I’m from Pittsburgh and have trekked up to Erie many a time to visit my best friend and her husband. They went to Gannon University and with the exception of a brief stint in grad school at Pitt, they got jobs there and never left. The cost of living is really low compared to Pennsylvania’s other cities, but it’s still got enough amenities going for it to make it a decent place to settle down and raise a family. They also take advantage of close proximity to Buffalo. That said, if not for my bestie, I’d never go out of my way to go to Erie. If I want beach access, I’m more of an ocean person myself.