Most people find the metro incredibly easy
Not me. It's in French and it's underground. I prefer to stay above ground and walk when possible.

The metro is not "in French." It uses maps, so it is in "map." And the word "direction" is the same in French and English.

Travel_Nerd, thanks for the reply. What does 'YMMV' stand for?
For accomodations, I think I would prefer one of the outer (quieter) arrondissements. What sections should I search for hostels in?

Besides Versailles, what are some recommended one-day excursions out of the city, someplace I could taste wine maybe? Thanks, Greg

* I think that I heard there's a 'Japanese town' in Paris. Is that right?

I love Chartres. In fact, I strongly prefer it to Versailles.

I'm confused - didn't you switch your plans to go to Norway so you would have flight support?

If you are seriously researching a trip to Paris (or anywhere else), consider utilizing booking.com to research hostels. You do not have to book for accomodation with the website, you can probably book directly once you have a place in mind. The website allows you to filter for price, accomodation type, etc. Remember that the farther out you go, the more reliant on busses or metro you will be. I cannot comment on "where" because I do not know what your personal filters are - your goalposts seem to change on a whim just in this thread alone.

I'm personally not familiar with the Japantown area of Paris. I'd spend some time Googling it.l to learn more about it. While you're at it, Google YMMV

While staying in an outer arrondissement is a great idea for some visitors . . . In your case I think that would be a mistake. You have been a bit gun shy about travel in the past and say you are nervous about "Riding a subway, I wouldn't go on one when I was in NYC by myself. I got a taxi instead. I know it'll be too expensive to do this in Paris. I am a slow-walker so I take my time going places."

Staying outside the center would exacerbate those issues. I'd stay as very center as I could so you could walk / use buses more.

Stay close in so once you are there you can walk everywhere. My favorite is the 6th. Rick Steves fans stay in the Rue Cler area. Rick Steves' books and forums would be a great place to start as a newbie.

As others have said, the metro and bus system are easy in Paris. We have had the good fortune to visit several times. On our third visit we discovered the joy of getting around on the bus as we were able to "put the pieces" together in our heads. (But the bus is a slow way to travel across town during commute time.) There is so much to do in Paris that doesn't cost anything. I love to pick an area and just walk. The Luxembourg Gardens is a great place to find a seat, put your feet up and relax. Yes, the museums will be crowded. Try going later in the day, or during evening hours, if available. One of the smaller museums that I love, and have never had to deal with large crowds is the Marmottan. The Louvre is so large that there will always be some rooms that are not filled with tourists. There is a great book by Ina Caro called Paris to the Past which has day trips by train from Paris. If the sites of Paris are something you've always wanted to see I think you will pinch yourself with joy if you finally make it there.

I agree with others that you should stay in central Paris so you can just walk to most places. I have no experience with hostels in Paris but I think you can get a room to yourself in a hostel at your price point. Easy to meet people at hostels which is a good way to gather information about things you might wish to do.

I guess you are referring to rue Sainte Anne and streets around. There are many japanese restaurants and shops (groceries, book shop,..). But apart from that, do not expect to see ladies in kimono around there...