I figured out that I cannot rent an apartment out here since they all expect you to have 3 times the rent for your income, which clearly I don't have. So I decided to reconsider the RV thing.
I found a really cute, smaller RV park in Tucson that is very affordable ($500/mo incl. everything except electricity). They have a clubhouse, activities, and a pool. I have rented a yearly space there starting January 2nd.
I then needed to find a travel trailer I could comfortably live in with the cats. After seeing a lot of junk in my price range all over Tucson and Phoenix, I finally found a very nice, clean 33' Keystone Hideout travel trailer in Glendale (Phoenix area) for $12,500. I had it inspected last Friday and other than a few small things, it came thru with flying colors! It is being delivered to a storage place near the RV park tomorrow until I can move it to the park in January.
It has one large slide, solar on the roof, a bunk room that I plan to turn into a gourd crafting room, and a lot of other nice features. It is very clean and in excellent condition, but is a little dark inside due to the dark floors, cabinets, etc. I plan to do what I can to lighten it up in there tho and make it a cozy place for us. I have already met some neighbors by my space who are very nice and welcoming.
I am excited for my new home! It is also only 10 minutes away from my brothers house and close to all sorts of shops and restaurants, yet the park in just far enough away to be very quiet.
My space is the yellow highlighted spot towards the top of the map:
