house with a porch and trees all around.
Several phone conversations and emails later, here are Aaron and I sleeping at her house with her cat, while she uses our flat in San Francisco. We traded keys, gave each other deposit checks, signed a loose agreement, and talked enough to get a good sense and trust each other. Adrienne is a freelance PR specialist who could use a place to stay in the city after attending an event, away from her quiet cottage in woodsy Marin.
Two days later and one successful swap later, our initial trade has expanded to three nights.
This time Adrienne left me books to read, directions to a vegan bakery nearby, and instructions on feeding her kitty. We left her homemade pumpkin cookies, beer, and an emptier place than hers to work with no distractions.
I don’t know that house swapping could be this easy for most folks. We seem to have gotten lucky. Within a few minutes of talking – like any relationship that comes easy – it just clicked between us with an instant trust.
Staying here is a nice break from the concrete of the city. I even ran into a wild turkey just walking around the corner the other morning.
In the future, I wouldn’t mind doing a house swap for a stay in Hawaii, Mexico, or London. I’m curious what international house swap sites might bring. But for starters, this is great temporary solution for a home away from home to reduce commute time.
Have you ever tried it? Let me know if you have and what site you used.
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[...] to fill in our needs. We might use craigslist to share gas costs from one city to another, even house-swap with total strangers, and use Meetup to meet others who share our [...]