Go west young man!!
A waiter can make $60,000 or $80,000 a year and go to night school.
It's easier to progress up the corporate ladder since more competition in businesses provides more opportunity.
NYC provide access to international markets and businesses. An architect in NYC is more likely to leave his job and go to work for a French or Italian firm than a U.S. firm in Topeka.
Nobody cares what side of the tracks you're from -- they only care if you're able to do the job.