The Room Xchange aims to change the way we live by re-creating the definition of cost-effective living and being a part of a community.
As the cost of living is increasing, apartments are becoming smaller and more expensive. Xchange aims to promote a social, economic, and an environmentally sustainable living space where a person can live with a host for a month or longer. In exchange for housing and food, the guest gives the host about 15 hours a week of help around the house.
During the trial period, you can sign-up and try an Xchange for free. After the Room Xchange trial period is over, there is a small fee of $2 per day during your stay.
Ludwina Dautovic, CEO and founder of The Room Xchange, launched the program in 2017 and is based in Melbourne, Australia. This is great way to cut traveling expenses if you’re a traveler looking to visit Australia. It is described as a new way for people to experience independent living and avoid the high costs.
It’s also for people with busy lifestyles who have a spare bedroom or if you are a young adult trying to cut living expenses through Xchange people gain that independent living experience.
Become a guest
Guests are like an addition to the family and home and are recommended to stay at least two to four weeks to adjust. They would be expected to do chores in exchange for accommodation. To become a guest you can sign-up for free and create an online profile describing the type of work you’re willing to do. Then you will be matched based on host needs.
They haven’t launched as a worldwide program yet, so you can only Xchange in Australia if you are a guest and a host from Australia. If you’re outside of Australia you can Xchange with an Australian host, but you cannot host outside of the country just yet.
If you are looking for a long-term living space it is suggested that guests stay up to four weeks to 6 months.
Is The Room Exchange safe?
Yes, The Room Xchange does background checks for prospective guests and hosts to ensure a safe environment for both parties. Hosts are expected to be welcoming and open their home to their guest. They encourage both the guest and the host to have open communication in weekly meetings to see how things are going. Ideally, the host would just give a few chores such as running errands, cleaning, or doing basic household things depending on the situation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVYKGd3Jco
In find out more, check out the Room Xchange blog to listen to their podcast and learn more about the company and being a guest or a host.
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Asia Hester is a student at the University of Maryland College Park majoring in Multiplatform Journalism and minoring in French Studies. She loves all things international and values the importance cultural knowledge. After her first international trip to Paris, France, she caught the wanderlust bug. Paris only gave her a little taste of traveling abroad. She hasn’t had the opportunity study abroad, but after graduating she hopes to join the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). By joining the Voy internship program, she hopes to learn all the tips and tricks of traveling. Currently, she’s a copy editor for M Magazine, a local fashion and culture magazine focused on the Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia area. Asia loves creating videos in her spare time and watching YouTube videos about fashion and travel vlogs. Before the end of 2017, her next trip will be to Montreal and Quebec City, Canada.
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