Last week I told you about the wonderful concept of home exchange. But what if you are like me, a renter? There’s another great community that we can be a part of without owning a home.
Couch surfing.
You know the concept – most of us have bummed a few night on the couches of friends and family while on the move. While it may not be as cushy as having the run of an entire house, it does provide an even better opportunity to connect with locals and make new friends.
By far the most developed website hub for couch surfers in couchsurfing.com, with a reported 600,000+ surfers and over 1 million “positive experiences”. Surfers are able to vouch for positive hosts, who also can go through a verification system, adding a level of security to the process.
Also check out:
Global Freeloaders – an Australian hospitality network
Hospitality Club – aims to “bring people togetherâ€. Duration of stay and specifics (such as food) are set out before your stay.
Don’t have a couch? You can still invite the heartier to crash on your floor, your papasan chair, your air mattress…