Staying in hostels when traveling overseas. The amount of people who tell me I'm crazy and going to get murdered if I stay in a hostel is ridiculous.
Hostels are great, and not any more dangerous than hotels are, you just have to look at reviews and go for the type you want. You can also rent private rooms at a lot of them. I always stay at one's with a kitchen so I can save a bunch on food, too.
That fear is what happens when the only exposure people have to hostels in the US comes from horror movies. I didn't know that you can rent private rooms and get a kitchen - sounds like a nice setup.
Who thinks hostels are dangerous? lol I've stayed at hostels all over the world including places like La Paz and had a fucking awesome time every time. I could understand a single female not wanting to stay in a mixed dorm but other than that, they're fine.