Attempting to escape my house!

[Travis H.]

Promise! I'll post my introduction in the new members thread in just a bit.

For now, though, here's my issue:

I bought a home back in 2006 or 2007 right before the economy crapped out. Heck, I still remember where I was when I found out that it happened. I bought it for around $138,000 at around a 7% interest rate (which, back then, they told me that was fairly generous). This house sits in the middle of the wilderness of rural Georgia, just east of Atlanta on about 3.3 acres of property and is about 2,400 square feet in size. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, etc etc.

Back then, several people convinced me to buy a home, and since I believed that "grownups" knew everything, I caved and did so, despite my misgivings.

Turns out that my misgivings were right. I surrendered something that I value more highly than just about anything else: My mobility and freedom. I bought this damn house, and now it feels like I'm stuck here in the middle of nowhere.

Don't get me wrong. I love nature. I'm a country boy at heart, and believe me, I can survive. But this house has even prevented me from getting a freaking date! I can't tell you how many conversations with girls have ended when they find out that I live 45 minutes from either Atlanta or Athens.

Don't get me started on my job.

Suffice to say, the only way that I feel like my life can actually continue in any sort of measurable capacity is if I get out of this house and mortgage. I refinanced earlier this year, but I'm still in this house.

So, dear reader, I come to you, a humble teacher, writer, philosopher, artist, brewer, what-have-you, imploring you for assistance and expertise.

I've attempted to read some on real-estate myself, and have even posted this similar question on the Mr. Money Mustache blog (they sent me to you guys). Unfortunately, most of what I have read on real-estate looks like a foreign language to me.

I don't even really know where to start.

And I'm fumbling.

So, yeah. Help!