There are many sites which I know of in which you can pay either a per list fee, or a subscription fee, to have access to motivated seller lists.My question is does anyone have any recommendations for ways to obtain these lists that may be more affordable?

But I can't do that since I have a family with kids going to school and can't afford to move every year.

Think about what you can afford, and what you are good at managing.  

The properties are so much more affordable related to other cities of the same size. 

If it comes down to it and I have to wait to qualify on my own that would suck but we would have more resources to maybe afford Multi-Family properties more easily by then. 

@Kirk Brown You could try AHEAD which is an affordable housing group located in Littleton, New Hampshire and see if they might help you out.

I personally like having one night minimums where you can afford it.

We live ‘out west’ and knew we couldn’t afford an investment property in our area.

I've house hacked twice on two separate properties and both times, I bought on the basis that I could afford the entire property on my own income with no worries. 

Portsmouth might be good for you or the outskirts for affordability.