Home Exchange Testimonials

The below testimonials are contributions from members of Singles Home Exchange

Its been a while since we exchanged. The last time was 1999. We did an exchange with a couple from New Zealand for a three month period. We exchanged homes and vehicles and everything worked out perfectly. We also exchanged with an Australian couple for one month and again exchanged vehicles. After that we decided it was the only way to travel if we could find the suitable people to exchange with.

Joseph Croasdale

I have exchanged with three people so far and been very, very happy with the arrangement. It is the best way to see another city/country and I would recommend this site highly. It adds a personal touch that is missing in package holidays, and makes even the most faraway destinations affordable.

Joan Deitch

Hi, we exchanged our Spanish apartment with a home in St.Helena, Napa Valley, California. We had a wonderful time........the home was spacious , elegantly furnished and the neighbour a real sweetie! We explored the whole area and then moved on to Las Vegas, and just had a marvellous holiday for very little cost. Our home was just as we had left it and they were a very considerate couple, which we hope we were too!!!!!

Mary & Peter Hopkins-Stidwell

Last week I had my first experience of home-swapping. I went to Bernardino's house, in Padova (Italy). It was fantastic, his house is very comfortable and the town is marvellous!

Antonella Gianferri

I did a couple of exchanges this last summer in San Francisco and in Vancouver and also I arranged a rental in New York through a SHEI member that finally could not come to Barcelona. Everything went perfect for us and I think they enjoyed as well here. I would like to repeat the experience again soon.

Raquel

I've done several home exchanges to Europe, and generally they've worked out well. But if I have one suggestion, it would be to ask all the questions you think are pertinent, so that your expectations are somewhat in league with reality. And use your intuition. If you think, by reading between the lines of an e-mail, that there may be problems, however minor, there probably will. I rushed into things, and will take the process a little more slowly and methodically—though not intrusively—next time.

E.W.

3 people from Italy came to visit me through this website at my home in Port Elizabeth, South Africa - we had a wonderful time and took them all-over - to see wild game, also for a weekend in a beach-cottage right on a large beach and became very good friends - I am now looking forward to visiting them in Italy.

Marion Engelbrecht

I first contacted lady from Brighton (ID 1954) in February, she agreed on the home exchange. Then we exchanged a few e-mails giving some help and information to each other, and even we had a phone conversation. By chance, there have been some similarities, like the size of the apartments, the travel party (3 persons), non smokers, a covered parking space, and coastal towns. We spent a wonderful two week holiday, and well as they did, I think. And we both treated and left the apartments perfectly good, so there has been no problem and we are very satisfyed. The only little problem for us is that my wife and daughter don't like not to understand people, and thats why next summer well remain around here, but that's another matter.

Raphael - Spain

We finally had the opportunity to stay at Enzo's & David's (#525) in San Francisco this summer. Meanwhile they stayed in our place for the second time. They provided us with an immaculate appartment minutes away from Union Square by foot. If you are looking for reliability, helpfulness, and friendliness in people you want to swap with you need look no further.

Niklas Monrad

My wife and I had a great house exchange past winter in Florida. Living there, as a resident was fabulous. We discovered so much more than staying in a hotel. We can't wait to "house exchange" again.

Rony and Jenny, Australia

I made an exchange with a Norvegian member. I was plenty satisfied of the exchange. For what the other SHEI member told to me, he was satisfied, too. I will try again.

Vincenzo TIRABASSI

Just to let you know that I had woderfull winter vacation in Australia thanks to your home exchange service. Keep up with good work.

Nina J, Paris - France

Dear Home Exchange International
Thanks to your home exchange service I had great holiday and saved a lot of money I usually payed for accomodation. I will continue using your service and will recommend your home exchange service to all travel lovers.

Katja

We were extremely pleased with your service and happily recommend home exchange to friends. Our home swap to London last year went very well - we had a great time.

Sandra - NY

We found what we thought would be the ideal apt in Rome.However they wanted to go to Paris.I searched for somebody who wanted London (where I live)with the end result being that I got to Rome, Stefano and Monica got to Paris, and Aimee stayed in my place and we're all doing it in reverse order at Easter!!! What a fantastic site! We couldn't have done it without you.

alexandria cody

We traded with Niklas & Marta (#1402) in Amsterdam and have made friends, having dinner together on following trips, phone calls and emails. We now consider them friends. Their apartment was wonderful, and they took great care to leave information about how to use all the appliances and the local restaurants, transportation, etc. This was a last minute trade and a fantastic experience.

