Thanks for the help this far.
To clarify, I'm flying in a multi crew environment currently, as captain with a small commuter company.
My dilemma is leaving my current position for a Dash 8 FO position which may be a lengthy wait until an upgrade. Also, the pay is less for the first few years. But I understand the industry and how the pay scales and years of service work.
The upside to moving, I think, is flying in to busier airports on a larger aircraft. I know the Dash 8 is more advanced than what I’m currently flying too. The aircraft I'm operating now lacks the glass time some operators like to see (or so I’ve heard).
Form the person who asked, I'm almost 32 and I have a girlfriend who is very supportive of my career. The rest of my family live a fair distance from me but they are easily accessible by plane, utilizing our reciprocal jumpseat agreements.