just moved to providence - need opinions and advice (low crime, mobile home)

[sweetpea3829]

Originally Posted by QuilterChick

Probably because so many of them are from RI.

LOL

It cannot be disputed that RI has more than it's fair share of white collar crooks.

Truthfully though, I think it's fair to say that pretty much ALL politicians are crooks. No really...I mean all of them.

RI is bad though because of how deep the corruption runs. I don't doubt that if Cianci was to run for a RI office...he'd get a good share of the votes, if not win because "after all, he DID do a good job with Providence..."

RNR, we all know how much you triple *heart* RI...and hey, good for you!

But that doesn't mean it's not without it's share of issues. It has plenty.

[Rnrboy]

Originally Posted by sweetpea3829

LOL RNR, we all know how much you triple *heart* RI...and hey, good for you!

But that doesn't mean it's not without it's share of issues. It has plenty.

It has issues. Every place does. Plenty is in the eye of the beholder. Everything is relative...so on and so forth.

[QuilterChick]

So don't go around knocking every other city or state in the country, and putting RI on a pedestal. Do you work for the Chamber of Commerce? or maybe the State of RI, and you are salivating for that State pension. It's a great big world out there.

[frenchy711]

So about this corruption I keep hearing about - how does this effect the normal citizen? My brother was telling me about the car inspections. That seems like one.

What is the property insurance situation like? In Florida, it's a big stinking mess, and threatens the states economy. The private insurance companies pass the buck onto the state - as in the state is the insurer of last resort. Lots of people live in places where there really shouldn't be houses - like right next to the ocean in the path of hurricanes. There hasn't been a bad storm since the 4 back in 2004, so it's gonna happen soon.

How about schools? Chances are good that I'll have some kids in the next ten years. Florida's public education - elem, middle, and hs - are just awful. FL spends more money per inmate than per student. Don't get the idea that anyone in prison or jail in that state has it good. It just means the kids have it that bad. On the other hand, the public universities in FL are excellent and dirt cheap. I got a really nice education at UF for about $20,000.

Someone mentioned that the crime in the big cities like orlando and miami might skew the perceptions. Not true. I spent most of my years in a small town, lived in some medium sized cities, and spent plenty of time in orlando and south florida. It's a big problem everywhere. Much of it revolves around drugs. Methamphetamine use is endemic in rural areas - and people get real nasty and violent on that. Right now pain pills are the issue in the cities. Clinics and doctors literally have billboards on the interstates trying to peddle their wares. Armed robbery of pharmacies is not isolated or rare.

[rosco917]

Quilter... I think "someones" feelings were hurt in Florida by those evil conservatives. When someone immediately brings up liberal vs. conservative it means they are closed minded to half of the opinions of the entire population. very sad indeed.
What is important to mention is Rhode Island is not like any other state, RI has exhausted all of it's options through the years to save itself. We already have very high property taxes, and high state income tax, as I stated the infrastructure is already a mess, it can't be "let go" while we bail out, our sales tax is right up there with all other states, we already tax auto's to the max, we tax and charge small business to the max, even though most of our business are small, we don't have DisneyWorld, (except in our Governor's head.) to take in millions in revenue.
Where and how do we get out of this predicament this state has built for itself.
I'm not saying we are the only state to have issues, it's just we have "every" issue possible, and being a tiny and I mean TINY little state, that refuses to do what has to be done, besides punishing its achievers, I can see no way out. So if you are an owner of a home, a building, a nice auto, or an other taxable items.
Get ready for pain... (and don't tell me to leave if I don't like it, please try thinking and helping with the problem.) For those who don't see a problem...I actually feel bad for you.

[Hollytree]

quote: What is important to mention is Rhode Island is not like any other state, RI has exhausted all of it's options through the years to save itself.


I disagree. I don't think we've even begun to exhaust any options. There is much work ahead of us and there are a few elected officials now willing to move forward.

If the cities & towns and the legislature were truly willing to put up referendums asking citizens if we would be willing to go to a county level of government as opposed to a town level- you might see some real savings and reform. I imagine this would be a revision of the state constitution.

Roscoe's ready to throw in the towel when what we need are fighters and reformers.

[sweetpea3829]

Well, I'm not going to even begin to offer suggestions for how to fix the mess that has become RI's economy and infrastructure.

Honestly...I'm not really sure that it can be fixed. Let me rephrase that. Anything is certainly possible. But, the solutions that would be necessary to fix RI's budget issues are not exactly "palatable." Getting constituents on board would be difficult to say the least.

Just as an example...we all know that Central Falls is in really rough shape. What would be the logical solution for CF? Well...as the town is only a single square mile and it obviously cannot support itself (and should we really be shocked considering the population that resides in CF), really, the town should be annexed by one of the neighboring towns...Pawtucket or Cumberland.

