This is what you need to do before even thinking about stepping in a casino:

1. Learn composite basic strategy
2. Pick your count of choice and learn that. Industry standard is Hi-Lo
3. Learn deviations from BS, a la Illustrious 18 or Sweet 16 + Fab 4
4. Pick your stakes based on your bankroll and design your betting strategy
5. Research casinos you intend to play. Specifically rules, database sharing, heat...etc.

Most of this is achieved either through software (e.g. CVBJ, CVCX..etc.) or buying the physical items like table felt, discard tray, shoe...etc. You do not need to leave your home to accomplish any of the above.

I caveat everything with an emphasis on practice and perfect play. The player's advantage is slim and is easily squandered if you do not treat it as a business.

If you still feel uncomfortable or unready after doing the above, books are also a great resource. I particularly enjoyed "Blackjack Blueprint" by Blaine, which I recommend as an excellent starter book. Be wary of simply picking up any BJ book, many are focused around a specific count and will be mostly useless if it does not apply to you. Also older books, such as "Beat The Dealer," while entertaining to read, is outlandishly dated.

Last - absolutely do not meet with anybody. Networking should come much further down the line once you've established yourself as a competent AP that has been at this a long time. Most people will either burn out, play losing games, or overbet their bankroll to ruin. As it's been said, for every 100 self-professed advantage players, more than likely fewer than you can count with your hands actually play a winning game.

I've only been at this a few years and still will religiously practice the above. This is a perishable skillset you will lose if you do not continually train.