Well, you are in a rare location, based on my experience. I'm in Northern California. Until last July I had a nice paying job (about $21/hr--far less than what private industry pays for the work I was doing, but it was a city job & I was providing a service for the region's population, and it was sufficient for our modest needs). Suddenly the city finds itself in financial problems (big surprise--NOT---for us in the trenches; the new administrator was spending money like it was never gonna end) and I'm out of a job. Can't find anything around, other than part time minimum wage stuff. You say I should move?? I"m 61, and sitting on my land with lots of "stuff" that isn't easy to move,nor sell in the current financial climate (nor are houses around here selling either). My wife works at the local Hospital & due to changes in the State's handling of health care, their laying off some 25 folks, and the ones still on are getting reduced hours (last month she worked 5 DAYS, that's it.).
Age discrimination?? NAH, that doesn't happen nowadays. . . .
So I'm trying to start my own biz, but my talents are dated; piano tuning, horseless carriage restoration, toy train repair--all luxury items, and nowadays not many are spending on luxuries!
So, be glad you live in one of the rare areas where jobs are plentiful! It ain't that way in most places!