That CF even exists is quite ridiculous to begin with...a single square mile town with it's own town officials, city hall, fire department, police department, etc etc etc. Why?

But...here's the problem...Cumberland doesn't want CF's headaches and neither does Pawtucket. You're not going to easily convince the taxpayers of either town to take on the additional burden of CF.

You know another reason Cumberland specifically wouldn't want to annex CF? Because the upper class residents that make up the majority of Cumberland wouldn't want the CF kids in the Cumberland High School. And can you blame them?

Now...my husband and I moved out of RI just as all of that annex talk was unfolding, and I'm not really even sure how it all played out, or is playing out. But...it's just a point...there ARE solutions to solve RI's economic woes...but there are too many residents that would balk at any one solution.

Cut benefits for state workers? State workers will rebel.

Cut welfare benefits? Welfare benefits will rebel.

Raise taxes on businesses? Businesses will continue to leave.

Raise taxes on homeowners? Homeowners will be unable to afford their homes.

I don't know what the solution is really. For us...the solution was to leave. Primarily because there was no way we could afford a decent home in a decent area. And my husband makes pretty good money. But high home prices combined with high property taxes combined with an overall higher COL...we just couldn't swing it.

I daresay we're not the only ones leaving for the very same reasons.

To the OP...as far as school systems go...if you're planning to stay in RI for the long haul...there are certainly some towns with great school systems. And there are certainly some towns with crummy school systems. Personally...I've *heard* that CTs schools are better overall. I'd probably wait until I was closer to that stage of life before making a decision...a lot can change between now and then. :-)

[Rnrboy]

Originally Posted by QuilterChick

So don't go around knocking every other city or state in the country, and putting RI on a pedestal. Do you work for the Chamber of Commerce? or maybe the State of RI, and you are salivating for that State pension. It's a great big world out there.

This isn't about who's knocking what. It's about who's speaking facts and who isn't. I refuted your assertions about what the facts were. End of story.

[Rnrboy]

Originally Posted by frenchy711

So about this corruption I keep hearing about - how does this effect the normal citizen? My brother was telling me about the car inspections. That seems like one.

What is the property insurance situation like? In Florida, it's a big stinking mess, and threatens the states economy. The private insurance companies pass the buck onto the state - as in the state is the insurer of last resort. Lots of people live in places where there really shouldn't be houses - like right next to the ocean in the path of hurricanes. There hasn't been a bad storm since the 4 back in 2004, so it's gonna happen soon.

How about schools? Chances are good that I'll have some kids in the next ten years. Florida's public education - elem, middle, and hs - are just awful. FL spends more money per inmate than per student. Don't get the idea that anyone in prison or jail in that state has it good. It just means the kids have it that bad. On the other hand, the public universities in FL are excellent and dirt cheap. I got a really nice education at UF for about $20,000.

Someone mentioned that the crime in the big cities like orlando and miami might skew the perceptions. Not true. I spent most of my years in a small town, lived in some medium sized cities, and spent plenty of time in orlando and south florida. It's a big problem everywhere. Much of it revolves around drugs. Methamphetamine use is endemic in rural areas - and people get real nasty and violent on that. Right now pain pills are the issue in the cities. Clinics and doctors literally have billboards on the interstates trying to peddle their wares. Armed robbery of pharmacies is not isolated or rare.

You're actually making all this up. You just have a beef with Conservatives.

I think if someone doesn't like where they are, they should stop wasting time on a messageboard and just move. Simple as that.

[rosco917]

Rnr...

I think if someone doesn't like where they are, they should stop wasting time on a messageboard and just move. Simple as that.

You are correct...I agree 100%, but there problems associated with moving out of this state, one is like selling your home, selling in RI is a tricky thing, with property taxes are exceptionally high, potential home buyers understand they will not be able to reduce city property taxes, they then attack your asking price to the maximum degree. they look to steal your home. I don't have to tell you, your monthly home payment generally has property taxes included. That "number" is the number that is the deciding factor when purchasing a home. In effect...when your state demands very high property taxes, they are then partners with you in that property, meaning the city has been slowly extracting "your" equity over the years. You are then forced to reduce a fair market price
to rock bottom.

Also banks are extremely tight fisted, it's just not that easy to get a qualified buyer. Residential or Commercial. (another sad story)

(next...you must do the "right thing" with your children and parents. (if applicable) another long story.

no it's not that easy to "just move" ...many Rhode Islander's are doing there investigating and preparation work and simply trying to not make a mistake. It can take years.

last but not least...nothing is as easy to twist and distort like the "printed fact." Like for instance today I read Rhode Island is 45 or 48 in ranking as to being a "free state." is that a true fact or not?