Unhappy With Wordpress

I'm unsure where to post it so I thought I would slap it here because it kinda has to do with software but at the same time it doesn't...

Anyways as it says in the title I'm unhappy with wordpress, I use to create my own websites (using expressions web 4) and I changed to wordpress a year or two ago and I've grown increasingly unhappy with the platform... I feel like I'm trapped in a box because everything that I could do with a website I basically have to pay for with wordpress

I've been told I should change up from wordpress.com to wordpress.org and find hosting some place, but the downfall of that is I'm unemployed so spending a lot of money isn't a option, I can spend a little for sure but I don't want to spend $50+ a year

I am currently thinking about going back to a website, am I stupid to do so ?
What would be a better alternative ?

Thanks in advance
Kennie