I did the Computer Science thing and started climbing the pay scales. Very happy where I am now.

Find a flying club. Usually there are instructors involved, the rental rates are cheaper, and you may not have to live with the FBO's restrictive rental policy (no IFR, limited overnights or 3 hour/day minimum).

Our flying club fizzled after we lost the leaseback on the aircraft, plus 9/11 put a damper on things, BUT five of the club members went in on a Mooney and we formed an LLC. Two of them were instructors, so we had cheap learning. I can hop in the Mooney 24/day and take her for weeks with no minimum daily charges.

It's a choice you'll have to make. Airlines and not being home and all of the other fun the working pilots on the forum have mentioned vs. ownership and the expense that will entail.