⭕ PRIVATE HOME EXCHANGE -
~ I AM SEEKING TO SWAP MY LOVELY & COZY CALIFORNIA APARTMENT FOR YOUR UK FLAT/COTTAGE/HOME, FROM 1 - 6 MONTHS FOR MY UK VISIT; BETWEEN:

~ SPRING 2017: APRIL - JUNE, 2017
~ SUMMER 2017: JULY - SEPTEMBER, 2017
~ FALL 2017: OCTOBER - DECEMBER, 2017

~ I am SEEKING a PRIVATE HOME EXCHANGE of MY CALIFORNIA, USA for YOUR ENGLAND, UK from 1 - 6 MONTH(S) in 2017. I would like to visit England between MAY - DECEMBER 2017, for 3 months, and have the flexibility to exchange for up to 6 MONTHS. So, the private home exchange will ideally be for 3 months (and possibly up to 6 months in 2017).

~ California is stunning! Spend up to three months seeing the coastal towns, early English, Italian and Spanish California, breathtaking California geography, Pacific Ocean, rivers, mountains, Redwood forests, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles & Napa Counties famous wine countries, Eastern Sierras, Joshua Tree deserts, Hollywood, San Diego, Mexico - the great Golden State; a leisurely California holiday with an ideally located stunning Central Coast home base.


Ideally, I would like to do a private home exchange for a flat/cottage/home that is in the following UK areas:

YOUR EXCHANGE IN UK, ENGLAND:

~ GLOUCESTERSHIRE, COTSWOLDS HILLS AREA

~ OXFORDSHIRE

~ CAMBRIDGESHIRE

~ NORFOLK, EAST ANGLIA

~ MY IDEAL AREAS:
• Tetbury-Gloucestershire *
• Westonbirt National Arboretum area *
• Thetford-Norfolk *
• Wychwood Forest National Nature Reserve area
• Forest of Dean / Whittlewood Forest / Sherwood Forest area
• Windsor Great Park area
(*A HOME EXCHANGE near these areas would be IDEAL & WELCOMED).

~ OPEN TO SCOTLAND AS WELL: River ODee, Ballater, Aberdeenshire (Summer 2017)


MY EXCHANGE IN CALIFORNIA, USA:

~ SANTA BARBARA, CA ~ Comfortable and cozy 1 BEDROOM/1 BATHROOM apartment in Santa Barbaras HIGHLY SOUGHT after UPPER EAST SIDE. The apartment has a FULLY-EQUIPPED KITCHEN and a FULL TUB-OVER-SHOWER BATHROOM. My well-maintained apartment building is within short walking distance to the downtown center. Nicely situated, it is just a short walk away from the citys busy main cultural, shopping, business center, and there is a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean from this peaceful location! The apartment is MID-CENTURY CALIFORNIA STYLE, built in 1962. It exudes the architectural style of the sleek and simple MID-CENTURY ERA, and the building is nicely maintained. There is a GALLEY KITCHEN with the original BUTTER-YELLOW 1960s THERMADOR electric WALL OVEN and a matching BUTTER-YELLOW electric COOK-TOP (hob). The small kitchen while designed in 1962, is still quite efficient and equipped with many chefs-essentials. The bathroom has a shower-over-bathtub with the added charm of the original 1960s chemist-type medicine cabinet! LARGE PICTURE WINDOWS abound. The dining room has a large picture window with an airy and private view of the refreshing green zen bamboo outside. LOVELY FURNISHINGS: The new 42 round dining table was made exclusively by KNOLL DESIGNS for DWR. It is a EERO SAARINEN designed pedestal table, and has a white marble top with soft grey veining. There are four new CHARLES EAMES designed EIFFEL CHAIRS with crisp white molded seats and chrome steel bases, made by HERMAN MILLER. There are three main rooms: living room, kitchen, bedroom; and one bathroom. The APARTMENT IS LIGHT AND BRIGHT with windows in every room. In short, the apartment feels a bit like stepping back into the ICONIC 1960s, when less massive California apartments were smaller, yet somehow more authentic, ELEGANT and STYLISH. It is an uncluttered, SUNG AND COZY HAVEN IN a CITY filled with bustling activity.

WHERE:
~ SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, USA. ~ Population: 90,000. ~ SMALL, AFFLUENT, URBAN Setting.
~ A PRIME LOCATION on CALIFORNIAS PACIFIC COAST, perfectly situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Hollywood. My apartment is located in the highly sought after UPPER EAST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD. It is near the HISTORIC SANTA BARBARA Old Spanish Mission a California landmark. The apartment is in a GREAT WALKING LOCATION, in the middle of all the best places to walk to everything in Santa Barbara ~ and all the while situated in a quiet tree lined area. The QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD is filled with the different vernaculars of CALIFORNIAS HISTORIC HOMES (mostly from the early 1900s-1960s) and with PARKS and soothing GARDENS for relaxing, making it a great sightseeing and walking part of town. It is a quick 15-20 minute walk into the downtown business/shopping areas, where you will find bistro-style food, CULINARY MARKETS, FRESH CALIFORNIA CUISINE, gourmet burgers, fine dining, beautiful wine tasting rooms, and small boutiques of every kind tucked around every corner. You can quickly catch a trolly and hop over to the new Funk Zone near the beachfront area, where there is another crop of the latest new wine bars, gastro-pub restaurants and a number of California style breweries/pubs, that have settled into refurbished old warehouse buildings, by up and coming millennial proprietors.

