Temptation is a strange thing.

For learning how to develop on a platform, all one needs is Docker (or a stand alone VM). Just get docker, and then download the latest Hadoop Docker Image. More notes from here.

Failing that (I'm the person who got a VPS for a blog and wiki):

• Virtual Server: Digital Ocean: About £60 a month per host.
  • An Introduction to Hadoop
  • How to Install Hadoop in Stand-Alone Mode on Ubuntu 16.04
• Using AWS:
  • How to create a real Hadoop cluster in 10 minutes?
• Cheap PCs:
  • eBuyer, £210 for 8GB RAM: https://www.ebuyer.com/store/Computer/cat/Desktop-PC?456=8GB&sort=price+ascending
  • Build your own custom, £250 each machine: home built hadoop analytics cluster

Not a heavy lifting in any way:

• How to Hadoop at home with Raspberry Pi — Part 1