I've got flight instructors from before I came to UND who went down the same path I'm going right now. They're good friends with each other and are sharing an apartment. There are people who have gone to UND, graduated with an aviation degree and are living fine lives now without much more hardship than non-aviation people. It is possible to get out of here and live a normal life. It may not be true for everyone, but I would hope that those people would realize that and go another route such as you are doing.

Let's just leave it at this, the best way to become a commercial pilot is to find the way that suits you best. You do what you see as best for you, and I'll do what I see as best for me, and let everyone else do the same.

Erik