After searching high and low, I found a perfect, low cost artist and writer-friendly community and retreat in Hot Springs, Montana. I'm staying at a place called Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat. I have an efficiency apartment with a small kitchen, bedroom with access to inexpensive hot springs mineral soaks, electric heat, wifi and cable for about $500 per month. They have 20 units available ranging from $500/month. This small town has deer and other wild animals wandering freely and is 1/2 hr away from Flathead Lake and 1 hr away from the University of Montana in Missoula.