Congrats on the positive life change.

As far as "building houses" goes, unless you're the builder/developer you are going nowhere, unless you're a disciplined money-saver/investor.

Another way to go is to join the apprenticeship program.
The program ids designed to take a "kid off street" and turn him into a journeyman carpenter in 4 years.
There are 8 levels....you move through 2 levels per years and you pay scale goes up accordingly.
If you have previous carpenter experience they will test you and plug you into one of the levels, depending on your score.

You don't have to drag around a bunch of power tools like the scabs do.
The carpenters fought and won a battle over that years ago and are only responsible for personal hand tools.
The employers supply all power tools.

If you're in your 30's there is still time to start building your pension.
For transportation, you just have to make that happen...that cannot be a barrier.
It takes discipline, hard work and a lot balls to become a journeyman carpenter.

Do this now, keep your mouth shut and do what you're told and you will thank me down the road.
http://www.carpentertraining.org/locations.lasso

PS
Work your way up to foreman or superintendent and you tell the weed puller what to do and when to do it.
They're a notch above the cleaning ladies that do the final clean, so it's not that big of a deal.