The high CoL states generally have pretty strong tenant protection laws. Talk to friends, family, anyone. Find a couch you can crash on for a week while you find a job. Skip your rent to save up for the move, make a small partial payment and go to court to avoid being evicted quickly. Buy a bus ticket and never look back. Children complicate things and working in a trade that's easy to find another job in makes things easier but the basic workflow is the same.