[Johnlenham]

So Im kind of in this mood where I want to go somewhere Ive never been before and it would be alone so im thinking about trying this Couchsurfing thing out? Anyone have any experience with it? perhaps some people are hosts or have been hosted?

Im thinking of going to one of these places Toronto,Vancouver,Miami,Los Angeles or New york but have yet to actually decide.. but the whole couch surfing thing seems like a good way to see the city and obviously being locals would know alot of places of the beaten track so to speak and just to meet new people.

Should probably point out im in the UK.

[CHEEZMO™]

You will become victim #27.

[Synth_floyd]

Yeah it's fine. Just go to people with lots of good reviews and make sure youknow when you get there if it's just going to be a place to crash or if they'll be around to hang out with you, etc.

[Yo Gotti]

Yea couchsurfing seems great, eager to try it myself.

From what I've been told you just need to make sure you pack an extra kidney or 2.

[snacknuts]

I've used it a couple of times and have hosted a couple of people. It has been a positive experience all around. The people I've hosted were both individuals who were in town for one night for one reason or another and needed a place to crash. They were kind, quiet, and tidy. My wife and I stayed with one couple in Jacksonville for one night last summer while driving to Orlando. And when we went to Thailand a little over a year ago, a very nice older German couple let us stay with them for a week while we were in Phuket.

My suggestions:
-Start looking around and talking to potential hosts as soon as possible. I can't tell you how many times I have had people email me asking if they can stay with me that night and I always tell them no. It's just polite.
-Stick to people with lots of positive referrals. This one is a no-brainer. Also okay: people who don't have a ton of referrals but have been vouched for by other Couchsurfers who DO have a lot of referrals.

[CFMOORE!]

I'm actually experiencing it right this second. This is my second "couch" on my vacation. I just got into Seattle last night from Quebec where I stayed with two awesome college girls. They showed me around the city, treated me really well and refused to let me pay for things. Overall they were amazing. The girl I'm staying with now in Seattle has a full time job so she just gave me the key to her place and said "come and go as you wish", again, super nice and VERY trusting. It's an amazing community, just be as respectful to them as they are to you.

[UnluckyKate]

I'm in for 6 month now.

Already host people. Already meet surfers traveling or living in the city I was visiting.

Nothing but awesome experiences.

I can recommand this.

[Tenks]

I couldn't imagine randoms staying over at my place.

[Aguirre]

I'm in for 6 month now. Already host people. Already meet surfers traveling or living in the city I was visiting. Nothing but awesome experiences. I can recommand this.

[DeathNote]

I couldn't imagine randoms staying over at my place.

You can see their profiles and such. I don't want a bummy ass stinky freeloader. I would want a down to earth person for a few days every so often.

But I don't know what I'd do bout someone staying in my house without anyone else at home. I don't like that.

[JasoNsider]

Yeah!! Couchsurfing.org is great. I've hosted maybe 8 different people/groups at my place already. It's a lot of fun and I've made some amazing friends by doing it. To be completely honest, it's going to be my go-to when travelling.

[Tenks]

You can see their profiles and such. I don't want a bummy ass stinky freeloader. I would want a down to earth person for a few days every so often. But I don't know what I'd do bout someone staying in my house without anyone else at home. I don't like that.

I've been on enough online dates to know profiles can deceive

[ElectricBlue187]

This sounds like a good way to meet people to rape and murder and leave in a ditch

[Johnlenham]

I'm actually experiencing it right this second. This is my second "couch" on my vacation. I just got into Seattle last night from Quebec where I stayed with two awesome college girls. They showed me around the city, treated me really well and refused to let me pay for things. Overall they were amazing. The girl I'm staying with now in Seattle has a full time job so she just gave me the key to her place and said "come and go as you wish", again, super nice and VERY trusting. It's an amazing community, just be as respectful to them as they are to you.

Awesome, yeah im not some trampy freeloader I just think you don't really get a real grasp for a place unless you know some folks. I assume you just crash at a motel or hostel if you cant find someone but really id have hopefully asked atleast a week in advance.

[Miutsu]

So, I'm thinking about going to Montreal to study french for 3 months (Around september-october) but it is a long time and half of the travel expenses will go to renting an appartment.

