But see, a degree doesn't always match up with high salary. My mom has two master's degrees and she was making $28k. Now she has changed jobs and is making a more appopriate $55k. I've read that experience can mean more then a degree.
In any case, for the careers I like, the degree would probably be a "dinky" 2 year one. I hope an associate's degree has SOME credibility anymore...
So, I can make this work in about 2 years if I want to? I can go to college there and still live without being in poverty? Remember, I will have ~$20k saved up.
Experience *can* mean more than a degree. . . but it's tough to come by opportunities to gain experience without a degree. And often people who have experience in one thing are stuck there if they get a good paying job because they aren't qualified to jump to other careers. Plus, so many students go to college these days that you may be competing with someone with a degree and experience.
For the careers you're looking at, the ones you've mentioned, a 2 year degree would most likely be fine to get your foot in the door. Obviously if you want to move way up you may eventually have to "upgrade" that degree but there are plenty of ways to do that while staying in your career. You don't have to be a traditional student. Most colleges have departments for nontraditional students and adult learners with classes in the evenings, on weekends, and even online so that you can keep working during the week and take classes here and there until you get the degree.
You might be able to make it work, but you really need to do a LOT more research than just asking what a good area is. You may find a nice, less expensive area but if all the jobs you're interested in/qualified for are on the other side of the Orlando area you may spend more to commute than it would cost to live in the closer more expensive area. You really need to look at all angles.
Also realize that a LOT of people have moved to the Orlando area recently and since there's so much competition for jobs a lot of companies aren't paying nearly as much as they would in other areas. In my own research, there are more than enough people willing to "settle for less" that companies are only offering "less" because they know someone will work for that little. Meanwhile cost of living keeps going up. You have a great head start if you can save $20,000 . . . but if you're only working for $7 an hour, you can easily drain that savings in a year or two just trying to make ends meet. If you're willing to cut "wants" from your budget. . . cell phones, cable, eating out, going out, etc. then you can make things stretch a bit farther. But if you're considering a career with Disney, not trying to burst your bubble, you need to be willing to work a 2nd job if you want to have any kind of financial cushion.