Enzo Lombard

We traded San Francisco for Amsterdam (with Brendan #427) and actually met on an earlier trip so we were more familiar with the place. The location is wonderful, as is the garden if you are there in warm weather. He was a good communicator, left good instructions, and everything went very smoothly.

Enzo Lombard

My home exchange this summer worked out perfectly! You have a great site and I am tickled to have come upon it.

Harry F.

I spent two wonderful weeks in London last summer in a delightful, comfortable apartment across the river from Greenwich. A perfect exchange. Thank you, Pat.

KT in Toronto

Thank you for your help on the phone, as well as your excellent site. I've just made a satisfying agreement for 3 weeks in London, and are looking forward to it eagerly.

Melissa W. New York

I've just had four wonderful weeks in Paris with my 10 year old daughter, and recommend home exchange to everyone we meet. Thanks for your facilitation.

Marlene Freeman

Dear Home Exchange International. Made two exchanges: one in San Francisco in December. 1 bedroom apartment on Larkin st(Nob hill) for one week and the other one in New York on 1 Fifth Avenue(Village) (two bedroom apartment, 130 m2, skyline views)for two weeks in July. Both went very well. The one in New York City went especially well.

Olivier, Paris

Hello to all you smart folks who have joined us 'House Swappers' I am now entering my 17th year of "Home Exchanging" Which has taken me through Europe Canada United States Mexico and parts of Asia... I hold many treasured memories... having enjoyed some marvelous adventures that would not have been afforded to me other wise. Met some really fine people.. Have on going swaps every year with a new found friend in London UK. Now that I am 'fully retired' I have been house garden and pet sitting [Free of charge] When I'm in town or out I can always be reached if you wish to have more details via email... I have excellent current impeccable references. Wishing you all happy adventures and smooth exchanges... Brenda Marie (Home in Vancouver at present)

Brenda marie Batty

During my inscription to Home Exchange International I've been to New York, Britanny (Nord France), Valmeinier (French Alpes) in mountains, Paris (two time), Nord Iceland (Akureyri) and Amsterdam. Always in Center Towns and every time with very much satisfaction also why I knew many peoples. Thanks to this site.

Ugo Vitagliano

We were thrilled with our exchange in Rome in July and could not have had such a great trip without Home Exchange Int. Thank you for a user-friendly and thorough site.

John and Agatha NY

Just wanted to let you know that I am very excited, since I am looking forward to leaving for Melbourne, Australia for a 3 week visit. Found my beach front apartment through your Home Exchange site, and the swappers seem like super folks. We are all gathering relevant tourist information and arranging for our friends to welcome each other to our respective temporary homes. Your Web page is very well thought out, and I am pleased to have done so well on the first try.

Lisa

We have found an apartment in New York city for the Easter holidays. Thank you very much for your site which is really wonderful for travelers.

P.R. Paris

We are from Ireland and went on our first exchange to California in May - we had the holiday of a lifetime.

David

I like the new changes on the web site. We are very pleased with the responses we have gotten using this site.

Patrick Gerard

I had a fantastic experience in Paris, and traded my apartment for a month. I get requests to trade weekly.

Sarah, NY

We had Enzo & David from San Francisco take care of our Amsterdam apartment and two cats for 2 weeks while we were in Thailand. They took great care of everything including a leak from the upstairs neighbour and we are really looking forward to visiting them. PS: It was possible for us to leave the keys for the guys at the airport - really handy as we were gone when they arrived.

Niklas Monrad

I have used home exchange three times. Twice to London and once to France. I was concerned at first about strangers in my home, but the process makes it possible to adequately screen and set up referances. I think this is a great way to travel and "live like a native."

Tom Biermann

I've just had two wonderful weeks in Paris with my 10 year old daughter, and recommend home exchange to everyone we meet. Thank you for your facilitation.

Marlene, New York

We are so happy with Home Exchange International and have already done 2 wonderful exchanges. 1 this and 1 last year.

Rodney, USA

We would like to thank you for providing a brilliant service. We have just returned from Paris (our first visit) and with many thanks to you, we thoroughly enjoyed it. You provided us the contacts to Bernard and Marie Francoise who own a luxurious apartment in the center of Paris. They were extremely hospitable - even allowing our two friends to stay. They greeted us at the door with a wonderful bottle of Red, guide books, maps and left the fridge full of food. Thank you again, we will certainly be recommending your service, to all whom we come in contact with. With kindest regards Annie and Michael

Annie Frances Gray

We spent Christmas 2002 in the appartment of a home exchange member in Barcelona. Making the arrangements went very smoothly and we greatly enjoyed our stay there. Looking forward to another exchange in a different city or country some time this year.

