Apartments are more expensive than shared living, but generally cheaper than renting a house. Sublets Subleasing is a rental situation where you take over another person's lease for a part of or the rest of the lease. It is generally for a quarter or for the summer, and may be shared or nonshared. Exchanges Exchanges are an option to consider if you don't have the money to pay any rent at all. Often families or elderly people will let you stay in a room for FREE if you babysit, or help with the groceries or housecleaning.
Some places provide a small room for people who are willing to be caretakers or do janitorial work.
You might have to look harder for these situations, but they do exist. It's likely that when looking for a new place, you'll also need to look for a roommate. Whether you want to live with someone you've known since middle school, or someone completely new, there are some things you need to consider. Living situations are worth what the people involved are willing to put into them. Whether you are happy in your living situation depends mainly on the people you live with.