Houseboats generally don't move from one place to another. Some can and do, even if only locally. Which is good news for
buying on a
budget as the moving around end of boats is what costs!, especially when you only have motors (and no sails). No moving means no need for any
engine, although some do but won't be making long voyages (so don't buy in Arizona thinking can
motor on down to Florida!, or cheaply truck it).A houseboat is the floating equivalent of an RV /
Trailer.....and likely communities vary as well.
I would suggest starting off by
renting in something of a size you can afford in a location that works for you - climate and business wise to see if you like it as you get a handle on local prices / whats on offer (likely to be a slow sell for you later - so buy with care). With a houseboat won't be too much boaty stuff to learn (mostly around not sinking from neglect / local
weather conditions). Not familair with the US of A, but in the UK location of boat / the
mooring defines the value of the boat as much as what the boat is itself Size / Condition / brand / age. In some places the moorings themselves are rarer than hens teeth and priced accordingly - so don't assume you can simply move a boat somewhere you like.
The above more about purpose built houseboats (bigger and better floorplan for dockside living) - but plenty of boats that have become Houseboats (liveaboards) for one reason or another, mostly centred around no longer being
seaworthy enough to travel! Motorboats especially (with kaput engines) can make decent enough houseboats as more volume than yachts as the cost of replacement engines can be several times what the boat would be worth with working engines! hence them making a one way trip to the
dock.