welcome to the Goa forum Feel free to start threads- I split your question from my thread so that it does not get lost. You just need 10 posts before you can post weblinks.

hi sirhc welcome to ht
where abouts are you thinking of staying in goa we stay in the south so no a bit about that area anita

We live in the south too,i think you need to be a bit more specific i.e.

What do you call cheap.
Flat or House
north or south Goa.

Hi sirhc - welcome to the forum! Although it will take some courage, I would just get myself there and then look for accommodation once there. You can then have a good nosey around and do a deal on somewhere you know you're going to like.

Lots of people are very keen to get a 6 month stayer and will accept lower room rates. Just get a taxi in Calangute (if you're going to North Goa) and ask him to take you to some letting rooms in whatever area you fancy. No doubt he will know somebody and you take it from there. Go to a few to get a feel of prices. We did that earlier this year and there are some great privately owned places around the place.

Good luck wherever you end up!