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<ul class="summary-list"><li>AW, 27, is a YouTuber who almost moved from Chicago to Texas in 2021.</li><li>She had signed a lease and packed up her old apartment when she suddenly had a change of heart.</li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with AW, a 27-year-old YouTuber who works in advertising and lives in Chicago. AW was hired by Facebook in 2021 and made plans to move to Texas for her new role. But at the last minute, she decided to skip the move and stay in Chicago — a decision she says she now regrets.</em></p><p>After high school, I really didn't know what I wanted to do. I have a twin sister who I'm very close with, who said, "I'm going to Chicago," and I was like, "You know what? Me, too."</p><p>We came to Chicago for undergrad, and I've been here ever since. I've been living here for about nine years now.</p><p>I fell in love with it right away. Chicago was <em>the</em> city. There's so much to do, public transportation, people everywhere. It was the perfect city to get a career going.</p><p>I thought it was going to be my forever home. But that changed.</p><p>I graduated from college in December of 2019, and then March 2020 was the pandemic. There was really no pressure to get my career started during COVID.</p><p>But once things started opening back up and the world started to become "normal" again, a lot of my friends left Chicago. My twin sister left, too.</p><p>It just seemed like everyone started to have these new postgrad lives. I felt like I was really missing out on that.</p><h2><strong>I was transitioning careers at the time.</strong></h2><p>I got an offer from Facebook. I had previously worked in a contracted role for the company, and that's what helped me land my full-time role at Facebook.</p><p>When they hired me, they said I could work from one of two locations: either <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-california-austin-texas-10-things-i-wish-i-knew-2021-1">Austin, Texas,</a> or Chicago.</p><p>Knowing that all of my friends and my sister had left Chicago, I naturally wanted to go to Austin. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIDdzk42kgQ&amp;t=125s">So I chose Texas</a>. This was a company that would move me, so I wouldn't have to worry about the hassle of moving.</p><p>The company sent me to Austin to look for apartments. But I got there and I realized Austin was not my vibe.</p><p>I was like, "Where are the people?" There was no one driving around. It was not for me.</p><p>I was so used to Chicago being a very multicultural city. I just didn't feel that way when I went to visit Austin. Everything was so spaced out.</p><p>So I spoke to my new manager at the job and I said, "The offices are still closed, what if I move to Dallas instead?" I figured it was the next best thing. I felt like there was a bit more culture there.</p><p>I had never visited Texas before I got this role, but I had a cousin in Dallas and she just seemed like she loved it.</p><p>My manager said I could do that. However, once the offices opened, I would have to commute back and forth from Dallas to Austin.</p><p>It sounds crazy now. It's about a two-and-a-half-hour drive. But I had faith that the offices weren't going to open anytime soon.</p><div type="image" title="side by side photos of Ayahna Wilbon on a bike and posing in front of a street sign" height="1080" width="1440" msid="105795242" hostid="261"></div><p>The company wouldn't move me to Dallas, but they would move me to Austin. So I decided to move to Austin, and from there, I would move to Dallas. It would be easier and cheaper to move my stuff within Texas.</p><p>I went to Dallas for a couple weeks and looked at apartments and checked out the neighborhoods. I found an income-driven housing program and worked with an agent in Dallas. He had a loft available for me.</p><p>I was going to rent the apartment for about $1,300 a month and have a pool, a washer and dryer, and a dishwasher.</p><h2><strong>It seemed like the stars were aligning in Dallas.</strong></h2><p>But in Chicago, I had a pretty sweet deal on the apartment I'm still in today. My rent was $925 at the time for a 700-square-foot studio.</p><p>I knew my rent would go up if I moved to Texas. Plus there isn't good public transportation there. I could just see the dollar signs. I was starting to rethink it.</p><p>But at that point, I still felt like I should go to Texas. I had my friends come help me pack up my house. The movers came, and I signed a lease in Austin. My landlord here in Chicago even started to show my apartment.</p><p>I went to Dallas one last time to stay in what would have been my apartment and drove around to a bunch of different neighborhoods.