New York's best-value neighborhoods are Midtown (convenient, pricier), Lower East Side, Brooklyn (cheaper but fun), and Astoria in Queens. Chicago's River North and The Loop are central. Los Angeles requires a car — Santa Monica suits beach access, Hollywood for sights, Silver Lake for locals' neighborhoods.
American roadtrip culture means motels are a legitimate option — chains like Motel 6, Super 8, and Holiday Inn Express offer clean, predictable stops along driving routes. Budget travelers can find hostels in major cities ($25-45/dorm). Airbnb is widely available and often better value than hotels in residential neighborhoods.