I forgot to add one thing in my last summary post to you. Some jobs just aren't to be found in cheaper areas of the nation. If you are a techie, you will most likely be VERY uneremplyeed in a unfulfilled job if you go to a place where decent houses and neightborhoods are to be found cheap.
I'm in the same boat as you(being an idiot) and I have managed. But then I started out of college a while ago. I couldn't imagine staring a $500K+ single family house in the face with zippy in my pockets. But then again, I didn't have to.
The way I see it, even in the places where the jobs are more plentiful, you ought not take it for granted that they'll always be there, or that they'll want you. Maybe it's because I didn't go to college, and sort of view my career as a big fluke, an improvisation, that I look at it that way. Know what I mean? I know people who live as if they will always make the money they are making now. I'm too paranoid for that.
But ppl are always telling you why you can't do something. I still say it's a bad way of thinking.