What do you think of coding bootcamps?

[jsd]

I understand why you'd want a professional/academic certificate to validate your knowledge, but coding really is one of those things that you can learn entirely on your own with free self study skills and tearing apart other people's code. Those prices are nuts.

Even if you'd struggle teaching yourself like your edit says, there's so many MOOCs that would assist in a way that wouldn't seem so much like you're on your own that the price just doesn't make sense.

Like you said, if you really need face to face or extra support, no reason not to do CC on top of self study.