Houston boasts Texas-sized shopping, sporting events, festivals, and home cookin' in a city of friendly people who aren't afraid to lend a hand.  Expect a welcoming environment in "Space City" as well as first-rate museums, quick access to the beach, and multicultural flavor.  Make your stay in Houston the best possible with these tips for visitors and residents.

TRAVELERS

• Hotels and Budget Suites
Check in at the famous Hotel Derek or Alden Hotel for cheap with deals from Houston.com.  Stay within 15 minutes of downtown in comfortable suites for less at the Holiday Inn Express Houston Hillcroft.  The Baymont Inn and Suites is close to Hobby Airport and convenient for visits to NASA, Galveston, and Kemah.  Check here for a comprehensive list of budget options.
        
• Hostels and Other Travel Options
Stay downtown at the Joie de Vire Guesthouse for as little as $12 per night (floor mat) or $32 private/mixed guest room for two sleepers.  Free WIFI for the first day, breakfast, linens, and maps provided.  The Houston International Hostel is within walking distance of the city's major museums and provides free WIFI, guest kitchen, BBQ area, and common room.  Keep in mind the facilities are locked from 8a-5p every day.

RESIDENTS

• Recommended Neighborhoods
Many Houstonites have chosen to move out of the 610 loop to the surrounding areas of The Woodlands, Spring, Katy, and Clear Lake for cheaper housing prices and better schools. Inside-the-Loopers (ITLs) can look to West University, Midtown, The Heights, and Montrose are your best bets for safet--just prepare to pay for those convenient locations.  
 

• Tips for House/Apartment Hunting
Beware suburbanites in your SUVs--Houston traffic is notoriously hideous and you may quickly find yourself in a two-hour daily commute to downtown.  Always test your drive before choosing a location.  Houston has virtually no zoning laws, so don't be surprised to find a video rental store, law office, two houses, and a strip club occupying the same street.

TRANSPORTATION

Access to Houston is relatively easy with George Bush International Airport north of the city and the more locally used Houston Hobby twenty minutes south.  My favorite airline, Southwest regularly flies out of Hobby.  Houston has big freeways, but with a 16.9 percent increase in population in just a decade, the roads are painfully crowed.  If visiting the area, steer clear of the major thoroughfares between 7-9:30a and 3-6p to save some sanity.  Harris County is trying to catch up with transit services by adding a rail service from downtown to Reliant Stadium south of the city.  If you plan to hit the Museum District, Hermann Park, or Main Street it makes for an easy ride.

The theme-park capital of the world draws nearly 50 million visitors each year. Children young and old flock to Central Florida’s warm year-round temps to experience fantasy at its finest.

But not everyone shells out top-dollar to experience Orlando’s fun in the way of theme parks, water parks, hotels, restaurants, festivals and fairs. There are some family-friendly deals waiting for those who do their homework.


TRAVELERS

• Getting to Orlando
  The Orlando International Airport is conveniently located close to tourist areas south of the city. Public transportation is lacking, so to get around, you’ll need to rent a car (all major rental companies are represented). Most local hotels provide buses to and from the airport.
  
  Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air regularly offer vacation packages and rates. Allegiant Air flies into Sanford, Fla., which is about 45 minutes north of town, and worth the drive to save money on airfare (if it flies out of your hometown).
• Hotels
  Since Orlando is such a travel destination, deals abound online: Priceline.com is a good place to start if you’d like a 3- or 4-star hotel without paying full value. Hotels.com has specials to Orlando, like their current one up 40% off. The Where Orlando Cityguide suggests Comfort Inn International and Fairfield Inn Orlando I-DR as the best budget hotels. Read online reviews when making your lodging decisions.
• Hostels and other traveler options
  Hostelworld.com allows you to book beds online and read customer reviews. Prices range from $9 to $91 for a vacation home rental. TUG, the Timeshares User Group, is a site with classified listings of weeks available for rent at local condo timeshares. Click here and scroll down to the “for rent” ads.

RESIDENTS

• Recommended neighborhoods
  Orlando was one of the leading markets in the housing boom, so it’s been one of the hardest hit in the crash. Houses worth $300,000 two years ago are now well below $200,000.
  