</p><p>But I just felt sad. It just felt off. I felt out of place. I didn't feel like I belonged.</p><p>I felt like it wasn't my time to leave Chicago yet. I didn't want my rent to go up. I was going to have to pay for parking. There wasn't going to be public transportation.</p><h2><strong>So, I canceled everything.</strong></h2><p>My manager wasn't upset because the offices didn't end up opening until the following year, at which point it was my time to leave the company. The agent wasn't really upset either, and my landlord in Chicago was happy to let me keep my apartment so she didn't have to go through the hassle of finding someone new.</p><p>I was lucky there wasn't much fallout other than a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si_kSZwwE58&amp;t=297s">YouTube video</a> I made talking about my decision. People gave me a lot of flack for that.</p><p>In the comments, people said, "You were just scared," and, "You should have done it," and, "I'm glad you didn't come to Texas." It's been almost two years or so and people are still commenting, "Texas didn't want you anyway."</p><div type="image" title="A photo of Ayahna Wilbon next to a photo of the Dallas skyline" height="1500" width="3000" msid="105795243" hostid="261"></div><p>At the time, I was 25. I felt like I was around that "quarter-century crisis" time. A lot of people want to move but just don't have the guts. It was something I wanted to do, but I didn't have the guts!</p><p>I made the YouTube video because I felt like it would be nice to say, "It's OK you didn't do it. It's OK, you got scared. It's OK, you tried to dip your toe in the water but didn't go all the way in."</p><h2><strong>I was in denial that I was afraid.</strong></h2><p>In hindsight, I now realize that I didn't make the move because of a fear of the unknown. It's something I definitely kind of regret today.</p><p>I feel like I missed out on an opportunity to take that leap, especially when I had less risk. I had a company that was actually going to move me to Texas. That's hard.</p><p>I haven't been back to Texas since I made my decision but I'm going in February for my cousin's birthday.</p><p>I'm at the point today where I do still want to leave Chicago. I've been here so long and working remotely since the pandemic. I want to be forced into an uncomfortable environment and I can't do that here in Chicago.</p><p>Dallas and Houston are still on my mind. I've started applying to jobs outside of Chicago. I'm hoping to make a move sometime in 2024.</p><p>I feel like this experience made me realize that you shouldn't let fear drive your life.</p><p><em>Editor's note, March 13, 2023: We anonymized the source in this story after publication. Business Insider has confirmed the source's identity. We made this decision to use the source's initials due to concerns about impacting the source's career.</em></p>

I had the opportunity to move from Chicago to Texas on Facebook's dime. I got nervous and backed out &mdash; a decision I now regret.  

<ul class="summary-list"><li>An Airbnb can be a cheaper alternative to a hotel, while giving you the chance to live like a local.</li><li>But dealing with an Airbnb host, as opposed to a hotel concierge, can be tricky.</li></ul><p>Since Airbnb's launch in 2008, <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/surprise-billionth-airbnb-guest-gets-a-year-of-stays-around-the-world-marking-companys-historic-milestone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 1 billion guests</a> have rented its properties.</p><p>Hosts use the app or website to rent out their apartments, houses, or even solo rooms in their homes, to travelers as an alternative to hotels. According to the site, there were over 1 million active listings by March 2022.</p><p>But, like with anything in the service industry, there are some kinks that can still be worked out. Insider spoke to multiple Airbnb hosts and asked them what they wished they could tell their guests.</p><p>Here's what they told us.</p><h2>First things first: Don't use Airbnb or similar services, like VRBO, if you don't have to</h2><p>Multiple Airbnb hosts told Insider they'd actually prefer leaving Airbnb out of the process altogether. Some homes have a property manager, and booking directly with them will save the renter money.</p><p>Jorge Zarate, <a href="https://bestcoloradomountaingetaways.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">from Best Colorado Mountain Getaways,</a> said the "number one" thing he wishes he could tell guests is to "find us on our website and book direct to save on Airbnb booking fees."