Not from PA/MD but I hope I can give some perspective. As far as job, it depends on your industry. If you are in healthcare, tech, finance, engineering etc there's work, but not much general industry. People aren't overly friendly but when you find friends they're usually very loyal in new England. Crime isn't that bad, random crime is very low, especially if you're in your 30s and mind your business. Weather is similar to PA maybe slightly less snow. Our housing is very stretched and expensive right now though.