Originally I was thinking of buying 4 containers, offsetting them to increase height and floor space, add some welding in there, and then designing inside and out. Weather resistant preferred, but also economical, green energy living as well.
Ditto. But I'd want 4-6 on the ground in a diamond(ish) pattern. Then a second story with 4 angled across.
I'm tired so maybe I'll have to explain later....pictured from the air, it would look like a six sided star. This would throw shade, break up the wind, etc. I'd have a walkway around the inner circumference of the upper story so only would need one door into each. Or if fancy, two at the most.
The inside diameter of the diamond (ground floor containers) would be a fish pond/fully enclosed garden...I would have two small gates at the top and bottom of it.
The only way to know your LOCAL prices is to ask around. And be creative: there are times of the year when truckers are scrambling for work. If you found some an hour or two away from you there's always a chance for you to figure out transport yourself versus relying on the shipping container company.
Realistically, the cheapest containers that are prime grade are going to be near an international port, like Long Beach, CA.