Seeing as I do not have that much money (dollar is very expensive in my country), I was considering couchsurfing.. but 3 months seems like A LOT to stay at somebody's place and not look like a freeloader (of couse I would contribute with food and resources, but still). I do not know if there are people up for hosting that much time.

What do you think about this?

[xbhaskarx]

Subscribing for future horror stories

[Dachande]

I have a co-worker who used this to get around Germany for a week, for a holiday, and loved it. I was sceptical of the idea at first, but it's actually quite cool...

[genjiZERO]

CS is great. Community is reliable and cool. I've not used it too often, but my brother back packed the US and India with it.

So, I'm thinking about going to Montreal to study french for 3 months (Around september-october) but it is a long time and half of the travel expenses will go to renting an appartment. Seeing as I do not have that much money (dollar is very expensive in my country), I was considering couchsurfing.. but 3 months seems like A LOT to stay at somebody's place and not look like a freeloader (of couse I would contribute with food and resources, but still). I do not know if there are people up for hosting that much time. What do you think about this?

That's pretty excessive. CSings is for a couple days max at someone's place. The person will generally say how long you can stay though in their profile.

[BertramCooper]

I'll just stick with hostels.

[Miutsu]

That's pretty excessive. CSings is for a couple days max at someone's place. The person will generally say how long you can stay though in their profile.

Yeah, it is pretty excessive :( I'll be signing up for an account anyway just in case... maybe I can find someone who wants to learn spanish or something

[max_cool]

So, I'm thinking about going to Montreal to study french for 3 months (Around september-october) but it is a long time and half of the travel expenses will go to renting an appartment. Seeing as I do not have that much money (dollar is very expensive in my country), I was considering couchsurfing.. but 3 months seems like A LOT to stay at somebody's place and not look like a freeloader (of couse I would contribute with food and resources, but still). I do not know if there are people up for hosting that much time. What do you think about this?

Even if you were my best friend, that would be excessive.

[shuri]

and its going to take you much longer than 3 months believe me.

[Kwhit10]

So, I'm thinking about going to Montreal to study french for 3 months (Around september-october) but it is a long time and half of the travel expenses will go to renting an appartment. Seeing as I do not have that much money (dollar is very expensive in my country), I was considering couchsurfing.. but 3 months seems like A LOT to stay at somebody's place and not look like a freeloader (of couse I would contribute with food and resources, but still). I do not know if there are people up for hosting that much time. What do you think about this?

See if you can find a sublet for the three months in a house with other people. I did this one summer when I lived in Canada. I subletted the house from a kid who was away for the summer and I paid his share of the rent to the other people to use his room.

[el retorno]

I really want to do this but im still just nervous about it. I don't really know why. It saves a lot of money and seeing a place through the eyes of the local is my main goal in traveling. (I hate being a tourist) just something holding me back. Hostels just seem easier.

I should probably do it someplace close to home to see how it is.

Does anyone know the upper age on this kind of stuff? Like when is too old?

Also how do you really start. Do people take people that have no reviews? Should I ask my friends who know me to give me a review or something?

[Miutsu]

Even if you were my best friend, that would be excessive.

Yeah, that's why I would be willing to pay a rent for the room and contribute with food, just lesser than what I would pay for an appt

and its going to take you much longer than 3 months believe me.

Actually my goal is is not so much the french learning as is the experience living there. I've been studying french here (Venezuela) since last year with the goal of obtaining a VISA through Quebec's inmigrant program. My actual level is OK for what they demand, but having resided there for some time is a big bonus... plus yeah its not the same learning in a francophone city than a non francophone one.

See if you can find a sublet for the three months in a house with other people. I did this one summer when I lived in Canada. I subletted the house from a kid who was away for the summer and I paid his share of the rent to the other people to use his room.

Ah, this could work too, any idea of where can I find people willing to do this?

[wenis]

I did it a few times while I was commuting for school

You certainly meet a few characters, that's for sure.

[SolKane]

So, I'm thinking about going to Montreal to study french for 3 months

Heh, this is like going to Boston to study English.

[Calcaneus]

Take it from experience, staying any longer than a few weeks will take a toll on most hosts. Unless you are really close. They might make not it obvious, but you will notice it anyway.

I'm not saying don't do it, but make sure they have some incentive to keep it going. Like paying is a good start.

[WoodenLung]

So, I'm thinking about going to Montreal to study french for 3 months (Around september-october) but it is a long time and half of the travel expenses will go to renting an appartment. Seeing as I do not have that much money (dollar is very expensive in my country), I was considering couchsurfing.. but 3 months seems like A LOT to stay at somebody's place and not look like a freeloader (of couse I would contribute with food and resources, but still). I do not know if there are people up for hosting that much time. What do you think about this?

Couch surfing for 3 months? Hell no.

[Miutsu]

Take it from experience, staying any longer than a few weeks will take a toll on most hosts. Unless you are really close. They might make not it obvious, but you will notice it anyway. I'm not saying don't do it, but make sure they have some incentive to keep it going. Like paying is a good start.

Yeah, I guess what i'm looking for in the end is not staying at somebodys place for that long without return but being able to at least rent a room while at the same time sharing with people from there.

I agree that 3 months is too much and would tire almost everyone but I need to find an alternative that will not leave a hole through my pockets when I return.

EDIT: Sorry to derail the thread, looks like what I needed was a sublet (thanks Kwhit10), looking into it right now.

[mltplkxr]

So, I'm thinking about going to Montreal to study french for 3 months (Around september-october) but it is a long time and half of the travel expenses will go to renting an appartment. Seeing as I do not have that much money (dollar is very expensive in my country), I was considering couchsurfing.. but 3 months seems like A LOT to stay at somebody's place and not look like a freeloader (of couse I would contribute with food and resources, but still). I do not know if there are people up for hosting that much time. What do you think about this?

Don't do this. Well, maybe a couple of days until you find a place to rent but certainly not the whole 3 months.

What you need to do is scour craigslist, kijiji.ca and voir.ca(http://www.cherchetrouve.ca/) for a room to rent.
Another option would be to change your dates and come in the summer. Lots of appts to sublet while the McGill and Concordia students go back to the states for the summer.

However, staying with roomates will greatly help you learn the language.

Sorry to contribute to the derailement of this thread : ) .

As for this thread, I had similar concerns to the OP with couchsurfing and this thread helped clear a few of them. Thanks!

[Miutsu]

Don't do this. Well, maybe a couple of days until you find a place to rent but certainly not the whole 3 months. What you need to do is scour craigslist, kijiji.ca and voir.ca(http://www.cherchetrouve.ca/) for a room to rent. Another option would be to change your dates and come in the summer. Lots of appts to sublet while the McGill and Concordia students go back to the states for the summer. However, staying with roomates will greatly help you learn the language. Sorry to contribute to the derailement of this thread : ) . As for this thread, I had similar concerns to the OP with couchsurfing and this thread helped clear a few of them. Thanks!

Thanks :) That's what I'm doing right now, currently checking http://www.padmapper.com and yeah, while I realized the majority of rooms are for rent for summer, there are some others that are free until december-january. Sadly I cannot change dates to summer because I need time to save money for it, but I can do with the minority.

From my search I have already found like 10 candidates near the area I will be having my studies and will be contacting them shortly, the prospect of staying with roomates for that period makes me a little exited so we'll see how it goes.

[BlueMagic]

Sounds awesome, I would love to try this sometime.

[Skel1ingt0n]

Wait... what?

This is a thing? This is freaking AWESOME! This is seriously RIGHT up my alley. I'd *love* to backpack across the country for a month and just sleep at a different person's house every other night! Meeting new people, new experiences, to places to shop and drink and eat. It sounds amazing.

How is this place not absolutely crawling with creepers, though? I mean, sure, one might have a few references, but surely you can't trust that to mean they won't kill you in your sleep (or vice versa, install cameras or something in your own house).

Still, though, this is really neat. I think I might take advantage of this sometime later this summer with a friend.

[Seth C]

I really want to do this but im still just nervous about it. I don't really know why. It saves a lot of money and seeing a place through the eyes of the local is my main goal in traveling. (I hate being a tourist) just something holding me back. Hostels just seem easier. I should probably do it someplace close to home to see how it is. Does anyone know the upper age on this kind of stuff? Like when is too old? Also how do you really start. Do people take people that have no reviews? Should I ask my friends who know me to give me a review or something?

