Winters in Philly aren’t that much better than winters in Providence. It’s cold and grey in both places.
If your family qualified for that much financial aid at each of those institutions, doesn’t that 8K/yr difference mean a lot to your family? Can they so easily afford an extra 8K/yr for you to choose Penn?
Don’t be naive. Premeds work very hard everywhere - there will be a lot of competition anywhere you go, among premeds, just as much at Brown as anywhere else. Socially, it’s not as if Brown is a commuter school that empties out on the weekends - there will be a social life. And Providence is an up and coming city, with an arts district and restaurants. I’m sure you can have a very good time there.
Me? If money were no object, I’d take Penn. You’ve got better access to participate in research. HUP and CHOP are right on campus, for volunteering opportunities. Philly is bigger. Penn is bigger, with more majors, should you decide to change fields (many who start out premed don’t finish premed). It’s easier and cheaper to get home, but it’s still pretty easy to get from Providence to NYC on Amtrak.
But if 8K/yr makes a difference to your family, Brown is a fantastic alternative. My husband always says that the toughest choices are between two very good options, and that’s what you’ve got here.