Second this! I have a linode (use for OpenVPN) and a webfaction (personal websites). The nice thing about webfaction is that its kind of a cross between VPS and a shared hosting. You get shell access (i.e. you get to learn SSH on Red Hat Linux) and makes spawning off as many websites as you want extremely easy to do. Also, is probably the best place to host a django site, the support is amazing.
Shameless plug: my webfaction affiliate link is in my profile.
Shameless plug: my webfaction affiliate link is in my profile.