Sharon actually gives preference to travelers over fifty and to families. "Two groups that might otherwise have difficulty finding couches," she says. (Many hosts offer private bedrooms, futons, and sleeping spaces other than couches—so the term "couch surfing" is somewhat of a misnomer.) Sharon likes couch surfing because it provides access to information, congenial company, and help with the local language. The cost savings are a nice perk, too.
Fifty-one-year old Gerd Vandeperre is a Belgian couch surfer who agrees. She says she has saved around $3,000, thanks to the site.
Is there a downside?
Sharon's only bad experiences were when some people arranged to stay with her family and didn't show up. In fact, Sharon enjoys the website so much that she even had couch surfers over for the holidays. "Two years ago at Christmas, we invited any couch surfers and home exchangers passing through Costa Rica to have Christmas dinner on our farm… More than 30 people showed up, most with food to contribute, and a dozen or so stayed the night. We all had a super holiday in several languages. The food was pretty great, too."
On another occasion, Sharon's family hosted Raul, a young man from Berlin, for a couple of nights. "He and our daughter [Maia] got along well, and she was sorry to see him leave. The night of her birthday, a month or two later, we were having friends over for cake and ice cream, when there was a knock on the door. No one ever comes to the farm except on purpose…so we opened the door to find Raul, who'd traveled many hours to spend Maia's birthday with her."
Safety is probably a first-time user's primary concern, but couch surfing is a peer-reviewed community with systems in place to keep everyone safe. Users of the site can leave reviews and blurbs about people they've met. (The majority are positive.)
The website has an optional credit card verification system that allows users to validate their name and address by making a small payment. Members can also officially "vouch" for someone they've met in person and trust. Signing up for couchsurfing.com takes just a few minutes.
And here are a few tips to ensure you'll get responses from potential hosts… (Remember—signing up and hosting or surfing doesn't obligate you to anything else.)
First, completely fill out a profile and add pictures of yourself. This shows other users you're a real person with real interests who's serious about couch surfing. Then search for potential hosts and send messages requesting to surf with people you think you'd get along with.
Generally, you'll get warmer responses when you reference parts of their profile in your initial message. This lets potential hosts know that you're keen to meet them specifically, rather than just looking for a free place to stay. (It also helps to message people who reply to a high percentage of requests—a stat available on everyone's profile.)
For beginners, Sharon advises, "Surf locally at first. Set up a stay with someone in a nearby city or state, maybe for just a weekend. Find your comfort level. Email, Skype or phone more than once in advance. In fact, do it as many times as you need to to feel like you're meeting a friend when you go to couch surf, not asking a favor of a stranger."
Couch surfing also has an engaged group community, where members of all stripes can chat about similar interests. The "50s+ Travelers" group boasts a membership of 5,069. Even if you're too timid to surf, these groups are helpful for meeting locals. For example, if you're in Buenos Aires, sign up for the group in that city and check for any couch surfing events going on. You'll be surprised by a buzz of activity—potlucks, language exchanges, parties and excursions are common. And after meeting some surfers, who knows? Next trip, maybe you'll summon the courage to try it yourself… and stay in a place you've always wanted to visit… for free.
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