I m fascinated with the idea of apartment swaps and home swaps. I d love to trade with someone who lives in a secluded mountain town, or spend a summer biking and exploring in Stockholm or Copenhagen.

I ve been kind of obsessed with the whole idea lately and found 3 helpful links if you d like to share my passion. For those who want to swap into NYC, this Airbnb  neighborhood guide is brilliant and will make you sound city smart. Here are some great tips for prepping for a swap. And for the more adventurous, tips for swapping internationally.

Would you ever try an apartment swap? Or does staying in a stranger s home — and having them stay in yours! — creep you out?

P.S. — Dibs on a cabin with a red door .

My son and his wife used Airbnb exclusively while traveling in Germany last year. They loved it.

We ve used Airbnb while traveling abroad and rent out our apartment in NYC for one or two week stints when we visit our families across the country. We love it. It s super easy and the people that have stayed at our place are considerate, clean, and kind.

I have done a few swaps and I ve had good experiences. But that s not to say that there wasn t that ick feeling every now and then. Having strangers stay in your home can feel pretty weird.

We even did a swap in Tokyo last spring and it was great. My advice is to skype with your fellow swappers to see what they re really like.

This time of year always makes me think of home swaps because of the The Holiday film (you can have the one with the red door, as long as I get the one next door to Jude Law!)

Yes, I definitely thought of Holiday while writing this post.

oh. house swapping is the best thing we ve ever done as a family. some reasons:

- nothing makes you feel cooler than walking around venice with grocery bags full of toilet paper in your comfy (well, THEIR comfy) rain boots when all the tourists are getting wet.

- especially with kids, if you want to go to a museum one afternoon or go to a concert one night, you can leave them home playing with the other family s toys (they ll love it).

- they might recommend you to read some of their books about the city. They ll give you maps. And they ll probably leave you some yummy local ingredients, like yummy cheese or maple syrup, so you can cook a special dinner one night.

- they tell you the local s secrets and put you in contact with a few of their friends in case you need help or advice.

- you make so many friends. we were once invited to a neighbors party and, with the families we swapped with, we are still really good friends.

really. do it.

7 erin December 4, 2012 at 2:38 pm

I ve been using Airbnb for over 2 years now and have been pretty happy with it. A tip to lower the ick factor- get separate linens, pillows, and towels that are only used by your guests. And a mattress cover!

Ditto that! We ask that they bring their own linens when we rent our place out. But I supply fresh pumpkin bread!

9 Katja February 11, 2014 at 4:40 am

Really late to reply, but I just came across this post and discussion via designmom.

I understand what you mean with the ick-feeling, but linens can be washed, and with them any feeling can wash away. For me the whole reason of renting via airbnb while traveling is NOT having to schlepp linens and towels with you. Sorry to say, but whoever feels this way probably is happier not sharing their home with others.

We have experienced both sides of airbnb (17 times we sublet our home, 9 times have we rented homes while travelling) and there was one bad hosting-experience (someone stole something), and one less than brillant stay in a provate home (not so clean). About the cleanliness: Same has been experienced in a hotel many times, it just happens.

I would love to do a house swap with someone in England. Who wants to come to Pittsburgh for the 2014-15 school year?