The OP was written 7 years ago.
Meanwhile prices in "mountain towns" are through the roof.
I would recommend looking into semi ugly areas like Salt Lake City or Denver. They are also not exactly cheap but at least they have work options. In mountain towns you are screwed with a $15 per hour job because that is not even enough to survive.
Stay away from any ski towns, they make it even worse.
I am sure there some weird little towns somewhere which are great, but you don't want to tell anybody about it.