So I actually did what you are thinking about doing last year. (Moved from Tempe to Erie.)

There are more than ten places in PA, first of all. I'd be curious about where you're considering. My guess is you either watched Briggs or Nick Johnson. While some of their points aren't wrong, you might not want to base your first impressions of PA off of a couple of jagoffs on the internet.

Yes, you might see an occasional dilapidated building, depending on where you go. Erie has quite a few compared to Tempe. However, my cost of living is substantially lower here and I don't think the crime is any worse here than what I saw in Tempe.

People in Erie for the most part are pretty decent, from what I've seen. You'll get the odd turd in the punch bowl anywhere you'd go. They're not any worse or more prevalent here.

Advice: Visit the area where you're looking to move for a few days in winter, especially if you're from the valley or (ugh) Tucson. See if you can handle colder weather and get a feel for whether this is a place for you.