I took a pretty good pay cut when I switched to my current job but I got to trade Oklahoma for the Florida panhandle and I can pretty much dive anytime the weather cooperates. It’s more quantity than quality diving but I’ll take it. Although when compared to diving in muddy, manmade lakes in OK the quality is pretty terrific. I no longer have to hold hands with my buddies just to know where they are! (Yes, I’ve been diving in such poor vis I couldn’t see my elbows.)
If you have a family to support, I guess you probably should discuss everyone’s financial priorities and needs and compare that to the cost of living somewhere nearer to the ocean.
As a single, I really could move wherever I like but I don’t want to be a brokea$$ dive bum. I still like to pay my rent, travel and buy new dive equipment when I need it. It always comes down to balance.