Why HomeExchange Has Become the Cornerstone of Our Retirement Travels

Somewhere in the fog of memory lies the story of how we first discovered HomeExchange. I cannot recall whether it was a recommendation from a friend, an article we stumbled across, or simply one of those internet rabbit holes that occasionally leads to something wonderful.

What I do know is that for the past three years it has become the cornerstone of our retirement travels around the world.

One of the great gifts of retirement is flexibility. We have the freedom to stay places longer than most travelers, often for a month and occasionally even two. We have found that two weeks is about the minimum amount of time it takes us to really settle into a place and begin to feel less like tourists and more like temporary residents. Like most retirees, however, we still pay attention to our finances. A month in a hotel can be eye-wateringly expensive. Even Airbnbs, which initially seemed revolutionary when they first appeared, can become quite costly for longer stays.

HomeExchange solved that problem in a way we never expected. Other than the annual membership fee—and the occasional modest cleaning fee requested by a host—there is no money exchanged between members. The concept is remarkably simple: members list their homes and arrange either direct swaps or use a point-based system that allows one member to stay in another’s home without requiring simultaneous occupancy. Today there are hundreds of thousands of properties available across more than 150 countries, ranging from modest apartments to spectacular country estates.

There are other home-swapping platforms, but none seem to have achieved the scale, reputation, and active membership base of HomeExchange. The annual membership fee is currently a few hundred dollars, which, considering it can replace thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in accommodation costs each year, strikes us as one of the best travel bargains we have ever encountered. Whenever we tell friends about our experiences, the reaction is almost always the same.

First comes skepticism.

Then curiosity.

Then, after they try it themselves, enthusiasm.

In fact, many of our friends who initially thought we were completely crazy to let strangers stay in our home are now enthusiastic HomeExchange members themselves. Over the years we have discovered that prospective members tend to ask the same questions.

The first is usually: “Aren’t you worried someone will damage your house?”

It is certainly a reasonable concern. After nearly a dozen exchanges around the world, however, we have yet to experience any meaningful damage. A broken wine glass here and there, certainly. But nothing beyond what might happen when friends or family visit.

The dynamic is fundamentally different from a rental transaction. Unlike an Airbnb guest who is paying for a service, HomeExchange members are participating in a relationship built on mutual trust. People generally care for your home the same way they hope you will care for theirs. And for those still worried, the annual membership includes protections and guarantees designed to address the rare situation where something does go wrong.

Another common concern is how much work is required to prepare your house— far less than most people imagine. The level of preparation varies widely. Primary residences tend to require a bit more organization than second homes. For us, preparation simply meant emptying one closet in each bedroom, clearing a few dresser drawers, and putting away a handful of particularly fragile items.

That was about it.

Some members do even less.

What surprises many newcomers is that one of the pleasures of HomeExchange is that the homes actually feel lived in. Unlike many vacation rentals that can feel somewhat sterile, exchanged homes often contain books, artwork, family photographs, and all the small touches that make a house feel like a home.

The question of refrigerators and pantries often follows. Our advice? Leave everything.

One of the frustrations we have experienced with even very high-end vacation rentals is arriving to find a beautiful kitchen stocked with virtually nothing needed to cook. No spices. No oils. No pantry staples. HomeExchange operates differently. Most hosts invite guests to use whatever they need. Likewise, we encourage guests to do the same in our home. There is something delightfully practical about finding fennel seeds, paprika, olive oil, and flour already available when preparing dinner.

The unwritten rule is simple: if you finish something, replace it.

Trust is another concern people frequently raise. HomeExchange has built an extensive review system for both homes and hosts, so there is usually a wealth of information available before committing to an exchange. Beyond that, one of the unexpected joys of the process is that you often get to know the other family before ever meeting them. When we are seriously considering an exchange, we almost always schedule a FaceTime or WhatsApp video call. We introduce ourselves, exchange virtual tours of our homes, discuss expectations, and determine whether the arrangement feels like a good fit. Those conversations often tell us far more than any online profile ever could.

Many prospective members are surprised to learn how much control they retain over their property. We specify that we are a shoes-off household. We note that our high decks make our home unsuitable for children under twelve. We do not allow pets. We prefer exchanges of at least two weeks. The beauty of HomeExchange is that you establish the parameters that make you comfortable.

