Dont worry about accomodation, you can live anywhere for a year or so. I went OATS route a few years back and it got me a jet job, enough said really!. I believe a few airlines still look to OATS for ab-initos. That said it is a lot of money, more than when I left.
The industry is picking up slowly so hopefully when you get finished jobs will be easier to find. Just remember all you get is a license at the end of the day, the hard bit is getting a job!
Good luck