Looking at moving to Hattiesburg from Oregon in the next couple of years...

I know I'll be warned not to do it, but I'm fairly certain I won't be able to afford a home here with land, even being a plumber. I was deployed to Africa for a year, so I know what wet hot heat feels like. Is the plumbers union any good down there? Any other areas that are perhaps better in terms of job hunting? Appreciate any suggestions.