Sorrento too expensive, recommendations on where else to stay in area?

Take a look at Salerno? I've not done it myself yet but I've seen quite a number of posts on the RS forum from travelers who really enjoyed that one. The other bonus is that it's on a direct Trenitalia train line from Rome with no need to switch to the Circumvesuviana in Naples. You can get to Pompei (the town) by train in about 30-45 minutes: you just use a different station/ entrance to the scavi that's a bit longer walk to access than if using the Circ. from Sorrento to S. V. dei Misteri station. Trains are direct to Naples as well.

Jetboats also operate out of Salerno to points around the Amalfi coast, Capri and Sorrento, and will probably be a better choice for your daughter. I can sympathize as I have the same motion-sickness issues so transport on very curvy roads is a misery, even if taking medication. I would still arm her with Dramamine or other OTC med for the boats should you hit a rough-sea day.

As Kathy said, I believe Salerno would check all the boxes for you. Relatively flat, great base for ruins--Pompei to the north and Paestum to the south. I believe it would be cheaper than Sorrento as well. We stayed there for five nights in March 2015 and enjoyed the heck out of it.

Could you indicate your expected lodging budget for this stay? I know that there is a great variety of lodging in Sorrento, ranging from expensive to very affordable for most budgets. It is a very enjoyable place to be based. Also, in October you may find that the viability of using ferries along the Amalfi Coast depnds on the weather and wave action along the coastal area. Of course another place quite accessible to the ruins is Naples, although it is extremely different from Sorrento and other small cities and towns.

Hi Larry, I'd like to keep in around $100 per night or less. Most of the things I'm seeing in Sorrento are more (Hotels WAY more, Air B&Bs approximately $50 more. Compared to the amazing Air B&B we found in Florence for 75$/night). Thanks!

Also, in October you may find that the viability of using ferries
along the Amalfi Coast depnds on the weather and wave action along the
coastal area.

Larry is right: the boats cannot dock everywhere - like Positano - if the seas are too rough. That said, we stayed in Sorrento in early October and didn't run into an issues during our stay. If having access to the train line, you will have alternatives to the Amalfi by bus should the day be too windy, such as heading into Naples to see the excellent archeological museum, or to Paestrum: both by train.

Naples has rooms for around $100 or less. We are staying on Via Toledo in the fall for $100. Accor's (modern decor) budget hotel near the Termini is about $75. Postings from many include options for Salerno and Naples, suggest you utilize the search option. Then, check Booking.com.

I would not stay in Naples nor Pompeii, but Castellammare di Stabia to Vico Equense are good choices.

Did you look into the Hotel Desiree?

In Vico Equense, close to the train station. Easy access to Sorrento.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20048321

It's sligtly over your budget, but it's an apartment.

Thank you, everyone! The suggestion to look at Salerno led us to this Air B&B for 75$ a night!! Well within our budget, and in a beautiful small town away from the tourist hot spots, but still within an hour's drive of Pompeii. We'll rent a car for a few days (85$ from Naples), and there's free parking at the AirB&B.

(https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/7751852)

I couldn't be happier. Thank you all so much for all of your extremely helpful suggestions! What a great forum!!!

Are you really sure you want a car? Your accommodation may have parking but that can be a challenge in towns around the Amalfi coast. Do some reading up on ZTLs if you haven't done that yet?

IMHO, with a motion sickness problem, I'd MUCH prefer an Italian train to a vehicle in that part of the country. Just the vehicle shuttle we took from Sorrento to the Naples airport had me positively green but I've never had that problem on the trains.

Well at least going from Salerno to Pompeii, you don't have to go on the curvy Amalfi coast roads, you can go inland more directly. Still, a shame to miss the beauty of the Amalfi coast when you're right there! I agree that a car might not be the best idea, train would be easier and less of a headache. (Although with the train you have to wait on the schedule, walk a little, etc etc.)

Are you really sure you want a car? Your accommodation may have
parking but that can be a challenge in towns around the Amalfi coast.
Do some reading up on ZTLs if you haven't done that yet? IMHO, with a
motion sickness problem, I'd MUCH prefer an Italian train to a vehicle
in that part of the country. Just the vehicle shuttle we took from
Sorrento the Naples airport had me positively green but I've never had
that problem on the trains.

Kath, the OP's AirB&B actually is in Eboli (a few km inland), not Salerno, so they definitely need a car. Reviews look good, although I would have stayed closer to Salerno Centrale train station and utilized public trans for my daytrips. But to each his/her own, I say...

Kath, the OP's AirB&B actually is in Eboli

Right, Jay, but it's on a rail line. Just 1/2 hour or so direct from Salerno for 2,40 euro.
But if planning on spending my time exploring Pompei/the coast, I would have stayed closer to Salerno (or a couple of other suggested locations) as well. As you say... :O)

I 'got a guy' who runs a little Italian cafe not far from me that I frequent, because it reminds me of the type of small & chaotic espresso bar/grocery store/sandwich place that I see so often in off-the-beaten-path places in Italy. And he's from Eboli!

We passed through Eboli two years ago on the way from Salerno to Sant' Arsenio, where my great-great grandparents were born and we were doing some geneological research. Did not take the train--we were driven by the B&B owner from their inn in Salerno. And for what it's worth, Eboli and many other small towns we passed through, on a cloudy day in March, including Sant' Arsenio, looked somewhat depressing, like they had fallen upon hard economic times. For the OP, it might not be as idyllic as expected, but that kind of stuff to me is what I call 'the real Italy'--still fascinating!

I seem to recall some famous person stopping at Eboli as well. (^_^)

Do add Tenuta Vannulo to your itinerary. It's a buffalo dairy farm just off the highway on the way to Paestum (wonderful Greek temples). If you want to buy mozzarella, either get there early or reserve by telephone, as they sell out. The gelato is really good and the cannoli are to die for.