The mismanagement of the US economy is having profound effects on home exchange. I have been deluged with inquiries from journalists. Everyone wants to know how to maintain their standard of living despite the fact that the current President has bankrupted our nation both financially and morally.
I have seen two trends in the world of home exchange due to Americans' concerns about their travel budgets.
THE EUROPEAN INVASION
New York City is the most popular US destination for international tourists. These days the weak dollar is bringing European visitors here in droves for our nation-wide "half-off sale". Even though my listing says "We are not interested in visiting Europe at this time" we get several offers per week from would-be European swap partners.
If you have always wanted to visit France, the UK, Spain or Italy, you are likely to find eager takers right now. The downside, of course, is that your travel dollar won't stretch very far in those countries. And airfares are rising with increased summer-time demand and sky-rocketing fuel prices.
Despite the drawbacks imposed by the currency exchange rate, home exchange is just about the only way a European vacation can still be a reasonable proposition for those of us who earn our pay in dollars.
SEE THE USA FROM YOUR NEIGHBOR'S WINDOW
The second trend jump-started by our financial freefall is increased interest in domestic home swaps. More people are confining their vacation travel to their own local regions.
With home exchange it's easy to get to know destinations near where you live. This year we have swap trips planned to upstate New York and Montreal, both within the range of one tank of gas, as well as to Charleston, South Carolina, a bit further afield, but still within our time zone.
HOME EXCHANGE WAKES UP
If there is any silver lining to our current US financial woes it could be increased interest in home exchange as a brilliant way to stretch our few remaining vacation dollars. After all, except for transportation, home exchange need not be any more expensive than staying home. Live a little -- stay in someone else's home.
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