Home Exchange? - for extended holidays

This is a just an idea I am kicking around and wondered what other members might think of it.

Background:- I served my apprenticeship/formative years in LOS in Phuket, and was then posted (or should I say - posted myself) to Udon for a year in the trenches, before returning to Phuket where I have a long term base/home.

Sometimes I would like to make extended return trips/visits to Udon, where I have friends and family, which means that I have to find somewhere to stay in Udon (OK not difficult), but that leaves my home in Phuket with no one to take care of it, keep it clean etc. Also, whilst I have transport in Phuket, I don't want to drive it to Udon and back each time I visit.

I have let out my place in Phuket previously, but that tends to create other hassles, in that I have to fully vacate it and usually for a much longer period, find a tenant and set up a tenancy agreement and then often the tenant doesn't take care of the place or pay bills.

The thought occurred to me that sometimes members living in Udon may well like to take an extended holiday in Phuket and have somewhere convenient to stay without breaking the bank by having to stay in hotels. And may even be prepared to exchange homes for limited periods to achieve that objective. I could then spend a month or so in Udon, ideally in their home, or if not in an apartment or similar.

The difficulties may arise in that most Forum members don't know me, or I them, and I tend to be fastidious about tidiness and wouldn't really want smokers staying in my home!! My Gf and I are however extremely honest, tidy and clean!

I thought I would throw this up and see what reaction or ideas were forthcoming.

Hey Arjay, I like the idea of house swapping but understand also the issues.

We live in a two bedroom house on one rai, walled and fenced 42kms east of Udon, thus might be too far out of town for you. Feeding two dogs and some fish in a fish tank would be part of the mission also...

Indeed curious for reactions on your suggestion here.

Maybe I should have added that we live in a 2 bedroom house, each bedroom with en-suite with warm/hot water. UBC and maxnet. All rooms have a fan and AC. Main village (Kamala) and beaches all within 2 kms, some shops and restaurants much closer.

It would not be suitable for single members wanting to indulge in Patong's nightlife, as it's some 10kms from Patong.

Maybe I should talk of B&B as a possible way to develop the idea.

I know of one long standing Forum member who does come to Phuket regularly.

hmm, you know me, go to phuket every year anyway. hmm. i'm 18 kms from mall. lazy as hell, but clean up after myself. very interesting concept. also non smoker. only bummer is, i prefer to be walking distance to beach and food, hmm. have quite a few months to mull this one over.

long standing Forum member who does come to Phuket regularly

wonder who that could be

typing at the same time, though i'm much slower. i would have to find a whole new bunch of restaurants. always kata/karon area for me, way too familiar with everything there.

LA wrote:hmm, you know me, go to phuket every year anyway. hmm. i'm 18 kms from mall. lazy as hell, but clean up after myself. very interesting concept. also non smoker. only bummer is, i prefer to be walking distance to beach and food, hmm. have quite a few months to mull this one over.

Yes, it was you I was thinking of, LA, who comes to Phuket regularly.
Glad to hear you are house trained!!

I was being honest saying less than 2kms to the beaches. It's probably about 1.7kms flat road. Some people do walk and some ride bikes or m/bikes, both of which I have. There are bars, restaurants and shops within 500ms, and one shop within 200ms. There is a Tesco Express within about 8 -10kms.

From my point of view, I think something in the centre of Udon would be preferable, unless it is somewhere near Phu Rhur in Loie!

yes, i'm out there a bit, SW, wat pa ban tad, in village of, should be on most maps. 12 kms from ring rd/khon kaen (honda dealer) decent roads, but i do take the car with me

arjay I am happy to see you changed your avatar this one is pretty

Or maybe I should just offer B&B (Bed & Breakfast) to visiting Udonmap Forum members and see what develops from there!!??

After all it is a bit risky suggesting swopping homes with people you don't really know.

To extend this thread a little further, are there any forum members outside of Thailand who might consider a 'house swap' for holidays?

Master builder is currently finishing his Palace off in Udon, 10 k from town, 2 bedroom, 1 at the moment, the home sits there looking for some visitors, GF goes there every other day to check out property.

I usually go Oz Bkk, Phuket for a few days then to Udon, or Udon first then Phuket for a few days on the way home back to Oz, I usually come December to Udon for 6 weeks a bit late this year,

The home will be fully furnished next trip hopefully, in Feb I'll be there for 6 weeks doing the completion work, I hope to get to Phuket early in Feb for a few days to see some friends, then to Udon. May be able to catch up with you Arjay

You can see the home on the forum being built, I have a 2 Aussies guys wanting to stay there in August for 2 weeks, So if your looking for a place to stay, outside of udon town, then there's a chance of using my home.