Actually a lot of it, in all the NE is folks moving south and west for better jobs, and Boomers cashing out in the overheated real estate markets and moving where its warmer and cheaper to retire.
"Actually a lot of it, in all the NE is folks moving south and west for better jobs, and Boomers cashing out in the overheated real estate markets and moving where its warmer and cheaper to retire."
These trends tend to reverse themselves, though. I have to believe that New England states will be doing all they can to encourage people to stay, if for no other reason then to maintain their political clout.
People leave Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan for better jobs; they leave New York and New England for cheaper housing and better weather, but not necessarily better jobs. The job market in the northeast is still very strong and tilted toward a good range of jobs for educated people.