We've all been through that, so I sympathize.

The #1 most important thing is to move where mama will be happy. She and the family are going to be there 100% of the time, while you are most likely not going to be (unless fate lines up the stars and your career domicile happens to be in that same place).

That being said, if you are going to commute, within certain factors it almost doesn't matter where you live or where you get hired. There are obviously many places you could possibly work, and within that many bases you could be assigned to. Plus, bases close and open, fleets are introduced and retired, etc, during the course of a career. No, Delta is probably not going to leave Atlanta and United is probably not leaving Denver...but there are ex-TWA folks that thought St Louis was probably a sure thing, too.

So, picking a residence based on "what airline" and "what base" has serious pitfalls, especially since you have no idea where your "career destination" is going to be. I certainly wouldn't pick it based on what regional you will be doing a short touch-and-go at.