Hariette Spierings

We just returned from our first house exchange and are pleased to say that everything went smoothly. We live on the Cote d'Azur but have family back in Canada. We wanted to celebrate Christmas in Montreal. We were very fortunate to find a great exchange family. We overlapped a few days, but that was fine and was an opportunity to meet our exchangees and show them the ropes of the various appliances, and the way around the neighbourhood. Not only that, but the exchange family's parents picked us up AND brought us back to the airport when we travelled. It really was nice. All in all, we returned to find our car and our home in perfect shape. I would definitely do another exchange. Thanks to SHEI for the opportunity for us to meet like-minded travellers.

elspeth sidaway-maceachen

Hi! I gave my Home sweet home in Rome to some people of San Francisco but I have never seen them if not on a photograph!I was out of town and couldn't do a "real time exchange", so I gave my home keys to a neighbour and followed all their passages from the airport to my Home on my mobile phone!It is a great way to allow people to do a good holiday ..and now, here comes my turn, next month!I will be their guest together with my husband. Enjoy home exchange!!

milvia and francesco

To SHEI. A big thank you. After you sorted out our details, we managed to find an ideal swap in the center of Paris. All this in less than a week. To be honest, we tried several other exchange organizations, with no luck at all. We have recommended your site to all of our friends and colleagues - your service works fine. Thanks again for your assistance. We hope to make a lot of swaps in the next year. With kind regards

Annie & Michael

Back in California - but not forgetting Rome. My girlfriend Jane and I spent 3 weeks in that great City - wow. Living in a tiny but charming studio near everything - including a lot of noice from those small motorbikes the Italiens love. Too we spent a few nights together with friends to Claudia with whom we made our exchange. This kind of vacation is very recommendable, not only because we saved a lot of money but after a few days we felt very much being just another Italien couple in the neighbourhood. A big hug to Claudia and thanks too to Home Exchange International for this great service.

Ron Winthers

Hello to everybody. I jsut came back from my exchange in New York - ad it has bee so great. I am going to study art there and I had a good and very cheap possibility to get to know The Big Apple a little. I had a boy staying in my apartment in Paris - we even met each other on the last day. I can say to everybody that an exchange is a great ides.

Juilette Blance

Hi SHEI, I have updated my posting. Thank you for the note and keeping this great and invaluable site running. Best,

Misha V.

I think that the Home Exchange International is a great possibility for singles like myself to exchange with other singles. By now I am corresponding here from Denmark with a Dutch member for an exchange this summer. I travel as much as I can and look forward to staying in a private home instead of a dull hotel - and I save the bills too :-). It might turn out that our vacations will be at different periods, but as I have my work situated in Copenhagen, and are staying there quite a lot; it will be possible for the dutch couple to stay in my house no matter what. I will return with my experiences after the exchange. Helle

Helle Aagot

I am presently in New York - a city i lived in for three years as a student, some 15 or 20 years ago, and which i love. I am here, swapping my Paris flat with a young couple, who seem just as pleased as I am . Later on, i will move to Brooklyn for another two week swap - somedoby who contacted me through your site, too. Thank you so much for creating this site. I wouldn't be able to travel and stay so long in this city if i weren't swapping. It is really nice, plus it's fun, and as you say, so far i find one meets there people who share in many regards the same perspectives on the world - a comforting, reassuring factor, especially for a French citizen like me, appalled at the present creeping alllure of the nophobic far right to so many ! Let's keep on exchanging, communicating, and sharing, for our greatest benefit to all. Best

Mona P.

Hi Home Exchange International. Thank you for the update. Actually, i made an exchange - your service works well - thank you.

Adrienne

I made arrangement to exchange my flat here i San Fransisco with a flat in Italy this summer. I think it's a great opportunity - both from an ecomonic point of wiev and having the possibility to stay in a privat home. I shall return with a testimonial after I made the exchange.

Clare de Witt

Hi all. I just spent two weeks in my favourite city New York. It was the first time I tried to exchange my own flat here in Paris. I liked very much to live in the other home and not in a hotel room - and I also saved a lot of money. I was lucky with the person I made the exchange and I will do it again as soon as I get the chance. I will recommend to exchange apartment to everyone who have not tried this.

B. Bertaud

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