I live in a town of 7000 people. I manage to find good deals, its possible. My last mega-find though came from 30mi away, 4 Radius Rockets, a IIfx, 8100, Radus 81/110 and a dead 9500 with a ton of cards, ram, and a bookcase full of software for 200 bucks.
Expand your search horizon. Post a Wanted: Old Macs to cragislist. Every time I did that, I SCORED.
Of Course, now I need space to attempt such finds. All my closets are full. :/
Such is life.