I think that the grass is always greener elsewhere, but I would never again live in the northeast. I grew up outside Boston and lived there for 18 years, then about 5 years in New York State. Now I am down in Atlanta, and the sunbelt is much better, no comparison, would never return to the old, crowded and very expensive northeast with terrible winters and people who are just as cold. BTW, I am not trying to dampen anything for you, but there are hordes of people who feel the same way. NYS and Mass. are ranked 50 and 49 respectively for population growth. It is not hard for me to see why. And I can live with out New Yorkers (those who live in "The City") anyday.
Good luck.