How to cope

I’ve had gender dysphoria (MTF) since I was about 5 yrs old but I’ve never gotten around to doing something about it. I live in a very conservative neighborhood (I’m about 21) and cant afford to move atm, even though the dysphoria still pangs at me every day. Keep in mind, there ARE trans people in our neighborhood, but they’re usually treated like “very effeminate/masculine gays/lesbians.” I just want advice on how to either cope or if the time comes that I actually decide to be brave, take the big leap and transition, how to be taken seriously and not as another “overtly femme gay guy”.