</p><p>Similarly, Phillip Foxall, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F674596781557499942%3Fsource_impression_id%3Dp3_1674601360_KHOEi5PU%252B%252F2T1pFk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who hosts a property in Rockport, Texas,</a> said he'd prefer guests to stop booking through online travel agencies (OTAs) and book directly with owners instead.</p><p>"Booking direct typically provides more revenue to the host while saving the guest money by eliminating fees," he said. "If you find something you like on Airbnb, take note of the name and search for it on Google. If they have a direct book site, it should show up."</p><p>Foxall added that checking various platforms is always the best move, because "prices can vary greatly between different platforms."</p><p>Erika Hall, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Fusers%2Fshow%2F41091172" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a host in Connecticut</a>, agreed. "The commission that Airbnb takes is either paid by the guest or the property. Either way, it adds significantly to the cost of bookings. It also puts more pressure on hosts, because guests judge the value of their stay on the total cost, not just by what the property is being paid."</p><h2>Make sure you read about the property carefully, including all instructions</h2><p>As Adam Smith, who manages two Airbnbs (<a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F50971503%3Fsource_impression_id%3Dp3_1674599565_avfzFp5B8OQZ54WP" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one in South Carolina</a> and <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F46898622%3Fsource_impression_id%3Dp3_1674599563_wEdUCoX83SVzyD2I" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one in Colorado</a>), told Insider: "Read the details about the property. All of them."</p><p>Similarly, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Fusers%2F39209001%2Flistings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airbnb superhost Niko Fonseca said</a>, "Read the entire listing and house rules. Each property is unique and our house rules are designed to ensure that everyone enjoys their stay."</p><h2>We always know if you're trying to sneak extra people in, so don't even try it</h2><p>"It's 2023 — we have cameras outside and we can see you," Heather Bull, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F678283806302442711%3Fsource_impression_id%3Dp3_1674666813_upkB1NW9%252BhGBLl7v" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">an Airbnb host and interior designer</a>, told Insider.</p><div type="image" title="furniture moving couch" height="667" width="889" msid="97360193" hostid="261"></div><h2>We also notice when you move furniture around, and we'd rather you didn't</h2><p>Bull also told Insider, "We notice when you do weird things, like move furniture to different floors, or bring fabric ottomans outside to smoke."</p><h2>Please don't disturb the neighbors</h2><p>"We don't care if you are having a good time and raging at our house (we do it too!) — as long as you don't damage anything/disturb the neighbors, go ahead and party it up! You're on vacation," Bull said.</p><h2>If you think there's no cleaning fee, that just means it was already folded into the price</h2><p>"The guest is paying the cleaning fee one way or another," Foxall said. "No host, whether they own one or 100 rentals, are paying for the cleaning service [themselves]. Even if the cleaning fee is set to $0, it is baked into the daily rate."</p><div type="image" title="full fridge inside fridge" height="1500" width="2000" msid="97360194" hostid="261"></div><h2>Please respect the cleaning staff. They're not there to pick up your garbage or clean out the fridge.</h2><p>While, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/travelers-slam-airbnb-chore-lists-mow-lawn-laundry-cleaning-fees-2022-9">according to some guests, some hosts might ask a little <em>too</em> much</a> of their renters at the end of their stay — on top of charging a cleaning fee — it's also not right to treat the cleaners as if they're your maid.</p><p>"[Cleaners] do the laundry, dust, clean the bathrooms and kitchen, and sweep and mop the floor," Lauren Keen, <a href="https://www.vacationtarponsprings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who manages multiple properties in Tarpon Springs, Florida</a>, told Insider. "They're not there to take out your trash, clean your food out of the fridge, or pick up trash throughout the place."</p><p>Many other hosts echoed this sentiment: Picking up after yourself is a common courtesy at all Airbnbs, and you shouldn't be leaving the place a total disaster. The cleaning fee <em>does </em>exist, but it's not an excuse to be a slob.