La Gaude fits your description, but it would be fairly difficult to use as a base if you don’t have a car. There’s decent bus service, but the logistics of getting around the tiny villages once you get off the rail line (basically, along the beach) are not easy.

I don’t understand why you would stay in both Nice and Antibes — they’re 16 minutes apart by train. Pick one and visit the other as a day trip.

oldlady you mis-understood me. I am staying in Nice, and day tripping to Antibes.
If, lets say Fréjus, was a dividing line; I’m looking for another place/town further west; to do day trips on that “side” of the south. Unfortunately, I will be traveling by rail, and I KNOW St.Tropez is a bit pricey for me (I doubt they have decent cheap hostels there).

Saint-Raphael might work and you might find a decently priced place there. It’s a pleasant and historically interesting (Roman) town. However, it isn’t all that far (less than 1 hour) from Nice. I would seriously look at spending all the time in Antibes or St. Laurent du Var and doing more day trips. Toulon would be another possibility although perhaps too far west for you?

Are St. Tropez and Le Lavandau on the rail line???