Emotional Guest Journey Map: The Pre-Mover
by azulomo | 6 min read
A JOURNEY SHAPED BY POSSIBILITY
Hosting the The Pre-Mover: An Emotional Journey Map
For the Pre-Mover, this isn’t just a holiday—it’s a quiet experiment. A test-drive. A chance to ask themselves: Could we live here? They book with curiosity in their hearts and a clipboard in their bags. Behind their slow breakfasts and scenic drives, they’re observing. Imagining. Assessing. What’s the light like in the afternoons? How close is the nearest market? Can they hear the sea from the terrace?
Pre-Movers are seeking alignment—not only with your property, but with the lifestyle it represents. Hosting them is about giving space to that unfolding vision. They may not know yet what their future holds—but your home can help them feel it.
Unlike the Relocator, who arrives mid-leap—boxes packed, logistics in motion—the Pre-Mover is still hovering at the edge of the diving board. And unlike the Renovator, who books with a project in mind and a floor plan under one arm, the Pre-Mover is led by instinct. They’re not tearing down walls yet—they’re tuning into rhythm. Mood. Possibility. Hosting them means tuning in, too—to nuance, to flow, to what it feels like to wake up in your space and think, yes, this could be it.
Let’s map their journey.
The journey of the Pre-Mover doesn’t begin with a booking confirmation—and it doesn’t end when the keys are returned. It begins with quiet curiosity, long-list tabs, and the hopeful question: Could this be our next chapter? What follows is a slow, emotional exploration—one shaped not by certainty, but by possibility.
This is the guest who's not moving yet, but wondering. Not committing, but imagining. Their journey unfolds across seven subtle phases—each guided by gentle research, emotional check-ins, and the desire to find not just a place to stay, but a lifestyle that fits.
And your job? To be the calm, capable guide in the background. This is the guest who’s not quite moving—but wondering. Not committing—but imagining. Their journey isn’t urgent or obvious. It’s unfolding slowly, shaped by gentle research, quiet emotional check-ins, and a growing desire to find more than just a place to stay. They’re searching for a lifestyle that feels right.
Let’s walk through their full emotional arc—beginning with dreamy scrolls and tentative messages, through coffee-fuelled neighbourhood strolls and local chats, all the way to the soft beginnings of something more. Because for the pre-mover, a stay isn’t just a getaway—it’s a test drive for a new life. And your space? It could be the first place that finally feels like home.
Online Immersion
It starts quietly—casual scrolling during dinner, joining Facebook groups, signing up for expat newsletters. Then, somewhere between episodes on Netflix, they find themselves thinking, “What if this is where the next chapter begins?”The idea of moving has shifted from abstract to alluring. They’re still hesitating, still unsure, but there’s a flicker of hope beneath the what-ifs. At this stage, they’re daydreaming with one foot still in their current life. They’re looking for something that helps them feel it in real life—a stay that lets them imagine, explore, and ask Could I see myself here? without pressure. Emotionally, they’re quietly hopeful, but also cautious. What they need most is inspiration with zero sales pitch—a space that feels like an open door, not a commitment. A gentle introduction to the rhythm of local life. Somewhere they can observe, absorb, and start picturing what home might look like—if they dare to say yes.
Touchpoints
Aspirational photography, lifestyle-rich listings, story-driven descriptions
Opportunities for hosts
Paint a picture of what it’s like to live here, not just visit
Highlight routine-friendly features like work spots, schools, parks
A strong listing here starts to replace fantasy with tangible possibility.
Enquiry & Reassurance
The questions start arriving—and they go beyond the usual check-in time or amenities. “Is this the right location to explore more seriously?” they ask, often followed by thoughtful enquiries about neighbourhoods, seasons, Wi-Fi speeds, local cafés, and whether the bakery down the road is open year-round. They’re not just booking a stay—they’re testing the waters of a possible future. Emotionally, they’re in research mode, cautiously optimistic but scanning for signs of fit. What they need now is honest, low-pressure support—responses that are clear but conversational, informative without being pushy. They’re not looking to be sold to—they’re looking to feel seen. If your answers feel authentic and grounded, it helps them trust their instincts. And that trust? It’s the foundation for the kind of stay that could quietly tip them from maybe to what if.
Touchpoints
Honest answers
Context-rich replies
Warm but non-pushy tone
Opportunities for hosts
Offer local insights
Link to relocation articles or events
Avoid over-selling
This is where trust starts to take root—and your openness goes a long way.
