AirBnB.com, founded in 2007 in San Francisco, is the largest of this new generation of social B&Bs and has the most user reviews. Where: About 5,378 cities in 146 countries. Accommodations: Air mattresses to entire villas. Price: In New York, from $10 for a room to $3,000 for a loft. IStopOver, founded in 2009 in Toronto, specializes in big events, like this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. Where: Mostly North America, Europe and South Africa. Accommodations: Apartments and houses. Price: $10 to $8,000 a night. Founded in 2008 in London, Crashpadder.com operates mostly in Britain, with a surge expected during the 2012 Olympics in London. Where: 898 cities, including more than 1,000 listings in London. Accommodations: Bedrooms to houses. Price: From £15 (about $21 at $1.43 to the pound) a night, plus £3 booking fee. Founded in 2008, Roomorama.com focuses on higher-end properties, especially in New York City. Where: 36 cities, including more than 1,000 listings in New York. 
Money's tight all over the world. Cold comfort, we know. With hotel prices skyrocketing out of sight for many of us, travel planning requires considerable creativity and initiative. More and more travelers cut their expenses by renting rooms or apartments or sharing villas. Some people enjoy living like the locals and experiencing local color...not to mention pocketing all that extra dosh.
Here are some websites to help you do just that:
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