I think Raviepoo was on the right track.
If your intention is to dive locally, you MUST learn locally. A Caribbean C-Card does not mean that you are ready to dive in cold / lower vis waters up here. If you want to do Tech-Diving start off with someone that is geared to this and can work with you through all of your training.
If you want to do only Blue Water diving, try to do your Open Water dives while on vacation somewhere. You don't save much by doing the OW work up here, and it make only ruin your interest in diving to jump into 55 degree low vis water wearing a ton of exposure protection.
In any case shop around. Don't concentrate on finding the lowest price, because eventually you will (and this may not be a good thing). This is a big nut to crunch, and it is your money. Try to talk with the Instructor that will be teaching you, not just the lackey at the shop. If it feels like you are buying a used car, you probably are, walk away.
If you find someone that does the type of diving your like, and you can talk to them like a human being, and you feel safe around them, put your money down and prepare to have fun.