We're sorry to hear that Freebird is closing its doors. From here in Australia, we've watched what Peter, Phil and the community built over the last decade with quiet admiration: a generous, warm-hearted answer to the idea that travel later in life should open doors, not close them. The belief that the best journeys are made through the people you meet along the way is one we share completely.
People Like Us is a home exchange community rather than a homestay one. Our members swap homes with each other rather than paying to stay with hosts. The model is a little different, but the heart of it is the same: travel as a way to connect with someone, not just somewhere. Our Community is around 5,000 members strong, spread across the world, and largely (though not only) people in the second half of life. Have a look around.
We've put together a welcome offer for Freebird members just below, USD $99 for your first year (over 35% off our regular price). We hope you'll see something of what you've been part of in what we've been building.
Start your home exchange experience with People Like Us by building up your listing. Add unlimited photos, describe your home and region, introduce your family, and include a profile picture.
At People Like Us, we offer four types of home exchange:
Simultaneous: The most common type, where you exchange homes with another member at the same time.
Non-Simultaneous: Exchange with another member at different times, providing flexibility in travel arrangements.
Non-Reciprocal: A one-way exchange, with exclusive use of another member's home. Most non-reciprocal exchanges use Globes, our unique token for non-reciprocal exchanges. A Globe is worth one stay at another member's place, with duration and location agreed upon by you and your exchange partner.
Hospitality: Experience staying at another member's place like an invited guest, using part of your host's home.
Explore your dream vacations with ease by sending enquiries through People Like Us. Our intuitive filters help you define desired destinations, dates, and home types. Introduce yourself, share your preferences, and contact multiple members in your desired region.
Receive enquiries from others, opening doors to fantastic opportunities. Even if you're not interested, respond courteously - we value a caring community.
For more exposure, join our lively Facebook group, where we chat about travel and life. Share your home and travel preferences. Trust, the foundation of home exchange, thrives in our community. Your perfect vacation awaits!
You've connected with an interested exchange partner – how exciting! Follow these tips for a successful first exchange:
Agree on Dates & Party: Confirm travel dates and the number of travelers in your party.
Get to Know Each Other: Initiate a video conference to meet the family and discuss house details. Communication is key!
Finalize Important Details: Ensure agreement on house key and car location (if included).
Prepare Your Home: Leave a helpful note with WiFi, security, and appliance info. Clean and get ready for your adventure!
Unlock the full potential of home exchange with our Premium Membership and enjoy exclusive benefits:
Join the most trusted home exchange community and elevate your travel adventures with our Premium Membership today!
"I wish I had found out about PLU sooner! It has allowed me to not only dream of travel, but to actually experience places I wouldn't have thought about before. The members are so friendly and the Administrator, Drew Seitam, responds quickly to questions or any user problems you may have. It's also fun to be a part of the Facebook group where you are in conversations with people from all over the world and get the scoop on where the locals recommend that you go to for sites and food."
"I have been so happy with the guidance given to me from Drew and his team. I’m now flying and ready to exchange … how exciting after the terrible time Of not traveling during the Covid pandemic."
"I thoroughly enjoy the sense of community and the friendly Facebook group and website. Drew has done a great job at creating a friendly place where travel dreams can come true. There's a whole world to discover! I'm delighted to say I'm building my exchange history now and it only makes me hungry for more. I'm so happy I discovered this style of travel."
"People Like Us is a Community, with a capital “C” ! The members share their love of exchanging, meeting families from around the world, making new friends and provide support to make your exchange a success!"
"Discovering PLU has been such a wonderful experience for us. We love the community and exchanging has completely changed the way we think about travelling. With two small children and being restricted to school holidays, travel was previously so expensive and frustrating. We love arriving at a new exchange with all the home comforts and being able to explore somewhere new. We would urge anyone on the fence to jump right in, you won’t regret it."
"PLU's founder Drew, has created a community of like-minded people that works for the individual member and the group. We have witnessed its growth over the last couple of years and are amazed at the caring attitude of its members. So many times, when help has been needed for various scenarios, the Facebook page is alight with suggestions and offers; and most often a solution is found. Drew has also been consultative and responsive, adapting the website and adding features that make it easier and more efficient to use. We are happy to be part of this group!"
"This platform is the most supportive travel community I have ever experienced. Exchanging your home is a very personal decision but PLU makes it easy, comfortable, and exciting. Home exchanging is a wonderful way to travel and live like locals in any part of the world. The best part is the friends you make while exploring each other’s favorite places."
"People Like Us is more than just a home swapping website - we love feeling part of a community that offers opportunities to make meaningful connections with people around the world."
People Like Us is the world's most trusted home exchange community. We believe in sharing, trust, generosity, respect, communication, equality, cooperation, honesty, hospitality, friendship, flexibility and adventure. We take pride in our homes and we care about the environment in which we live: our village, city, country and our planet. We care about the ethos of home exchange and we do it because we love the experience and the friendships that it generates.