A Year of AirBnB

After the pandemic ruined many travel plans, I went into 2021 knowing traveling (safely) would be more of a priority. However, I had no idea how much I would get to experience. In June, I realized that I had stayed in an AirBnB every month of the year (besides January) so far. I decided to do what I could to keep the streak alive.

When, Where, Why?

February - Lead, South Dakota, my bachelorette party

March - Mesa, Arizona, golf trip with Ben's friends

April/May - Hudson, Wisconsin, my good friend's bachelorette party (fun fact, we got married one week apart!) May/June - Broken Bow, Oklahoma, honeymoon

July - Sioux Falls, South Dakota, midweek trip with my teaching partner just for fun

August - Charleston, South Carolina, yearly girls' trip with some college friends

September - Austin, Texas, Labor Day trip with Ben

October - This is where things get fuzzy. We had booked an airbnb in Nashville, TN with Ben's family, but ended up getting to stay with his aunt and uncle who recently moved to that area. If you're particular, the streak was technically broken here ☺️

November - Duluth, Minnesota, weekend trip to Duluth with Ben

Worth It?

Some people argue that airbnb is only an attractive lodging option because it's "cheaper." I'm not sure if I've found it to be any more cost effective. I never really compared hotels to airbnbs. If I'm going somewhere, I usually know beforehand if it's something where I want to stay in a hotel or airbnb. I probably spent more money this year because of the airbnbs (and not wanting to lose the streak), but knowing I wouldn't be able to explore things as much and how quickly COVID can change things, it was worth it to have more space and hygge. With a group, airbnb is perfect, and in a smaller crowd, the unique spaces are unparalleled with hotels. The place we stayed in Lead, South Dakota fit like 15 people. We were perfectly comfortable with 10 of us and loved how the open floorplan meant we could all be together, even when someone was preparing food. My sisters and I loved it so much that we're set to go back to another property of the host's this winter.

Again in March and April, both properties were perfect for our groups. We were able to all be together when we wanted, with our own spaces as needed too. In Broken Bow, it was just Ben and I. We literally picked the destination based on the place we would stay, knowing that we wanted to just relax after the chaos of a wedding. We had a secluded area, with a deck, fireplaces, and a hot tub. We wouldn't have had that at a resort or hotel, making airbnb the perfect choice again.

Airbnb Advice

Now, I'm no expert, but I did learn some things worth passing along, especially to airbnb newbies.

When it comes to booking a property, be sure to read reviews. Ben does a good job of keeping me level-headed and encouraging this before booking anywhere. Also, be mindful that the listed price isn't always the amount you'll pay. Plan for quite a bit in "fees" and be sure to get the full price picture. Within the app, I like to keep a running list of cool properties for various groups in my life (i.e., trips with Ben, trips with family, girls' trips, etc.). Another note is to be sure you see all the rooms a listing claims to have. One time, my dad booked the worst airbnb (and still, I'd stay there again) because it boasted having 4 bedrooms but only 2 were in the listing. Let's just say the other 2 rooms were not ideal.

Many hosts are incredibly attentive. I love booking places that have a guidebook and asking them for suggestions on can't miss things in the area. Whenever I've had an issue, even when it comes to needing to reschedule, I've had great luck with just reaching out directly to the hosts.

If you can, plan to arrive at your airbnb locations in the daylight. Ben and I rarely argue and when we do, it's because we are trying to find an airbnb in the dark. Things always go better when we can get there in the daylight.

This isn't something I expected to learn, but through this year of staying in airbnbs, I've learned more about what kind of home I want. I've lived in the same, tiny one-bedroom apartment (in a house built in 1889 and converted to apartments) for the last six years, but Ben and I hope to buy a house in 2022. All the properties I've stayed in have taught me so much about what I like and what I dislike in houses, what's a priority for me and what isn't. If you haven't stayed in an airbnb or rental property before, I encourage you to give it a try this year!

-J