Advice for finding alternative living in NJ?

Basically...

-I am 24 and live with my mom in a beautiful, small home near an expansive woodland, but I want to live alone. I am unsure if this means I'd want to have housemates or not
-I run a small videography business which does not generate enough income to get a $800/month apartment or whatever
-I WWOOF'ed for a few weeks last year in Princeton, NJ, but 3 weeks was enough. Plus, the manual labor was rough on my little fingers!

What are some strategies for finding cheap, natural living situations? Intentional Communities on IC.org look interesting, but I don't know how much freedom or isolation (both of which I want) I would have. I have found some small local rooms or shared apartments, but I cannot really afford security deposits.

So, before I get my business going, or even borrow money for a security deposit from my parents, does anyone have advice on ways to live independently - still with room to travel and explore??

Thank you! I am new to these forums, as you can see.

 

I had a nice bit of money saved when i lost my job. So deposits werent even a problem.I couldnt find another job that would pay the rent so i had to move out of the state. I could have shared an apartment but i much prefer to live alone. So i had to go to where i could do that. NJ is a tough place to live in with a nice neighborhood and a white picket fence. But if you dont mind slumming it there are lots of places you can go. I could suggest some hotels in sayreville or keansburg that are super cheap and used as long term residences but i have a feeling thats not the enviroment you want to be in. The only usefull advice i got is save money while you have a cheap/free roof over your head.

 

Ha! I'd check the college roomie ads - may be a house with some you could get on with well. May be helpful in business too?