[landtuna]

Oh, I'm informed. But that doesn't make experience. And neither does a side project, really. And what side project needs cloud scale?

The meet-up is a good idea.

[abiogenesis]

Meet-ups may work. I met my current employer at a local Python meetup and got offered a position right away (I am 40+ too, by the way). I had recently moved to the area and had no contacts.

[29athrowaway]

Also in Meetups you will find highly motivated people, the kind of people you want to work with.