WHAT:
~ SUNSHINE, FUN, OUTDOORS, FOOD, CULTURE ~ A walking California small city; with many restaurants, wineries, theaters, art, symphony, ballet, jazz, live classical music, film festivals, cocktail clubs, numerous nightly events and trolleys. Activities galore: hike, cycle , swim, yoga, pilates and kyak, all right within the city. When that is finished for the day, everyone is thinking about evening dining choices. There is no shortage of excellent restaurants and fine dining. Santa Barbara has the FRESHEST SEAFOOD, savory ORGANIC meats, luscious COASTAL wines, and delicious ARTISINAL cocktails. There are AMERICAN STEAKHOUSES, fresh culinary cocktails, fresh seafood, wonderful and varied Italian restaurants of all kinds, Spanish tapas, British Pubs, American breweries, Swedish cuisine, Thai food, pubs, Fish & Chips, and Indian, Greek, Himalayan, and Japanese Sushi that are all within a 15-30 MINUTES WALK from the apartment, or a 5 minute drive if you are really eager. With its beautiful coastline, local farms and ranches, and WINE-COUNTRY influences, Santa Barbara is a CULINARY PARADISE. International chefs from every part of the world are here to tickle your fancy.

WHY:
~ A Walking City ~ Transportation is excellent; with trolleys, taxis, buses, bicycles, pedi-cabs, cars.
However, the best part is that my apartment is within walking distance to almost everything. There are city buses, yellow taxis, red trolleys for longer journeys, hop on-and-off express trolleys for errands and such, and they are all easily available. It is just a few minutes walk in any direction: to the city bus lines, trolleys, the Amtrak train depot, shady parks, and to the numerous city landmarks. Santa Barbara is a Colonial town built by the Spanish royal crown, and it is a joy to get lost among the many hidden alley-ways, delightful nooks, and public courtyards. A CAR IS NOT NECESSARY within Santa Barbara, as it is an excellent walking city, and my apartment is perfectly located for walking nearly everywhere.

~ Beautiful HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE & SPANISH GARDENS ~ Santa Barbara is considered ONE OF the most BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL CITIES in California, and it is a joy to walk around this CHARMING Spanish-architectural gem, with discreet old world alleyways, to discover many fine restaurants, wine bars, and shops tucked here and there.

~ The PACIFIC OCEAN & SUNNY BLUE SKIES ~ Stretches of pristine beaches for sunbathing and swimming in the blue Pacific Ocean, trails and bluffs for walking/running/hiking, ocean breezes, and STUNNING SUNSETS all ablaze are here.

~ Stunning Sights, Scented Air & Magical Lights ~
Also, there is no shortage of mental stimulation with the Santa Barbara Public Library, Universities, Colleges, Museums, Banks, Post Offices, Symphony, Ballet, Musicals, Contemporary Dance Companies, Lectures, Current Affairs, and many independent coffee roasters nearby. You will also enjoy the abundance of fragrant gardens everywhere! Enjoy a relaxing stay in my cozy and snug Santa Barbara apartment, located near the Old Mission Rose Garden. Additionally the Santa Barbara train station has daily trains that will pick you up at the Train Depot, and with a short trip along the scenic California Coast it can deliver you into downtown Los Angeles in about one hour. See the LA-MOMA, Getty Museum, the Fairfax & 3rd Food Stalls, or shop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills without the hassles of parking a car.

~ Come see Californias summer festivals!

HOW & WHEN:
~ SPRING 2017: APRIL - JUNE, 2017
~ SUMMER 2017: JULY - SEPTEMBER, 2017
~ FALL/WINTER 2017: OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2017

~ Flexible Date Timeline ~ Initially, I hope to exchange my apartment for your flat, cottage or home for 1 - 3 months, or 1- 6 months, with flexibility between APRIL - DECEMBER 2017. I have included a fair amount of info here, to be as helpful as possible about my apartment. I am looking for a 1 - 3 MONTH PRIVATE EXCHANGE; more specifically, I desire to be in the COTSWOLDS HILLS of GLOUCESTERSHIRE and/or Norfolk, East Anglia areas, and hope to give a clear idea of what one might be exchanging into.