</p><h2>But don't do extra work. If we don't ask you to clean something, don't touch it.</h2><p>You might think this is obvious, but you'd be wrong. Skye Sherman, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F692177711045977683%3Fguests%3D1%26adults%3D1%26s%3D67%26unique_share_id%3D8659a74e-1af4-49e6-8ff2-3230f15248e6%26source_impression_id%3Dp3_1674596467_JA1Exq0I%252Fq3pZTtm%29" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a host in West Palm Beach, Florida,</a> told Insider a bizarre story about some overeager guests. Their hearts were in the right place, but it just caused a big hassle.</p><p>"We recently had a guest take down all the blackout curtains in our Airbnb, and put them in the washer. When the maids arrived, they found a wet load in the washer and moved it to the dryer. This ended in disaster when the vinyl-backed curtains (which should NOT have been washed or dried) ended up totally melted and destroyed," Sherman said.</p><p>"While we appreciate the gesture, this was the opposite of helpful and turned into a major headache requiring replacement of the curtains and a fee to the guests. I have no idea what possessed the guests to take down all the curtains and do this, but I really wish they wouldn't have."</p><h2><div type="image" title="the airbnb app" height="664" width="885" msid="97360195" hostid="261"></div></h2><h2>Unless something truly terrible went wrong, please give us 5 stars</h2><p>Even a four-star rating can be devastating to a property's listing.</p><p>"I wish I could explain that four-star reviews are BAD. Only leave someone four stars if things went badly, like the cleaner missed the clean and the host didn't make it right," Keen said.</p><p>Foxall echoed her words: "The star rating on OTA's is not like your typical star rating. A three- or four-star rating to a host can be devastating to their business. If you had a good time and the property was clean and as described, leave the host a five-star review and then message them privately to correct any issues and then message them privately to correct any issues."</p><p>"When guests leave a four- out of five-star review, Airbnb lets a host know that while guests enjoyed their stay, the host needs to do better. Too many four-star reviews and the host risks losing Superhost status," <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2Fplus%2F15271847%3Fsource_impression_id%3Dp3_1672943680_LE4VOCLjP4dhticx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California Airbnb Superhost Nathan Waldon told Insider.</a></p><p>"I encourage guests to be honest, please don't give the overall review four stars because of something unrelated, like it rained and you wanted to be on the beach, or anything that's completely out of the host's control. Most hosts work very hard to make sure your stay is perfect, so things like weather shouldn't be a factor," Waldon continued.</p><h2>Some hosts simply shouldn't be hosts — don't let that put you off Airbnb</h2><p>"The main reason people should get into this business is to provide exceptional service to guests. If you are adversarial to all of your guests and forget you are in the hospitality business, you shouldn't be a host," Foxall said. "The reason we started this business is because we love to travel and see new places and meet new people. We want to share our vacation experiences with everyone."</p><h2>Writing in the guestbook is always appreciated</h2><p>Many of the hosts we spoke with said they love it when a guest takes a little extra time to let their appreciation be known, whether it's giving a tip or writing a note.</p><p>"I read all your handwritten messages in the guest books and sometimes they make me cry in a good way," Keen said.</p><div type="image" title="fixer upper shotgun house signed guestbook" height="2304" width="3071" msid="97360196" hostid="261"></div><h2>Please use any resources made available to you</h2><p>"I try to be extremely proactive with my guests," <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?postID=63d2cad5310b0b25471cc6e7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Fusers%2F129439075%2Flistings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colorado host Jake Cohen told Insider</a>. "We send out our guidebook with recommendations and have info about how to use everything at our property in the guidebook. Very few people read [either the] online or paper guidebooks."</p><p>Cohen continued, "We often get the same questions from our guests. If your host provides a guidebook, use it. You will be amazed at all the insider info, recs, and ways to make your stay better just by flipping through the few pages of info."</p>

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