New York City has many jewels on its crown – arts, architecture, entertainment, gastronomy, history, shopping, and a sprinkling of natural scenery.
But while the Big Apple will take your breath away, it will also break your bank. After all, it’s one of the world’s most expensive cities for tourists.
According to a study, a one-day stay in NYC will cost around $687, with lodgings (an average $350 nightly rate for mid-range hotels) taking the bulk of the travel budget.
But what if you can ditch accommodation costs? With home swapping, you can scrape off NYC’s mind-blowing hotel rates from your travel expenses.
On top of the cost benefits, home swapping lets you enjoy a live-like-a-local vacation in a genuine home-away-from-home setting, something traditional hotels lack.
What Is Home Swapping?
In the simplest terms, home swapping involves two people exchanging houses for an agreed period, from a weekend to a week or a year.
Instead of booking a hotel or short-term rental, you stay in the home of your swap partner while they stay in yours. It can be for quick getaways, work trips, and, in some cases, long-term lodgings.
You can swap the entire house or just a portion of it. The trade is not only limited to typical residences. It also covers flats, second homes, or even recreational vehicles.
Home swapping is straightforward. Go online (be sure it’s a trusted platform like Twimo) and check the listings based on your desired destination and travel date. Once you’ve found a match, make the necessary arrangements.
The beauty of home swapping is that no monetary exchange takes place. It’s a transaction built wholly on trust, respect, and enthusiasm to delve into a new place with a local’s POV.
Savings are the key benefit of home swapping. But it’s also a great way to live like a local, build connections, and create friendships.
Boasting a steady annual growth of 15 to 20 percent since it launched in 1992, home swapping is the next big thing.
And with the crackdown on short-term rentals in pricy cities like New York and Barcelona, it’s highly possible that home swapping will soon become the norm rather than a passing trend.
Still, you may be apprehensive about sharing your space with strangers. Don’t worry; this is where Twimo can help you with the process, from listing to vetting and finding potential home swap partners - all with no additional fees.
One snag about home swap is it isn’t for inflexible travelers. Ideally, the swapping is simultaneous, with each party moving into each other’s houses at the same time. This arrangement wouldn’t work if one party had a different vacation schedule.
Fortunately, Twimo focuses on vacation houses, offering more flexibility and variety.
Why Try Home Swapping in New York City?
Trendy, epic, artistic, iconic, romantic, and unapologetically quirky, NYC is the most visited city in the United States. Each year, it welcomes over 60 million tourists.
The downside is that the city that never sleeps also never comes cheap. It’s the most expensive city in the US, not only to visit but also to live in.
But crossing out NYC from your travel bucket list would be a missed opportunity. In the same way, cutting your stay short to avoid lodging costs from accumulating is nothing short of a crime.
The answer to your budget woes, of course, is home swapping. Here are other reasons why you should consider trying this budget-friendly hack in NYC:
Circumvent short-term rental restrictions
In September 2023, NYC enforced Local Law 18. Not only does it require all short-term rental hosts (i.e., Airbnb and VRBO) to list their property at the Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), but it also bans them from renting out an entire unit to visitors for fewer than 30 days.
Additionally, it limits the number of guests to just two, which is a huge hurdle if you’re taking the entire family or traveling with friends.
As short-term rental platforms started pulling out unregistered listings, affordable accommodation options drastically decreased. At the same time, tourists are facing record-high hotel rates.
All these factors make home swapping in NYC an affordable and practical option, especially if your trip is less than 30 days.
Save money
In the summer and holidays, NYC hotel rates can skyrocket to staggering heights. At the onset of the holiday season in September 2024, the average price of a hotel room in NYC soared to $417, the highest ever recorded.
You'll still find affordable options. Areas outside Manhattan, like Queens and Long Island, have some cut-price places to stay, including hostels and hotel pods. Still, lodging expenses can add up and take a big slice of your budget.
With home swapping, you can remove accommodation costs and allocate your funds towards ticking off your NYC bucket list.
You can indulge in the city's high-end offerings (Broadway? Michelin dinner? chopper ride over the Hudson?) minus any budget-related guilt.
Live like a New Yorker
Even if you have money to burn, nothing beats an authentic local experience that you only get outside the confines of a luxury hotel.
New Yorkers can be aloof and impersonal. But with a home swap, the neighbors will most likely see you as a guest instead of a tourist.
You might even earn a source of insider tips on the city’s best-kept secrets. Know where the best hole-in-the-wall eateries are or gain access to exclusive events.
Being right smack in the middle of Times Square, where most of the action happens, is exciting. But, staying in the less bustling parts of NYC, where most home swaps are, allows you to explore places tailored for the residents.
It means you can dine and shop like a local, fully shielded from tourist traps and the inflated prices that go with them.
A home away from home
Most investment properties and hotels exude an unlived-in, unwelcoming atmosphere. On the other hand, hostels may buzz with people coming and going, but you would have to share facilities with other travelers.
Nothing can make you feel more at home in a strange, big city than a stay in a cozy and private accommodation.
Home swap platforms carefully vet properties to ensure all homes are of a standard suitable for a comfortable stay. You can cook your own meals (more savings) and not worry about dining room dress codes or missing your favorite coffee maker.