  Convenient to downtown and I-4, Maitland is a less expensive version of neighboring Winter Park, and it has high demographics and low crime. Lake Mary is a bit northeast from town, but has boomed in recent years with building development and retail stores.
• Tips for house/apartment hunting
  Orlando is a city surrounded by sprawling suburbs. The further you go, the better the deals will be and the newer the housing. Much of the newly completed housing has gone unsold since the market crash, so deals abound in addition to foreclosures.

TRANSPORTATION
Within the Walt Disney World Resort transportation is provided, but if you want to venture outside its borders, you’ll need a car. Taxis will run you $50 for a trip from Disney to downtown Orlando. Even with a car, most attractions and destinations will charge $2-$10 for parking. Also, several toll roads exist; make sure you have change on hand, as some exits are cash only.

TOP DESTINATIONS

CULTURE

• The Main Attraction: Mickey
  Many attractions compete for a tourists’ attention in Orlando, but it’s no contest about which one they all came to see: Magic Kingdom. Prices change (or should I say increase) frequently, and kids over the age of 10 pay adult prices. Take advantage of the free admission on your birthday rule for the best deal; otherwise, hit up Tickets2You.net, an authorized and official full-service ticket provider for Walt Disney World and other theme parks. Pick up tickets at their locations to avoid extra fees.  
  
  If you have some extra cash in your budget, no trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to Gatorland, “the Alligator Capital of the World.” This 110-acre theme park and nature conservatory began in 1949 as a roadside attraction, and is one of the area’s oldest attractions. Purchase tickets online to save $3.00, or print out a coupon to save $2.50 off at the door.
• Free Attractions
  Downtown Disney Marketplace and Universal CityWalk are shopping, eating and entertainment complexes outside of the themeparks. Kids love the interactive fun at the Lego Imagination Center at Downtown Disney. CityWalk offers a movie & meal deal where you can eat at one of their popular restaurants and see a movie at its Universal Cineplex for $21.95. Admission is free to both destinations; parking is free at Downtown Disney but parking at Universal from 6–10 p.m. is $3.

From cowboy bling and big hair to barbeque and southern hospitality, Dallas is a popular hub for travelers and residents who enjoy friendly "howdys" and Texas sun. It's easy to travel and reside for less in the Dallas Metroplex and the area is rapidly expanding entertainment venues. So button up your Wranglers, slip on those boots, and get ready to save in the Big D!


TRAVELERS

• Getting to Dallas
  Dallas hosts two major airports, DFW International and Dallas Love Field, and offers an impressive expanse of freeways. Several companies provide shared airport taxis for around $35.
  
  Unless you stay directly downtown or along the Central Expressway (Hwy 75), you'll need to rent a car. Most attractions in the area are spread across the Metroplex. Taxis and buses are not reliable options. The DART rail runs north and south through Dallas while the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) shuttles travelers from Fort Worth to Dallas. Both are very clean and empty outside of peak rush hours.
• Hotels
  Check out the Hawthorne Suites Dallas Market Center for great service and close proximity to downtown. North of downtown the Crown Plaza Dallas/Park Central is a short rail ride to the city center and is also a great central location. Check with Trip Advisor to get the best package deals for pricier downtown hotels--my personal favorites are The Adolphus, The W, and (farther away) Gaylord Texan.
  
  If you are traveling with children and can afford to splurge a bit, spend a couple of nights in Grapevine (25 minutes northwest) at the Great Wolf Lodge. With an indoor water park, puppet show, scavenger hunts, and easy access to great shopping, your family will have a blast. Get coupon codes for The Great Wolf Lodge here.
• Hostels and other traveler options
  The Dallas/Irving Backpackers Hostel is located very close to TRE access, a 10-minute ride to downtown. While it isn't in the most savory part of town, it is clean and safe. They offer free WIFI, a guest kitchen, bunk beds, shared bathrooms, and pool--a necessity during the summer. Abby Brown Guest House is a new addition close to downtown. The owners allow dogs and short-term rentals from $20/night.

RESIDENTS

• Recommended neighborhoods
  Dallas continues to be in the top five major cities for relocation due to low home values. Sprawling across multiple cities, the Metroplex is a huge area to comb for home buying or renting.
  
  While other cities' home values have crashed and burned, the Dallas area has remained virtually unscathed through the economic crisis. If you'd rather limit your commute to downtown, check out the new townhouse developments east of Central Expressway. Many of these areas are being renovated and early buyers can get in cheap.
  
