Where and what is the nearest, safest inhabitable place near Skaal village appropriate for player housing? My character really likes the Skaal.

Maybe http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Dragonborn:Thirsk_Mead_Hall?

Doesn't seem all that safe to me, especially with regular NPCs about

Are ya single?

If so; you can marry Morwen in Skaal Village and live in her house.

That's my choice anyways. Skaal for eternity!

Praise the All-Maker!

Hope this helps.

Oh yeah, I forgot you get your spouse's stuff too. But now there's a threeway battle for my character's love, that miner lady with the complicated name, Ysolda, and Morwen.

If you don't know how to say her name then she's not the one.

Oh, and go with Morwen. She's underrated.