davehwng
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« on: November 19, 2009, 01:38:06 PM » |
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So I'm based in Vancouver, Canada, and will be heading off to London, UK in July 2010, and I'm curious to hear any advice on how to best increase your chances for that low maintenance sabbatical house swap. I've done the sabbaticalhome.com thing ( link), posted on craigslist, will put stuff up on websites I have access to, have found a notice board at my own institution, but I have to admit it still all seems very much like a "shot in the dark" thing. So, I'm wondering if this thread can be used to highlight any other tricks of the trade, or general advice about figuring out that whole sabbatical accommodation thing. Plus - gratuitous plug warning - any of you from London and interested in a 6 month jaunt in beautiful Vancouver (consistently in the top 3 "best places to live" lists)? O.K. I'll stop now... cheers dave Michael Smith Labs, UBC |
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bookishone
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« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2009, 02:05:22 PM » |
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I imagine the first thing would be to live in a desirable area.
So you've got that down.
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My tag line is false.
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davehwng
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« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2009, 02:07:29 PM » |
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Yes, and relatively affordable (when compared to London anyway). Also, noticed that I've erred a bit with saying that Vancouver is always in the top 3 - it was actually ranked #4 in the last two years.
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pbatley
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« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2009, 05:17:03 PM » |
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My first visit, and these forums are brilliant!
Anyway, regarding the house swapping stuff - it does sound pretty tough. A friend of mine once did this "pan-craigslist" thing. This is where he put up a craigslist post (because a LOT of people use this service). However, what he did that was clever was that he put up the ad in all the different craigslists (which is several). Anyway, he figured that that meant there was quite likely several thousand eyeballs looking at his ad, which increased the chance of word getting out about the house swap or rental.
In the end, it actually was useful in finding someone for a house swap (and an academic too!) and as well he got a few offers for renting, so I guess it was pretty effective overall.
He did, unfortunately, say that there were three main catches:
1. Craigslist doesn't let you copy/paste ads - i.e. you have to produce a differently worded ad for each local craigslist hub.
2. Postings tend to get diluted out pretty quick. He had to post monthly to keep things visible, although he found what he needed by the third month.
3. Craigslist can be tricky from the scamming side of things. I guess he means be very cautious throughout the process.
Hope this helps. It sounded like a bit of upfront work (rewording the same ad many times), but I guess figuring out accomodation for these academic visits is pretty stressful so he was happy overall. Anyway, let us know how it goes.
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shrek
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« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2009, 05:36:12 PM » |
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I went on sabbatical and put an ad in my university's website to rent to other academics-- this is available only for university faculty and staff and only fac and staff (and visitors) can see it-- we got a few calls from folks who were coming on sabbatical to my university and rented the house to them. We did negotiate a bit on price-- so prepare to do that--
we locked up things we didn't want them to use or that we'd be upset with if they broke, but pretty much we left the whole house, dishes, sheets everything for the family we rented to to use. And it worked out. Then we rented a furnished house in the area we were going to (pretty much the same way, through the service offered by the university there). We got a great place close to the university. I felt it was better to rent and rent rather than try to swap b/c then things don't have to align perfectly for it to work.
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canadatourismguy
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« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2009, 08:30:02 AM » |
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Chime on Shrek but I will add - you may want to find out who is hosting a Fullbright (or the like) next term and see if you can work a more personal angle.
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On preview: Candadiantourismguy is a subversive of the first order.
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prytania3
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« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2009, 08:40:11 PM » |
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When I went on sabbatical, I rented my place out to a professor from the UK. He must have been a big cheese because after he left I was getting phone calls from people like Susan Sontag.
At any rate, I advertised in the New York Review of Books, which has an excellent section for housing arrangements.
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Clowns, I tell you. Clowns.
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offthemarket
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« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2009, 10:18:55 PM » |
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Spread work around your university - among folks that may be hosting people on sabbaticals - that you're looking for someone hosting a sabbatical visitor.
Identify a neighbor who will both offer friendly tips and advice to the person in your home, who can also look after it by checking in once in a long while. Trust but verify.
There are other home exchange sites, not sabbatical related. There are many people who say they are looking for a place somewhere for an extended stay. You can search them for free, and pony up the money for registration if you want to contact these people (though often you can figure out by a bit of internet research).
I agree that trying to swap reduces your options and makes things less convenient. If it works out, great - but start with the notion of looking for a renter.
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goldenapple
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« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2009, 10:40:40 PM » |
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If there's a listserv connected to your field, you may be able to send your information to them and have it circulated in their housing bulletin.
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dellaroux
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« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2009, 10:59:24 PM » |
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Real estate agencies keep some places on file; when I was assisting a prof in a different field, and he had an incoming year-long VAP with a family, we found a very nice house for them, completely furnished, in a decent area just by going through a realtor.
The school itself also ran a substantial housing/residency referral office, and I don't know if they take "outsiders'" listings (I.e., non-faculty, non-direct-community) or not, but they might (PM me if you're interested.)
Your own school, and the school you're going to be at both might have similar facilities; have you checked those out already? (your post doesn't seem to indicate that you have).
Also if you can get in touch with people who could post your request on the intra-net of the schools in the area you might find something that way.
Enjoy, in any case.
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Pax in terra choreagibus
Ballo non bello parare
How am I?: There are four levels: Alive, Alert, Awake & Functioning. Right now, I'm standing upright & moving forward.
We are gifted superfluously--the cosmos is more generous than we can ask or imagine.
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davehwng
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« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2010, 07:10:38 PM » |
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Thanks everyone. These are all great ideas. I have one carrot right now for renting, and have fingers crossed that a few more will come our way. It does look like the renting idea is the one that will work out best. cheers dave http://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/OfferedDetails.aspx?id=47704 |
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notaprof
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« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2010, 07:18:27 PM » |
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Why would anyone rent a carrot? Go away silly Dave spam.
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I am sick and tired of following my dreams. I think I'll just ask them where they are going and catch up with them later. Mitch Hedberg
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davehwng
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« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2010, 07:21:14 PM » |
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Oops... I can see how that phrase sounds a bit odd. I meant "carrot" in the metaphorical way. Like a carrot dangling in front of me, but clearly I need more caffeine before writing my posts!
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