  Uptown is a popular, albeit expensive, location just north of downtown for young professionals and singles. Go a bit further north off Lover's Lane for more reasonable options at The Village, a community of multiple apartments with a shared country club and other amenities. Real estate decreases as you move north. Frisco, Plano, Carrollton, and Richardson are popular cities for homebuyers seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle.
• Tips for house/apartment hunting
  Calculate your commute costs when selecting a house. There are several toll roads north of the city that tack on an extra $6 to your daily round trip. If you reside in Dallas County, be prepared to pay much higher property and utility taxes. Look for listings in Collin and Denton counties for lower rates. Apartment prices change daily and fluctuate based on percentage occupancy, so check around for several days before selecting a unit.

TRANSPORTATION

• Dallas Area Rapid Transit www.dart.org is expanding their rail offerings to other parts of the city. But until those massive projects are completed, you'll have to either live within close proximity to existing rails or hop behind the wheel. Buses are notoriously unreliable outside of downtown. Residents relocating to the area will need to own or share a car.
  
  Check out Craigslist for rideshare options to and from work. Outside of downtown, very few establishments charge parking fees and the highways are easy to negotiate. Multiple freeways have high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the inside that accommodate more than one passenger vehicles during high traffic. Each lane offers several entrances and exits.

New York, New York: If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere – so long as you can afford it! For visitors from near and far, exploring New York is a must, and rightfully so – the city hosts endless things to see and do.

For anyone new to the city, however, it can be easy to get caught by expensive tourist traps and miss some of the best, and cheapest, options the Five Boroughs have to offer. Here are some tips for even the most frugal-minded to see the best of New York – for next to nothing.


TRAVELERS

• Getting to NYC
  JFK International, LaGuardia International, and Newark International airport are all close to the city. Each one offers bus services into the city at a cheaper rate than taking a taxi. Amtrak train lines run into New York from other major cities on the East Coast, but the New Jersey transit line is more affordable if coming from Delaware, Pennsylvania or Jersey.
  
  Cheapest of all is one of the new discount bus services – the Bolt bus or a Chinatown-to-Chinatown bus, which can take you into the city from Boston, D.C. or Philly for around fifteen bucks. Check the Bolt Bus website to take advantage of their first-come, first-serve policy, which can sometimes score you a seat for a dollar.
• Hotels
  Visit www.lastminute.com for hotel deals and discounts in New York, so you can save on higher-end hotels. Many places offer family packages, and companies such as the W Hotels offer deals to buy two nights, get the third free through September 2009.
• Hostels and other traveler options
  Dorm beds start at $28 at the hip Central Park Hostel on the Upper West Side, and YMCA hostels at various locations in the city are long-standing options for low-budget accommodation. For the bravest of the cheap, couch surfing is becoming ever more popular worldwide and in New York. Participants list their place as available for free to guests on www.couchsurfing.com.

RESIDENTS

• Recommended neighborhoods
  The silver lining of the economic moment’s storm cloud is that rents are falling across the city. Inwood, at the northernmost tip of Manhattan, is one of the city’s best-kept secrets, providing affordable real estate in a great neighborhood that’s suitable for families and full of young people.
  
  For lowest budgets, far uptown (Washington Heights and Harlem) has options ranging from new co-ops to cheap shared rooms, and areas of Brooklyn such as Park Slope feature luxury living on the next block from reasonable apartments.
• Tips for house/apartment hunting
  Craigslist is good for finding shared accommodation or roommates so you can bypass broker’s fees. Competition for finding a place can be fierce, so be aggressive, have cash in hand to seal a deal on the spot, and put out tons of feelers. Right now is a good time to bargain with ever-desperate landlords, too, so check out all your options to haggle a good deal.

TRANSPORTATION

• Buy a weekly subway pass
  Avoid taking pricey taxis. A subway map and unlimited pass card will get you anywhere you want to go in the city for cheap. Cards can be purchased in subway stations all over the city, and you can visit the MTA website for maps and timetables. You can buy a monthly, weekly or daily pass and use it on all the city buses as well.
  
  Public transportation is easier and more convenient than renting a car and dealing with high parking prices. And if it’s late at night and you’d rather not take the subway at four a.m. (although there will be plenty of company), there’s no shortage of yellow taxis available at all hours, all conveniently fitted to accept credit cards.