There isn't an ageism crisis in the Northeast. There's a cost-of-living crisis, mostly caused by bad government policies.
Groups without substanstial wealth, without substanstial income, or living on fixed incomes are being effected first - disabled, elderly, families with children, non-professionals without graduate educations.
If you are not a two-income couple, both with advanced or graduate degrees, you cannot afford to move to the Northeast. Even those folks are one pink-slip away from financial ruin, especially if they have kids or aging parents.