From past experience (that I'm sure most on this forum can concur with) , I can tell you that the airline industry is not one that makes putting down roots easy. Certainly not in the beginning at least. Even when you are senior at your airline that doesn't guarantee anything. Mgt. will close and open various bases at the drop of a hat if necessary. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it, hate it, or deal with it. Your choice.
Eck4Life hits the nail on the head. I've ended up in some very odd bases I never thought I would (when you're junior, you go where they tell you to go)...in fact, I've yet to end up at the base I thought I would go to originally. I don't want to rain on the parade either, but don't choose a company because of their base...that usually ends up leading to frustration in the end. Choose the best company period, one with good stability, good work rules, etc. I know that's hard to choose with regionals as things can change quickly, but for the sake of your wife and kids, try to avoid someone that's going to move your base every 6 months and then furlough you anyway...I've been there
. For a single guy, it's tolerable...but ask yourself can you and your family handle that?
Best of luck! Instructing is THE way to start, you learn a lot! Hopefully, you'll "step up" sooner than later. When the industry is going well, I think it's one of the best jobs around. When it's lousy...it's really lousy.