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[figee]

My first sabbatical is coming up and I'm really excited.  However, I'm curious about how people found out about places to stay for themselves and their partners/ families.  The uni doesn't seem to offer anything for visiting scholars, so I'm stuck.  I'm obviously going to hunt for short term accomodation online, but any other suggestions?  House sitting?  We're going for about three months to Edinburgh, where I did my PhD, if that makes a difference.

And how has everyone else managed to keep their spouse occupied while they're at work?  I'm worried that hegee is going to be bored and not have fun!

[d_w_s]

I have had excellent references from Craigslist in Europe before.  Worked out well for up to two week stays, but I saw lots of stuff for long-term stays.

I am sure there is an appropriate and specific website, and I'm sure the brilliant forum'ers will give due diligence.

As for your SO. . .might I suggest community engagement?

[scotia]

When I was there the staff magazine (name escapes me) used to advertise rentals, often indicated as suitable for faculty visiting on sabbatical (I think usually houses/flats owned by Edinburgh staff on sabbatical). Someone in the department you are visiting may be able to track it down.

[expatinuk]

Finding things for Hubby Bubba to do when I'm on a biz trip is one of the reasons that I HATE taking him on business trips. I really feel for you figee.

It's weird... for years and years women have been accompanying men on business trips and men haven't worried about what little wifey will do with herself all day... but we women do worry about our men.

After several trips of listening to whining... I have just said... 'Hey, you know how to use the freaking web. Use it to look up things to do in XXX. Then book yourself to do them.'

I don't know if he's happier... but I sure am.  *laugh*

[mischt]

I have the same problem for a research fellowship in the US this Fall. I have been looking at a website called sabbaticalhomes.com, that offers scholars the chance to exchange their apartments.

[donstefano]

A good way is to ask as many people as possible at your new university. There are always people going somewhere themselves. Many can't be bothered to find someone to rent their flat if they're only gone for 3 months, but when they hear another academic would be interested in the flat, many change their mind.

[violetta]

I'm not sure if this is what Scotia was referring to, but here's a link to the U of Edinburgh e-bulletin. Housing stuff is in the small ads, and I daresay you could place an ad yourself.

http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/ebulletin/February08/February2008Lead.html

Just watch out for the Festival market if you're on sabbatical in August (if you did your PhD in Edinburgh I'm sure you know this!) If you're looking for a decent short term let in the period, it could get pricey.

Re: the spouse - is there a skill he's always wanted to learn and never had the time? Hill-climbing? Portugese?

[scotia]

violetta - that is indeed it. The number of advertised lets is fewer than I remember.

If hegee is interested in doing some voluntary work it would be worth looking at

http://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/

[socsci]

I second craigslist and checking at a board like violetta mentioned. Are there other universities in Edinburgh? You should check for similar sites there. In addition, when I was in Canada last year, the faculty union at each of the two major universities had housing listings as well. Finally, another site you might want to check out is profvac.com. It is mainly oriented toward the French market, but there are certainly some UK flats and houses, too. Note that this is really oriented toward home exchange among educators, but that's useful in its own right.

Good luck, I'm jealous!

[figee]

Hey everyone!  Thanks very much for the suggestions.  I'll begin chasing them up later this week.

Hmmmm, yes, point taken expat about the gendered differences in sabbatical experiences.  Certainly my mother never had anything 'organised' for her when the family went away, but then she supervised my brother and I, and did the basics, like finding food in Moscow 1990 speaking no Russian, which occuppied her time.

Hegee is interested in history, and he enjoys hillwalking (though I'd like to do some of that with him!).  I'm less likely to encourage him to do anything too dangerous, as he's military, and I need to return him in one piece.  Volunteering might also be a good option.  Oddly, he isn't worried about it, but I think I have a better sense of what it's likely to be like for him.  Sigh.

We'll be there March to May, so the weather won't be fantastic, but it will be ok for the last bit at least. 

Keep the suggestions coming!

[secretweapon]

Someone else posted these sites on another thread:

www.academichomes.com

www.sabbaticalhomes.com

I haven't used them myself but they look helpful.

[figee]

Just wanted to let you all know that I've found a lovely flat in Edinburgh. in a great part of town for a reasonable sum (a bit more expensive than I wanted to pay, but worth it for the area and the flat itself).  It was on sabbaticalhomes.com, so I'd thoroughly recommend the website.  Many thanks.

[prof_mom]

I am happy to hear you found something. Enjoy the trip!