If the criteria is to have a cheap place to live then here are my two cents. I am from India and we (DW & I) keep travelling all the time because of my job. Last year we were staying in Madison, WI in one of the extended stay hotels. We were paying about 950 a month in summers (7 months) and 750 a month during winters (5 months)..we stayed there for almost a whole year! Comparing that cost to living in a house it covers rent/mortgage, gas, electricity, heating/air-conditioning, cable, phone internet, trash, linens, furniture, TV, stove, microwave, washer/dryer, lamps, and open parking!! Assuming your car is paid off and groceries is under 500 a month, I think that is a pretty managable expense. WI being a colder place, you can find extended stay hotels in warmer places too. And you can move to another place the day you feel like!
Let me know what your thoughts are on this!