My wife and I moved from Baltimore to Providence in our mid 30's - and now we've been here a decade. Compared to Baltimore, crime and traffic here are non-existent. We've lived downtown and on the East Side and we walk to jobs in and around downtown (at first I worked remotely after keeping my Baltimore job for the first 8 years we lived here.)

One plus for moving to Providence was the number of direct flights back down to Baltimore, making that working remote arrangement much easier. Another plus is that flying is not always required, Providence is located between NYC & Boston right on I-95 so driving is pretty quick and easy (though you'll soon realize that people in RI rarely leave RI.)

Summers are 1,000% better in RI due to lower humidity and temperatures. Nightlife is more artsy and less alcohol-fueled anarchy. (Therefore the cops don't arrive in riot gear to disperse crowds.) Not sure if its just that I'm no longer in my 20's/early 30's - but the cops here actually seem to care about people and don't come off like a para military outfit.