My daughter and a couple friends are planning on a vacation to the ocean this summer during break from college (all bible college students). They are looking for someplace to stay anywhere from N.C. to Fla that would be inexpensive. Does anyone have any leads to someplace cheap? They are planning on a 1-2 week vacaion.

The Outer Banks come to mind. Anywhere from Kitty Hawk to Ocacoke it is off the coast of North Carolina and I am sure you could find a Web Site for it. Contact a few realtors as they handle rentals. There are wonderful homes on stilts all along the coast. different prices for size and age of home. The homes on the Ocean are of course more expensive then on the street behind. We spent many a family vacation there and loved it. Be sure to have them hike up Jockey Ridge (I believe it is on Kill Devil Hills) It is where the Wright Bros made their first flight! We usually stayed on Nagshead.

It would be a great idea if she and her friends do research and decide what appeals to them. It is their decission not yours Lydia-mother.

Lydia- I am curious - what relevance is it to anyone that they are in a bible college?

"What"-I would imagine -being in bible college-differentiates these students from the ones that we usually hear about on spring break, you know the ones, the girls that ride down the street pulling their tee shirts up to expose their chests, the guys drink in one hand,grabbing a girl with the other..Obviously these girls want to stay at a beach but do not want to be involved in the usual college sex/drinking/escapades-

So are you saying that college students from bible colleges don't participate in the ways you describe? Why didn't you just say they don't want to participate in the typical college antics instead?

Wow! I cant believe Lydia is asking such a straight forward question and all these assumptions? As for Emily, did you every consider Lydia's daughter may have asked her for a suggestion. What a great mother to do this for her! I think you need to get a life. If you don't have an answer for her why are you wasting your time. Maybe you had a bad upbringing??!!
Lydia, good luck to you in helping your daughter make a decision, sorry never been to area you stated.

"What"-the question is does anyone know of a cheap place for college girls to stay ---she doesn't really have to explain the question, if it is too confusing to you, go on to another post.

Lydia-have you looked into the Gulf Coast areas in Fla? My daughter likes to take her little boy there in the summer, it is much less expensive than the East Coast, and there are a lot of smaller,more family oriented communities.Sorry, I do not know the names of any towns,but will ask her to post some -when she returns from her own trip C

Hi Everyone. I am Lydia's daughter, and I just wanted to say thanks to the people that gave me suggestions. The reason my mom posted this for me is that I had never heard of Fodors before, and she was just being helpful. Also, the bible college that I attend is actually a seminary school, and not at all what you think, I'm sure. I think my mom assumed that most people would presume that bible-seminary students would be less likely to drink, smoke, etc. than other students. You may think its silly, but I'm willing to bet that it would matter to the person who was about to rent their home out to us. Thanks for everything so far everone!!

I agree with the gulf coast suggestion, from Tampa on south. The expensive season there is winter - rates usually go down around the middle or end of May.

Meghann-It really wasn't necessary to explain yourself. There is a small minority of rude people who post here and for some reason they feel they have to give every one the third degree. Perhaps, they have miserable lives and want to make everyone else miserable. I pray daily for people like them. In any case, I think the Outer Banks would be the best bet for you and your friends. Take care.

Meghann and Lydia,

I agree with above poster, no need to have to justify yourselves and there *are* some nasties here who want to jump on any little thing. Forget about them!

I think your mom probably made the Bible college reference to set the tone that you and your friends would possibly want a "nonparty" atmosphere. Maybe, maybe not, but that's what I'm assuming.

More than that, though - what are the interests of you and your friends? Do you want to stay in an area that's very low key? If so, Otuer Banks would be great. An area where there are things to do if you so choose? I lived in St. Pete, FL for a year and that area is nice.

If you post back with your criteria about what you all want in a vacation, you'll get plenty of specific advice. Then again, you might get more nasties, too! ;-)

Meghan and Lydia, what about North Myrtle beach? There are some nice resorts that rent condos rather than hotel rooms, so you could make breakfasts and lunch at home to save $$$. It's also nice to have the extra room with that many people to share the cost. We've stayed at Kingston Plantation which is very nice, and there are many more that I can't name. Try doing a search on myrtle beach or north myrtle beach resorts or condos. There is also lots of shopping and inexpensive restaurants in the area.

And yes, do ignore the posters here who seem to delight in harassing people. It's a small number of miserable people who don't offer help, only criticism.

Lyndia, I agree with all of the NORMAL posters. You need not explain yourself to anyone. I would probably have to say that Florida is your best. I really don not want to disagree with the last poster, but Myrtle Beach weather is iffy (sp). You said summer spring break right? What month? We go to Myrtle Beach every year in the month of March (late) and most of the time the weather is too cold for the beach. The prices are great. Great economy appartments. Good Luck, and God Bless

Hi, I agree with the others that suggested the gulf coast of Florida.
You will find it very economical in the panhandle.
Pensacola is a very popular place and so is Destin. I would suggest more for you Pensacola since you mentioned you are bible students.
You will feel very much at home, and find many people following along the same paths you are.
Also, you won't find that mad scene of college kids paryting non stop there.
A very calm and laid back place.

I agree, Panama City is quite, has beautiful white sand beaches and blue waters but Panama City has the same with a little more to do.

SORRY..... I made a typo!!! I mean Pensacola has wonderful white sand beaches and beautiful waters but Panama City has the same with more to do!

Hi everyone. Thanks for all the suggestions so far. To be more specific, we will be going beginning to mid August sometime. Also, we are looking for something laid back, definitely NOT the party scene. All we really want is something close to the beach, so we can spend all our time at the beach We would rather stay in a rental home, cottage, etc. to save money on food, like some of you suggested. Thanks for everything so far!

Although in August it would be warm enough to go the NC or SC, the beaches on the Gulf Coast of Florida are so much better! The sand is whiter and the water prettier. I love the Sarasota area...Siesta Key is so beautiful, the nicest beach I have seen in the US (I've been to SC, CA, Hawaii, east coast of FL). My husband and I went in August and found the rates lower that time of year. It is also a lot less crowded.