If you don’t mind the traveling (flying is my recommendation)...Florida offers some great diving. There are a few lake/river dives and loads of ocean diving both Atlantic and Gulf side. Diving off the Keys is what I have the most knowledge of/experience with and I enjoyed every bit of it. I’ll also shoot a copy of your posting to one of my Divebuddies from the East Coast (we dove in Texas together), she might have some good suggestions. Good luck.- Chuck