damn, Destrox, now I wanna move to Erie!
GE is one of our customers and since they have major operations in Erie, I've been there a few times. My explorations of the Presque Isle area were quite enjoyable, both in Winter when it has a more desolate kind of beauty, and in Summer when the beach and park areas offer lots of opportunities for all sorts of fun, swimming, fishing, biking, hiking, etc.
I was there a few months ago and I had a great time at the downtown bar scene. One of the nicest Irish type bars where I've ever had the pleasure of getting loaded.
As already stated, the cost of living is quite low, at least compared to around here, the Philadelphia area, so, comparatively, you get a lot of house/property for the money.
PS: I forgot to add: invest in a good snow plow, a big snow shovel, hip length snow boot, etc.