For super-fans of the hit Netflix show “Stranger Things,” it would be a dream to stay where Eleven resided with the Byers family in the fourth season of the show. People can now do just that via Airbnb.
The home is tucked away in the foothills area of the Northeast Heights and had one owner since being built, leaving the house in a sort of time capsule of yesteryears gone by. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom tri-level home is huge at 4,000 square-feet with 10 beds. It can hold at least 14 guests, and the cost is currently at $454 per night.
The new owners, Karen and Ryan Asher, said they were simply looking for a new home for themselves when they came across the house. When it was disclosed to the couple the home had just been filmed for “Stranger Things,” they saw the potential it could have as an Airbnb. The Ashers decided to stay in their own home and instead deck out the house in “Stranger Things” memorabilia and 1980s nostalgia for guests to enjoy.
Karen said they were never avid garage or estate sale weekend warriors prior to buying the home but have since had tons of fun seeking out items from the ’80s as well as replicating bedrooms the characters stayed in with meticulous care.
“We tried to keep the ’80s vibe from the show without compromising comfort and modern amenities,” the Ashers said.
Both are health care workers and have found a new hobby in searching for memorabilia to make the home an unforgettable experience for their guests, saying the only difficult part is maintaining such a large property.
The living area is fairly normal looking, but once one sees the bedrooms and basement gaming area, it’s clear how much the owners put into making this a magical place for fans to admire. Photos of the actors in scenes are throughout the house in each room, from the shootout scene to just about every moment you can think of that was filmed there. The Ashers have also taken it upon themselves to offer a Trapper Keeper full of Stranger Things facts about the home as well as other filming locations and sites in Albuquerque.
The house is equipped with every kind of modern amenity, but also has everything one would need in 1986, including a VCR, Atari replica, portable black-and-white TV, arcade games, a full high-end stereo with cassette and record player, as well as many other items from the time period. The walls are also adorned with pop-media, including photos and magazines from the era, a “Benji” movie poster seen in the show, and tons of other collectables making any stay there a truly one-of-a-kind nostalgic experience.
The Ashers said the reason they decided to give families this experience is because the love for the show gives people so much joy, and why not make an amazing immersive environment for super-fans to appreciate while staying in Albuquerque?
“It’s really the looks on these kids’ faces is why we do this; you can tell everyone is just so excited when they come in and get to stay here,” Ryan said.
One might even find a Demogorgon lurking on the property as well as the alphabet wall from season one.
There is also local wildlife around, as deer were in the front yard when starting the tour, as well as great hiking trails just down the street. Not to mention, the Ashers have included tons of games and outdoor activity equipment to keep folks busy. It is a fun and interactive stay, and when you add up 14 people, the cost is fairly affordable.
The Ashers hope to use the house for other events, such as birthday parties or possibly doing a walk-through haunted house next year, but said they’re in no hurry as the couple has had non-stop guests in the home and has already become a major success as an Airbnb.
For those curious about the home or wanting to stay in the Stranger Things Airbnb, here is a link to their page.
