Orange County. Average price of a house was $266,000 two years ago. It more than doubled. I don't know what it is now. It's not any better in Sullivan either. After 9/11, the housing went berserk.
If you're only making $7.50 an hour, move. You'll be able to find a job for those wages just about anywhere, and I'd pick a place with a lower cost of living. Then I'd look to buy a small fixer-upper with a mortgage payment that'll run less than rent, and that'll provide some equity. It can be done:)