I used to hate renting apartments on websites like Airbnb or VRBO. Inasmuch as solo travelerI preferred the social atmosphere of hostels. You met people, the hostels had activities and that was where you were “supposed to stay” as a backpacker.
When I wanted something other than a hostel, I used a hotel network like Couchsurfing or simply stay with friends.
But, after nearly two decades as a nomadthere are times when I enjoy my privacy and the ability to “create a home.” I like to cook, I want to relax on a couch and relax.
Although renting apartments often contributes to overtourism (discussed in more detail below), there are still many real hosts who rent out the homes they live in.
Below you’ll find a detailed guide on how they work, how to choose the perfect apartment, and how not to contribute to overtourism/annoying locals!
How do apartment rentals work?
Apartment rental sites allow residents to rent a single room, a shared space, or an entire house/apartment. The host lists their place online, posts photos, writes a description, clicks Publish and, presto, they can start making extra money from the unused space.
The booking process is similar to booking any other type of accommodation online. You search the database, find a place you like, create an account and request a reservation. When the owner accepts, you receive a confirmation.
Apartment rentals represent the space between hostels and hotels. If you’re traveling for business and want the comforts of home, you’re probably not going to stay in a hostel. But hotels may be too expensive or too impersonal for you. A rental apartment is a perfect compromise.
Are you traveling with friends or a large group? This is definitely the option for you. Grouping a group of people together in a rental house/apartment will cost much less per person than a room in a hostel or hotel. Plus, you have space to spread out and relax. Cramped dorms and hotels don’t leave you much time to yourself.
If you don’t want a full apartment but are looking to save money, Airbnb has a new feature called “Rooms” that lets you search for listings in homes or guesthouses.. It’s like what Airbnb used to be: people renting extra rooms or guest houses for more money. You always have your own room and, sometimes, a private entrance. You will also be able to interact with your host, who will be able to provide you with lots of advice and information about your destination.
I’ve used Rooms a lot over the last few years – in Los Angeles, Rome, Paris, Nice – and, for me, as a solo traveler, it’s a much better way to travel. I highly recommend doing this in order to combat the negative effects of these platforms (more details below). Plus, as hostels have become much more expensive over the years, rooms are often cheaper than hostels! You can stay, meet a local and save money! Win-win!
How to choose the right apartment
Unfortunately, as renting accommodations has become more commonplace, it has become increasingly difficult to find quality hosts. Many hosts now own multiple properties and live elsewhere. This means you often deal with property managers and never interact with the real owner. Additionally, many apartments are not as nice in reality as they appear in photos. In order to find suitable accommodation, I use the following criteria when searching for accommodation on these platforms:
Do they have positive reviews? – If other people have stayed there, had a good time and found the apartment as advertised, you probably will too. Do they have multiple listings? – This is important because many people use these sites to become property managers. They buy several apartments then rent them again on Airbnb. I try to avoid these places because they pose a lot of trouble to the local rental market and lack the personal touch that comes from hosts renting their own apartment. Do they have accurate photos? – Any ad that does not include many (quality) photos is probably hiding something (or at the very least misrepresenting the accommodation). Is this an active user or a Superhost? – Active users are good users, so see when they last logged in. If it’s been a while, your query may go unanswered. Is their calendar updated? – Although listings only appear in a search if they are available, hosts do not always update their calendar. If someone hasn’t updated their calendar in 30 days, I tend to ignore them. There’s nothing worse than going to reserve a spot, only for them to cancel and say, “Oops, sorry, it’s not available!” » Are they verified? – Verified accounts are less likely to be people of suspicious quality because the listing site has at least found some general information about them. Have they ever been someone else’s guest? – If they were someone’s guest and it went well, chances are they will be reliable. These rules are helpful guidelines, but ultimately you have to follow your instincts. I don’t need a list to answer every point. I once had a host who only achieved a few of these points and she turned out to be my favorite host! And sometimes in places where there aren’t many hosts, you might need to be a little loose with this list.
But the more points an accommodation has, the more comfortable I feel when renting.
How to avoid overtourism
Over the years, Airbnb and other apartment rental sites have dramatically increased rent prices and driven out the locals you want to interact with, as people began buying multiple properties in order to rent them out to tourists. It’s a big problem.
In many places, like Lisbon And Venicemost residents can no longer afford the rent. And it’s not just about cities. Rural areas are now also affected.
There have been strong protests against Airbnb (and similar sites) in Barcelona. Throughout Europe you often see “Airbnb go home!” » graffiti. Japan cracked down on Airbnb. new York there are now also strict laws against this. The people of Mexico City protested. Every day brings a new story about the crackdown on these websites.
Given local pushback and issues with tourism and the housing market, I strongly encourage you to only use Airbnb or similar services if you are renting a room in someone’s house, especially in major cities in Europe. As I mentioned above, Airbnb has a new feature called “Rooms” that lets you easily search for rooms in people’s homes where they actually live. These are verified listings and a much better way to use the platform. It’s like what Airbnb was before it got so big: people renting extra rooms or guest houses for more money. I highly recommend it.
However, if you can’t, do your best to make sure the place you’re renting is either a licensed B&B (if it’s only used for tourists) or someone’s home that they actually live in. This way you won’t add to local housing problems!
Help end overtourism. You have the power. Do not move the people you want to visit!
A note on safety
These sites operate on trust. All of these companies try to vet both the buyer and seller to make sure no one ends up stealing from someone else, but sometimes you hear reports of sex parties, thefts, or creepy hosts.
However, apartment rental companies offer a window that allows you to get your money back if you get accommodation that is not as advertised. Just call their 24-hour hotline and they’ll seat you elsewhere (you can also reach out on social media to start the conversation). They also hold your money on deposit so that if the place isn’t as advertised, you get your money back. You never hand it directly to the host.
All types of accommodation carry risks (cleaners can steal from hotel rooms, roommates can take clothes from hostels, Couchsurfing hosts can get creepy), which is why these rules are important. I don’t think apartment rentals are any less safe than other options, and the benefits far outweigh the perceived danger.
The best sites to find a rental apartment I think these are the three best sites to find an apartment:
Airbnb Vrbo Camping space (to find private campsites) Another option for long-term travelers is house sitting and pet sitting. In exchange for looking after someone’s belongings or pet while they travel, you get access to free accommodation. This is a great option for slow or long-term travelers who want to stay in one place for longer periods of time. Check out this article to learn more!
*** Apartment rentals, when done right, are safe, affordable, and help you have a more authentic experience. Use the tips above and try one on your next trip. You’ll save money, get away from tourists, and have a better trip!
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