My turn to bid farewell

[Colleen253]

Our last booking is in two weeks. Time to take the next step with the property. STR was a stop gap and never a long term plan. Grateful to Airbnb for providing the opportunity we needed at the time. Happy to have been a part of this fabulous community of smart, savvy and giving hosts (and caring, capable mods). Always a small chance I may be back hosting at some point, so I’ll not say goodbye, just so long for now! Wishing the best to all.

[Kelly149]

@Colleen253  heart emojis and many best wishes for whatever you do next!!!

[Colleen253]

@Kelly149 Heart emojis and best wishes right back at ya! 

[Patricia1375]

@Colleen253I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your willingness to share your insight.  I have learned a lot from you and others in this group.  I, too, have my last guests in 2 weeks.  We will be out of the Airbnb business and I have real mixed feelings about it.  We loved it the first couple years.  We met so many wonderful people.  I am still processing (and probably will be for some time) how things have changed during the past 2+years.  We are attributing much to how the pandemic changed us and many of our guests wants and needs.  I will miss this community.  You all have been extremely supportive.  All the best for your next adventure Colleen.

[Colleen253]

@Patricia1375 Thank you, I feel the exact same way about you, and everyone else here. This community has made all the difference for me in my hosting journey.

Sorry to hear you’re bowing out as well. Best of luck to you!

[Sarah977]

@Laura2592  "Maybe we should start our own little community-- former ABB hosts 😉"

You read my mind- I was going to suggest exactly that. All the ex-hosts could have a happy forum about how great their week was, and what they did, that had nothing to do with fending off inappropriate requests, dealing with absurd guest complaints, or worrying about a review.

[Emiel1]

@Colleen253 

[Colleen253]

Cheers @Emiel1 !

[John5097]

@Colleen253  wow just now seeing this! You have definitely been one of the most helpful members of the hosting community! I suspected you were up to a change because you haven't been posting as much and other hints when you did. As you said its a great stop gap. Although I'll be sad to see you not hosting although glad you will still keep up with polices. It will be nice to take a break. I'll likely take more time off to travel as well.  

[Colleen253]

@John5097 Thank you for the kind words 😊A break to travel a bit sounds like a great idea!

[Helen744]

@Colleen253 all the best for your future. It is a pity that so many good hosts are leaving at a time when the industry is beginning to move again . It means those better hosts do not get to reap their rewards but life is what it is  Good luck H

[Colleen253]

@Helen744 Thank you! Best to you as well.

It seems the risk is greater than the reward for many who are leaving 🥲We’ve been pretty lucky, with great guests for the most part, but I certainly empathize with those who have been challenged. Combined with dealing with Airbnb’s guest centric and anti host policies, I can imagine how tiring it is.  

[Flavia202]

@Colleen253,  I've enjoyed your posts and look forward to you popping in now and again. Airbnb's loss. Too many great hosts leaving. Best wishes.

[Colleen253]

That is very sweet of you to say, @Flavia202. Best to you!

[Stephanie]

@Colleen253 !! You will be SORELY missed by the OCM team and your host peers. I do hope you return in the future but for now, the best of wishes for the next step of your journey!!

[Colleen253]

Awww thank you @Stephanie. I’m really going to miss all of you, too!