DD1661's journey

I recently moved to a new state with my employer, hoping for a fresh start and a better cost of living. Initially, things seemed promising, but soon enough, the same issues I faced before resurfaced: favoritism, petty workplace politics, and unrealistic expectations. To make matters worse, I had to start over at the bottom of the seniority list, losing all the advantages I had built over nearly 10 years with the company. I've been passed over for promotions three times, despite performing the same duties successfully at my previous location. On top of that, my employer has had recurring payroll issues, leaving employees without pay for weeks, which has even damaged my credit score. I've been actively trying to leave, but the job market is incredibly discouraging. I keep seeing postings that require extensive experience and education but offer laughably low pay, like $7.25 an hour. This makes me feel trapped; although I earn a decent salary now, finding a new job that pays similarly without a significant pay cut seems nearly impossible. Has anyone else faced this situation? Have you managed to leave a long-term employer without sacrificing your income, or does it feel like the job market is just unrealistic right now?