I really feel like you're ignoring the substance of most of my comments. Friction is often a factor for people who have the means to do this, but do you understand that many people don't have the means? At the absolute minimum, your friend needed several hundred dollars in the bank, and a resume that included more than high school and minimum wage jobs. I think you're taking this for granted, but it's nearly insurmountable for, again, millions of people in America.
Its good to plan things; but sometimes the friction prevents action. That's all I'm getting at.