Ask HN: Is it still possible to get started as a solo freelancer?

I've been unemployed as a programmer for a year and a half. I have a degree and lots of experience but no one is interested in hiring me.

So I have the skill but no one wants to hire me. Whatever, I hate working for companies anyways. But is it possible to do freelance work anymore? I mean PROFITABLE freelance work.

I'm going to be honest I'm not going to be able to underbid and outcode on a freelance site. Is there some niche that I can just learn and find work? Similar to how knowing how to make websites used to be enough to do freelance work.