Hi! First timer here, with some questions. Firstly tho, I'd like to say how glad I am that I no longer seem to be the only woman in the world thinking of travelling alone- what a relief! OK, my question is (are...): I'm planning a trip to New York in the spring, & because I'm short of cash I'm thinking of staying in a hostel. How safe are these places generally? I'm a bit nervous, not of the travelling itself, but because I've never stayed in this kind of place before & am generally a bit shy. And what kind of things would I be expected to take with me? Would bedding etc be provided or at a charge or what? I'm more of a hotel kind of gal I guess, pity my bank manager doesn't agree! ;)
Thanks for any help

hey claire try globalfreeloaders.com to see if you can set up accomodations in New York. as for hostels... i have no idea, new york is not a cheap city by any means. if you want i can contact some friends i have up there and see if they got any extra room up there to take in a overseas traveller.
if so email me at stevemathis25@yahoo.com

Try Big Apple Hostel. They provide bedding for a smaller charge. It's a really nice place, 33US$ for a night in a four-bed dorm.

I've stayed at the YHA hostel on amsterdam ave and 103rd st. It's relatively clean, safe, and cheap (between $30--$35 a night). It's also one of the largest hostels in the world, and the staff are professional and efficient. You can make instant reservations on-line.

Hi there :)

If you go to www.hostelworld.com they have listings of hostels in New York - some of the previous guys and gals that have stayed rate the hostel too on most hostels it has a percentage of security, fun, cleanliness etc. etc and picture details and prices too in $ or £ etc. you can adjust the currency to see what price you would pay. The site also enables to to pre-book on line.

Hope this helps

Rach x

the link for hostelworld is top right of this page :) it's a good site if you ain't looked at it!!

Best of luck :)