Wouldn't that be a good place to start learning then? Without a community of people now to push me and work through problems with me, wouldn't a school of sorts be the perfect place to get those things?
The problem with books and online exercises is that when you get stuck you want to give up. It's hard to motivate yourself to push through. Unless you have awesome friends who have the patience to help, who will be your mentor?
The programs you mentioned are great. But it's still just like going to school.