You can apply METV in your home country, will give you upto 9 months here. You will have to leave and re enter every 90 days. Will at least give you a chance to work things out a little more while you are here.
Sabai Inn or Sabai lodge on Soi 2 both fairly inexpensive and 2 minutes to beach road or for something a little more upmarket Hotel Vista on Soi 4. Booking and Agoda have many listing for central Pattaya. Good luck.
You can get an METV ( multiple entry tourist visa) from your home country,gives you a max of 9 months in Thailand( but you'll have to hop over the border every 90 days ) You can check out the country,travel around,see if its for you without making the big commitment of a Non O. Just apply online. Hope this helps.