What model of Chromebook do you use? I've 2 chromebooks purchased around $120 each of which is at least 3 years old and I have had android apps since the day I first bought in 2017 and linux support (crostini) for at least a year.
So you could go that route, if you like. I ended up doing something similar with my original Chromebook Pixel when Google stopped supporting it: I removed the write-protect screw from the motherboard, flashed a normal BIOS, and installed Linux Mint on it.