I run three systems with turntables and one is a less sophisticated one that I wanted a lower priced MC cartridge in so I installed a Goldring Eroica LX and have been quite pleased with it. That might be a good way to see if heading into MC will be a good move for you.
Another way might be to find another hobbyist looking to move further up and willing to sell his current pickup to fund the move. I use a Lyra Clavis like that in a second system.
A third way is to buy a complete turntable with even higher end pickup, used. I've done that too - bought a table with a Koetsu Urushi for less that half what the cartridge alone would have cost at the time. You can keep or sell on the rest of the table.