Weather is crazy in edmonton specially in winter but wearing layers help a lot and you get used to it. Summer is awesome.
Places are cheaper on the southside, north and center is expensive. Anything near century park, millwoods, erminskin, duggan, windermere, blue quill neighborhoods should be cheaper.
Basements are even cheaper but I wouldn't recommend it.
If you are planning to use train and busses then try to look something near southgate, century park neighborhoods.
If you keep applying for jobs in person, eventually you will get a part time job on fast food shops etc.