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To those of you who say you're too old for hostels. I'm almost 34 years old and spent about 3 weeks in hostels on my trip in 2015. I do that when I travel alone because I don't like to eat in restaurants by myself and am generally on the introverted spectrum, so this is a easy way to meet people and keep my sanity. North Americans have this hang up about shared accommodations but I meet Europeans in their late 30s ,40s and even 60s staying in hostels. They are generally great at conversations over a beer in the common area and provide invaluable first-hand travel advice. Plus if your plans match up you can save money on transport costs. Travellers are much more open to random conversations - which may be a shock coming from stuck-up cliquey Vancouver where everyone has buried their heads into their phones.
Just like hotels, not all hostels are the same. Some are party hostels and can be complete dives, others are amazing, clean spaces with a great social atmosphere. Do your research as you would for any type of accomodation.
When I travel with my GF we now stay in 3-5 star hotels, but when I travel alone more often than not I choose hostels. Once in a while I check myself into a 4* hotel at the tail end of a trip to clean up and escape the world, but I usually look back and remember not having as much fun in the places where I do that.
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