BYOH (Bring Your Own Housing) Deep Dive
With Andrew Motiwalla
In this Deep Dive webinar, founder Andrew Motiwalla explains how BYOH (Bring Your Own Housing) works at The Good Life Abroad—and why it can be the perfect way to join the community even if you don’t book housing through us.
BYOH is designed for travelers who want the full Good Life Abroad experience—community, local support, curated activities, and pre-departure guidance—while choosing a housing setup that fits their own preferences, needs, or timeline.
Whether you’re booking late, traveling with a pet, craving something more luxurious (or more budget-friendly), or simply prefer to do your own apartment research, BYOH offers a flexible path to “travel solo—together.”
What Is BYOH (Bring Your Own Housing)?
At its core, BYOH means you handle your own accommodation, but you still participate in the full Good Life Abroad community experience—alongside fellow travelers and with the support of our local team.
Andrew describes The Good Life Abroad experience as being built around:
A nearby cohort of fellow travelers
A local Community Manager on the ground
Activities and events that foster connection and help you feel at home abroad
BYOH lets you choose your own lodging while still getting “the best of both worlds”: independence and community.
Who Is BYOH Best For?
BYOH is a great fit for a wide range of travelers, including:
Late bookers when a destination’s apartments are full, but the group still has space
Travelers with specific tastes (more luxury, different style, different amenities)
Travelers on a tighter budget who want a smaller apartment or alternative option
People who want pet-friendly housing, since most standard program apartments are not pet-friendly
Anyone comfortable doing a bit of online research to find housing in the recommended area
In other words: BYOH is for people who want The Good Life Abroad community—but prefer to pick their own place to stay.
How BYOH Works When You Book
When you’re booking on our website, you’ll see an option to select Bring Your Own Housing / Bring Your Own Apartment for eligible sessions.
Here’s what happens next:
You book your program with the BYOH option
You choose your own accommodation within the recommended area for that session
You arrive at your own lodging (that part is up to you)
You still join all onboarding, orientation, activities, and community events—just like everyone else
Andrew also notes that you’ll still receive:
Pre-departure support
Advance community connections on Zoom
The same orientation and welcome experience once on the ground
“Where Should I Stay?” Staying Close to the Group
One of the most common BYOH questions is: How do I know where everyone else will be staying?
The answer: we make it clear.
During booking, you can typically view a map showing the recommended area
Soon after booking, a Program Coordinator schedules a welcome call and shares specific guidance (either a building address or a neighborhood radius, depending on the destination’s setup)
Some cities are a single building/complex, while others have apartments spread across a defined neighborhood—both models exist, and we provide clarity either way
What BYOH Includes (And What It Doesn’t)
BYOH includes everything the program normally includes—except housing.
Included with BYOH:
Pre-departure support
Travel medical insurance (for medical needs while on the program)
Access to a local Community Manager (WhatsApp support + in-person at events)
Orientation and “live like a local” guidance (including help navigating transit and cultural norms)
Curated weekly programming and events (welcome party, Tuesday Lunch Club, Wednesday cultural activities, Thursday social events, and more)
Scheduled experiences are covered as part of your fee
Not included with BYOH:
Apartment accommodations
Any coordination with third-party housing providers (Airbnb, Booking.com, etc.)
Trip cancellation insurance (this is separate and optional, and not included in any program type)
Recommended Places to Find Housing
Because BYOH travelers handle lodging independently, The Good Life Abroad shares resources to help you search.
Andrew mentions common platforms like:
Airbnb
Booking.com (including apartments, not only hotels)
He also references Europe-focused providers such as:
SilverDoor
AltoVita
Important note: these are suggested resources, not endorsements—housing choices and due diligence remain up to the traveler.
What Does BYOH Cost?
BYOH is priced as a flat “community fee.”
$2,500 per person for a Month-Long Signature Program
$1,250 for a Two-Week Short Stay format
This covers the full community experience and inclusions—minus lodging.
Want to Learn More?
Visit our Bring Your Own Housing page for more details and to see Frequently Asked Questions.