Wanting to start a new instrument. Please help!

[xCK06x]

Hello everybody! I have been playing the piano for a while now (rufly 5 years on and off), the only problem is I don't have any place to practice since I don't own a piano myself and I hate keyboards so I won't play them. I really want to start a new instrument, I was thinking something along the lines of: violin, viola, string bass, or cello. I would also be eager to play an unusual and unique instrument. I don't have a steady flow of income, so getting professional lessons would be hard for me to do. I would really enjoy something that I could teach myself how to play (I have some friends who are good with instruments too so they could help). Any suggestions? Please also tell me what are some of the pros and cons to the instrument. I am willing to work extremely hard and practice a lot; music, like it is the same for you fine folks, is my life. thank you very much!

[vera]

A stringinstrument, apart from guitar, is not a good idea, if you do not want to take lessons. Too much can go wrong. Take the flute, I did teach myself that too, as an older beginner. Breathing is the challenge, learn to breathe out very slowly, conserving air, otherwise you run out of steam with even short phrases. Practise in front of the mirror a lot, to get the embouchure right. You can make really quick progress on that instrument, and there is a lot of ensemble music available, which you can do much sooner, than with a stringinstrument. It is portable, more easily than anything else.  I also tried cello at an earlier stage. That is much harder  for an older student, and cannot imagine it being possible without a teacher.
Even with the flute I had one or two lessons with a friend, as that was just as well, because the intonation was too flat all over, you have to hold up the head more . If that is not fixed, you cannot play with accompaniment. I used to make "instant" accompaniments and play with myself, and wondered if the piano was tuned too sharp.
If you do not like the idea of a flute, try guitar.