Became a member in: 2010
Renewal Date: 31/Dec/2017
We are: Kim and Alain - Kim works in clinical research and Alain is a mechanical engineer. We have two children Sabina (currently 12) and Alexander (currently 11). Due to family members with allergies to cats, we prefer exchanges to homes without cats or homes where cats live outside. Past exchanges have been:
-July-August 2014, St. Albans, England
-August 2011, Bordeaux, France
Additional languages spoken
French
Profession
Engineer/Research Associate
Our pets
turtle, budgies (no care needed)
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Smoking Not Allowed
Children Welcome
Use of Personal Car is possible
Open to all dates | England, United Kingdom | Ireland | Berlin, Germany |
Open to all dates | Stockholm, Sweden |
Open to all dates | Hawaii, United States |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
We are seeking:
- a two week exchange summer 2018 (the start of August if possible) to England or Stockholm, Sweden OR to the Atlantic provinces in Canada (NB, NS, PEI).
- Due to allergies, we are unable to exchange to a home with cats.
Our house has a recently renovated kitchen with an induction cooktop. The kitchen opens out onto the back deck. On the deck there is a gas barbecue and an outdoor table for eating outside in the summer. We also have patio at ground level with comfortable yard furniture and outdoor lighting to sit out on nice summer evenings. Inside we have a living room with a fireplace and another sitting area with our computer desk. For sleeping, we have a king size bed in the parent's room, located on the main floor. Each of the children's rooms (located upstairs) have a double bed (so can sleep 2 in each bed if you like being cozy!) We have a room in the basement with a sofa and our television if you are interested in watching movies. We have two children who will be 12 & 14 years old next summer so we have some children/youth 'toys' that correspond with their ages - there is lots of Lego! There are swings outside in the yard. Sorry, but we are not equipped for very young children - there are two staircases in the house but no barriers and one of the beds is elevated.
Type
House - 2 or more floors/ Main Residence
Amenities
Entertainment
Extras
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
We live in the the 'Kitsilano' area of Vancouver. Our house is well located a short walk (5-7 minutes) to most amenities - groceries, pharmacy, bakeries, restaurants, library, playgrounds, bus stop. We are a 10-15 min bus ride (bus stop 2 blocks away) to downtown Vancouver. For those who enjoy long walks, you can walk downtown! It is a 15 minute bus ride to the University of British Columbia. We are a 15-20 minute bus or bicycle ride to beaches - we usually ride our bicycles to the beach (it is close enough that our children have been riding there for several years now). We have three adult bicycles and one large child's bicycle. From May until October there is a Sunday Farmer's Market at the local community centre (10 minute walk) where you can purchase local produce, BC cheese, wine, honey, baked goods and crafts.
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Cultural Activities
Transport Nearby
Neighbourhood Services
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
Vancouver has many attractions and things to do - for adults and for children! In downtown Vancouver, you can explore Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium, Science World, Gastown, and Granville Island. For a break from attractions, stroll down Robson street or around Granville Island and do some shopping.
A little further out from central Vancouver you can visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge (30 min drive), take a day trip to Whistler (2 hr) or to one of the Gulf islands via ferry (times vary with destination). For those who like the outdoors, there are places for water sports (kayak rentals, windsurfing and sailing) and there are the local mountains around Vancouver for day hikes (30+ min drive depending on destination).
There are many other things to do in our wonderful city. It is a fantastic area for a vacation!
Our favourite restaurants
Cafés & bars
Special places to shop
Leisure and cultural activities
Walks or jogging paths
Health or fitness clubs
Interesting day trips
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
Please treat our house as you would your own and we will be happy to do the same!
We would prefer to exchange to a home without any cats that live indoors - two of our family have an allergy to cats.
Please check our exchange preferences below.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Became a member in: 2010
Renewal Date: 31/Dec/2017
We are: Kim and Alain - Kim works in clinical research and Alain is a mechanical engineer. We have two children Sabina (currently 12) and Alexander (currently 11). Due to family members with allergies to cats, we prefer exchanges to homes without cats or homes where cats live outside. Past exchanges have been:
-July-August 2014, St. Albans, England
-August 2011, Bordeaux, France
Additional languages spoken
French
Profession
Engineer/Research Associate
Our pets
turtle, budgies (no care needed)
Over 70 years of home exchange experience
Local home swap representatives around the world to assist you
Travel, save and feel at home around the world!