I'm not sure how or if this would work but what if you had residents of Cozyville "sponsor" the regular members? They could be guests of the residents, residing in their homes and maybe posting in a "Guests" thread. They could be relatives or friends visiting Cozyville. To become a permanent resident, they would have to upgrade.
Good suggestion. That is actually what I had in mind save for their staying with current citizens of Cozyville - but I like that idea so it gives them a choice... stay with you or go to the Cozyville Hotel. I will also have to make it so that you have the choice of rejecting or accepting the person that ones to stay with you.