Great comments Patti.
Susie -- check to see if you have any dealers in your area -- or better yet someplace you can rent time on a long arm machine -- even if you have to drive a bit. I first found a place that was 2 1/2 hours from me, but didn't get my act together to take the class so I could rent time. Eventually, I found a place about an hour from me and it was great. I think I did 11 or 12 quilts before I found a local place. I took another machine certification class again and have quilted 5 quilts since summer.
All of this quilting has shown me that I really would like to have a long arm -- once I find space and money. But there are others that after taking the certification class who have not come back. They decided it's just not for them.