Have you looked at Harbour Freight's pumps. I know for a fact that they are pretty good pumps for the money. I have four of them. The smallest I think is 60 GPH and largest one is 1585 GPH. I got the larger one on sale for $42.99 a few years ago. Last year, I replaced parts of it after three years of abuse and it's usable again.

Happy ponding,
Scott

Here is a link that might be useful: Submersible pumps at Harbour Freight

I use the Harbor Freight pumps in my small water gardens. So far they have been die-hards. The ones I use are around 200 +/_ GPH and if you can catch them on sale they are only about $12.99 each. They work great to run a spitter or some other small fountain.
I understand you not wanting a full pond until you can buy a home. I rent too and it does put some limitations on you but there are lots of easy small water gardens you can make that are easy to move if you need to. Many of us that rent use stock tanks or large kiddie pools for ponds.

Better Homes and Gardens has some good ideas on their website for small water features. Follow the link below and click the link "Patio Fountains & Ponds." and look at the slideshow.
The "Terra-Cotta Fountain" is really easy and I've made one like it in the past.

Here is a link that might be useful: Patio Fountains and Ponds

thanks for the advice. I should have thought of harbor freight! I have bought several things from them.
As for the property I currently live at, it's not so much that I can't build a pond and fountain, it's more I just don't want to because I will then want to move it with me which would just add to the stuff we'd have to move, lol. Our landlords are neat though because they let us do what we want to the house and yard. All they ask is that we keep it looking nice.
I may end up making myself a little moveable pond and fountain at thise house simply because I've always wanted one, lol, but we'll see :)