Inspired by the classic romantic comedy “The Holiday,” a young woman from London and another from New York connected through social media, exchanged homes across the Atlantic, and lived in each other’s cities for two weeks, embarking on a journey that was both real and movie-like.
In her early twenties, Londoner Marie Draxler and Brooklynite Lohanny Santos from New York both share aspects of their lives on TikTok. When Santos posted a video looking for a London home exchange partner, set to the theme music from the 2006 movie “The Holiday,” it garnered over 11 million views. Draxler left a comment contacting Santos, and the two decided to embark on this extraordinary residential and life exchange.
Unlike the romantic plot in the movie, the focus of this exchange was not to find love, but to truly immerse themselves in each other’s daily lives and cultures. After Draxler settled into Santos’s apartment in Williamsburg, she strolled through the neighborhood, had breakfast, and engaged in deep conversations with strangers in Washington Square Park, experiencing the vibrant city rhythm of New York.
Santos, on the other hand, dove into the local rhythm of life in London: biking through Notting Hill, exploring small shops and cafes, discovering the nuances of everyday life that make it special.
Unlike typical tourist travels, both individuals authentically lived within each other’s life circles, experiencing the daily pace and lifestyle of the local people.
Documenting their entire journey on TikTok, they attracted tens of thousands of fans who followed along and left comments. Many viewers felt as though they were traveling alongside them. Fueled by this enthusiasm, many also began sharing their desires to exchange homes, with hopes for more similar cross-cultural experiences in the future.
On the last day before the exchange ended, the two met and spent an hour together. Draxler remarked, “It felt like reuniting with an old friend, truly like a scene from a movie.”
Reflecting on the journey, Santos expressed how the experience deepened her understanding of and gratitude for her life in New York. The two also plan to reunite in the future, perhaps for a new adventure in 2026.