I lived in Airbnbs around the US for over a year. It was cheaper than paying rent, and I got to explore 14 different cities.

Before I set out on my road trip, I was living in a studio apartment in Newport Beach, California, that cost about $1,700 a month. Instead of renewing my lease, I decided to book Airbnbs that were listed at that price or less.

In some cases, I splurged to get nicer spaces. But for the most part, I saved more money staying in Airbnbs than I would've if I was paying rent for my apartment. A lot of hosts also offered discounts for longer stays.

Shorter trips often feel rushed, as I try to pack as many activities as I possibly can into each day to get the most out of my experience.

Monthlong stays allowed me to explore each locale at a more leisurely pace, and I left each city feeling well acquainted. There were even a few fun spots where I became a regular despite my transient nature.

I had a running joke with myself that every time I was about to leave a place, I no longer needed to rely on my GPS for navigation.

When choosing Airbnbs, I often tried to find a space that I could have to myself, such as a guesthouse connected to the host's home or an RV parked on their property.

I also stayed in unique places, like a converted horse trailer in Sedona and a jungle-themed property between Bryce Canyon and Zion.

However, the best stays were in private rooms inside of hosts' homes.

Though I had loved ones living in many of the places I visited, it was new friends that made my experience special.

Some of the easiest connections I made were with my Airbnb hosts, and I strategically chose spaces where they either lived in the house or on the property (partially to make sure that my money was supporting locals).

I'm still in contact with many of my hosts and can't wait to see them when I visit their areas again. In fact, I recently made plans to visit one and caught up with another over text.

Booking Airbnbs where I knew there would be a host nearby was also a safety precaution. As a woman traveling alone, security was a top priority throughout my journey.

I read many reviews on Airbnb before booking properties to make sure the host and accommodations were vetted.

I rested easy at night knowing I'd have someone close by if there was an emergency. I also notified them if I was going on a hike or outdoor adventure so they knew my whereabouts.

Whenever I booked a stay through Airbnb, the app automatically recommended experiences hosted by locals in the destination I was visiting.

I took an archery lesson in Portland, Oregon; went on a foraging trip among the redwoods in Arcata, California; joined a coffee and tea tour in Bend, Oregon; and signed up for a ghost walk and tour of the tiled staircases in San Francisco, California.

I also made friends with the people hosting these experiences. The last time I was in Portland, I had just bought my own archery set before running into my instructor, who told me to let her know when I'm in the area so we can go to the range together.

I've traveled by plane countless times throughout my life, and packing for a flight is arguably the most difficult aspect of air travel. Since most airlines have a baggage limit, I need to be discerning when I decide what to bring with me.

When I stayed in Airbnbs, I had more freedom because I used my car as a mobile storage unit. I packed the essentials, including kitchen supplies, toiletries, and a lot of books. There was also plenty of room for goodies I bought along the way.

Though I played with the idea of van life, I knew building out the van and dealing with all the other logistics, like figuring out where to park so I could rest and shower, would be too stressful to do alone. It also seemed like it could be a bit isolating.

Instead, I opted for the stability of Airbnbs, which allowed me to make connections everywhere I went. Additionally, I made a point to book places that had a kitchen (or at least a kitchenette), and a bathtub whenever possible (many vans don't have full bathrooms).

Each Airbnb provided a base where I truly felt at home, even if my stay was only temporary.