[dubfan]

He doesn't need to go all the way to the Midwest. Seattle and Portland are much closer and have plenty of cheap living arrangements. He might be in a far-flung suburb with an unfashionable address, or live in an area considered "dangerous" by locals (the "bad" parts of Seattle and Portland are nothing compared to those in Chicago and Detroit), but it beats sitting around in Yakima with no prospects.

[nonamegiven]

Seattle is the most beautiful place I've ever lived (and I've lived in Hawaii). Been through Portland, it's nice too.

I've heard Chattanooga is an option for tech jobs, and Tennessee is supposed to be pretty. Cost of living should be relatively low, if you can get there. Once you get there, or anywhere, do what you would do anywhere: find anyjob and work on moving up from there.

Consider local government for work.