Cars are another area where practices vary considerably. Because our home is located outside San Francisco in an area with limited public transportation, we offer one of our vehicles to guests. Before doing so, I confirmed with our insurance broker that exchange guests would be covered. Many urban hosts do not offer cars because public transportation is readily available. The important point is that there is no obligation one way or the other.

While the financial savings are obvious, some of the greatest benefits of HomeExchange are the ones we never anticipated. One is the opportunity to experience real neighborhoods.

Hotels tend to cluster around city centers and tourist districts. HomeExchange often places you squarely in residential communities where locals actually live. A few years ago we spent two wonderful weeks in a neighborhood outside Sydney. Every day required a ferry ride into the city center, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. In London, we have exchanged with the same lovely couple for three consecutive years. Through them we discovered Chiswick, an elegant neighborhood eight Tube stops from central London that feels like a world apart from the tourist crowds. Most recently, we stayed in a suburb outside Heidelberg, Germany—a place we almost certainly would never have discovered otherwise.

Another unexpected benefit has been the friendships. Not every exchange leads to a lasting relationship, but many do. We have shared dinners, drinks, and long conversations with exchange partners around the world. It should perhaps not be surprising that people drawn to home exchanging often share similar values, beginning with curiosity and a love of travel.

The local recommendations are often priceless. Nearly every host leaves a list of favorite restaurants, shops, markets, walks, and day trips. These recommendations frequently prove far more rewarding than algorithm-driven travel lists that funnel visitors toward the same obvious destinations.

And for those of us who love books, there is an additional pleasure: Other people’s bookshelves are fascinating. More than once I have discovered authors I might never have encountered otherwise, often deeply connected to the local culture and history of the place we were visiting.

Over the years we have learned a few practical lessons. The first is to present your home well. Good photography matters. Make the beds. Put the toilet seats down. Declutter where appropriate. I continue to be surprised by how many homeowners undersell their properties online. Several times we have arrived at homes that were significantly nicer than their photographs suggested.

A detailed house manual is equally important. Our guide has grown to four pages. Initially I worried it might overwhelm guests. Instead, nearly everyone thanks us for its thoroughness. The more information you provide upfront, the fewer questions arrive by text message after you leave.

We have also learned that simplicity is your friend. Complicated coffee machines seem to be responsible for an astonishing percentage of guest confusion. Our recommendation is simple: store the fancy machine and leave a French press and kettle instead. Likewise, if your television, washing machine, or dryer requires a PhD to operate, leave clear instructions.

Most hosts leave some form of welcome gift—a bottle of wine, fresh flowers, bread and jam, coffee, milk, or breakfast provisions. None of this is required, but it creates a wonderful first impression. When we depart, we often leave a thank-you note, a bottle of wine, and flowers as a small gesture of appreciation.

Cleanliness matters enormously. Leave your home spotless and do your best to leave theirs the same way. In our case, we include our longtime housekeeper’s services as part of the exchange, which benefits both us and our guests.

One practical tip: pay attention to response rates. HomeExchange tracks how responsive members are. I have found that homes with very low response rates often belong to inactive members and therefore represent long shots. No matter how attractive the property may be, I generally move on. The platform suggests it takes roughly ten inquiries to secure a match. That has been our experience as well. Sometimes we target a specific destination, such as an upcoming exchange we are arranging in England’s Cotswolds. More often, however, we allow opportunities to find us. That is how we ended up in Heidelberg.

A retired German couple reached out to us with a lovely home that had never appeared on our travel radar. We accepted and subsequently fell in love with a part of Germany we might otherwise never have visited. The same thing happened with Sydney. And Palm Springs.

One couple wanted to escape Palm Springs during its 110-degree summer. We happily traded our cool San Francisco Bay Area weather for their sunshine during the winter months.

A perfect win-win.

I will end with one slightly sobering observation. Over the past year, we have encountered a growing number of Canadians and Europeans who have expressed some hesitation about traveling to the United States. They invariably tell us that their feelings have nothing to do with Americans themselves, for whom they express tremendous affection. Rather, their concerns stem from the current political climate and uncertainty surrounding international travel. I hope this proves temporary. One of the things HomeExchange has reinforced for us is that travel does far more than provide enjoyable vacations. It builds understanding. It creates friendships. It reminds us that people around the world have far more in common than the headlines would often suggest.

For us, HomeExchange has been far more than a way to save money.

It has fundamentally changed how we travel. And, perhaps more importantly, how we experience the world.