You get the base your seniority can hold. Better pay or a better contract has no effect on that. Any airline you go to you need to accept that it may be months or even years before you can hold the base you want. That's life in the 121 world.

Every person has to decide what their priorities are and in what order. For my nephew, RAH is the right fit for his career right now. If it was me, I'd rather go back to CFI'ing than work at a 121 carrier again. To each their own but it's never a simple choice.