Sure, many people want to be in Scottsdale, Arcadia, Biltmore - but if you're at all budget conscious, you're going to be comparing options at these prices. 

Whether it’s taught consciously or subconsciously, it’s the mindset that’s praised in the school systems, I think.

You want to be conscious on how you're structuring your offers.  

This was a conscious decision based on poor behavior of other members. 

Another option for low cost apartment type housing is to make very small units without cooking or bathroom facilities (though a chemical toilet for the privacy conscious might work and wouldn't take up nearly as much room as a conventional one does and cost much less without the plumbing and upkeep). 

I think you are on the right track with the shed roof if you are budget conscious, I've spoken to multiple builders about form and cost and they seem to agree that's the most cost effective option.Lastly, be prepared for this to cost more than you think it should, for a project this small you lose almost all economies of scale that you could get with a larger project.