Perfect for Families and Groups
New York City’s Law 18 prohibits short-term rentals from taking in more than two guests.
Additionally, the host must have free access to all areas of the unit and live there for the entire duration of your stay.
If you travel with your family or friends, a home swap provides more space and privacy.
Finding and Communicating with a Host (Swap Partner)
If you’re fiercely private and particular about your personal space, the notion of having strangers live in your home is absurd, if not downright anxiety-inducing.
For this reason, it’s crucial to know your swap partner well enough to trust them with your most precious property.
The key to a successful home swap is finding a like-minded partner. There are several home swap groups on social media where you can look for a suitable match. However, these are informal organizations, and you are responsible for assuming the risks of any damages or thefts.
You can dodge these risks by choosing a reputable home swapping platform like Twimo. Not only does it have an excellent verification process, but it also has a variety of listings globally.
Popular destinations like Hawaii and Japan may have a long waitlist, with a waiting period of roughly two weeks. You may have to make several swap requests before you hit the perfect match.
In other words, finding the right home swap partner takes patience. But if you enjoy the hunt and are willing to put in the effort, the results are well worth it.
The second vital step is fostering a connection with your home swap partner through open communication. Here are some tips:
Be honest: Transparency fosters trust. Give accurate details about your home, including its imperfections. Those creaky floors, peeling paint, or hard-to-open door knobs–-be sure your swap partner knows about them.
Set expectations: Discuss house rules to prevent misunderstandings. Be direct and state your guidelines clearly and concisely. Can guests bring visitors? Is smoking indoors allowed? How about pets What are the arrival and departure times? Who shoulders the cleaning after the swap?
Ask questions: While there’s never really a wrong question, knowing which one to ask will help you decide whether the house is right for you. Does it have the amenities you need? For instance, if you’re considering working from home, does it have an office space or reliable WiFi? Also, don’t forget to ask for all emergency contacts.
Be friendly yet professional: Courteousness goes a long way, especially when communicating with someone you haven’t met. Too much formality, however, may come off cold. Maintain an amiable tone but avoid overly casual messages. Most of all, respond to inquiries promptly.
Do a virtual home tour: Sometimes, photos of your home aren’t enough. A walk-through video call of your respective houses gives you a better sense of the property. You can also address any concerns in real-time.
What to Expect During Your Home Swap in New York City
No matter how unique the Big Apple is from other cities, the same home swap rule applies –- treat your swap partner’s home like your own. There are, however, a few nuances you might want to know.
Noise Code
NYC is known for its 24-hour bustle, but it does have quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, particularly in residential areas. Check with your swap partner about specific rules, as most apartment buildings have noise policies.
During this period, avoid loud and distracting sounds that may disturb the rest of your neighbors. Be mindful of loud music, conversations, pet noises, or moving furniture late at night.
Building and Apartment Rules
Some buildings have specific management rules. You may need approval or be listed as a guest to access the home. If you’re swapping a unit in a co-op or condo, there could be additional restrictions on visitors.
In winter, NYC law requires landlords to provide heat between October and May if temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C).
Trash and Recycling
NYC has strict garbage collection schedules, so review which days you should take trash and recycling. Most buildings also require waste segregation. Be sure to sort your rubbish into compost or recyclable.
Public Transport and Parking
Most likely, you’d be leaving your vehicle at home. But, if on an off chance you’re driving to NYC, note that parking is scarce and expensive.
If your home swap doesn’t have a parking spot, your next best option is to check for nearby garages.
NYC has an extensive and developed public transport system, so you don’t have to worry about getting around the city. There are free subway-to-bus transfers you can take advantage of and bike rentals you can use to explore Central Park, the Hudson Bay waterfront, and neighborhoods like Brooklyn.
Walking is a fantastic option, too, as long as you stay away from sketchy and run-down parts of the city.
Basic Home Swap Courtesy
After the home swap, replace the essentials (soap, toilet paper, coffee) you used during your stay.
Make sure everything is clean and in order before you leave. Report any damages and offer to pay for their replacement or repair.
Express your gratitude with a note or a simple present. Leave a fair and honest review on your home swap platform to help future home swappers and boost your host's listing.
Do You Need a Visa to Visit NYC?
If you’re a citizen of a country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you don’t need a visa to enter NYC or any other parts of the United States for short-term stays.
But you must obtain an Electronic System for Travel (ESTA) before traveling. The permit is valid for 90 days for tourism and business purposes.
If your country is not on the VWP list, you must apply for a B-2 visitor visa. Complete the online non-immigrant application (DS-160), pay the fee, and attend the in-person interview with the necessary documents.
Find details about getting a US visa at the US Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda visiting the US for tourism are visa-exempt.
Is Home Swapping Worth a Try?
By exchanging homes, you save on accommodation costs, enjoy the warmth of a real home, and gain a more authentic experience than a typical hotel stay.
With NYC’s restrictions on short-term rentals, home swapping is a cheap and stress-free alternative that allows you to explore the city without worry.
An added perk? Your swap partner can share insider tips on the best local spots, hidden gems, and must-visit attractions.
If there’s one city in the world where home swapping works to your utmost advantage, it’s New York City.
Sign up with Twimo.com and start planning your NYC getaway today!
