Working in Providence, living in MA (Special Ed ques.) (Fall River: apartments, rental)

[AandD]

I am interviewing with the Veteran's Administration in Providence, RI. My research shows me that RI services for Autism/ADHD are not that great. I really CAN'T turn down this job, assuming it's offered, and am looking at commuting from MA now, so that my kids can receive the same level (or better) services they do currently.

I'm terribly worried about moving, as my kids have a HUGE support system in place that has enabled them to go far beyond initial expectations, but as I said, I really don't have another option if the RI job comes thru.

What areas in MA are commuting distance for Providence? My tour will be 8:00 - 4:30, so I need to be close enough that I can drop the kids off at school (even before school care would be fine) and make it to Prov by 8. On google, I'm seeing short travel times, but wondering if that's not misleading as I'm not sure what traffic congestion will be like.

As for areas - my MAIN concern is safety. I will be a single mom with two boys under 7. Rural areas are fine, but I will be renting not buying, so apartments or some such would be necessary. Some place where we will be welcomed, not shunned, as newcomers from Texas.

[lrfox]

^What are you looking at as a price range for an apartment?

I would suggest looking into Somerset, Swansea, Seekonk, Rehobeth North Attleboro, and Freetown MA (specifically, the Assonet section) and possibly the city of Fall River, MA (I'll elaborate on Fall River below). You can travel from all of these places to Providence in just under 1/2 hour. Traffic can get a little backed up along I-195 and I-95 but before 8am it shouldn't be TOO bad. (your afternoon commute may be a little slower). I would suggest visiting if it all possible and making the drive to see how it feels.

I am a little partial having grown up there, but I really think Assonet would be a nice fit. My brother had many special needs that needed to be addressed by the school system (Freetown-Lakeville regional schools) and has received quality attention there. My mother is on the board of selectmen as well as the school comittee and considering the personal connection with her son, has spent a great deal of effort in supporting those with additional requirements. If you are interested, you can Direct Message (DM) me and I can give you her contact information so you can ask further questions. She's super helpful and impartial; If her school district can't meet your children's needs, she will give you the information on school districts that can. At the very least, she could put you into contact with people who are absolutely in the know.

I mentioned Fall River above as well. It's a city of 93,000 that doesn't really have a great reputation as some of the more urban parts of it have had some issues with crime (not worse than any city its size though). However, there are some neighborhoods that are VERY safe and quite comfortable. The North End of Fall River and the Highlands neighborhoods are very safe, suburban feeling, and home to working families. The reason I recommended it is that the city spends over $13,500 per student (MUCH higher than most MA towns) and as a result has a lot of extra programming and offerings for people in need of additional accomodations. The rents, even in the neighborhoods I mentioned, are very reasonable and the city is a quick 15-20 minutes from Providence directly on I-195. It gets a bad name, but if you look at the North End and Highlands, I think you'd like what you see. I know many people who have raised families in these areas with no problems whatsoever.

Somerset, Seekonk, and Swansea are all working class suburban towns situated on I-195 between Fall River and Providence. I don't know too much about the school systems there, but I don't think they're too bad at all. You would be able to find reasonable rents and easy access to Providence in either of these towns.

North Attleboro and Rehobeth are also nice in respects to their setup (suburban, parts of Rehobeth are pretty rural), but I don't know anything about the school systems so I can't comment on them. Both would leave you pretty close to Providence.

Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[AandD]

Thank you for your reply. I wanted to quickly reply to your question about rents, as any other respondents may have the same question...

I am pretty open about rental amounts. To get my kids in the school I wanted here in Austin, I lived in the 'best' part of town but an older one bedroom apartment that, as a result, rented for less than the area's usual going rate. If I find the area I need to be in, I will find the rent I need to match. I also will have help from the kids' dad if I need it because he feels, as I do, that you do what you have to for your kids, and make the rest of your life fit around it. I will be on a Fed Gov't salary scale, so most likely in the lower bracket of any place that has better schools, anyway.

I have lots of baking to do before I drive back to Dallas tonight, so I will respond to the rest of your thoughtful post a bit later.

Thank you so much.

[lrfox]

^Well that type of flexibility will open some more doors for you. good luck with your baking, I look forward to your response.

[1979]

Just wondering? Is there any particular reason you would want to specifically live in MA, if you're working in Providence? The only town I would recommend in MA would be Seekonk. One potential problem with some of the towns listed, is that most of those communities are towns with mostly single family homes, not too many apartment buildings.

Ideally, I would consider a suburb around Providence, such as Cranston, Warwick, East Providence or North Providence. If you want a bit more rural, then Lincoln, Coventry, Scituate or Smithfield would be a good choice.

[AandD]

Originally Posted by 1979

Just wondering? Is there any particular reason you would want to specifically live in MA, if you're working in Providence? The only town I would recommend in MA would be Seekonk. One potential problem with some of the towns listed, is that most of those communities are towns with mostly single family homes, not too many apartment buildings.

Ideally, I would consider a suburb around Providence, such as Cranston, Warwick, East Providence or North Providence. If you want a bit more rural, then Lincoln, Coventry, Scituate or Smithfield would be a good choice.

From my inital post: My research shows me that RI services for Autism/ADHD are not that great. (And I was wording it politely. Most of the personal accounts and advocacy literature I could find rated RI closer to the bottom and MA at the tippy-top.) I can't really even articulate how important appropriate special education accomodations are. For my family, it (and the thousands of dollars we spend on therapy every year) may well make the difference of whether or not my youngest son is ever able to live independently.

Also, a single family rental would be fine too. I'm not terribly picky. I'd rather live at the very edge of the best area than the middle of a good area.

IRFOX: My second interview is friday, and they should have a decision by next week. If things work out positively for me, I will definitely DM you for your mom's information. Please cross your fingers or say a prayer for me, whichever is most comfortable!

[lrfox]

^I'll do both for you, good luck! I hope you get the job and I'll send you that information whenever you're ready for it.

[maggiekate]

Bedford, Ma also does have a va, that my work in time, and to live in Bedford, my Best! Fairhaven is real nice also

[AandD]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

Bedford, Ma also does have a va, that my work in time, and to live in Bedford, my Best! Fairhaven is real nice also

If only it were so easy! I'm a health care administrator, not service connected, with no status. That gives me less than a 10% chance of getting past application stage in most VA job announcements (and I'm actually interning at the VA in Texas!). This position is operating under a special authority, which is why I have a chance to interview. Since it was in New England, I jumped at it.

If I am fortunate enough to get the position, I will be in RI until they move me elsewhere. But I won't plan on leaving New England. The resources are just too good in that area.

[JBTD]

Mansfield, MA has a wonderful program. I'm thrilled with the school system. My husband works in E. Greenwich, RI and his commute is about 35 minutes. West Mansfield will get you closer to the highway.