Arrival & Acclimatisation
There’s a flicker of excitement as they arrive, but it’s not holiday-mode joy—it’s curiosity with purpose. “Let’s see how this feels in real life,” they think, as they roll their suitcase through the door and scan the space with quiet attention. They’re here to observe, not escape. The morning light, the street noise, the walk to the bakery, the comfort of working remotely from the kitchen table—it all goes into the internal report. Emotionally, they’re alert and softly analytical, tuning in to the micro-moments that reveal whether this lifestyle suits them. What they need most is comfort paired with context. A well-equipped space that supports both daily rituals and open-ended exploration. Your home becomes their litmus test—a place where they can gently step into a new rhythm, not as a tourist, but as a maybe-soon local.
Touchpoints
Orientation guides
Local grocery tips
Recommended routines
Opportunities for hosts
Include starter kits that mimic daily life (coffee, market bag, local SIM info)
Provide maps or “live like a local” notes
This is their preview reel—and you’re the director behind the scenes.
Subtle Decision-Making
Somewhere between the third morning coffee and the late-afternoon stroll, the question surfaces: “Could we really live here?” It’s not asked out loud at first—but it hums quietly in the background of everything they do. This isn’t a moment of big declarations—it’s a soft lean-in, a private scan for alignment. They’re reflecting on how the place feels—not just your home, but the neighbourhood, the pace, the people. Are their values mirrored here? Could this support their routines, their future, their sense of self? Emotionally, they’re quietly comparing, becoming more invested with each passing day. What they need is space—not pressure—to sit with the question. Comfort that feels lived-in. Small, grounding confirmations: a shopkeeper who remembers them, a corner of your home that feels especially theirs, a moment that feels just right. These subtle signals, when felt, can tip them from wondering to quietly beginning to believe.
Touchpoints
Downtime moments
Mood of the space
Ability to settle into routine
Opportunities for hosts
Make routines feel effortless
Let the house adapt to their rhythm
Offer subtle long-stay options
Here, it’s not about standing out—it’s about fitting in.
Departure & Discussion
Suitcases are zipped, keys returned—but the real conversation is just beginning. “Let’s talk about it when we get home,”they say, with a softness that suggests this stay meant more than it let on. They leave your place not just with memories, but with questions. Could this work? Would we thrive here? What would need to change? The post-stay dialogue unfolds over coffees, late-night chats, shared spreadsheets and slow weekend walks. Emotionally, they’re nostalgic and contemplative—grateful for the space you offered, and for the clarity it helped uncover. What they need now is a sense of closure, but not finality. A thoughtful goodbye, a sense that this experience mattered, and maybe even a subtle invitation to stay in touch. Whether they move or not, your home played a quiet but powerful role: it turned an idea into a real, lived conversation.
Touchpoints
Follow-up message
Gentle invitation to return
Links to deeper community guides
Opportunities for hosts
Offer rebooking incentives
Suggest seasonal returns
Mention local connections for next steps
Even if they don’t move—this was the trip that helped them see it. That matters.
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Now It’s Your Turn
The Pre-Mover doesn’t need a holiday—they need a glimpse of a future life. They’re not here for bucket lists or beach bars. They’re here to feel something out: a new rhythm, a potential routine, a sense of could this work? And your space? It’s their living, breathing test run.
When you host with that in mind, everything shifts. A quiet workspace becomes a deciding factor. A well-lit kitchen becomes a vision board. The way your home feels in the morning might be the thing they remember when discussing big decisions weeks later. You’re not just offering comfort—you’re offering context.
And here’s the ripple effect: these aren’t one-time guests. They return to reassess, extend for longer stays, or recommend your place to others in the same life season. Pre-Movers bring higher-value bookings and thoughtful referrals. Hosting them with care and foresight doesn’t just make an impression—it builds a pipeline of purpose-led, long-stay revenue grounded in trust.
Your role? Make it easy for them to imagine a future here. And when they do, it’s not just their life that expands—it’s your business too.
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Join the journey, one wave at a time
The Pre-Mover isn’t your typical holiday guest—they’re quietly scouting a future. With every slow morning and local wander, they’re gathering emotional data: Could this feel like home? When you understand that mindset, you can host with more meaning—and open the door to long-stay revenue rooted in trust, not turnover.
Curious about the other types of guests reimagining what it means to travel? From the Escape Artist to the Global Family Gathering, explore our full collection of emotional guest journey maps—and discover how to tailor your space to the stories your guests are really living. Sign up below for thoughtful hosting strategies, modern guest insights, and slow-living inspiration designed to help your space do more than just welcome—it helps guests begin.
With warmth,
azulomo
Hosting the slow living coastal way—wherever you are.
“The Pre-Mover is travelling with purpose—but not pressure. They’re not relocating yet, but they’re circling the idea. Testing it. Feeling it out. These guests are tuned into the details: the morning light in the bedroom, the Wi-Fi in the workspace, the walk to the local café. For them, your holiday rental isn’t just a break—it’s a quiet audition for a new lifestyle. When your space helps them imagine life with clarity and ease, you don’t just host a stay. You influence a life decision.”
