Virginia Beach: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

EKEkaterina Kudriavtsevakate_rina-93 · Nov 23, 2015Read

To sum up: this was the most unusual journey of my life! Honestly, at first, I wasn't as impressed by America as I had expected. But then, day by day, I realized that I liked America more and more. You start getting used to American life quickly because it seems incredibly comfortable. It's as if everything is made for people, for every individual, and that is captivating! But the greatest happiness lies in the people who surround you. That is what made my summer! Dozens of interesting people, many of whom became not just good acquaintances but true friends, thousands of shared memories, self-discovery, and new perspectives on life. And most importantly – stepping out of my comfort zone – that was my summer of 2015. What worked out and what didn't? I managed to overcome the language barrier, blend into the American rhythm of life, figure out how to work in America, how to find a job and get hired, understand all the everyday aspects, and get a little feel for the spirit of America. And as for what didn't work out (my global trip to the West Coast) - no regrets. I realized that America deserves more than a week-long 'whirlwind' trip that I could have afforded. Trips to New York, Washington DC, Norfolk, Williamsburg, and a long stay in Virginia Beach seemed sufficient for my first time in America. More to come!!! New York Norfolk Virginia Beach To truly feel America, you need time, as well as a global trip across the states, which will allow you not only to see all the hyped and most famous places like the Hollywood sign in LA or the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, but also to talk to different people, compare living conditions in different states, and look at various aspects of American life from a different angle. That is why my main American journey is still ahead of me. America hasn't gone anywhere... This was just the beginning, a bright and unforgettable beginning!

DTDilara Temirbekovadilara.myrzagulova · Dec 8, 2014Read

Night. The alarm rings. I just laid down, and now I have to wake up. The suitcase is ready, I just need to pack the small essentials into my carry-on. A call from a friend. They are already on their way. My God! Is this really happening, and is it not a dream! Now we are at the airport. My closest and most important people are by my side. They are seeing me off on a distant and exciting journey that will later change me completely. My travel companion arrived with a crowd of people seeing her off, and once we were on the other side of our friends, we met two cool guys from Karaganda. Thinking about a one-night stay in the capital of the world, where we were supposed to go first, we decided to stay with these guys, considering them harmless and safe. After a successful five-hour flight, we arrived at Vnukovo and started calling our family and friends to tell them we were okay. Preparing for a long journey (11 hours of flight across the ocean), I couldn't hide my excitement. Soon, it was diluted by two more cheerful guys who joined us while we waited. At first, we didn't like them at all, all those unnecessary antics and showing off (OMG, who came up with the idea of showing off in front of girls, thinking that they would grow in our eyes?!). But soon we found common ground with them and, being on the plane, sat together. The 11 hours passed very quickly. We played various games, slept, listened to music, learned a lot of new things, and to our surprise, found a lot in common with our new companions. After thinking it over with my friend, we finally decided that Shakarim and Nurken would accompany us in New York—that was the names of our latest friends. Leaving JFK airport, we were immediately greeted by people with signs who suggested we take a bus to Manhattan, which cost $32 each. And here we are. We looked through the bus windows at daytime New York as if we had never been touched by civilization. With our mouths open in surprise and admiration, we, of course, started taking pictures of everything on our iPhones and iPads. After dropping us off in a place we didn't understand, we started looking for the cheapest hostel. We walked around the same street probably 5 times! Walking around in circles, asking passersby for the nearest hostel in our broken English, and with huge, heavy suitcases, we were completely exhausted. Seeing a policeman, I immediately turned to him for help. "Sir, could you tell me the cheapest hostel nearby?" I asked. "Honey, this is New York—the most expensive city in the world, and by the way, we are currently in Manhattan—the most expensive district of this city. To find a cheap shelter, you'll have to go to another city." This sharp and at the same time not very cheerful answer made us think. Could it be that we won't find the shelter we need so much today?! And at that very moment, when we were completely saddened, my travel companion and, after this trip, my friend, found that very cheapest hostel—"Chelsea Star Hostel". That's where we landed. A daily stay for 4 people in a small room with 2 beds and a private shower cost us $152. After leaving our suitcases, having lunch, and washing up after the flight, we set off to get to know a tasty piece of America—New York. Since we stayed in Manhattan, we spent our whole day there. We didn't use any public transport and decided to walk everywhere. Not forgetting our final destination called Maine, Old Orchard Beach, the first thing we did was head to the Greyhound station, where we bought tickets for the next day. Our boys also bought tickets: one to Virginia Beach, the other to Massachusetts. It was just amazing! We sat on the famous red stairs looking at huge advertisements on big screens, taking selfies together, we rode around Central Park in an insanely beautiful carriage with a kind and pleasant Turkish coachman, we even managed to eat at McDonald's, after which my friend threw up right on the street in front of passersby! At that time, it wasn't funny