My .02 as someone who plays poker as a hobby and has considered (not that seriously though) going pro in the future.

I have a good job that pays decent money, and enjoy what I do. That being said, I would love to be able to make more money working less with less stress. I have always said that i would never seriously considering quitting my job for poker unless:

1- I had a BR of at least 60 buyins for the level i plan to play at

2- Had played at least 200k hands at a winrate that could pay me at least twice of what i make now working about half as much as i do (about $100/hr min).

3- Was financially secure enough that i could make $0 for three months and not be squeezed for cash (probably at least 12-15k set aside for this reason)

I dont think there is a very good chance that I will ever even get close to being a poker professional, but these rules keep me grounded. I know your situation is a little different than mine (you dont have a job you like/are satisfied with) but I would strongly recommend taking that job/looking for another similar job and trying to play on the side to get somewhere near my requirements.

But if you decide to go pro, good luck. But if i was going pro, i would want to not to have to hope for "good luck" because i was properly prepared.

Poker being less stress? AHAHAHAHAHAHA...

I've never ever ever been depressed in my entire life, until poker.

I don't get stressed, until poker.

Pro poker SUCKS...but the money's awesome, so I stay. But, I'm not really a "pro" pro because it's temporary...I start my PhD in the fall (after 2yrs of 100% pro), and although I'll still play poker for the next 5yrs (prolly 10-20hrs/week) and although it will be my biggest source of income, the stress will be WAY lower/gone.