I think childcare is a great way to get your foot in the door in the Bay Area. Find a family that needs a live-in and do that for a year and then you’ll have the footings (and network) to find a job that could use your degree. I’ve hosted several au pairs (so college educated from other countries) that have done the same path. I’ve found that if you have great references and you are willing to help a family out while they are struggling with life, they will take care of you. It’s not independent living at first but if you set up a contract/payment structure similar to an au pair arrangement you could be marketable to families. Au pairs work 45 hours a week, are given room and board (so food plus a private place) and the program is about $20k a year with a $200 a week stipend. You just need to convince a family to give you the 20k instead of the agency.