system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Harry Potter] So, why did wormtail hide with the weasleys?

Ok, so it's established that Wormtail has no particular loyalty to anyone, he just latches on to the biggest bully on the playground, first James Potter then Voldemort. 


So, he fakes his own death then masquerades as a friendly pet rat for a poor wizard family. Why? This is majorly risking exposure, especially when he allows himself to be taken to Hogwarts, where there are magical educators who might just recognise an animagus. 


Seems like it would make more sense to just skip the country and start a new life somewhere they've never heard the name Peter Pettigrew.
gpt
The Weasleys are pure blood and one of them is employed by the ministry, specifically in a department that dealt with the aftermath of many Death Eater activities. This means Pettigrew can keep an ear out for any news of Voldemort, or worse, Sirius (as stated in book 3). The Weasleys were numerous enough and lived chaotically enough for him to keep under the radar, especially if he just napped and ate all day (I mean Fred and George alone provide enough anarchy for both Weasley parents not to notice one strangely long lived rat)

As for not starting a new life; it's as you mentioned, Pettigrew is a follower. He made it through school under the other Marauders collective smarts, charm and skill. Then he swore allegiance the Death Eaters and Voldemort as they held the most power. Hell, even at his most independent and cunning he was still just a goddamn pet relying on regular rat pellets and a spare pillow. He's incapable of living off his own wits or even putting that much effort into starting over, and he knows it.
And let's not forget, he was treated fairly well at the Weasleys, he probably got complacent after a while (self absorbed dim-bulb that he was).