I live halfway around the world from most of my freelancers (and customers, for that matter), so that doesn't need to be point of difficulty for you.
Unjustified confidence might be, however. Frequently here we have a bunch of programmers who make the mistake of thinking that their code is 90% of their business, rather than 10%. You appear to be making the mistake thinking that your ability to design websites is 90% of what makes you a designer. You are overestimating that and underestimating, e.g., the amount of work you'll have to put into cultivating clients, acting in a professional manner, etc.
That is assuming that your self-analysis of your design skill ("better than most professionals") is accurate. 90% of the programmers I know of think they're above average, too.
I am however in financial trouble and urgently need a steady source of income.
Pro-tip: Never, ever tell a client this. It compromises your negotiating position, because it means that your best alternative to taking their terrible lowball offer is "starvation". Your position with regards to clients should always be that you are enthusiastic about working with them if a mutually satisfactory deal can be arranged. (This dynamic also works for standard employment and dating, I hear.)
Another tip: If you're as good as you think you are, underpricing to get clients is just going to result in you getting a lot of pathological bottom-feeders who a) do not appreciate what you bring to the table and b) will break you because you have not the foggiest idea of how to deal with clients yet. (See: the 90% of freelance designing which is not actually design.)
The best way to get a job doing X is to do X. If you want to make a cutting-edge Web 2.0 site and don't have a client, pick a recognizable name or just make one up -- Acme Widget Company, there, go to town. You can use that as the first of many things in your portfolio. Then start pressing the virtual flesh to meet people, for example via a blog (another opportunity to show off design chops).