...and remember that comfort is not the same thing as plain old aesthetics.
The Ultimate ERE Housing Situation
I think some form of communal living would be most optimal. I've looked at a few co-ops and have learned that I probably need to create my own as most housing co-ops philosophy are a little too narrow minded. They tend to get hung up on small potato issues that don't matter in the general scheme of things.
If it was only me to consider (sounds like your case) I would find a small piece of land (buy or rent, around 1 acre) and buy a yurt used off Craigslist. I would find some cheap lumber and build a spacious elevated platform with an outdoor sitting/living space with a fire pit (cold climates) and build the yurt on the platform. I would make the yurt as comfortable as reasonably possible (the sky is the limit based on budget and desires) and live there happily until I was ready for a change. When I was ready for a change, I would disassemble the yurt and pack it up and move to the next destination.
The possibilities are endless. The most important thing is what you decide has to meet your budget and your desires, there's no right or wrong answer here. Good luck on finding a place!
The possibilities are endless. The most important thing is what you decide has to meet your budget and your desires, there's no right or wrong answer here. Good luck on finding a place!