There is no upper age limit. In Toronto I couch surfed at a woman's apartment who had to have been in her mid 50s, if not 60.

[bolbronx]

If you're worried about security, you could try Servas. Both hosts and travellers are interviewed and approved by the organisation.

Me and my girlfriend used it when we travelled the US a few years back.

We met some really nice people. One of the best things about the trip. That and Wendy's

[demolitio]

I wonder if I could use this while I do some tests at the Cleveland Clinic. I'd be fine if it was a one day thing, but it's a full board of doctors with tests that would be need to be done meaning a lot of one day trips. Hell, I'd be afraid they'd find my medications and have a good night out...lol

[Raitosaito]

This site has worked quite well for me because I keep hitting nice religious people by accident.
Overall positive experience :D
Just make sure the person's b/g is legit

[mac]

I used it 3 times. Got raped twice. Would use again.

[Dariee]

Also how do you really start. Do people take people that have no reviews? Should I ask my friends who know me to give me a review or something?

That's what I'm wondering as well. If you're not in the circle yet, how do you go around? I'm thinking of hosting first and maybe once ever go surfing myself.

Also, is it impolite to ask for a copy of one's passport or something? Just in case things go wrong.

[Ignis]

I've been a CS member since 2009 and have had nothing but awesome experiences, both as a surfer and a host.

So I'd definitely recommend it, provided you don't select your hosts/surfers randomly. Reading profiles/comments is important - and polite.

Best time to contact potential hosts is around two weeks before your trip, though some prefer to be contacted earlier or later (and usually say so in their profile).

[catfish]

used it a few times, works great.

[FunkyPajamas]

Surprised to see this thread doesn't have more posts. I recently joined and I'm interested in hearing stories from you guys. So, if anybody has any to share, I'd love to read some.

[Alucrid]

Surprised to see this thread doesn't have more posts. I recently joined and I'm interested in hearing stories from you guys. So, if anybody has any to share, I'd love to read some.

There are no posts because they were all murdered.

[SMT]

If you're into orgies, drugs, and criminal activity, hey, why not, right?
Nothing in life is free, your couch may be bugged, and you may be drugged.

[FunkyPajamas]

There are no posts because they were all murdered.

Time to whip out the Ouija board then.

edit: shit, really? I honestly thought this was a good idea (of course, after reading and going through a LOT of profiles, not just taking random bums).

Alright, I'll close that thing then. Thanks GAF. Saved my life once again.

[isny]

So Im kind of in this mood where I want to go somewhere Ive never been before and it would be alone so im thinking about trying this Couchsurfing thing out? Anyone have any experience with it? perhaps some people are hosts or have been hosted? Im thinking of going to one of these places Toronto,Vancouver,Miami,Los Angeles or New york but have yet to actually decide.. but the whole couch surfing thing seems like a good way to see the city and obviously being locals would know alot of places of the beaten track so to speak and just to meet new people. Should probably point out im in the UK.

You would probably have better chances just crashing with a GAF member. Random GAF member who you have stuff in common with (games) who you can also get an idea of via their post history -> random internet person.

[Alphahawk]

I would never do this...

[Puddles]

I've done it at least 20 times now, although I forget the exact number. I haven't been able to host yet, for various reasons, but I'd like to in the future.

It's really awesome. My advice:

1) Make sure you have money for a hostel or hotel if your couchsurfing host falls through. That can definitely happen. I got stuck paying for a hotel in Paris when someone cancelled on me, and it killed my budget.

2) Don't expect to easily find hosts in popular cities at peak tourist season. Rome, Paris, London, etc get swarmed during the summer. And there aren't many people hosting in some cities. For instance, Dubrovnik had exactly one person offering a couch when I went there (luckily he let me stay with him).

3) Start contacting potential hosts about 2 weeks out.

4) Personalize each message.

5) Be a good guest.

[Face it Tiger..]

You would probably have better chances just crashing with a GAF member. Random GAF member who you have stuff in common with (games) who you can also get an idea of via their post history -> random internet person.

Couchhopping with GAF(TM)

Personally that'd be cool.. don't know if EviLore would be okay with it.. I mean he allows Secret Santa I don't see why not.