~ 1960S STYLE With State-of-the-Art Entertainment ~ MY APARTMENT is NOT completely remodeled to todays standards, and it is smaller than current MEGA-MANSION STANDARDS, but it is nicely built with a COOL SUBDUED ELEGANCE, and I have FURNISHED it in a similarly 1960S ELEGANT STYLE. It is a snug and COZY NEST in a city bustling with activity. The 1962 apartment is in quite good condition, with all new double-paned locking slider windows. In terms of state-of-the-art technology: there is a NEW 52 SONY Bravia FLAT SCREEN LED TELEVISION that is sleekly wall mounted for your full cable television & movie entertainment. In addition, you would have internet Guest use of my 25 APPLE iMAC DESKTOP COMPUTER as well, in case you do not have a laptop or iPad. The apartment has WiFi/INTERNET/CABLE TV.

~ Occupancy ~ I will be looking for 1 or 2 PEOPLE MAXIMUM to occupy my apartment, due to the fact that it is only a ONE BEDROOM (and there is only 1 bed). A solo traveler is ideal, although, a couple will also be considered. Those who are attentive to their use of my home, and who take excellent care of the apartment, will be considered for possible future rents/exchanges. Also, you can choose to have the HOUSEKEEPER continue to come every week, or every other if you choose, to keep the apartment dust free and in squeaky clean condition, and to do the laundry. In yours: I will be one person. My flat is lovely to come home to, as it is quiet, UNCLUTTERED, SOOHTHING, and a COZY HAVEN IN a SMALL CITY filled with BUSTLING ACTIVITIES.


YOUR HOME EXCHANGE IN UK (COTSWOLDS HILLS, GLOUCESTERSHIRE / NORFOLK, EAST ANGLIA / OXFORDSHIRE / CAMBRIDGESHIRE)

My apartment is not a vacation rental business, and I am therefore interested in a similar private home exchange during my visit to the UK in the upcoming months. Proximity to National Wooded Forests and Nature Reserves are the focal point of my upcoming trip to the UK. IDEALLY YOUR UK HOME is within or quite near (WALKING DISTANCE) to a picturesque VILLAGE or a MARKET TOWN, for grocery shopping, banks, dining, and one that has NATIONAL RAIL TRAIN SERVICE WITHIN THE VILLAGE OR MARKET-TOWN CENTER, as I may not have a car initially.

Finally, I am a highly responsible, happy, well-educated, lively female (50s,) of good character, who is tidy (I never leave towels on the floor, clean and put food & dishes away, and place the duvet neatly back over the bed every morning). I will keep your home neat and clean; as it clears & refreshes my mind for the day ahead! I love both country & city alike, and seek a walking & hiking holiday this year, and would love to see more of England (forests) & Scotland (Highlands). I am a non-smoker, and my apartment is a non-smoking environment as well.

I am interested in a UK village or market-town home exchange:
~ Seeking HOME EXCHANGE for my 2017 UK visit.
~ Seeking UK flat/cottage/home/semi-detached/(or fully equipped apartment on country estate).
~ YOURS in GLOUCESTERSHIRE, COTSWOLDS HILLS, NORFOLK, EAST ANGLIA, OXFORDSHIRE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. (See above)
~ YOURS near UK village center or market-towns.
~ YOURS near UK NATIONAL RAIL TRAIN SERVICE (via walking, taxi, bus...).
~ From 1 - 3 months in 2017.
~ There is flexibility with my dates:
~ SPRING 2017: APRIL - JUNE, 2017
~ SUMMER 2017: JULY - SEPTEMBER, 2017
~ FALL/WINTER 2017: OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2017
~ To exchange homes straight across; (NO MONEY EXCHANGED on either side).
~ MINE a lovely 1 BEDROOM/1 BATH flat apartment.
~ YOURS can be small, but must have a SEPARATE SITTING ROOM and a PRIVATE BATHROOM.
~ MINE FULLY FURNISHED, and has a fully-equipped bright KITCHEN.
~ YOURS FULLY FURNISHED, and has a fully-equipped KITCHEN.
~ MINE 1960s MID-CENTURY MODERN (i.e. small, elegant Mad Men style living).
~ MINE very near SANTA BARBARA city center; banks, dining, business, shopping, groceries, coffee shops.
~ YOURS VERY NEAR VILLAGE CENTER: banks, dining, business, shopping, grocer.
~ Mine very near downtown California AmTrack Train Station (via walking, taxi, trolley, buses).
~ PLEASE, SERIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE INQUIRIES ONLY. NO SCAMMERS! (So, please send pictures of your home exchange with your reply).
~ References on my behalf will be given upon request (with Serious Inquiries only).
~ REFERENCES on your behalf will be REQUIRED from you as well.
~ You may contact me via the email above.

~ I have included a few pics of the my apartment, some of the parks/walking trails very close to the apartment, and of Santa Barbara. - to give a sense of the overall picture. I can send additional photos of my apartment, UPON YOUR SERIOUS EMAIL INQUIRY WITH SEVERAL PHOTOS of your own home exchange.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. ~