If you’re tempted to move abroad but are nervous about taking the plunge, home exchanging can be a great way to get a feel for a new country before you commit to a long-term move. Although the majority of home swaps are for shorter Holiday-length periods, there are also many exchange offers for longer periods of 3+ months (e.g. retired people with grown-up children living abroad often want to spend lengthy periods visiting children and grandchildren).

Living in a home in a real neighbourhood will give you the chance to decide whether it is a place you could see yourself moving to permanently and, if you are already seriously looking into the move, the opportunity to search for jobs, schools and homes to buy or rent. Without having to worry about hotel costs, you could swap for an extended period of time and explore property options if you do decide to move permanently.

Insurance: It's important to contact your home insurance provider to confirm that your policy will cover the period your guests will be staying in your home. When planning a longer-term home swap, double check with your insurance provider that there are no restrictions on the time you can be away from home.