Looking Into Options

[dfrecore]

Currently no particular school in mind but probably local since I while I have considered moving out of California due to the cost of living here...I doubt I will since, without a degree, I doubt many businesses would be willing to match my current pay rate if I move to an area with a lower cost of living.

If an area has a lower cost of living, you won't need to make as much money. And normally lower COL is associated with lower wages, in general. But your dollar may go further somewhere where the COL is less.

If you live in the East Bay, the COL is high (rent certainly is) but there are lots of things that are not - food at a grocery store won't be a lot less in another state, for instance. And you may pay very little for heat and A/C there, since the temperature is moderate. I lived in a little apartment in San Jose for 4 years, and never paid more than $30 for electricity. Internet may cost the same no matter where you live. Gas will cheaper everywhere, but you may have a longer commute. So you have to look at lots of different things to find out what the true cost for you will be wherever you want to move to. Then, you can see if the salary for the type of job that you want will afford you to live there, even if it's less than you make now.