Living la vida local

You don’t need to be holding a map to be immediately classified as a “tourist” in New York City. Apparently, it’s the awe-struck expression and the eyes looking curiously at the gleaming skyscrapers that become dead giveaways. That’s why it’s an open secret that dark oversized sunglasses are a requirement when walking the streets of New York — it helps you blend in, even while you’re carefully identifying all those must-sees on your list.

Whether in the Big Apple or not, very few want to advertise their “tourist” status lest one be a magnet for those with bad intentions. In a way, we have our gadgets to thank for keeping us incognito; they save us the need to unfold a subway map or lug a heavy guidebook while traipsing around the metro.

While there may be those who don’t mind looking like a tourist, no one wants to be treated like one. Understandably so — it isn’t pleasant when others rip you off or assume that all you know are the tourist traps. The reality is everyone yearns for a local experience complete with on-the-ground intel on where to go, what to eat, and what to do.

From shabby chic apartments to modern spaces, varied styles are up for grabs in any cosmopolitan capital you’re set to vacation in.

The desire to assimilate and “live like a local” is strong especially for savvy travelers whose game plan is to slowly get to know a place as opposed to crossing off a major sight from their list. There is something more gratifying when the plan is to have none and let your gut be your guide.

For this type of traveler, finally accommodations are slowly catching up to this style of vacationing. While boutique hotels are top-of-mind especially for the design-conscious set, a localized home base makes for a more authentic and distinctive experience. Truth is, no matter the many amenities that up the comfort factor, nothing feels like home unless it truly is one.

The thought of cooking up a storm or walking down to a local coffee shop to get two cortados came to mind when I stumbled upon Roomorama.com while looking for a place to stay in Barcelona. A website that allows one to rent (long or short term) someone’s home, Roomorama fills a void in the market — it’s not as uncertain as couch surfing but provides local interaction and is as unique as a non-chain hotel but at friendlier rates. While the selection is vast, it isn’t overwhelming because the property listing is curated; amenities and advantages are clearly stated, making it easy to compare the ones on your short list.

A fully functional kitchen is at hand in case you feel like whipping up a home-cooked meal.

You’ll find that some apartments are very well decorated, beautiful enough to compete with boutique hotels but priced competitively, especially if you’re off to a month-long sojourn. A quick click through the photo gallery reveal that the selection ranges from lofty minimalist wonders in Sydney to old apartments that are a study in shabby chic in Paris to luxurious tropical cottages in Ubud.

The key is to know the location, budget and living experience you aspire to have and filter from there. Once these factors are decided, it’s easy to choose a place to call home. And that is exactly what it will feel like — home — not just a place to park your things and sleep in, but something that you feel you own and immediately imbues you with a sense of local living, even if you’re just there for a stopover.

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Visit https://roomorama.com/

Business, pleasure, or family trip, there’s an ideal property to suit your kind of holiday.